"Teacher Mokgetsu's strength is truly unexpected. In two uses of the exact same Ninjutsu, Teacher Mokgetsu's is stronger," Shiranui Genma commented while keeping his eyes fixed on the battlefield.
Using the same Ninjutsu against each other is definitely the best way to determine the levels of both parties; the stronger one will win.
Obito kept his mouth shut, wanting to tell Shiranui Genma that this was nothing. The Ninjutsu used by Mokgetsu during missions is much stronger, but Mokgetsu had instructed him not to speak about it, so Obito forced himself to remain silent.
"In terms of Ninjutsu, Teacher Mokgetsu indeed has the upper hand, but it's still too early to judge who has the greater chance of winning until Teacher Chen uses Taijutsu," Ebisu reflected.
He wasn't sure what Mokgetsu was best at, but it was undoubtedly Taijutsu for Teacher Chen.
"Such strong Wind Release. It's a perfect match with Fire Release and Wind Release. His Ninjutsu is completely overshadowed." After two probing attacks were frustrated, Teacher Chen decided to start using the Taijutsu he excelled at to battle.
After all, in front of his disciples, constantly losing ground would be too disgraceful.
"Your Ninjutsu is impressive, but you'd better be careful, I'm about to use my full strength," Teacher Chen shouted to Mokgetsu.
Having witnessed Mokgetsu's two Ninjutsu and with the experience reported in the Konoha Newspaper, Teacher Chen assessed that Mokgetsu's overall strength far surpassed that of an ordinary Jonin.
"Don't worry, senior. While my Taijutsu is not as practiced as yours, I know a thing or two," Mokgetsu replied with a grin.
This time, he wasn't being humble. If he didn't utilize the Pattern or Eight Gates, his Taijutsu would only count as knowing a thing or two in front of Teacher Chen.
If he did use them, Mokgetsu could only say that sheer power could accomplish miracles, overwhelming technique through absolute might.
Teacher Chen exhaled sharply, his gaze turning incredibly sharp.
Simultaneously, Mokgetsu silently altered his breathing rhythm, transitioning from a regular Constant State breath to an intensely focused breath, enhancing his physical abilities.
Teacher Chen concentrated his Chakra in his lower body, bursting towards Mokgetsu at a speed that made Ebisu feel he appeared before Mokgetsu in the blink of an eye.
Mokgetsu was not to be outdone, employing Soru's multiple bursts to charge forward.
Seeing the two finally about to engage in a Taijutsu battle, Might Guy adopted an incredibly serious expression, beginning to watch their fight intently.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
Mokgetsu channeled power into his legs, then quickly executed a Tornado Kick towards Teacher Chen.
Faced with Mokgetsu's rapid kicking technique, Teacher Chen appeared at ease, easily neutralizing it with his fists and swiftly countering with a Triple Spinning Kick.
"Leaf Storm!"
A Spinning Kick carrying tremendous foot strength rushed towards Mokgetsu.
Mokgetsu narrowly dodged the first two kicks, but the last kick was unavoidable. Mokgetsu could only cross his arms in front and take the kick head-on, retreating seven meters under the forceful impact.
"His Taijutsu is also impressive. Have I been out of touch with village affairs for too long, missing the emergence of such a capable young ninja?" Teacher Chen thought after repelling Mokgetsu.
Though not as good as his Ninjutsu, Mokgetsu's Taijutsu appeared decent in his eyes, showing good speed and strength, with a decisively sharp execution.
"Indeed, the situation changed immediately once Taijutsu came into the mix," Ebisu noted after seeing Teacher Chen repel Mokgetsu.
Teacher Chen was, after all, a ninja renowned as the strongest in Konoha for Taijutsu.
"Although he looks like a worn-out old man, Teacher Chen's Taijutsu is indeed formidable," Shiranui Genma realized the truth of not judging someone by their appearance.
He and Ebisu both felt that the scales of victory had tipped in favor of Teacher Chen.
Might Guy and Obito's confidence in Mokgetsu remained unchanged. Especially Might Guy, who, as someone cultivating both the Eight Gates and Breath of Rock, knew just how terrifying Mokgetsu's Taijutsu could be.
