Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Critical Intelligence

After all, in the original storyline, Uzumaki Naruto, as the protagonist, relied heavily on the Rasengan and its advanced techniques throughout his journey.

However, when Koshino used the Nara Clan's secret techniques alongside Kakashi to annihilate the Mist ninjas, watching Kakashi skillfully use the Chidori to swiftly eliminate several Mist ninjas, even Koshino couldn't help but envy Kakashi's S-rank jutsu.

Especially as an Anbu member, Koshino felt that the Chidori was more suited for Anbu missions, while the Rasengan seemed to fall short in comparison.

Firstly, the Rasengan is a single-target offensive jutsu. Even when the Fourth Hokage used it, he couldn't continuously eliminate multiple ninjas while maintaining the Rasengan. 

Previously, when Koshino took down the first Mist Jonin, as soon as he killed him, he couldn't keep the Rasengan active.

To kill a second Mist ninja, Koshino would have to form another Rasengan.

On the other hand, Kakashi's Chidori could instantly deal with the enemy in front of him and even allow for consecutive kills while maintaining the Chidori, showcasing its advantages.

Secondly, the Rasengan doesn't provide the same enhancements to the user as the Chidori does.

Take Kakashi, for example!

When using the Chidori, the lightning chakra activates Kakashi's body cells, dramatically increasing his speed. With such high speed, Kakashi could swiftly take down enemies like targets in mere moments.

If Koshino were in the same situation? Without the speed of the Fourth Hokage, Koshino would need to ensure a certain level of certainty before using the Rasengan. 

Otherwise, even a surprise Rasengan throw could be defended against or dodged by enemy ninjas, making it one of the Rasengan's weaknesses.

Lastly, there's the matter of destructive power.

In the original storyline, many who were hit by the Rasengan didn't die immediately. 

Like the previous Mist Jonin, if Koshino hadn't mastered the Rasengan's power and used it in a surprise attack, that Mist Jonin might have used his chakra to withstand the Rasengan's power, preventing Koshino from completing a shadow assault and achieving a one-hit kill.

In contrast, the Chidori is somewhat superior to the Rasengan.

With its high-speed thrust, as long as the Chidori pierces the enemy's heart, except for special ninjas like Kakuzu or Hidan, ordinary ninjas have little chance of survival.

Of course.

Discussing the Rasengan's shortcomings is just Koshino's way of expressing a bit of envy for Kakashi's Chidori.

Without undergoing chakra nature transformation tests or possessing the Sharingan, the Rasengan, which requires no hand signs and can be used with non-elemental chakra, is still superior to the Chidori in some aspects. 

Moreover, with the help of the app, Koshino believes that even if the Rasengan can't yet shine as brightly as it did in the original storyline in the hands of the Fourth Hokage, it can still become a jutsu that surpasses the S-rank Chidori and even crushes many S-rank jutsus and secret techniques.

Then, seeing all the Mist ninjas around him dead, Koshino remained cautiously hidden at a distance to avoid any potential ambushes from the Mist ninjas, wary of a possible counterattack.

The more cautious and careful Koshino was, the higher Kakashi's evaluation of him became.

Compared to the mistakes made by Guy, and seeing Koshino's performance on his first Anbu mission, even Kakashi began to understand why the Fourth Hokage held Koshino in such high regard.

Immediately, Kakashi instructed Tatami to use sensory ninjutsu to assess the surrounding situation.

Once Kakashi learned from Tatami that there were no more Mist ninja around, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and said to Koshino, who was hidden in the distance:

"Shadow, rest assured! The danger has been eliminated!"

"Good to hear!"

Taking a deep breath, Koshino slowly revealed himself from his hiding spot, wearing a wry smile as he asked Kakashi, 

"Captain, what happened with you guys just now? Just a few Mist ninja shouldn't have put you in such a tough spot, right?"

"Actually... it's all my fault."

As soon as Koshino finished speaking, Guy, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, bowing apologetically to Koshino and Kakashi. "Captain, Shadow, I know it was my mistake earlier, but..."

As he spoke, Koshino and Kakashi could clearly see a look of determination in Guy's eyes.

Not giving Koshino and Kakashi a chance to respond, Guy continued, "Even though I know it was my mistake, I can't agree with the senseless killing of refugees. 

After we return today, I will report this to the Fourth Hokage. Just like you said before, Captain, Shadow, maybe... maybe I'm really not suited to be in the Anbu."

With that, Guy gave Koshino and Kakashi a thumbs-up. 

Although they couldn't see Guy's sparkling teeth, Koshino understood Guy's meaning—that he might not be by their side as an Anbu in the future, but in his heart, Koshino, Kakashi, and the others would always be his comrades.

Koshino knew that Guy was a person who stuck to his principles. After Guy finished speaking, Koshino merely nodded silently.

Then, suddenly recalling something important, Koshino quietly approached Kakashi while Tatami, Lighningdō, Genma Shiranui, and others were tending to their injuries. 

He said, "Captain, among the Mist ninja who ambushed me earlier, one of them had a very strange scroll in their ninja tool pouch."

"The fact that Mist ninja could infiltrate the Land of Fire and know our movements so well suggests that there might still be spies in the village.

So, I think we should search the other Mist ninja's tool pouches to see if we can gather any information. Since searching others' tool pouches can be dangerous, I'll take on this task."

"Alright, very well."

Listening to Koshino, Kakashi nodded and then slowly closed his crimson Sharingan, weakly saying, 

"Shadow, the methods our teacher taught us are still quite effective, but after the recent battle, I'm inevitably going to be weak for a while. So, while I'm resting, you'll temporarily lead our Anbu squad back to the village."

"Temporarily taking over my duties as captain, you also have the authority to command me."

"Shadow, you didn't disappoint me just now, so don't let our teacher down either!"

"No problem!"

Being entrusted with such significant authority after the first mission showed that Koshino's performance not only earned Kakashi's approval but also the recognition of the entire Anbu squad. 

So, without any hesitation, Koshino took on the role of temporary captain and began using the Shadow Hand to search the Mist ninja's tool pouches.

Thanks for the PS guys I can't keep up >.<