Chapter 128: The Ways of the World
Especially with the mastery of the three secret techniques of the Swift Wind Style: Palm Blade, Sword Blade, and Air Blade, Koshino's combat ability had invisibly improved.
This kept a joyful smile on Koshino's face, even putting aside today's conflicts with the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan due to the joy of creating his own Swift Wind Style techniques.
As the day grew late, Koshino packed up the Anbu attire he had washed earlier and returned to the "Useless" squad's tent.
Perhaps at this moment, Koshino hadn't truly transitioned from the Sharp Blade squad to join Might Duy's "Useless" squad.
But out of respect for Might Duy and his teammates like Guy, Koshino chose not to return to his hospital room and instead prepared to stay with the "Useless" squad members.
Moreover, once Koshino officially joined Might Duy's squad, the name "Useless" squad might just vanish with Koshino's arrival!
After all, with just one night of fermentation, Koshino's fearsome reputation could spread throughout the entire Konoha camp.
In the future, anyone daring to call Might Duy's squad "Useless" or "Worthless" would have to consider Koshino's feelings.
With a cheerful stride, he quickly returned to Might Duy's squad camp.
As soon as he entered the tent, Koshino noticed Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu staring at him with peculiar expressions. He smiled slightly and asked,
"Guy, Genma, Ebisu, why haven't you rested yet? Were you waiting for me?"
"Of course, Koshino! Do you know how worried we were when you went alone to the Hyuga Clan's camp?"
"And Koshino, you have to tell us how you dealt with those Hyuga Clan scoundrels!
Guy and I went to the Hyuga Clan's camp and found all their ninjas severely injured. Was that really your doing alone?"
"Genma, there's another question! Koshino, you have to explain why Lord Shikaku didn't punish you after knowing you went to the Hyuga Clan's camp for revenge!
That kind of Shikaku-sama doesn't seem like his usual self at all! What's going on?"
Shortly after entering the tent, Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu bombarded him with questions.
Listening to their questions, Koshino shook his head with a smile and replied, "Guy, Genma, Ebisu, first of all, thank you for your concern!"
"Because of Captain Duy, I grasped some mysteries of the ninja way, and I vaguely felt that my ninja way differed from Captain Duy's. So, to stay true to myself and make a breakthrough after understanding the ninja way, I followed my own path and went to trouble the Hyuga Clan. I'm sorry for worrying you."
"As for Genma's question, it's quite easy to answer."
"Those Hyuga Clan guys were indeed all defeated by me. Of course, I also encountered danger while fighting them. Fortunately, having understood the ninja way and stayed true to myself, I made a breakthrough during the battle.
So, Genma, the severely injured Hyuga Clan ninjas you and Guy saw were indeed all taken down by me alone."
"As for Guy's question..."
As he spoke, Koshino's smile grew even broader, and he asked Guy in return:
"Guy, do you remember when we left, Uncle Shikaku mentioned the issue of 'sparring'?"
"Yes! The Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan used 'sparring' as an excuse to severely injure my father! Could it be..."
Just as Guy answered Koshino, a look of realization dawned on his face, and he exclaimed in surprise,
"Could it be that Lord Shikaku meant that if we wanted revenge, it had to be justified? Using 'sparring' as an excuse so that the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan couldn't argue back?"
"Exactly, that's what I meant!"
Almost at the moment of Guy's realization, a familiar voice came from outside the tent.
Hearing that familiar voice, there was no need to say it; Koshino and the others could definitely guess the identity of the person.
It was none other than Shikaku, the commander of the Konoha ninja forces here!
Strolling into the tent where Koshino and the others were, Shikaku, with a faint smile on his face, first addressed Guy, Genma Shiranui, and the others:
"Guy, Genma, Ebisu, now you understand why I didn't punish Koshino and instead came to personally commend him, right?"
"In our camp, the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan have been too arrogant. It's not just Duy;
many people have been harshly taught a lesson by them under the guise of 'sparring' for ignoring their noble clan's prestige.
If only the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan would restrain themselves, but who would have thought they'd provoke right under my nose again!"
"As the commander of this ninja force, do you think I can just watch as the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan disrupt the unity of the entire force because of internal strife?"
"So, that's why I secretly instructed Koshino to teach them a lesson. I never expected Koshino's performance to far exceed my expectations!"
As he spoke, Shikaku gave Koshino a deep look and praised, "Koshino, well done!"
"I didn't expect that after being personally guided by Minato and then joining the Blade Squad for further training, you would improve so quickly!"
"I've seen the injuries of those Hyuga Clan ninjas. Each one is seriously injured, but every wound is precise and controlled, not excessive. Truly impressive!"
"But Koshino, since you've made a statement with the Hyuga Clan, don't go looking for trouble with the Uchiha Clan tomorrow."
"And remember, in certain situations, you must align yourself with a particular side to ensure your own safety."
"Now that you've provoked the Hyuga Clan, you need to stand with the Uchiha Clan, understand?"
Realizing that Shikaku was teaching him a lesson in dealing with people in a different way, Koshino nodded lightly, then asked,
"But Uncle Shikaku, isn't our Nara Clan on good terms with the Hyuga Clan? If I suddenly ally with the Uchiha Clan, won't there be... issues?"
"Issues?"
Hearing Koshino's question, Shikaku gave a look, first signaling Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu to leave.
The three, understanding Shikaku's intent, quickly left the tent to avoid interrupting Shikaku's instruction.
Once Guy and the others had hurriedly left, leaving only the unconscious Might Duy in the tent, Shikaku took a deep breath and continued,
"Koshino, there's one thing you need to understand: our Nara Clan is loyal to only one person, and that's the Hokage!
As a family that has protected the Hokage for generations, we only need to ensure the Hokage's interests."
"Given that, whether it's the Hyuga Clan or the Uchiha Clan, if they threaten the interests of the Hokage or the village, you don't need to consider their identity. Just do your best for the Hokage and the village!"
"Moreover, 'Swift' from the Blade Squad, who is Uchiha Shisui, will probably come to ask you for a favor soon."
"As a companion with a good relationship, Koshino, I don't need to teach you how to do a favor, right? I'm sure you can handle it well!"
"Alright, it's getting late, so I won't disturb your rest any longer."
"Remember, always keep in mind what your uncle just taught you. Sometimes these seemingly useless social skills are more important than strength!"
"Yes, Uncle Shikaku!"
With that, Shikaku left in a hurry to handle other matters.
When Guy and the others returned to the tent, they wisely remained silent, not asking Koshino what Shikaku had taught him earlier.
Instead, Koshino, listening to Shikaku's teachings on social skills, couldn't help but sigh silently during the quiet moments.
Especially when his gaze fell on the Nara mark on his palm, seeing the cage the Hokage used to control every Nara Clan ninja, Koshino furrowed his brows and thought to himself:
"Even if I become a true kage-level powerhouse, will I still be bound by the interests of the Hokage and Konoha Village?"
"Heh, after finally breaking one shackle, I find myself bound by another due to my increased strength."
"I wonder if one day, when I break all these shackles, Uncle Shikaku, Teacher Minato, Guy, Kakashi, will they..."