บท 60: A Multiple-Choice Question

"Was that really a Mist Jonin?"

"I actually killed a Mist Jonin with my own hands? Is this a dream?"

With the death of the Mist Jonin Suigetsu Juzo, Kurenai Yuhi and Iwashi Tatami felt as if they were living in a dream, unable to snap back to reality for a long time.

Meanwhile, Koshino stared at the corpses of the Mist ninjas around him, lost in thought. Because he had been stationed with the Konoha medical team for so long, it was only after this first encounter with the Mist ninjas that Koshino realized Konoha's current enemy was the Hidden Mist Village.

Understanding this and knowing the original storyline, Koshino finally grasped the source of his ominous feelings.

"So that's why I've been feeling uneasy all this time. The ominous premonition was actually related to someone close to me!"

"Kakashi, you probably don't realize yet what this battle means for you, do you?"

"This battle we are facing doesn't just signify losing a comrade. It represents the catalyst for the one who will threaten our teacher's life to truly 'turn dark.'"

Koshino chuckled bitterly. Thankfully, his face was hidden behind the Anbu mask, so Kurenai and Iwashi couldn't see his wry smile. Otherwise, they might have thought Koshino was dissatisfied with their performance.

Of course, Koshino's bitter smile wasn't because of Kurenai or Iwashi. It was because of Kakashi and their teacher, the Fourth Hokage.

Other people might need to learn the impact this battle between Konoha and the Hidden Mist could have in the future. But Koshino, a time traveler familiar with the original story, was well aware.

He understood the situation and knew the nature of Kakashi's secret mission.

Among all the battles in the Third Great Ninja War, besides the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, where Kakashi obtained the Sharingan, the fight between Konoha and the Hidden Mist stood out most vividly in Koshino's mind.

In truth, the war between Konoha and the Hidden Mist was driven by Madara Uchiha, the hidden mastermind's machinations.

Months ago, Koshino had gleaned information from Shikaku and Choza, learning that the Fourth Hokage had sent Rin Nohara to infiltrate the Hidden Mist Village, intending for her to become the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails, Isobu. This move was meant to weaken the Hidden Mist Village's power and hinder its support in the Third Great Ninja War.

However, how could the Fourth Hokage know that sending Rin was a significant mistake?

In the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Obito Uchiha, thought dead, had become Madara's pawn. When Madara deemed the time proper, he used his influence within the Hidden Mist Village, controlling the Mizukage and ordering a two-pronged attack: one force to engage Konoha's main troops and the other to transport Rin, as the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki, to Konoha, intending to unleash the Three-Tails to weaken Konoha.

From the original storyline, Koshino knew that Madara's plan was both a failure and a success.

During his secret mission, Kakashi succeeded in 'killing' Rin, the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails. However, the sight of Kakashi killing Rin drove Obito to madness, turning him into the masked man who would take Madara's place as the hidden antagonist.

By securing a successor, Madara's plan wasn't a complete failure.

On the other hand, despite Konoha's victory over the Hidden Mist, the village was left vulnerable to future conflicts, such as the Nine-Tails' attack and the eventual death of the Fourth Hokage.

"What if—just a hypothetical—what if I save Rin from Kakashi? Would that prevent Obito from 'turning dark'? After all, being a Hokage was his dream."

"If Obito doesn't turn dark, then there might be no risk to Minato-sensei's life. From the original story, Madara should be at his limit now, right? With Obito not turning dark, even finding and dealing with an aged Madara should be feasible."

"Yes! Once this mission is complete, I need to discuss this possibility with Minato-sensei."

"But before that, I need to deal with you first!"

As Koshino looked at the still-stunned Kurenai and Iwashi, he shook his head in disappointment. They might become great ninja, but they are still too green.

Had Koshino not intervened and used the Nara clan's secret techniques, especially the Shadow Clone Jutsu's unique effects, Kurenai and Iwashi would have been outmatched and likely killed by the Mist Jonin.

Moreover, their earlier performance needed to be improved, and their current state required to be revised to Koshino. He walked over to them, saw they were still dazed, and coughed softly. Startled, they met his icy gaze, feeling a chill run down their spines.

"Are you two really ninja? Do you lack the resolve to carry out missions? Iwashi, I won't even mention Kurenai. You were once Anbu, yet you don't know how to handle corpses?"

"Ah! Sorry, Koshino! I'll handle it right away!"

Iwashi, embarrassed, scratched his head and hurried to deal with the Mist ninja corpses.

When Koshino turned his gaze to Kurenai, her pale cheeks flushed red, and she quickly apologized. "Sorry, Koshino. We were careless."

"You were more than careless. Be more mindful next time."

"Yes, Captain!"

With a brief reprimand, Koshino believed that this experience would leave a lasting impression on Kurenai, who would eventually become a Jonin. As Kurenai and Iwashi went to handle the corpses, Koshino, still maintaining his Shadow Clone Jutsu, sat beside Suigetsu Juzo's body. Staring at the lifeless Jonin, he smirked coldly.

"Does the Mist Village teach a class on playing dead? All you Mist ninja seem to be very good at it. No wonder you can never beat Konoha."

"If you had truly died earlier, I wouldn't have to face such a difficult choice now."

As Koshino spoke, Suigetsu Juzo, who had appeared dead, slowly opened his eyes, which had turned white.

However, his sudden resurrection only startled Kurenai and Iwashi momentarily.

What truly shocked them was when Koshino, in that brief moment, snatched a strange weapon from Suigetsu Juzo's body—a gun bearing the Leaf Village's emblem!