Naruto Shadow Mage

"Koshino, is what he said true? Does your technique really have that many weaknesses?"

Through their mental communication, Shisui Uchiha's voice reached Koshino, who could only offer a bitter smile and nod in response:

"Shisui, everything he said is true."

"My new technique was just recently developed and lacks thorough understanding, so it definitely has its flaws."

"But... I never expected that guy to see through my technique's weaknesses so quickly!"

After responding, a heavy silence fell between Koshino and Shisui.

It was clear that Juzo Biwa's previous words were not only meant to demonstrate his strength but also to break Koshino and Shisui's spirits through psychological warfare!

Facing the threat of their entire squad being wiped out, the pressure on Shisui, as the squad leader, was immense. The same could be said for Koshino.

Koshino had put so much effort into turning the tide of battle, transforming a dire situation into a position of strength. But now, facing Juzo Biwa, both Koshino and Shisui suddenly found themselves at a disadvantage, their confidence shaken. And that psychological blow was no small matter. Moreover, Juzo, who had mastered the Silent Killing Technique and developed the Bloody Mist Technique, was a psychological warfare expert. He used his words to undermine Koshino and Shisui's confidence while crafting an invincible image of himself in their minds.

With Juzo's psychological assault taking effect, it was inevitable that Koshino and Shisui's performance would suffer, which was exactly what Juzo wanted.

To be honest, Koshino had always been aware of the weaknesses in his new technique, Shadow Realm Descent.

On one hand, Koshino knew that the technique's flaws were due to his limited time to comprehend it fully, so he hadn't dwelled on them too much. On the other hand, he had hoped that the overwhelming power of an S-rank technique like Shadow Realm Descent would be enough to shake Juzo's confidence.

Who would have thought that this psychological strategy would backfire?

Especially when Juzo pointed out the first flaw in Shadow Realm Descent—that as its range expanded, its restraining effect became much weaker than that of the ordinary Shadow Imitation Technique—Koshino and Shisui were left standing there, stunned. Juzo knew at that moment that he had gained the upper hand in the psychological battle.

So, when Juzo began forming hand signs again, he wasn't just adding fuel to the fire of his psychological warfare—he was exposing the second flaw in Shadow Realm Descent through action!

"You two brats, I've been talking too much nonsense with you."

"From now on, I'm getting serious!"

"Water Style: Water Clone Jutsu!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Having gained the upper hand psychologically, Juzo Biwa took advantage of Koshino and Shisui's momentary hesitation to complete his hand signs!

It was the Water Style: Water Clone Jutsu—a simple cloning technique. It couldn't compare to Koshino's current mastery of the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, and even ordinary Shadow Clone Jutsu outclassed it. Each shadow clone could inherit far more of the original's power than water clones. So, when Juzo successfully performed the jutsu, Shisui didn't think much of it.

However, as soon as Koshino saw one water clone after another appear, he instinctively used the power of Shadow Realm Descent to restrain the ten water clones Juzo had created.

But just as Shadow Realm Descent restrained the ten water clones, Juzo Biwa leaped forward, breaking free from the technique's grip with a smirk.

"So that's it!"

"Juzo's Water Clone Jutsu wasn't intended for combat; it was meant to disperse the restraining power of Shadow Realm Descent!"

"Judging by the way Shadow Realm Descent worked earlier, expanding its range dilutes its restraining power. And now, restraining multiple targets further weakens its effect!"

"By spreading the restraining power across ten water clones, Juzo, with his elite Jonin-level strength, was able to break free!"

"This is bad! Shisui's in danger!"

"Boom!"

In the first moment, Juzo used his Water Clone Jutsu to reveal the second flaw in Shadow Realm Descent.

In the next moment, Juzo demonstrated the third flaw in Koshino's S-rank technique!

The shadows of Shadow Realm Descent could not extend to the surrounding trees or any other surfaces where someone could gain footing!

In an instant, through his Wind Perception, Koshino saw Juzo throw several kunai.

The kunai struck the ground covered by Shadow Realm Descent!

Juzo was using the kunai as stepping stones, completely bypassing the effects of Shadow Realm Descent, and charged straight at Shisui!

Shisui, not expecting Juzo to break free and move so quickly, was caught off guard. Juzo unleashed a powerful burst of chakra, launching himself toward Shisui, wielding the Executioner's Blade with brute force as he aimed to crush Shisui's short sword!

The outcome was inevitable!

Shisui's short sword was designed for speed and agility, not for power. It was naturally at a disadvantage in a clash of strength.

But Juzo's Executioner's Blade!

The weight of that massive blade was beyond what an ordinary person could handle.

In the original story, even Suigetsu Hozuki struggled to lift the blade when he first wielded it. This alone demonstrated Juzo's overwhelming advantage in strength!

With the Executioner's Blade swinging down, Shisui was knocked to the ground. And then, in the blink of an eye, Juzo appeared behind Koshino!

"Kid, if I'm not mistaken, you can't move while maintaining this technique, right?"

"If you tried to move, your modified Nara Clan technique would undoubtedly backfire on you!"

"If you're going to get hurt anyway, you might as well let me be the one to do it. At least then, it would be more dignified!"

"Hahahaha!"

Juzo's maniacal laughter echoed, and his eyes, filled with murderous intent, locked onto Koshino. Confidently wielding the Executioner's Blade with one hand, Juzo was proud of himself as he pointed out the fourth flaw in Koshino's S-rank technique, Shadow Realm Descent. Then, he swung his massive blade down. In that moment, Juzo was already envisioning Koshino's demise, so he no longer felt the need to be as cautious as before, nor did he need to rely on psychological warfare to weaken Koshino and Shisui's combat awareness.

However, what made Juzo's eyes narrow in surprise was that as the Executioner's Blade came down, he saw a faint smile on Koshino's face!

And in that fleeting moment, as that subtle smile appeared on Koshino's face, he uttered a single sentence that completely shattered Juzo's confidence:

"Juzo Biwa, your psychological tactics are impressive, but you've forgotten one thing—we're a team!"

"Shisui, it's your turn!"