Chapter 74: A Twist of Fate (Part 2)
"Shadow, who are the members of your squad?"
Hearing Koshino's report about breaking through the Mist Ninja's defenses to assist the Konoha medical ninja unit, Kakashi was utterly astonished.
Kakashi, much like Tatami, was familiar with Koshino's identity and age.
At the same age, Kakashi was still advancing his studies at the ninja academy, whereas Koshino was entrusted with critical missions during wartime, bearing immense pressure.
Koshino's performance far surpassed Kakashi's at the same period.
Moreover, Koshino led his squad through the tight defenses of the Mist Ninja, risking his own safety to ensure the mission's success and the safety of his team by staying behind to cover their retreat.
Thus, when Koshino spoke with a heavy tone about his concerns for his squad members, seeing the numerous injuries on Koshino, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a mix of guilt and admiration for him.
Koshino, however, didn't notice the change in Kakashi's gaze. Instead, after Kakashi's inquiry, he glanced at the fallen Mist Anbu captain and said softly,
"There shouldn't be anyone else around, so I won't follow Anbu protocol and call you captain. I'll just call you senior."
"Kakashi-senpai, one of my squad members is an old acquaintance of ours, Tatami. The other two members were recommended by Tatami. One is Kurenai Yuhi, a genjutsu-type ninja. As for the other, it's Sarutobi Asuma, a troublemaker."
"If it weren't for him, perhaps I wouldn't have been separated from Tatami and Kurenai during the breakout."
After speaking, Koshino gave a self-deprecating smile, merely testing Kakashi's attitude.
During the breakout from the Mist Ninja's defenses, Sarutobi Asuma had indeed caused Koshino a lot of trouble.
If certain matters weren't reported to the higher-ups, not only Koshino but even Kurenai Yuhi and Tatami might feel uneasy.
Moreover, the sequence of events in Koshino's mission needed to be reported to the higher-ups, as it was the duty of an Anbu and a Konoha ninja.
Therefore, before reporting Sarutobi Asuma's more outrageous actions, Koshino sought some advice from Kakashi on how to report the matter in a way that would be taken seriously without offending Asuma's father, the Third Hokage.
As for Sarutobi Asuma? Ha! Did Koshino need to fear offending Sarutobi Asuma?
At this moment, let alone the rebellious young Sarutobi Asuma, even the Sarutobi Asuma from the original storyline wouldn't matter much.
With strength approaching that of a Jonin and having defeated the Mist Ninja Jonin Hozuki Mangetsu, Koshino already had the confidence to stand up to Jonin.
Thus, Koshino's main concern was the attitude of the Third and Fourth Hokage. A minor figure like Sarutobi Asuma was not worth worrying about.
After hearing Koshino's words, especially knowing the members of Koshino's squad, Kakashi's view of Koshino changed even more.
Are you a prodigy? Or a godsent to save Konoha?
Sending a mere four-year-old Anbu to break through the Mist Ninja's defenses for the Konoha medical unit's aid was shocking enough!
That you succeeded is astonishing to the point where one's jaw would drop!
Now you say you did it while leading three young members, practically burdens?
Are you sure you're not joking?
Listening to Koshino, Kakashi felt utterly bewildered.
However, he didn't overlook the hint Koshino dropped and asked, "What about Asuma?"
"What happened?"
Koshino let out a cold, mocking laugh. In front of Kakashi, he was always blunt and full of disdain as he said,
"Disobeying orders, leaving the camp without permission, and planning to carry out a mission alone is bad enough. But getting captured by the Mist ninja and needing us to rescue him?"
"Kakashi-senpai, let's not even mention that it's wartime and we're in a special atmosphere."
"Even if it were peacetime, Asuma would have died ten thousand times over, wouldn't he?"
"Well, that's true, but Asuma is... after all, he is..."
Even Kakashi couldn't help but let out a deep sigh, thinking to himself that this matter was indeed difficult to handle.
However, just when Koshino thought Kakashi was at a loss and unable to resolve the issue with Sarutobi Asuma, Kakashi's eyes suddenly turned cold after his sigh.
With just a single gesture, Kakashi conveyed to Koshino the resolve of a Konoha Anbu, reminding him to adhere to Anbu principles.
Regardless of whether Sarutobi Asuma was the son of the Third Hokage or a Hokage himself, if he disobeyed orders, it must be reported to the higher-ups.
With Kakashi's response, Koshino was determined to report the matter to the Fourth Hokage.
But after discussing it, both Koshino and Kakashi fell silent.
The silence, however, was filled with different thoughts.
Kakashi was contemplating whether to help Koshino return to the Konoha camp.
After all, Kakashi was on a secret mission, and if he escorted Koshino back, his mission would inevitably be affected.
But after a moment of silence, recalling the words of the "deceased" Obito Uchiha, Kakashi closed his eyes slightly, ready to temporarily abandon his current mission for the sake of his comrade.
Because, as "deceased" Obito said, those who abandon their comrades for a mission are worse than trash!
As for Koshino, his thoughts were more complicated.
Having long harbored the intention to change the fates of Kakashi, Rin, and the "deceased" Obito, Koshino found himself inadvertently involved in Kakashi's mission.
His first thought was undoubtedly about altering the lives of the three.
Unfortunately, both Koshino and Kakashi were outside, and with the saying "walls have ears," Koshino felt there was no need to say too much here.
So, as Kakashi made up his mind to support the severely injured Koshino back to the Konoha camp, Koshino, to prevent any tragedies, earnestly said to Kakashi before they left:
"Kakashi-senpai, during my mission, I discovered an important clue regarding the Mizukage of the Mist Village.
I don't know if you've noticed, but the strategies recently devised by the Mizukage are very unusual.
If I'm not mistaken, the Mizukage is likely facing some tricky issues. I hope you can report this to our teacher when you return!"
"Alright, no problem."
Undoubtedly, Koshino's words were meant to prompt Kakashi, the Fourth Hokage, and others to gradually uncover the truth behind the Mizukage being controlled, preparing early to counter Madara.
But after speaking with Kakashi, Koshino quickly disappeared from the scene, swiftly returning to the main Konoha camp.
Perhaps even Koshino didn't realize the impact his words would have in the future.
Because shortly after Koshino and Kakashi vanished, the Mist Anbu captain Koshino had previously dealt with suddenly opened his eyes! (TN: Come on Dude)
Moreover, as the Mist Anbu captain, who had been "playing dead," opened his eyes, his gaze fell in the direction where Koshino and Kakashi had left. The Mist Anbu captain murmured as if talking to himself:
"Could it be that there's really a problem with the Mizukage?"
"Hmph!"