Naruto Shadow Mage - Chapter 63

“Damn kid!”

“It’s you again!”

The familiar voice echoed in his ears, and feeling the restraint under his feet, Hozuki Genji instantly knew who it was.
It was none other than that pesky ANBU brat!

Despite recognizing Yoroi and seeing the familiar figures of Kurenai and Daiwashi, Hozuki Genji couldn’t believe his eyes as Yoroi and his team walked into the Mist Village camp so effortlessly.

Moreover, after sneaking in, they casually strolled into the prisoner camp!

Seeing Hozuki Genji’s puzzled expression, Yoroi, whose face was hidden behind a mask, couldn’t help but smile smugly and explained to the bewildered Hozuki Genji and the delighted Asuma Sarutobi, “Curious how we infiltrated, aren’t you, immortal Mist Jonin?”

“Since you’re about to die for real this time, I’ll tell you how you met your end!”

“Kurenai, explain to our Mist friend here. Let him report his death properly to the Shinigami.”

“Yes, Yoroi!”

With a proud look in her eyes, Kurenai explained to Hozuki Genji, “Mist Ninja, we managed to infiltrate your camp and easily deal with your guards thanks to you! Since you didn’t explain the whereabouts of your team, we just disguised ourselves as your team members and followed you back.”

“Moreover, it seems you’re not very well-liked among your comrades!”

“We disguised ourselves as your subordinates, and no one even asked where the rest of your team was!”

“So your death is partly thanks to your good nature!”

“What?!”

As Kurenai revealed the reason, Hozuki Genji grew increasingly distressed.

Recalling a Mist Genin’s inquiry earlier, Hozuki Genji regretted not disclosing his team’s demise. If he had, the camp guards wouldn’t have allowed Yoroi and his team to infiltrate so easily.

And Hozuki Genji wouldn’t be Yoroi’s prisoner again.

However, no matter what, Hozuki Genji couldn’t imagine that even if he had disclosed his team’s deaths, Yoroi and his team would still have found a way to infiltrate the Mist camp, albeit with more difficulty.

The reason?

Yoroi’s intellect far surpassed Hozuki Genji’s!
Hozuki Genji’s failure wasn’t solely due to minor oversights; it was because he couldn’t outsmart Yoroi!
Long before, when Kurenai and Daiwashi “killed” Hozuki Genji under Yoroi’s guidance, Yoroi had sensed something off about Hozuki Genji’s aura. Especially noticing a dampness on Hozuki Genji’s wounds, Yoroi, familiar with the original storyline, made a guess!
Hozuki Genji was a member of the Hozuki clan of Mist Village!
Knowing the original storyline, Yoroi was aware of the Hozuki clan’s secrets!
With Daiwashi being a sensory type ninja, capable of masking others’ presence, Yoroi used Shadow Clone Jutsu to have a clone hide in Hozuki Genji’s shadow, executing a complex plan. Once at the Mist camp, Yoroi was further aided by fate.

Discovering that the camp had only a few Mist Chunin and Genin guarding and Hozuki Genji hadn’t reported his team’s deaths, Yoroi’s plan became straightforward. They disguised themselves as Hozuki Genji’s subordinates, infiltrated the camp, and eliminated the guards.

Thus, Yoroi’s plan was complete!

Simultaneously, Asuma Sarutobi was saved.

When Yoroi used the Nara clan’s secret technique to subdue the camp guards silently, he could have easily restrained Hozuki Genji. However, he refrained, intending to teach Asuma a lesson about the consequences of disobeying orders.

Unfortunately, as Yoroi glanced at Asuma, seeing Kurenai dispel the genjutsu on him, Asuma showed no gratitude, preparing to kill Hozuki Genji with a kunai. Sighing inwardly, Yoroi thought Asuma was indeed a lost cause.

Seeing Asuma fail to kill Hozuki Genji repeatedly, even being mocked by the Mist Jonin, Yoroi frowned and shouted:

“Asuma, haven’t you learned your lesson?”

“Trying to kill a captive Mist Jonin without my order? Are you trying to defect to Mist Village as a spy?”

“I…”

Asuma was stunned, his speech faltering, staring blankly at Yoroi.

From Asuma’s eyes, Yoroi could still see a hint of defiance.

But in the Mist camp, Yoroi refrained from further comments, turning to Daiwashi, saying, “Daiwashi, this guy can’t be killed by conventional means. Stick some explosive tags on him.”

“Kurenai, burn the Mist camp to avoid leaving any traces. The fire will also aid our breakout.”

“As for Asuma…”

As Yoroi’s gaze fell on Asuma, he received only a cold snort in return.

Asuma’s cold snort showed no gratitude for the rescue, further frustrating Kurenai and Daiwashi.

Look at Yoroi, risking his life to save you!
And look at you, Asuma, acting all proud despite being a prisoner!

In an instant, Asuma’s cold snort made Kurenai and Daiwashi lose any remaining respect for him.

Conversely, Yoroi’s smile turned cold.

As Yoroi’s cold gaze met Asuma’s defiant eyes, making Asuma uneasy, a shadow rose from beneath Asuma’s feet, knocking him unconscious instantly.

As Asuma lost consciousness, Yoroi’s icy words echoed, sending him into a deeper despair:
“Kurenai, Daiwashi, Asuma isn’t fit for the mission anymore.”

“So, for the next plan, let’s keep him unconscious!”

“Once we successfully break out, Asuma…”

“Will be handed over to the Fourth Hokage!”

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