Naruto Shadow Mage

"Boom!"

With a change in hand seals, Koshino used the Shadow Sewing Technique again, but it wasn't for binding this time!

The shadow at his feet suddenly erupted; this time, Koshino's Shadow Sewing Technique was focused on offense.

So, as Koshino changed his hand seals, a streak of black shadow shot straight toward Uchiha Itachi, who was in mid-air and had no chance to evade.

The scales of victory seemed to tilt towards Koshino, drawing gasps of astonishment from the spectators around!

"Using three of the Nara clan's secret techniques in succession, Koshino's chakra reserves are quite terrifying!"

"Four years old and already has chakra comparable to a Genin? How did the Nara clan raise such a monster?"

"Uchiha Itachi lost! He lost to the wisdom of the Nara clan. Watching Koshino's strategy feels like watching Shikaku's calculations. Truly frightening!"

"The Nara clan's intelligence is indeed remarkable!"

Amid the constant exclamations, the clan heads marveled at Koshino's potential, while the younger generation, Koshino's age and older, were shocked by his strength!

"Is he only four years old? How is he stronger than me!"

"Without even entering the Ninja Academy, he already has Genin-level strength. Is he aiming to break the record and become the youngest Jonin?"

"Losing to Koshino, Uchiha Itachi can't complain at all! Itachi probably wouldn't have challenged him if he'd known Koshino had Genin-level strength!"

"This is what a ninja battle looks like! Both Koshino and Uchiha Itachi are incredible!"

As the voices of amazement continued, Koshino's smile grew wider, as if he had already defeated Uchiha Itachi.

But who would have thought that while everyone was amazed and shocked by Koshino, the person everyone thought would lose, Uchiha Itachi, also wore a smile in mid-air.

"Nara Koshino, you're indeed a worthy opponent!"

"I'll get serious now! Watch out, Koshino!"

"Boom!"

With a loud shout, the shadow formed by Koshino's Shadow Sewing Technique hit Itachi, exploding into a puff of white smoke!

"Hmm? Substitution Jutsu?"

"Not good!"

Having suddenly used the Substitution Jutsu to nullify Koshino's Shadow Sewing Technique, Uchiha Itachi reappeared right before Koshino, exerting subtle pressure on him!

Uchiha Itachi, still the prodigious genius from the original storyline, was not an opponent Koshino could easily defeat!

It's no exaggeration to say that Koshino's earlier display of strength already matched that of an ordinary Genin.

But who could have imagined that the four-year-old Uchiha Itachi also had Genin-level strength?

He marvelously used one of the basic three E-rank jutsus, the Substitution Jutsu!

Moreover, after nullifying Koshino's Shadow Sewing Technique in mid-air with the Substitution Jutsu, Itachi burst with chakra, instantly closing the distance to Koshino.

Unquestionably, Itachi had seen through Koshino's weakness, which was close combat!

In the fight, Koshino first revealed his shortcomings with throwing weapons and then showed his talent in jutsu and strategy, forcing Itachi to get serious. Secretly analyzing Koshino's weaknesses, Itachi closed in and threw a punch, seeing Koshino start to retreat!

Indeed!

At this stage, Koshino's weakness was close combat. His taijutsu was simply terrible!

Despite training in basic taijutsu for the past three months, his skills were no match for Uchiha Itachi. Even any new generation elite from the Uchiha clan could easily defeat Koshino in taijutsu!

Furthermore, Itachi's taijutsu was exceptional within the clan. Elite new generation members like Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Obito couldn't compare to him!

So, after forcing Koshino back with a punch, Itachi smiled slightly.

Especially as Koshino fell into a disadvantageous position, Itachi's taijutsu became even more aggressive!

First, a heavy kick to Koshino's abdomen caused intense pain, forcing him back several steps. Then, Itachi burst with chakra again, closing in. Koshino thought Itachi would attack head-on, but Itachi ducked under his punch and swept his leg, knocking Koshino to the ground!

"Koshino, it's over!"

"Fire Style!"

"Fireball Jutsu!"

"Boom!"

Knocking Koshino to the ground, Itachi wasted no time, jumping into the air and rapidly forming hand seals.

The situation seemed to turn in Itachi's favor with Substitution Jutsu!

First, securing the advantage with taijutsu, Itachi aimed to seal the victory with his Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!

And as Koshino lay on the ground, it seemed impossible for him to stop Itachi's jutsu.

So, as Itachi completed his hand seals and spat out a scorching fireball towards Koshino's position, even Shikaku, watching from the side, showed a panicked expression, fearing Koshino would be harmed by the Fire Style jutsu or, worse, crippled by Itachi!

But!

Just when everyone thought Itachi's sudden Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu would surely lead to Koshino's defeat, another Koshino suddenly appeared in front of him!

"Clone Jutsu? Using an ordinary clone to resist the Fire Style Jutsu? Is Koshino crazy?"

"Ordinary clones have no defensive capabilities. Koshino is going to lose!"

"Wait! That doesn't seem like an ordinary clone! It looks like the Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

"What?"

"Shadow Clone Jutsu?"

Wow!

When someone recognized that Koshino's clone was not ordinary but the Shadow Clone Jutsu, the spectators, including Shikaku and Choza, were in an uproar because the Shadow Clone Jutsu is a B-rank jutsu!

A four-year-old using clan secret techniques and a B-rank jutsu—how else could they describe Koshino except as a prodigy?

Especially Shikaku and Choza, who knew that Koshino had only obtained the training method for the Shadow Clone Jutsu yesterday. They were speechless with shock when Koshino used it successfully.

But Koshino wasn't done surprising them!

Because when Koshino acts, he aims to stun everyone!

Next, with a "puff," Koshino used a Shadow Clone to nullify Itachi's Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu. Still wearing a victorious smile as Itachi's feet touched the ground, Koshino performed a new technique, causing Shikaku, in particular, to drop his jaw in astonishment!

"Shadow Strangle Jutsu!"

"Uchiha Itachi, you've lost!"