Naruto Shadow Mage - Chapter 54

“Shadow, you seem to be daydreaming again. Are you really that idle every day?”

“Stop daydreaming and come help me with the wounded!”

“Yes!”

Over the past ten days, Koshino had become entirely accustomed to his “medical ninja” role. The newly arrived injured from the frontlines were often surprised to see an ANBU member double as a medical assistant.

However, those familiar with the medical camp knew the story of the young ANBU. Over the past ten days, Koshino had earned a good reputation among Konoha’s injured. However, no one knew his identity as Nara Koshino, only recognizing him by his ANBU codename, “Shadow.”

As for Koshino’s so-called daydreaming, it wasn’t daydreaming at all!

He used the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique daily for training while maintaining a vigilant presence in the medical camp, ensuring that no one discovered his training secret. Hence, to others, his focused concentration on controlling his shadow clones often appeared as daydreaming. The medical staff and injured shinobi frequently teased him about it, making Koshino laugh and cry as if he were the laziest member of the ANBU.

Few realized how much Koshino’s strength had improved during these “daydreaming” sessions. His main progress was due to training in the Fourth Hokage’s secret techniques.

Not long ago, while training with Gai, Koshino had already grasped some basics of the Fourth Hokage’s techniques, particularly the speed-enhancing Wind Chakra technique. This slight, seemingly ordinary “acceleration” ability allowed Koshino to hold his own against Gai in taijutsu, showcasing a qualitative leap in his strength.

With this foundation, Koshino has focused on mastering two more of the Fourth Hokage’s techniques at an astonishing pace in the past ten days.

The first was the Fourth Hokage’s Body Flicker Technique.

The second was a unique sensing method.

Regarding the first, the Body Flicker Technique: Koshino had already used the app to complete his Body Flicker Technique training long ago. Each shinobi’s Body Flicker Technique had unique nuances. The Fourth Hokage’s Body Flicker was particularly feared, while other shinobi’s versions might merely be flashy moves.

Using shadow clones for training, Koshino’s Body Flicker Technique was undoubtedly the signature technique of the Fourth Hokage. Mastering the subtle nuances required Koshino to complete the first stage of Wind Chakra Nature Transformation through his training, as the app couldn’t assist with these intricate skills. Thus, it took Koshino a significant amount of time and countless shadow clones to perfect it.

When Koshino finally mastered the Fourth Hokage’s Body Flicker Technique, he couldn’t help but marvel at its effectiveness. Not only did it eliminate the need for hand signs, but it also enhanced the technique’s effect using Wind Chakra.

Given the chance on the battlefield, Koshino was eager to see if his Wind Body Flicker Technique, combined with the Rasengan, could mimic some of the Fourth Hokage’s prowess.

After nature’s transformation, the Fourth Hokage used a unique sensing method: wrapping his body in the Wind Chakra. During combat, he used the surrounding chakra changes to sense the opponent’s moves, a fundamental yet essential part of his techniques.

Koshino’s mastery of these techniques is needed to complete the advanced stages of Wind Chakra Nature Transformation. However, even these basics were enough for Koshino to gain an edge in most fights, highlighting the power of the Fourth Hokage’s other techniques beyond the Rasengan and Flying Thunder God Technique. Unfortunately, the original series’ Fourth Hokage died too soon to showcase these abilities to the fans.

“Sigh!”

“I’ve mastered so many techniques, yet I haven’t had a single chance to use them on the battlefield. Uncle Shikaku, you’ve really hindered me!”

“I thought having you as my commander would grant me some advantages!”

“Turns out those advantages mean hiding me in the medical unit. Uncle Shikaku, I almost hate you now!”

Following a few medical ninjas to receive new wounded, Koshino lamented his lack of opportunity to showcase his abilities despite his steady progress in training. However, while mentally grumbling about Shikaku’s overprotectiveness, Koshino’s keen senses suddenly caught something alarming out of the corner of his eye.

“Wait! Is that a kunai’s shadow?”

“Damn, it’s wrapped with an explosive tag!”

Realizing the danger, Koshino instinctively shouted, “Watch out, we’re under attack!”

“Shadow Hand!”

Instantly forming a chakra-formed hand, Koshino’s Shadow Hand swiftly grabbed the incoming kunai wrapped with an explosive tag. Even stationed in the medical unit, Koshino never forgot his ANBU duties or his responsibility to protect the medical team.

With his daily shadow clone training, Koshino was always in top form. As the explosive-tagged kunai flew toward them, Koshino’s Shadow Hand intercepted it and hurled it back into the forest, where it detonated harmlessly.

Unfortunately, the enemy’s ambush was well-prepared. While Koshino managed to save the nearby medical ninjas and wounded, he couldn’t protect the entire camp. Within seconds, the camp was engulfed in flames.

It was impossible to tell how many enemies had infiltrated the camp or how many comrades had perished in the ambush. Koshino quickly grasped the brutal reality of war: those who chatted with you moments ago could be dead in the next.

However, the Konoha medical unit’s combat readiness was commendable. The battle-hardened medics, forged in the fires of the Third Shinobi War, were far more resilient than those in peaceful times.

In just over ten minutes, the medical unit, through the collective efforts of many shinobi, managed to fend off the attackers. The only regret was that the quality of the attacking shinobi exceeded Konoha’s expectations. Not a single enemy died, and none were captured.

The shadow of war loomed over the medical camp. Koshino spent a sleepless night on high alert.

The grim news Koshino hadn’t received during the night became evident in the morning. Summoned by the medical unit’s captain, Koshino finally understood their dire situation.

“Shadow, it seems the enemy intends to cut us off from the main force.”

“Now, we’re likely surrounded and fighting alone in enemy territory.”

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