Naruto Shadow Mage - Chapter 56
“Seriously?”
Kurenai Yuhi’s sharp tongue was never showcased in the original storyline!
When Kurenai’s comment landed, Koshino’s expression was filled with frustration, feeling the mission’s difficulty had just increased. As for Iwashi Itagaki, he looked like he was about to spit blood. He was taken aback by Kurenai’s remark, which seemed to have dealt him a ten-thousand-point blow, almost rendering him combat-ineffective.
However, jokes aside, when it came time to execute the mission, Koshino was just as serious as anyone.
Seeing that neither Asuma Sarutobi nor Kurenai Yuhi had any intention of backing out, Koshino unfolded a map that had been in his ninja tool bag for a long time. He looked at Iwashi and said, “Iwashi, I’ll just call you Iwashi. After all, ‘Sensor’ does sound a bit… feminine. I’ve wanted to say that for a while.”
“Shadow, can I spar with you before we head out?”
“No, because I’m the captain.”
Koshino used his authority as the captain to suppress Iwashi’s frustration.
With just a few words, Koshino successfully lightened the tense atmosphere of the breakout and smiled, “Iwashi, you know I’m a rookie. So, I’ll rely on you for guidance. I don’t want to break through only to get lost and not find the main camp. Can I count on you for that?”
“No problem, leave it to me!”
“Good. Now, Kurenai, Asuma, can you tell me what you’re good at?”
Koshino trusted they would succeed in the breakout with Iwashi’s guidance and sensory abilities. As for Kurenai and Asuma, he wanted to understand their abilities better to protect them more effectively.
As Iwashi mentioned, Kurenai was skilled in ninjutsu and had already achieved a certain level of proficiency, which made Koshino nod in approval. Kurenai’s skills would be helpful in the breakout. On the other hand, Asuma seemed to be a straightforward fighter.
Apart from combat, he didn’t have any other notable skills.
Koshino couldn’t understand how the beautiful Kurenai from the original series ended up with someone who started aging so early, like Asuma.
Speaking of beauty, Koshino’s gaze inevitably fell on Kurenai. Despite her young age, she was already showing signs of becoming beautiful.
Due to her age, Kurenai’s figure has yet to develop fully, unlike in the original storyline, where she has an hourglass figure. However, her delicate face and ruby-like eyes made Koshino think she had the potential to become a stunning beauty in the future.
While Koshino admired Kurenai’s potential beauty, he had no idea that both Kurenai and Asuma also scrutinized him.
To be honest, Koshino was still very young.
Although Iwashi held Koshino in high regard, Kurenai and Asuma found it hard to believe that the captain of the medical unit had entrusted such an essential task to someone so young. Despite their silence, their hearts harbored doubts.
Kurenai and Asuma exchanged glances filled with amusement, especially since they had to follow Koshino’s commands during the breakout. If Koshino couldn’t win their respect, he would face external and internal ” enemies during the breakout.”
As for Koshino, he understood that if Kurenai and Asuma didn’t respect him, there was nothing he could do but prove himself through strength.
After finalizing the breakout plan, Koshino checked the time and ordered:
“Iwashi, Kurenai, Asuma, we have twenty minutes to rest.”
“After twenty minutes, we’ll meet at Iwashi’s tent and prepare to break out. Understood?”
“Yes, Captain!”
Responding to Koshino, Iwashi, Kurenai, and Asuma went to rest.
As Kurenai and Asuma left, their quiet conversation reached Koshino’s ears.
“Asuma, do you really think Shadow is as strong as Iwashi says?”
“Hah, I bet Iwashi’s exaggerating. Comparing him to Kakashi at such a young age, who does he think he is? So, Kurenai, stick with me during the breakout. Following Shadow might mean we won’t even make it out, let alone deliver the message.”
“Come on, Asuma, Shadow is still our captain. We have to follow his orders for now.”
“Tch, I don’t care! If he pisses me off, I’ll knock him down!”
Hearing the distant voices fade, Koshino couldn’t help but smirk, thinking:
“Kurenai is reasonable enough, but Asuma is such an annoying guy.”
“Not every character from the original series is likable. Kakashi and Asuma are exceptions.”
“Forget it, no point in worrying about it. Better focus on completing the mission!”
With that thought, Koshino decided to put aside his annoyance and, after the twenty-minute rest, headed to the rendezvous point.
Unexpectedly, Iwashi and Kurenai were already at the meeting spot, but Asuma was nowhere to be seen, as if he had utterly forgotten Koshino’s orders.
Seeing Asuma’s absence, even Iwashi’s face darkened.
Koshino thought it was one thing for Asuma to look down on him, but how could he lack such primary ninja discipline? Especially when the ninja unit faced danger, disobeying orders was grounds for execution!
As the Third Hokage’s son, Asuma should know better. Koshino’s opinion of Asuma plummeted to an all-time low, losing any remaining goodwill.
Iwashi, too, felt awkward. He had recommended Kurenai and Asuma to Koshino, and now Asuma had let them down, making Iwashi feel like he was caught in the middle.
“Shadow, about Asuma…”
“No need to explain, Iwashi. We’re partners!”
Seeing Iwashi about to defend Asuma, Koshino decided not to let an insignificant person affect his friendship with Iwashi and said with a smile:
“If Asuma’s not coming, we’ll go without him!”
“Iwashi, Kurenai, follow my lead!”
“Breakout, begin!”
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