Chapter 75: A Twist of Fate (Part 2)
Moreover, because of what Koshino advised Kakashi, it ultimately became the catalyst for Zabuza Momochi to investigate the Mizukage?
Was this Koshino's intention, or just a twist of fate?
If Koshino were to answer personally, his response would undoubtedly be a twist of fate!
When he used the Shadow Neck Bind Technique to deal with the Mist Anbu captain, even though he noticed something strange about the captain's "death," his shoulder injury worsened after Kakashi's surprise attack.
So, as he left, despite sensing something odd about the captain's "death," Koshino didn't pay much attention due to his severe injuries.
After all, Koshino thought that if the Mist Anbu captain wasn't truly dead and could reveal the Mizukage's secrets, it would benefit Konoha Village!
However, as Koshino left with Kakashi, he never imagined that his words would lead the infamous Zabuza Momochi of the Mist Village down a path of no return!
In the original storyline, why did Zabuza Momochi defect from the Mist Village? The answer is his failed assassination of the Mizukage!
Even during the original storyline, there were two smart individuals in the Mist Village: Zabuza Momochi and Hoshigaki Kisame. Both had a vague sense of the secrets hidden behind the Mizukage!
However, Zabuza Momochi and Hoshigaki Kisame made different choices.
Hoshigaki Kisame decided to remain loyal to the Mizukage, eventually becoming a member of the "Akatsuki" organization.
In contrast, Zabuza Momochi attempted to assassinate the Mizukage in the original storyline but ultimately failed, leaving him no choice but to defect from the Mist Village, constantly pursued by the Mist Anbu.
At this time, during the Third Shinobi World War, where Koshino and others are, it's still a long time before Zabuza Momochi discovers the Mizukage's secrets.
Who would have thought that due to a twist of fate, Koshino's words would lead Zabuza Momochi to become suspicious and investigate the Mizukage's secrets early, following the path of the original storyline?
It's truly a twist of fate, or perhaps destiny at work.
However, one thing is undeniable: Koshino's presence has finally caused a slight butterfly effect.
Whether Zabuza Momochi's early investigation of the Mizukage's secrets will impact the future is not something Koshino needs to worry about.
Because, shortly after Koshino left with Kakashi, his shoulder injury worsened, and he began to show signs of fever.
Originally, Koshino and Kakashi met not far from the Mist Village's defense line, which was still some distance from most of Konoha's camps.
Kakashi, not being skilled in medical ninjutsu, noticed Koshino's condition deteriorating, and with Koshino becoming delirious due to the fever, he regretted his mistake.
But there was no choice; without returning to Konoha's camp, Kakashi couldn't prevent Koshino's condition from worsening.
All he could do was carry Koshino and hasten their journey, hoping to return to Konoha's camp as soon as possible.
Fortunately, Koshino had already begun efforts to clear the hidden ailments in his body before meeting Kakashi.
So, despite the worsening condition, Koshino safely returned to Konoha's camp with Kakashi's accelerated pace and received treatment there.
Moreover, the day after Koshino and Kakashi returned to the camp, Kurenai Yuhi, Tatami, and Sarutobi Asuma also safely returned.
However, Koshino was unclear about the events that followed.
Upon learning that Kurenai Yuhi and the others returned safely, Koshino felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted and immediately fell unconscious.
When Koshino awoke again, it was a week later.
"Ouch!"
"So painful!"
Waking up in a daze, a sharp pain radiated from his shoulder.
After being unconscious for an entire week, waking up to such intense pain made Koshino fear for his shoulder's condition. He quickly opened his eyes to check his shoulder.
Unexpectedly, as Koshino instinctively tried to get up, he was met with significant resistance.
Then, a gentle voice slowly reached Koshino's ears.
"Shadow, don't move! Be careful of your wound!"
"Hmm? A familiar voice? Is that you, Kurenai?"
"It's me!"
His vision was still blurry, and he couldn't see people clearly.
Koshino, who understood a bit about medicine, naturally realized that it was because he had been unconscious for too long, and his eyes hadn't yet adjusted to being open.
However, upon hearing Kurenai Yuhi's voice, Koshino finally felt a bit more at ease.
Yet, due to the injury on his shoulder, Koshino still furrowed his brows slightly and quickly asked Kurenai Yuhi, "Kurenai, is the injury on my shoulder okay?"
"Pfft! I thought the first thing you'd ask about would be the mission!"
Koshino's question made Kurenai Yuhi chuckle involuntarily.
In Kurenai Yuhi's impression, Koshino was a mission fanatic, someone who would risk his life to complete a mission.
Little did she know, if Koshino had to choose between a mission and his own life, he would undoubtedly choose his life.
However, in front of Kurenai Yuhi, Koshino certainly had to maintain that righteous facade.
So, hearing Kurenai Yuhi's laughter, Koshino awkwardly smiled and explained:
"I returned to the camp with Kakashi-senpai, and not even a day later, I heard you all had returned. So, I wasn't worried about the mission.
But my arm, that's another story! It's bad enough to be injured by the Mist ninja, but then Kakashi-senpai had to add to it. How can I not be worried?"
Still concerned about the injury on his arm, Koshino asked again, "Kurenai, are you sure my injury is okay?"
"No problem, of course, there's no problem!"
A gentle hand softly held Koshino's hand.
Afraid that Koshino might worry too much and affect his recovery, Kurenai Yuhi, hearing Koshino's question again, replied in a gentle voice,
"Koshino, I asked about your injury early on, and there's nothing to worry about. As long as you rest and recuperate, in at most half a month, your wound will scab over, and in a month, it will be completely healed."
"Speaking of which, I didn't have any missions today, so I came to see you."
"Compared to you, sigh..."
"Actually, Asuma's situation has me and Tatami more worried!"
"Hmm?"
Knowing that his injury was not serious, Koshino finally felt relieved.
He didn't want to lose an arm because of a mission, especially due to Kakashi's mistake.
However, upon learning from Kurenai Yuhi that something had happened to Sarutobi Asuma, Koshino's newly relaxed brows furrowed once more.
Finally able to see clearly, he noticed the worry in Kurenai Yuhi's eyes. Curious, Koshino asked,
"What happened to Asuma? After we got separated, did you encounter another attack from the Mist ninja?"
"No, we didn't."
Kurenai Yuhi shook her head slowly and replied,
"After you stayed behind to cover us, we didn't encounter any more Mist ninja.
The journey was very safe. However, when Kakashi brought you back, he reported Asuma's situation to the Fourth Hokage.
Originally, the Fourth Hokage intended to inform the Third Hokage and then handle it. But who would have thought..."
"Who would have thought Asuma found out and actually escaped from the camp."