Chapter 76: Public and Private (Part 1)
"Rebellious brats, they're such a hassle!"
Upon hearing from Kurenai Yuhi that Sarutobi Asuma had merely run away and wasn't injured during the Mist Ninja's pursuit, Koshino actually felt a sense of relief.
Why, you ask?
The reason is that if Sarutobi Asuma had been injured during the Mist Ninja's pursuit, part of the responsibility would have fallen on Koshino.
Even though Sarutobi Asuma left the Leaf Medical Corps' camp against Koshino's orders, as a member of Koshino's squad,
it was Koshino's duty as the captain to ensure Sarutobi Asuma's safety.
In short, if anything happened to Sarutobi Asuma during a mission, those with ulterior motives could easily pin the blame on Koshino.
Especially the ever-watchful Uchiha Clan, who might use the incident between Koshino and Sarutobi Asuma to drive a wedge between the Nara Clan and the Third Hokage.
However, since Sarutobi Asuma had returned to the Leaf camp and escaped due to the camp's negligence, it had nothing to do with Koshino.
If the sky falls, isn't it the higher-ups who should bear the brunt?
Besides, Koshino didn't believe anyone in the Leaf Village would dare to sow discord between the Fourth Hokage and the Third Hokage.
Given this, Sarutobi Asuma's escape was a non-issue for Koshino.
After all, in the original storyline Koshino was familiar with, Sarutobi Asuma was bound to run away sooner or later due to his issues with the Third Hokage.
Whether he ran away sooner or later didn't matter, as long as Sarutobi Asuma didn't die, the Third Hokage couldn't blame Koshino.
Koshino could just adopt a detached attitude, staying out of it.
However, since Kurenai Yuhi showed concern for Sarutobi Asuma, as their former captain, Koshino felt obliged to patiently reassure her.
Fortunately, Kurenai Yuhi had already developed some biases against Sarutobi Asuma during their missions, feeling he was a bit reckless.
Now, aside from worrying about Sarutobi Asuma as a comrade, Kurenai Yuhi didn't say much more to Koshino, and deep down, she had a bit of disdain for Sarutobi Asuma's character.
Compared to Koshino, Sarutobi Asuma was practically a negative example.
He didn't follow orders, didn't adhere to rules, and aside from his "noble" status, there seemed to be nothing commendable about him.
Look at Koshino, who, despite his young age, was already an Anbu and had made significant contributions to the Leaf Village.
If Koshino were a bit older, Kurenai Yuhi might have had different thoughts about him.
After chatting a bit with Kurenai Yuhi about Sarutobi Asuma, Koshino began discussing what happened after he fell unconscious.
It was from Kurenai Yuhi that Koshino gradually learned about the situation between the Leaf and Mist Ninjas during the Third Great Ninja War while he was unconscious for a week.
First and foremost was the situation with the Leaf Medical Corps to which Koshino originally belonged.
The day Koshino returned to the Leaf camp with Kakashi, Kakashi reported Koshino's situation to the Fourth Hokage.
Who is the Fourth Hokage?
Despite his usual friendly demeanor, on the battlefield, the Fourth Hokage was feared by all as the "Yellow Flash"!
Upon hearing that the Mist Ninjas dared to surround the Leaf Medical Corps and disrupt the rear,
the Fourth Hokage ordered several ninja units to move out, resolving the Mist Ninja's siege within three days and successfully liberating the Leaf Medical Corps at the rear.
The captain of that Leaf Medical Corps was shocked to hear that it was Koshino and his team who completed the mission and led to their rescue.
Clearly, even the captain of the medical corps Koshino originally belonged to hadn't placed much hope in him and had sent out many teams for help.
Who would have thought that all the teams sent out later were wiped out by the Mist Ninja's encirclement, while Koshino and his team, sent out first, completed the mission?
Secondly, the second significant event that recently occurred was the Mist Ninja's tactic of creating a diversion, secretly sending a unit to infiltrate the Land of Fire.
This kind of mission was undoubtedly one that Kakashi needed to carry out.
After returning to the Konoha camp with Koshino, Kakashi took advantage of the Fourth Hokage's absence—who had gone to rescue the Konoha medical team—to successfully complete his task.
However, when Koshino heard from Kurenai Yuhi that Kakashi had been gloomy every day since completing his mission, Koshino felt a pang of concern.
Clearly, being familiar with the original storyline, Koshino speculated that Kakashi might have received news about Rin, which was why he had been so downcast lately.
Moreover, combining this with the third piece of information from Kurenai Yuhi—that the Fourth Hokage was planning to split the forces,
with one group engaging the Mist Ninja head-on and the other returning to the Land of Fire to deal with a Mist Ninja unit attempting to infiltrate—Koshino's already heavy heart became even more burdened.
Nonetheless, in front of Kurenai Yuhi, Koshino couldn't show too much of his inner turmoil and kept smiling while conversing with her.
It wasn't until Kurenai Yuhi left, not wanting to disturb Koshino's recovery, that his expression turned grim.
He thought to himself, "The tragic events of the original storyline are about to begin!"
"Based on the information from Kurenai, it's clear that Minato-sensei will soon order a direct confrontation with the Mist Ninja.
Meanwhile, Kakashi will secretly lead a team to rescue Rin. But under Madara's schemes, even if Minato-sensei achieves a superficial victory, once that hidden seed sprouts,
Minato-sensei, Kakashi, and even the 'deceased' Obito Uchiha might follow the original tragic path because of an unremarkable Rin!"
With this thought, Koshino's eyes filled with a sense of unwillingness.
Especially when his gaze fell on the injury on his arm, Koshino couldn't help but sigh deeply, thinking, "Damn it, if only I weren't injured!"
"If I weren't injured, I could accompany Kakashi on the mission. With my foreknowledge of the original plot, I could surely change the tragic events!"
"And Kakashi, I clearly told you about the Mizukage's problem, why didn't you report it to Minato-sensei?"
"Never mind! While there's still time, I have to take a risky move!"
"Whether it's for Minato-sensei, Kakashi, the 'deceased' Obito Uchiha, or the 'wronged' Rin, I must take the risk!"
With his determination growing stronger, Koshino, despite having some ulterior motives in his interactions with the Fourth Hokage and Kakashi, had undeniably formed deep bonds with them.
Even with Kakashi, with whom he wasn't particularly close, Koshino didn't want him to endure too much pain in the future, so he resolutely decided to take a dangerous gamble.
But just as Koshino struggled to get up and go talk to the Fourth Hokage, a commanding voice suddenly echoed in his ear, freezing him in place.
"Koshino, stay put!"
"You're injured and need to rest, don't you know that?"
Hearing that familiar voice, Koshino was momentarily stunned, then quickly lay back down.
Because the person who had come was none other than Koshino's uncle, the head of the Nara Clan, Nara Shikaku!
If it were anyone else, Koshino might not listen, but how could he not heed Shikaku's words?
So, no matter how urgent the situation was, seeing Shikaku arrive, Koshino could only obediently lie there.
After a moment of silence, he awkwardly asked, "Uncle Shikaku, why are you here?"
"Hmph, if I didn't come? If I hadn't come, you'd be dead by now!"
Seeing the severe injuries on Koshino, a hint of distress flickered in Shikaku's eyes, warming Koshino's heart.
But it was clear that Shikaku had come for an important reason. Despite his reluctance, Shikaku maintained a serious expression and slowly said, "Koshino, I came primarily to check on you."
"As for the other reason..."
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