章 23: The Name of a Genius

"Shadow Hand!"

"Whoosh!"

Under the astonished gazes of Shikaku, Choza, and everyone else, Koshino, who had used a Shadow Clone to counter the Fire Style jutsu unleashed by Uchiha Itachi, now employed a newly developed secret technique!

Shadow Hand!

With a solemn expression, Koshino felt his chakra rapidly depleting as he used the Shadow Hand technique, and its profound effects were displayed for everyone to see!

A shadow first gathered at Koshino's feet and soon formed into several hand shapes.

These hands were not imaginary but solid!

So, as Shikaku watched Koshino use the new technique, he couldn't help but exclaim!

"Another modified secret technique!"

"Koshino! How many surprises do you have in store for me?"

As Shikaku finished speaking, the surrounding area erupted in astonished exclamations!

"What? Another new secret technique?"

"Isn't modifying one secret technique enough? Koshino can actually modify multiple Nara clan secret techniques?"

"Insane! Truly insane! Remember the name Nara Koshino well! He is the one you all should aspire to surpass in the future!"

Amid the exclamations, the elite young ninjas from various clans looked at Koshino with envy, wishing they could be the center of attention like him.

But in the field, neither Koshino nor Uchiha Itachi showed any sign of distraction.

Because from this moment on, their confrontation would determine the victor!

Using the new secret technique, Shadow Hand, Koshino didn't hesitate to control the solidified shadow hands to grasp the scattered shuriken.

These shuriken were the ones Koshino and Uchiha Itachi had thrown earlier, and Itachi never imagined that these scattered shuriken could become a significant threat to him!

Next, with the forceful throws of the Shadow Hands, several "whoosh" sounds were heard!

The shuriken on the ground was hurled towards Itachi's position!

Itachi, who had jumped into the air to avoid the scorching power of the Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu, found himself with no space to dodge and no time to use the Substitution Jutsu.

So, as his expression grew more serious, Itachi reached for his ninja tool pouch to avoid serious injury.

But just as Itachi's hand was about to reach his pouch, an eerie sensation enveloped him, and he was shocked to find his body unable to move freely!

"I've lost!"

"Koshino, I underestimated you again! Your new secret technique is indeed powerful!"

Smiling helplessly, Itachi realized he had not been wronged when he saw a shuriken pinning his shadow to the ground.

It turned out that when Koshino used the Shadow Hand technique, he also employed another new technique, Shadow Shuriken.

The majority of the shuriken controlled by the Shadow Hand was to distract Itachi.

Koshino's real trump card was the Shadow Shuriken hidden among the many shuriken, which immobilized Itachi and ensured Koshino's victory!

However, as Itachi smiled helplessly, he closed his eyes, waiting for the shuriken thrown by the Shadow Hands to pierce him.

But when Itachi landed on the ground without feeling any pain, his curiosity prompted him to open his eyes.

"Why don't I feel any pain?"

Opening his eyes suddenly, Itachi was surprised to see that when he landed, Koshino had used the Shadow Hands to catch the shuriken in mid-air, allowing Itachi to land unscathed.

On the one hand, he admired Koshino's strength, and on the other, he marveled at Koshino's character.

Seeing that he had lost completely, Itachi showed none of the arrogance typical of the Uchiha clan members. He sincerely praised, "Koshino, I lost."

"But next time, I'll be the one to win!"

"Alright! I'll be waiting for your next challenge!"

Having successfully defeated Itachi, Koshino displayed a similar grace.

Then, he walked towards Itachi. After performing the seal of reconciliation, Koshino smiled and returned to Shikaku's side, discreetly giving him a thumbs-up.

Seeing this, Shikaku smiled, patted Koshino on the shoulder, and then looked at Fugaku with a smile, saying, "Brother Fugaku, do you have anything to say now?"

"Hmph, just wait and see!"

"Itachi, let's go!"

At Hiashi's banquet, the Uchiha clan had lost face.

So, at this moment, Fugaku, showing none of the grace of a noble, hurriedly left Hiashi's mansion with Itachi. Among the entire Uchiha clan, only Itachi maintained a calm demeanor, as if he didn't care about the previous defeat, even waving at Koshino as he left.

Noticing Itachi's demeanor, different from the typical Uchiha clansmen, Koshino understood why the Third Hokage had so much faith in Itachi.

However, the repeated provocations from the Uchiha clan disrupted Hiashi's banquet.

As soon as the fight between Koshino and Itachi ended, the clan heads took their people and left, including Shikaku, Choza, and Inoichi, who took Koshino and bid farewell to Hiashi before returning to their clan.

But on the way back, Koshino noticed that Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza were silent, lost in thought.

Curious, Koshino turned his gaze to Choza, hoping to learn what Shikaku and Inoichi were pondering.

Unexpectedly, Choza smiled when he met Koshino's eyes.

Especially when he used his strong hands to ruffle Koshino's hair, Choza's question left Koshino stunned.

"Koshino, are you ready to accept challenges?"

"The title of a genius isn't easy to bear!"

"Genius?"

Koshino was puzzled by Choza's words and asked, "Uncle Choza, what do you mean?"

"What do I mean?"

"Koshino, Choza means that you will be very busy in the future!"

Listening to the conversation between Choza and Koshino, Inoichi, who had been silent with Shikaku, suddenly laughed and said, "Koshino, you performed so well, and I am also happy for you."

"But do you know why Shikaku and I have been silent on the way back?"

"It's because we are thinking about how to protect you, the genius of the Nara clan!"

With that, Shikaku, Choza, and Inoichi sighed deeply, offering no further explanation to Koshino.

It wasn't until the next day, when the name of the Nara clan's genius spread throughout Konoha that Koshino understood—the title of a genius isn't easy to bear!