Chapter 84: The Sharp Blade Squad
"Uncle Shikaku!"
Koshino had been planning to summarize his recent training progress, but Shikaku's sudden arrival completely disrupted his plans.
However, upon hearing from Shikaku that there was a new mission to undertake, Koshino couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, even though his summary plans were derailed.
There was even a hint of anticipation!
Anticipation for that feeling of stepping onto the battlefield!
To be fair, Koshino wasn't a war fanatic, nor was he a bloodthirsty maniac.
But during the difficult mission of breaking through the Mist Ninja's defenses, Koshino had his first taste of the battlefield atmosphere and found himself perfectly integrated into it.
Moreover, during the life-and-death breakthrough, Koshino discovered that he somewhat enjoyed the thrill of galloping across the battlefield and honing his skills against enemies.
So, almost the moment Shikaku instructed Koshino to prepare, Koshino, having completed his daily training, quickly got up and made ready for the battlefield.
He donned his Anbu attire and packed his ninja tool bag.
Because the blue pill Shikaku had given him was extremely precious, Koshino hadn't used it during his recovery. Instead, he placed it at the bottom of his ninja tool bag for emergencies.
With preparations complete, Koshino put on his Anbu mask and headed to the meeting point designated by the Fourth HoShadow as instructed by Shikaku.
Even as he arrived at the rendezvous point, despite the masks, Koshino immediately recognized the Anbu waiting there.
Wasn't that his old acquaintance, Kakashi?
"Kakashi is here. Could it be that Minato-sensei wants us to carry out the mission to rescue Rin?"
"If it really is the mission to rescue Rin, that would be fantastic!"
"At least my injuries didn't delay that crucial mission!"
"Kakashi, if I really can change the original storyline, you should thank me! After all, it's me, Nara Koshino, who changed the tragic fate of you, Obito Uchiha, and Rin!"
Fixing his gaze on Kakashi, Koshino thought to himself and then walked over to greet him, "Kakashi-senpai, you're early!"
"Shadow, my current code name is 'Lightning.' Don't forget Anbu's rules!"
Just as Koshino greeted him, Kakashi doused him with a bucket of cold water, making Koshino feel like he'd once again offered warmth only to be met with Kakashi's cold shoulder.
Considering the shoulder injury was caused by Kakashi, Koshino naturally didn't show him any kindness and retorted with a cold smile,
"No problem, Lightning. Thanks for letting me lie in a hospital bed for over half a month. Surprised to see me now? Shocked? Just don't hit me again during the mission. Remember, I'm your comrade!"
"."
Listening to Koshino's sarcasm, Kakashi's eye twitched a few times, but he had to endure it.
After all, he had made a mistake, and he had to own up to it, even if it meant swallowing his pride.
Then, Kakashi fell silent, and Koshino had no intention of engaging further with him.
Under the Fourth HoShadow's assembly, two more Anbu members quickly joined Koshino and Kakashi.
However, neither Koshino nor Kakashi recognized them. Through introductions, Koshino only learned their code names were "Swift" and "Fierce," knowing nothing else about them.
As Koshino observed the four Anbu members gathering around, forming a complete squad, he glanced at the figures of "Swift" and "Fierce" and thought to himself,
"Four people, this must be an Anbu squad. With Kakashi here, he must be our captain, right? Working under him again, it's really frustrating!"
"But for the mission to save Rin, I'll reluctantly listen to Kakashi!"
"After all, he's both a senior and the captain!"
Koshino sighed silently. Having once been a captain himself, he really wasn't keen on working under someone else.
However, among the Anbu present, let alone Kakashi, even judging by the demeanor of "Swift" and "Fierce," they were veterans within the Anbu.
For someone like Koshino, a junior, to be the captain, it wouldn't just be Kakashi who would be dissatisfied; even "Swift" and "Fierce" wouldn't accept it.
So, Koshino could only wait for the Fourth HoShadow to arrive, hoping the mission would be to save Rin and alter the course of the original storyline.
Soon after, the figure of the Fourth HoShadow appeared, and Koshino and the others perked up.
His gaze first fell on Kakashi, then glanced at Koshino.
The Fourth HoShadow, with an unusually serious expression, began to explain the mission: "The New Year is approaching. According to the Third HoShadow's instructions, we must end the conflict with the Mist Village before the New Year arrives.
Now, I plan to lead the troops to engage the Mist Village head-on. Your mission is to investigate and disrupt the Mist Village troops that have infiltrated the Land of Fire while waiting for the front-line battle to conclude!"
After speaking, the Fourth HoShadow didn't look at Kakashi but instead focused on "Swift," saying, "Swift, from now on, you are the captain of this Anbu squad. Your Anbu team will be called the 'Blade' squad. I hope you understand the meaning of 'Blade' and complete this mission perfectly. Don't let me down!"
"Yes, Fourth HoShadow!"
As soon as the Fourth HoShadow finished speaking, "Swift" responded promptly.
After that, the Fourth HoShadow's figure vanished from Koshino and the others' sight.
It wasn't until Koshino looked at "Swift" with a surprised expression that "Swift" gravely said, "The Fourth HoShadow mentioned earlier that Shadow was seriously injured recently, so during the mission, I hope everyone can assist Shadow and prevent his condition from worsening."
"If there are no questions, let's move out!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Following "Swift's" orders, Koshino's Blade squad left the Konoha camp and headed toward the Land of Fire.
Koshino, on the other hand, upon learning of the mission from the Fourth HoShadow, understood that this mission was definitely about saving Rin.
Because the Mist Village troops infiltrating the Land of Fire were tasked with taking Rin to Konoha Village to release the Three-Tails Isobu sealed within her.
So, as long as they caught up with that Mist Village troop, Koshino felt there was at least an eighty percent chance of preventing the tragedy from the original storyline.
But before the mission, Koshino never expected that the captain of the Blade squad would be "Swift" and not Kakashi.
Especially with the mysterious identities of the new members "Swift" and "Fierce," and with "Swift" becoming the captain of the Blade squad,
even Kakashi had no complaints, which made Koshino curious about "Swift's" identity.
So, as they left the Konoha camp and sped toward the Land of Fire to rendezvous with the Anbu squad monitoring the Mist Village troops, Koshino quietly moved next to Kakashi and asked, "Kakashi, who exactly is Swift? You must know, right?"
When asking, Koshino was actually prepared for Kakashi to coldly refuse to answer.
Unexpectedly, this time, Kakashi didn't ignore him.
Moreover, after Koshino's question, the usually proud Kakashi not only looked at "Swift" with admiration but also gave Koshino an unexpected answer!
"Swift's identity isn't a secret in the ninja world. He's the only target I aim to surpass!"