"Keep going."
As Maruboshi Kosuke spoke, he saw that all three of them remained where they were, making no move.
"It's already over, Kosuke-sensei," Liu Yun said softly.
He opened his palm, revealing a bell resting on it.
Maruboshi Kosuke instinctively reached for his waist. The spot where the bell had hung was empty.
He froze for a moment before realizing what had happened, then broke into a smile.
"I see. Shibi's secret technique was only meant to draw my attention?"
Liu Yun nodded.
That was the strategy he had prepared.
If he could only use swordsmanship and Taijutsu, he had little advantage against Maruboshi Kosuke, a master of Konoha-Style Swordsmanship.
Then there was the way the three of them had positioned themselves.
He had kept Kosuke occupied head-on while Nonō harassed him from the side, seemingly setting the stage for Shibi Aburame's secret technique.
In truth, all of it had been meant to create an opening for him.
Of course, he had also prepared a backup plan.
If Maruboshi Kosuke focused on guarding against him, he and Shibi Aburame would do everything they could to cover Nonō while she tried to snatch the bell.
But Nonō was not as fast as he was, so that might not have been a safe bet.
"Excellent teamwork," Maruboshi Kosuke praised.
Nonō smiled, then ran over to carefully gather up the shuriken she had thrown.
Shibi Aburame stood where he was, looking a little dazed.
After a moment's thought, Liu Yun asked, "Kosuke-sensei, could you show me your strongest sword technique?"
"Hm?" Maruboshi Kosuke paused, inexplicably recalling what Hiruzen Sarutobi had told him not long ago:
"Kosuke, I've found a suitable student for you. Don't refuse. That child possesses a pure Will of Fire, and I want you to teach him."
He nodded