Naruto Shadow Mage

"Huh! Is it my turn?"

Hearing his name being called, Koshino yawned and lazily walked towards the sparring area, only to hear a sigh from Koshime beside him.

"Sigh! Poor Koshino, having to spar with that guy, Shikasen!"

"Shikasen?"

Koshime's sigh caught Koshino's attention.

Especially as he walked to the center of the sparring area and saw a pineapple-headed boy who resembled Elder Shikayuu smiling as he approached, Koshino couldn't help but chuckle to himself and thought:

"So, it's Shikayuu Elder's grandson, that Shikasen who has some fame in the ninja academy! Eight years old and already mastered the Shadow Imitation Technique, even got first place a few times in the academy, being hailed as the new elite of the Nara clan. Uncle Shikaku, I didn't expect you to be this sly, planning to take down the elder's grandson!"

"Tsk tsk tsk! Too ruthless!"

Facing Shikasen in sparring, Koshino had no mental burden.

Being first in the ninja academy—so what?

Didn't Itachi also get trampled after joining the academy?

However, not everyone was as optimistic as Koshino. Even Shikaku, who knew Koshino's strength, was nervous. Next to him, Elders Shikayuu and Shikaheiji shook their heads, with Elder Shikaheiji voicing his concern, "Shikaku, we understand you want to support Shikanai's child, but isn't pitting four-year-old Koshino against Shikasen a bit unfair?"

"Hmph, isn't this just right?"

"Shikaku, if Koshino can defeat my Shikasen, then even if we tilt resources towards the branch family's children, so what? Hmph, I'm just worried Shikanai's child will disappoint you!"

With a cold look at Koshino, it was clear that Elder Shikayuu was a staunch supporter of the main family and the primary opponent of supporting Koshino within the Nara clan.

Hearing Shikayuu and Shikaheiji's remarks, Shikaku felt a pang of unease.

But to convince the elders, Shikaku had no choice but to take this drastic measure, silently cheering Koshino on: "Koshino, you have to win!"

Meanwhile, in the sparring area.

Koshino glanced at Shikaku, whose face was pale, and couldn't help but smile. His eyes became more serious.

No doubt, a rival that even Shikaku found tricky couldn't be taken lightly. If he slipped up, it wouldn't just be his reputation on the line.

However, among the Nara clan's new generation, no one thought Koshino's loss would be embarrassing.

Especially as Shikasen stood before Koshino, beckoning him with a finger and then forming hand seals, causing the Nara clan's younger members to gasp in astonishment!

"Shadow Imitation Technique? Shikasen doesn't plan to give Koshino any chance to fight back?"

"Is he Using the Shadow Imitation Technique on a four-year-old? Is he trying to give Lord Shikaku a slap in the face, showing that Koshino isn't worthy?"

"Look! Koshino is going to lose. This is the difference in strength!"

As the young Nara clan members exclaimed, Shikasen enjoyed the moment and arrogantly said to Koshino, "Koshino, sorry, but you're going to lose!"

"Shadow Imitation Technique!"

"Buzz!"

"Buzz!"

Almost instantaneously, Shikasen's Shadow Imitation Technique was activated successfully, showing some skill!

Not only was the casting time short, but the proficient chakra transformation also indicated that Koshino's three months of hard training before acquiring the APP were insignificant compared to Shikasen's abilities!

Their strength levels were completely different!

But since obtaining the APP and utilizing strategies to defeat Shikaku, humph!

Koshino's strength naturally couldn't be compared to before!

So, while the Nara clan members, including Shikaku, were sweating for Koshino, there was a sudden "whoosh"!

Just as Shikasen's Shadow Imitation Technique was about to connect with Koshino's shadow, a phantom remained where Koshino originally stood. As for his real body, he was now holding a kunai to Shikasen's neck!

"Um… I think I won?"

Koshino's casual statement stunned not only Shikasen but also the spectators—Shikaku, Elders Shikayuu, Shikaheiji, and all the young Nara clan members!

The result of the sparring had exceeded their expectations!

"Are you kidding? Koshino actually won?"

"Shikasen couldn't even last one round against Koshino? How strong is Koshino?"

"Our teacher said Shikasen was nearly at Genin level. Does that mean Koshino is stronger than a Genin?"

After a moment of silence, the young Nara clan members looked at Koshino with a mix of surprise and admiration.

It was admiration for the strong!

Meanwhile, the previously doubtful Elders Shikayuu and Shikaheiji were speechless. As Shikaku explained, the two elders began to consider reallocating resources seriously.

"Koshino is quite impressive! Using the Clone and Substitution Techniques simultaneously, swiftly replacing his real body with a clone and defeating Shikasen in one move."

"Elder Shikayuu, Elder Shikaheiji, I assume you won't oppose reallocating resources now?"

Smiling at the two clan elders and feeling proud of Koshino, Shikaku was brimming with confidence.

But just as the elders were about to agree to support Koshino, his lazy voice echoed again, causing the elders to pause!

"Uncle Shikaku, sparring one-on-one is too slow. How about everyone comes at me at once? I'm ready to take on all ten of them!"

"What? How insolent!"

Barely containing his anger, furious that Koshino had defeated his grandson, Elder Shikayuu shouted, "Shikaku, that boy Koshino is too arrogant! If you insist on reallocating resources, I firmly oppose it! Unless Koshino can do as he says and defeat all our young members, otherwise, not only will I not agree to reallocate resources, but I'll also take back the secret medicine you planned to reward him with!"

"I understand, Elder Shikayuu."

With a wry smile, Shikaku turned to Koshino and asked, "Koshino, are you confident?"

"Uncle Shikaku, don't worry!"

"Defeating all of them is just a matter of expending a bit more chakra!"

Waving nonchalantly at Shikaku, Koshino then mimicked Shikasen's earlier gesture, beckoning the remaining ten young Nara clan members.

This provocation enraged the young members!

Silently cursing, the young Nara members united, ready to use their best techniques to teach the arrogant Koshino a lesson.

However, before they could act, Koshino formed hand seals and instantly used the Shadow Sewing Technique!

The black shadow split into eleven parts, connecting not only to the surrounding young Nara clan members but also to Shikasen in front of him!

In just one second!

In just one second, Koshino used the Shadow Sewing Technique to defeat all the young Nara clan members!

As Koshino emerged victorious, even the previously skeptical Elder Shikayuu was stunned, quickly changing his demeanor and excitedly shouting to Shikaku:

"Shikaku! The medicine?"

"Quick, reward Koshino with the secret medicine! He's truly the pride of the Nara clan!"