Being disadvantaged in a Taijutsu exchange was within Mokgetsu's expectations. His Taijutsu skills weren't as polished as Teacher Chen's, and his combat experience was far less. He merely wished to see the strength of such a high level of Taijutsu expertise.
Having gauged the extent of Teacher Chen's Taijutsu techniques, Mokgetsu quietly adjusted his breathing again, entering Breath of Rock Pattern State.
From his perspective, Teacher Chen's strength surpassed even the Six Gates Might Duy. If he relied solely on Breathing Techniques, he would have to enter the Pattern State.
Once in the Pattern, Mokgetsu's Chakra rapidly depleted while integrating with his highly focused breath to comprehensively enhance his body. Mokgetsu could sense power surging continuously within him.
Such body enhancement couldn't occur without change. The aura around Mokgetsu gradually climbed, becoming increasingly powerful, enough to make the surrounding grass sway without any wind.
"Senior, your Taijutsu is truly superb, but I also have some Taijutsu that carries significant force. Please be careful," Mokgetsu cautioned.
"Is this Eight Gates? No, the aura isn't wild, but rather heavy,"
Having seen Might Guy use Eight Gates, Teacher Chen had some minor understanding of it. Watching Mokgetsu's aura abruptly intensify, he first thought of the Eight Gates, but quickly dismissed this notion.
Teacher Chen calmed himself. Whatever ability Mokgetsu used, it was his own skill. He just needed to exert his full prowess.
Upon activating the Pattern, Mokgetsu also unlocked the Transparent World, achieving utmost control over his body. Under its effect, Teacher Chen's body became transparent to Mokgetsu.
Though Mokgetsu's aura now was extraordinary, it kindled Teacher Chen's fighting spirit. It had been a long time since he faced a strong opponent like Mokgetsu.
Swish!
Teacher Chen dashed forward, launching a rapid kick at Mokgetsu.
In a serious mindset, Teacher Chen moved almost instantaneously, appearing right in front of Mokgetsu.
But with the Transparent World enabled, Mokgetsu read Teacher Chen's moves the instant his muscles stirred, knowing the next attack plan.
At the moment Teacher Chen moved, Mokgetsu stepped back gracefully, avoiding his attack perfectly.
"Hm? Coincidence or did he predict my actions?" Teacher Chen sensed something amiss and executed another Leaf Storm.
Mokgetsu's figure flickered, each time dodging Teacher Chen's Spinning Kicks perfectly, making all three kicks miss entirely.
Once could be coincidental, but dodging so many attacks spoke of sheer strength.
Teacher Chen was deeply shocked; it was the first time he encountered such a scenario, as if Mokgetsu could read his very mind, predicting all his moves.
After evading the final Spinning Kick, Mokgetsu moved again, swinging his palm lightly towards Teacher Chen as if using little strength.
Teacher Chen burst forth with Chakra, punching to meet Mokgetsu's hand. Upon contact with the hand-chop, Teacher Chen's expression changed dramatically. The seemingly light chop contained a force that astonished him.
Bam!!
Under the terrifying power, Teacher Chen flew backward rapidly, crashing into three large trees before stopping.
"What kind of technique is this? Clearly, no strength can be felt, yet it holds such terrifying power." Teacher Chen's expression turned unprecedentedly serious, considering this an advanced Taijutsu technique he was unfamiliar with.
The sudden change in the battle left Shiranui Genma and Ebisu astounded.
"Teacher Chen was actually knocked flying. Just a moment ago, he was..." Shiranui Genma found it hard to understand the battle of these advanced ninjas.
Both were Taijutsu collisions, yet resulted in two dramatically different outcomes; once with Teacher Chen having the advantage, and the other with Mokgetsu gaining the upper hand.
"Teacher Mokgetsu's Taijutsu is surprisingly strong." Watching Teacher Chen falter, Ebisu wore a shocked expression; this was, after all, Teacher Chen, renowned as the strongest in Taijutsu in Konoha.