Chapter 68: Half-Step to Jonin
Under the pressure of Hozuki Mangetsu, Koshino unexpectedly broke through his training bottleneck and completed the nature transformation of wind chakra!
So, the chakra now attached to Koshino's kunai is far from ordinary chakra. It's thin and sharp wind chakra!
Moreover, even if he were to proceed to the second stage of wind chakra nature transformation training, which is the "cutting" of a waterfall,
Koshino, with the strength of his wind chakra, could similarly use the nature transformation of his inner chakra to "cut" the waterfall, just like Naruto in the original story!
This is a sign of mastering wind chakra to its extreme!
However, even though Koshino has comprehended the ultimate transformation of wind chakra by sensing the flow of the "wind," he somehow feels that there is still a bottleneck above the ultimate wind chakra, waiting for him to break through.
And he believes that once he takes that crucial step, his application of wind chakra will surely surpass his teacher, the Fourth Hokage, becoming the foremost user of wind chakra in the true sense.
However, in the situation of facing off against Hozuki Mangetsu, making further breakthroughs is clearly not something Koshino needs to think about!
What he truly needs to consider now is defeating Hozuki Mangetsu beside him!
Using his newfound strength, he must truly defeat the Mist Jonin in front of him!
"The nature transformation of wind chakra is completely done. My strength is probably not just that of an ordinary Chunin, right?"
"Not only have I taken a step forward in mastering wind chakra, but I've also grasped some of the essence of the Fourth Hokage's secret techniques!"
"So, Hozuki Mangetsu, it's absolutely impossible for you to defeat me now!"
"Because the breakthrough I've made in wind chakra is more than enough for me to defeat elite Chunin, or even some ordinary Jonin!"
"Next up"
"The real counterattack begins!"
Indeed!
Just as Koshino thought, as long as his wind chakra nature transformation is complete, his strength can once again make a "qualitative" leap!
Why say this?
Because the last time Koshino had a "qualitative" leap in strength was due to training in the Fourth Hokage's secret techniques!
Koshino's teacher, the Fourth Hokage, is a master, or rather a "grandmaster," in using wind chakra.
Initially, Koshino couldn't fully grasp the nature transformation of wind chakra, but training in the Fourth Hokage's secret techniques brought many insights, further enhancing his strength.
Now that Koshino has completed the nature transformation of wind chakra, his understanding of the Fourth Hokage's secret techniques naturally goes a step further.
So, having grasped some of the essence of the Fourth Hokage's use of wind chakra, if he can't even defeat an ordinary Jonin, wouldn't that tarnish the Fourth Hokage's reputation?
Tarnish the name of the Fourth Hokage, a Kage-level powerhouse?
Of course!
Even if Koshino can defeat an ordinary Jonin, he still doesn't count as a Jonin-level ninja.
After all, Koshino can only utilize the nature transformation of wind chakra to barely hold his own against a Jonin when his chakra is sufficient.
Moreover, the nature transformation of chakra is extremely chakra-consuming, so the time Koshino can engage with a Jonin is very short.
With Koshino's chakra reserves, he can only maintain the strength to fight a Jonin for a maximum of five minutes.
In those mere five minutes, he can unleash power comparable to a Jonin.
Thus, Koshino's strength level should be considered between Chunin and Jonin.
To put it more plainly, Koshino is now a half-step Jonin!
Just half a step away from having the true Jonin-level strength of someone like Kakashi or Hozuki Mangetsu!
And knowing his own situation after the breakthrough, Koshino naturally plans to resolve the battle within five minutes once he truly injures Hozuki Mangetsu.
Otherwise, Koshino's chakra will be depleted, leaving him without even the qualification to stand in front of Hozuki Mangetsu, facing only a grim fate.
Fortunately for Koshino, when he successfully injured Hozuki Mangetsu with his kunai, Mangetsu's mindset indeed changed.
Especially when he saw the faint smile on Koshino's lips, Hozuki Mangetsu felt the pain in his arm and bit his lip hard, his eyes filled with anger!
"That damn guy, to actually wound me!"
"Even if it's a cooked duck, do you think I'd let you fly away?"
"Water Style!"
"Water Clone Jutsu!"
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
To become a Jonin at such a young age, Hozuki Mangetsu's mindset might be a bit impatient, but he still possesses the combat experience expected of a Jonin-level ninja.
After realizing that Koshino could harm him, especially when he was using the Hozuki clan's "Hydration Technique,"
Hozuki Mangetsu outwardly continued to underestimate Koshino, but inwardly he became more cautious.
Thus, when Hozuki Mangetsu prepared for the next round of silent assassination, he formed hand seals and suddenly used the Water Clone Jutsu.
Amidst the thick fog, Hozuki Mangetsu directly used the Water Clone Jutsu!
With the terrifying chakra fluctuations, they appeared in Koshino's perception.
Using the Fourth Hokage's sensing method, Koshino suddenly discovered that Hozuki Mangetsu had used the Water Clone Jutsu, instantly creating several water clones.
Those water clones were clearly not Hozuki Mangetsu's trump card.
Because in Koshino's mind, Hozuki Mangetsu's trump card was only himself, and the role of those water clones was just like the Hidden Mist Technique, merely to confuse Koshino's perception.
Moreover, what made Hozuki Mangetsu even more unimaginable was that when Koshino discovered he was using the Water Clone Jutsu, the smile at the corner of his mouth became even more pronounced.
Then, with a "whoosh," Hozuki Mangetsu's water clones, using the Silent Killing Technique, suddenly attacked Koshino once again!
Who would have thought, just as Hozuki Mangetsu's several water clones attacked simultaneously, a hint of mockery appeared in Koshino's smile!
"Hozuki Mangetsu, I just told you, I've seen through all your little tricks!"
"What Hidden Mist Technique? What Silent Killing Technique? They have no effect in front of me!"
"Break it!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
As Hozuki Mangetsu controlled the water clones to attack, Koshino's chakra underwent a transformation into wind nature.
Under Koshino's control, the chakra, after its nature transformation, spread around him, forming an invisible layer of energy!
If the Fourth Hokage were here, he would be astonished to see Koshino using his own sensing secret technique.
Because, just as Koshino had previously said, he truly mastered the essence of the Fourth Hokage's sensing secret technique,
utilizing the wind nature chakra within himself, merging it with the surrounding environment.
Whenever there's a change in the wind direction, Koshino can sense any movement around him!
Moreover, Koshino's mental energy is extraordinary. Just by relying on the perception of mental energy, Koshino's sensing ability can crush an average Chunin!
So, almost at the moment when Hozuki Mangetsu's water clones appeared, Koshino,
with the dual effects of wind perception and mental perception, instantly saw through the attack routes of Hozuki Mangetsu's water clones.
And just as Koshino saw through the attack routes of those water clones,
he suddenly unleashed the chakra within him, using the Fourth Hokage's exclusive secret technique right in front of Hozuki Mangetsu!
Drop some power stones guys it helps a lot.