Chapter 129: The Name of the Elite (Part 1)
That small Nara Clan emblem represented a heavy shackle.
As his strength grew, as his desire for freedom intensified, and as he deepened his understanding of the ninja way and his resolve,
Koshino suddenly found the Nara mark on his palm to be laughable.
Being a ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village, could Koshino easily defect from the village with so many ties?
Certainly not! Not to mention the sentiment Koshino held for the village from watching the original story.
The bonds Koshino formed in the Hidden Leaf Village were equivalent to shackles that restricted him.
Thus, with the shackles of bonds in place, the marks used by the Hokage to control the Nara Clan, the Yamanaka Clan, and the Akimichi Clan seemed utterly ridiculous to Koshino.
A true strong person is unwilling to be bound by anything.
Unless it's a willing situation, who would feel comfortable with a sudden constraint?
If Shikaku personally came to Koshino, asking him to accept the Nara mark as a sign of loyalty, Koshino, because of the bonds, would not harbor any negative feelings even if he was somewhat unwilling.
For Shikaku, for his caring uncle, Koshino would willingly accept the shackles.
Unfortunately, Koshino's Nara mark was not something he willingly accepted; it was imposed by the Hokage and the Hidden Leaf Village.
This led to a rebellious mindset being implanted deep within Koshino's heart from the moment the Nara mark was branded on his palm.
Now, because of Shikaku's words, Koshino felt even more resistant to the Nara mark, the shackle used by the Hidden Leaf Village and the Hokage to limit the Nara Clan.
In an instant, the seed of rebellion was planted in Koshino's heart, and it might only take a trigger for the dark side to dominate Koshino's thoughts, leading him to do something irreparable.
However, now was clearly not the time for the dark side to fully erupt.
With a deep sigh, Koshino cleared his mind of negative thoughts and prepared to ponder the social intricacies Shikaku mentioned.
While Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu were resting, Koshino, having gained some insights from Shikaku's teachings, was about to rest as well.
Just as Koshino was about to relax, Uchiha Shisui, wrapped in bandages, suddenly appeared in Koshino's camp.
"Shadow, are you asleep?"
"No, is that you, Swift?"
"It's me! Shadow, I have something I'd like to discuss with you. Is now a good time?"
"No problem!"
Hearing Uchiha Shisui's voice, Koshino knew why the future Shisui of the Body Flicker had come.
Indeed, as Shikaku had said, Uchiha Shisui's purpose was related to the Uchiha Clan.
Clearly, it was a result of the Uchiha Clan's anxiety after Koshino had flattened the Hyuga Clan's camp.
For Koshino to make a prestigious clan like the Uchiha bow their heads, it was impossible for him not to feel a bit proud.
Subsequently, for the camaraderie with Uchiha Shisui and to do the Uchiha Clan a favor, Koshino smiled and agreed with Uchiha Shisui's request, deciding not to trouble the Uchiha Clan.
As for Uchiha Shisui, seeing that Koshino indeed gave him face, he felt both secretly grateful and relieved.
During their time as members of the Blade Team, despite Uchiha Shisui being the captain, without Koshino, the Blade Team might have long perished in the Mist Ninja's ambush.
Moreover, after that life-and-death experience, the tacit cooperation between Koshino and Uchiha Shisui made them appreciate each other even more.
Perhaps Koshino and Uchiha Shisui were just in the initial stages of forming a bond.
But for the sake of that hard-won connection, Uchiha Shisui didn't want to see Koshino in conflict with the Uchiha Clan.
So, after sincerely thanking Koshino, Uchiha Shisui, still nursing his injuries, returned to his hospital room to continue his recovery.
Before resting, Koshino reflected on Uchiha Shisui's hurried departure and couldn't help but think to himself:
"Whether it's Shisui or Itachi, they're both good people. But why are their fates so tragic in the original storyline?"
"Sigh! Speaking of that, it's all because of a clan!"
"Right now, Itachi and I have no connection, but Shisui is truly someone worth befriending!"
"Maybe through my interactions with Shisui, I can subtly influence his views and, in turn, affect the Uchiha Clan's perspective!"
"But before solving the Uchiha Clan's issues, I must address Kakashi's problem!"
"Is there still no news about Rin at this stage?"
"So many headaches to deal with!"
With a silent sigh, Koshino shook his head with a bitter smile and drifted off to sleep.
It wasn't until the next day, when Guy's slightly excited voice reached him, that Koshino realized that due to Might Duy's injury, the originally "useless" team finally had a chance to shine!
"Koshino, this is fantastic!"
"Because my father is injured, we can't carry out our original mission. Lord Shikaku is planning to assign our team to participate in combat!"
"Koshino, you're our team's temporary captain. Please give the orders!"
Seeing Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu all looking eager and restless, Koshino chuckled inwardly. Who would've thought that Might Duy's injury would turn out to be a good thing?
At least Guy and the others wouldn't have to perform those boring tasks anymore.
Besides, following Shikaku onto the battlefield was something Koshino had been looking forward to for a long time!
Although Koshino had completed many missions with the Blade Squad and had even led a team to break through the Mist Ninja's defenses before, those operations were mere skirmishes compared to real battlefield combat.
Koshino had long wanted to step onto the battlefield and truly experience the atmosphere of combat.
And now, not long after joining the originally "useless" team, Koshino got the opportunity to go to the battlefield.
So, it's not just Guy who's excited. As the captain of the "useless" team, Koshino was quite thrilled too.
Then, he donned his Anbu attire and mask.
Since he hadn't graduated from the Ninja Academy, Koshino had to maintain his Anbu identity to lead the team, but that didn't matter much.
As long as he could step onto the battlefield, what did it matter if he used his Anbu identity?
Meanwhile, Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu watched Koshino as he adjusted his Anbu attire and mask, their eyes filled with a hint of envy.
But that envy quickly disappeared because once Koshino finished dressing and organizing his ninja gear, he transformed back into the team captain and issued his first command!
"Guy, Genma, Ebisu!"
"Now that we're ready, let's head to the battlefield and fight together!"