章節 59: That Was a Jonin?

"Shadow clones? Not just regular clones?"

"This is bad!"

His spirits sank when Suigetsu Juzo saw Koshino use the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu.

As a Mist Jonin who fought in the Third Great Ninja War, Suigetsu Juzo knew the power of shadow clones. When he saw multiple Koshino clones appear, his first thought was that this Leaf Anbu intended to wipe out his team. Why else would he expend so much chakra to create shadow clones for battle?

And Suigetsu Juzo's assumption was entirely correct. Koshino didn't hesitate to use the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu to annihilate the Mist ninja squad before him, even while contending with a Jonin.

When Koshino identified the squad as Mist ninjas, knowing Konoha conflicted with them, he harbored grim intentions. Since Koshino was on a mission to break through enemy lines, letting any Mist ninja escape would make future escape attempts even more difficult. Therefore, Koshino didn't hold back, using his chakra to create six shadow clones surrounding the Mist ninjas.

Seeing Suigetsu Juzo rush to save his subordinates, Koshino smirked coldly.

"You're distracted while fighting me?"

"Even if you're a Jonin, who can you save?"

With a dark laugh, Koshino disappeared into the forest's shadows again. Meanwhile, Suigetsu Juzo found himself in deep trouble.

"Shadow Sewing Jutsu!"

"Swish!"

Just as Suigetsu Juzo reached the first Koshino clone, the clone formed hand seals, using all its chakra to cast the Shadow Sewing Jutsu. The shadow shot forward, piercing through a Mist Genin. The Genin, already struggling against another clone, had no chance to defend against this new attack. The shadow skewered the Genin, causing him to fall lifelessly to the ground. Although Suigetsu Juzo destroyed the clone using the Shadow Sewing Jutsu, he couldn't save his subordinate.

Koshino's technique killed the second Mist Genin.

"Damn you, Leaf Anbu! Making me lose two subordinates!"

"Die!"

"Water Style: Wild Water Wave!"

"Boom!"

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Suigetsu Juzo couldn't remain passive. As the second Genin fell, he formed hand seals, quickly casting a C-rank Water Style jutsu.

"Whoosh!"

Despite lacking a water source, Suigetsu Juzo used his chakra to gather moisture from the air, completing the Water Style jutsu. A wave of water surged toward Koshino's clones. The remaining Mist ninjas instinctively tried to jump away to avoid the jutsu's impact.

But in the next moment, something horrifying happened. Just as the Mist ninjas leaped to escape, Koshino's clones extended their shadows, binding the Mist ninjas in place, making escape impossible.

Suigetsu Juzo was stunned. Seeing his subordinates trapped and threatened by his Water Style jutsu, he bit his lip hard, tasting blood, and cursed under his breath.

"Dammit, it's a Nara clan member from the Leaf!"

"Shadow Imitation Technique, truly formidable!"

"Ugh!"

While speaking, Suigetsu Juzo forcibly canceled his Water Style jutsu, suffering backlash that caused him to cough up blood. He thought he had a chance to save his subordinates. But Koshino didn't give him any time. As his clones used the Shadow Imitation Technique to bind the remaining Mist ninjas, Koshino changed his hand seals and murmured.

"Shadow Strangling Jutsu!"

"Crack!"

The shadows climbed up the bound Mist ninjas, reaching their necks and snapping them. In seconds, all of Suigetsu Juzo's subordinates were dead, their necks broken by Koshino's Shadow Strangling Jutsu.

Suigetsu Juzo was left alone, his heart filled with grief. The backlash from canceling his jutsu wasn't simple. He had risked internal injury to save his subordinates, and now, seeing them all dead at Koshino's hands, his pain was immense.

As Koshino emerged from the shadows, Suigetsu Juzo took a deep breath, finally recognizing the threat posed by this young Anbu. Yet, Koshino's voice cut through the tension just as he was about to speak.

"Mist ninja, didn't you notice my shadow is gone?"

"What?"

Before Suigetsu Juzo could react, Koshino coldly ordered:

"Iwashi! Kurenai!"

"Such a perfect opportunity, do I need to remind you?"

"Yes, Captain!"

Watching Koshino from the forest, Iwashi Itagaki and Kurenai Yuhi were astonished by his power. Six Mist ninjas, including a Jonin, had fallen without a fight. Kurenai began to think of Koshino as a prodigy, wondering how someone so young could possess such strength.

As Koshino gave the order, with Suigetsu Juzo immobilized by the lack of shadows, Iwashi and Kurenai appeared, kunai in hand. They swiftly stabbed Suigetsu Juzo in the throat and heart. Even as Jonin's life ebbed away, Iwashi and Kurenai felt like they were dreaming.

Could it be? Was the man they had just killed a Jonin from the Mist?

When did Mist Jonin become so easy to kill?