Naruto Shadow Mage

"A team?" 

"Could it be that kid from before? Damn it!"

At that moment, the faint smile on Koshino's face was magnified infinitely in Juzo Biwa's eyes.

With just a single sentence, Koshino shattered Juzo's psychological defenses, leaving him with no chance of recovery. Juzo's psychological warfare was indeed formidable. If it had been Kakashi and Shisui Uchiha working together, the Blades Squad might have met their end at Juzo's hands.

But, unfortunately for him, the one paired with Shisui wasn't Kakashi, who had a weakness in psychological battles—it was Koshino!

Koshino, a member of the Nara clan.

The Nara clan, while lacking in physical strength, chakra reserves, or advanced bloodline abilities compared to other prestigious clans like the Uzumaki, Uchiha, or Hyuga, had one significant advantage: intelligence. And with Koshino's maturity and wisdom carried over from his previous life, it became a terrifyingly effective combat asset.

That asset was composure.

No matter the situation, Koshino maintained his composure.

Even in moments of intense pressure, Koshino never lost his cool, always quietly thinking of ways to defeat Juzo.

As mentioned before, when Koshino named his new technique "Shadow Realm Descent," he was already aware of many of its flaws, even after only partially mastering it.

So, even though Koshino momentarily faltered under Juzo's psychological pressure, he wouldn't let it break his completely, nor lose the blend of wisdom and maturity that kept his calm. he wasn't going to fall into Juzo's trap so easily.

Given all this, there could be only one conclusion: Koshino, in addition to mastering the Nara clan's shadow techniques, was also a master of deception.

Using Shadow Communication, Koshino had silently coordinated with Shisui to set up a plan to deceive Juzo.

They had planted a trap within Juzo's own trap, waiting for him to step right into it—this was the perfect strategy to counter him!

Juzo, noticing the smile on Koshino's face, felt a flicker of nervousness. However, he was a seasoned veteran, hardened during the Bloody Mist era, and wasn't one to back down. Determined to counter Shisui's attack, Juzo ignored his injuries and continued to bring down the Executioner's Blade.

But Juzo never anticipated that his ruthlessness would only draw a sigh from Koshino.

Especially as the Executioner's Blade neared Koshino, his calm voice rang out, shocking even the usually composed Juzo.

"I expected you to fight us to the death, Juzo Biwa."

"Did you think I wouldn't have a backup plan?"

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

"Boom!"

Just as the blade was about to strike, a shadow suddenly materialized—Koshino had created a shadow clone long before.

Shadow clones were physical clones, making them even more effective for defense than standard clones!

Moreover, the Executioner's Blade was a large, heavy sword, not like the Samehada, so Juzo couldn't rely on its special properties to destroy Koshino's shadow clone.

In the next instant, the Executioner's Blade collided with the shadow clone, stopping it in its tracks with a resounding "clang."

But in the following second, Shisui's figure flashed into view, causing Juzo to smirk coldly.

"Kid, your technique can't even restrain me anymore!"

"Do you really think that kid has any chance of hurting me?"

As Juzo locked onto Shisui's approach and prepared to evade, he suddenly felt his body stiffen, once again trapped by the technique. This unexpected turn left Juzo in stunned disbelief.

"How is this possible?"

"Your technique shouldn't be able to bind me!"

Koshino's voice, full of confidence, responded from behind:

"Juzo Biwa, you're right—I have many flaws in my technique, just as you pointed out. And yes, when I use this technique, I can't move. If I forcibly cancel it, I'll suffer a backlash."

"But you forget, I'm a member of the Nara clan!"

"And being from the Nara clan, do you really think the Shadow Possession technique is the only trick I have?"

"Just because I can't retract this technique doesn't mean I can't alter its form!"

"So, Juzo Biwa, let me make it clear!"

"Nara Clan's Shadow Possession Technique… successful!"

As Koshino's voice reached him, Juzo, feeling the sudden immobilization, glanced down in panic to see that his shadow had indeed connected with Koshino's.

It was Koshino's way of overcoming the flaws of Shadow Realm Descent. Rather than canceling the technique and risking a backlash, he had transformed its form.

Shadow Realm Descent was born from the Shadow Possession technique, so in the absence of a deeper understanding, Koshino had simply reverted it to the basic Shadow Possession Technique.

The psychological warfare had backfired on Juzo, leaving him no time to assess his surroundings, let alone realize what was happening underfoot. Koshino had quietly shifted the form of his technique, transforming it back into the basic Shadow Possession, effortlessly binding Juzo.

What followed was inevitable.

Shisui's figure flashed into view, his short sword expertly piercing Juzo's heart.

However, what earned Juzo a sliver of respect from both Koshino and Shisui was that even after such a fatal blow, he didn't immediately succumb. As the life drained from him, Juzo forced a smirk, casting a disdainful glance at Shisui before addressing Koshino:

"Kid, it was your doing that our plans failed. Before I die, at least tell me your name."

"Shadow. That's the only name worthy of you."

Juzo Biwa had been a formidable opponent, pushing Koshino's team to their limits, largely due to his mastery of the Bloody Mist Technique.

But Koshino never respected his enemies.

So, with a cold, cutting voice, Koshino replied, then swiftly sliced Juzo's throat with a kunai.

"And Juzo Biwa, many villains meet their end because they talk too much."

"I don't intend to die because of a few extra words from you!"

"So… rest in peace!"