Naruto Shadow Mage

"Huh?"

"This Koshino kid, he seems pretty interesting."

Initially, Choza thought Koshino's talent was purely in training, assuming he would be weaker in actual combat.

When Shikaku proposed guiding Koshino, Choza's first thought was that Koshino would lose badly. Knowing Shikaku well, Choza guessed that Shikaku's real intention was to keep Koshino from getting arrogant over his achievements.

However, after noticing Koshino's side glance towards him, Choza realized that this kid wasn't so simple.

Not discussing his strength for now, Koshino's calm and composed demeanor alone made both Choza and Shikaku see him as far above the average Genin.

Strategizing might seem pointless, but in a ninja's fight, it's essential.

Like in the Chunin Exams arc from the original story, Naruto's use of the Nine-Tails' power and Sasuke's Chidori left their peers far behind, right?

But who was promoted to Chunin in the end?

Wasn't it Shikamaru who had average strength and only his Shadow Imitation Technique to rely on?

In the original story, it wasn't that Shikamaru was stronger but that he knew how to use his abilities wisely. This was a key lesson for Genin, aspiring to become Chunin.

Seeing this trait in Koshino, Shikaku, and Choza couldn't help but hold him in even higher regard.

Yet, Shikaku and Choza couldn't foresee the further surprises Koshino had in store for them!

"Uncle Shikaku, watch out!"

Suddenly, Koshino's shout signaled the start of their spar.

Upon hearing Koshino's shout, Shikaku's expression grew more serious. He noticed Koshino's subtle movements, clearly reaching for his ninja tool pouch!

"Shuriken!"

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

Koshino, without hesitation, threw three shuriken at Shikaku.

Koshino might not have had much training with ninja tools, but even so, hitting a stationary target like Shikaku should be manageable. Otherwise, his three months of hard training would indeed seem like a joke.

Seeing the three shuriken flying straight without any curve, Shikaku smiled slightly and extended his hand.

"Your aim is decent, but there's no curve in your throw, and the speed is lacking."

Shikaku casually swatted down the three shuriken without even moving his feet, fully showcasing the gap in their abilities.

However, the shuriken was never meant to be a real threat to Shikaku. Koshino had anticipated this.

If Shikaku couldn't dodge a few shuriken, he wouldn't deserve his reputation as part of the "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio or his status as a Jonin of Konoha.

As the shuriken was knocked away in front of Shikaku, Koshino exploded with chakra from his feet, dashing forward to confront Shikaku.

This sudden burst of chakra caught Shikaku and the watching Choza by surprise.

But a chakra burst alone wasn't enough to defeat Shikaku!

Especially since Koshino's physical condition wasn't the best, despite mastering tree climbing and water walking and having excellent chakra control, when Koshino punched Shikaku's face, Shikaku easily deflected it and grabbed Koshino's wrist, intending to throw him to the ground.

Just as Shikaku expected to hear a thud, Koshino twisted in mid-air and aimed a spinning kick at Shikaku's head!

"Hmm, your taijutsu is decent."

"But it's still not enough!"

Shikaku's eyes narrowed, and with a smile, he released Koshino's wrist and raised his arm to block.

"Thud!"

Koshino's kick felt like hitting a steel plate, sending a numbing sensation through his leg. Taking advantage of this, Shikaku grabbed Koshino's ankle, intending to throw him to the ground again.

But Shikaku was surprised when Koshino seemed to anticipate his move. As soon as Shikaku touched Koshino's ankle, Koshino's foot burst with blue chakra, stabilizing him as he landed firmly on the ground!

"Impressive! Koshino, I definitely underestimated you!"

Faced with Koshino's refined taijutsu and precise chakra control, Shikaku dropped his dismissive attitude and decided to take the spar more seriously to avoid being outsmarted by Koshino.

As Shikaku's smile faded and he grew serious, Koshino, squatting on the ground, suddenly formed hand seals, making Shikaku's eyes widen in surprise!

"Is that... the Shadow Imitation Technique!"

"Not good!"

Seeing Koshino forming hand seals, Shikaku felt as if he had been outmaneuvered, realizing that everything had been part of Koshino's plan!

And just as Shikaku's eyes showed a hint of panic, a black shadow extended from Koshino towards Shikaku's feet!

"Shadow Imitation Technique!"

"Buzz!"

"Buzz!"

Since Koshino was squatting, the distance between him and Shikaku was just within the range of the Shadow Imitation Technique. Koshino used the technique to take advantage of Shikaku's momentary distraction. But just as Koshino's shadow was about to connect with Shikaku's, there was a "boom," and Shikaku, using chakra, leaped out of the shadow's reach!

"Uncle Shikaku, you cheated!"

"Uh..."

Though there were no stated rules for their spar, a Jonin using chakra against a four-year-old seemed unfair. Koshino's words hit Shikaku like a slap, making him feel embarrassed as he awkwardly rubbed his nose.

However, as Shikaku prepared to explain himself to save face in front of Choza...

Suddenly!

Shikaku noticed a sly smile on Koshino's face. His gaze then shifted to the shadow moving toward Choza's feet—it was Koshino's second Shadow Imitation Technique!

"You little rascal, almost got me!"

Realizing Koshino's earlier shout was a ruse, Shikaku laughed it off, though inwardly, he was amazed by Koshino's cunning.

Outstanding talent in training combined with a sharp mind equaled what?

The future of the Nara clan!

Though Shikaku had used chakra twice, embarrassing himself in front of his old friend Choza, having Koshino in the Nara clan meant a bright future. So, despite the embarrassment, Shikaku felt content. After dodging Koshino's Shadow Imitation Technique again, Shikaku shook his head with a smile, ready to offer some words of encouragement.

But before Shikaku could speak, both he and Choza, seeing Koshino's bright smile, stood there in astonishment.

"Uncle Shikaku, you lost!"

"Shadow Imitation Technique success!"