Mokgetsu's 360-degree all-seeing Byakugan noticed something: after Roshi transformed, several ninjas with strong Chakra were approaching him from that direction.
Although the Byakugan could already see through their Chakra, just to be sure, Mokgetsu still cast a few Identification Jutsu.
[Name: Iwakura]
[Chakra: 71000]
[Skills: Explosion Release (Master Level: 3100/15000), Earth Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 3500), Explosion Release: Meteor Rock Burst (Master Level), Explosion Release: Exploding Shattering Stone (Master Level)…]
[Name: Saseki]
[Chakra: 41000]
[Skills: Explosion Release (Master Level), Earth Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level), Explosion Release: Detonating Stone (Master Level)…]
[Name: Doku]
[Chakra: 35000]
[Skills: Explosion Release (Master Level), Earth Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level), Earth Release·Hardening Jutsu (Master Level)…]
"It's the Hidden Rock Demolition Squad."
Looking at the six identical panels full of Explosion Release, Mokgetsu instantly realized the six who were quietly approaching were the strongest elite unit of The Hidden Rock Village, the Hidden Rock Blast Team.
But Mokgetsu didn't panic.
Since he had already discovered their plan, the threat level decreased, and with the Flying Thunder God Jutsu to escape anytime and Armament to protect his body perfectly, there was even less to worry about.
Seeing Roshi transform into a giant ape, the Hidden Rock Ninja quickly retreated to avoid accidental injuries.
Mokgetsu followed at an even faster pace, slashing at the Hidden Rock and moving to areas with more Hidden Rock Ninja, striving to make Roshi accidentally injure more of them.
Resolved in his heart, Roshi did not abandon his attack due to Mokgetsu's actions, he suddenly jumped up, swinging his huge fists towards Mokgetsu.
In his Complete Tailed Beast Transformation state, he only needed to enhance his body with Chakra for Taijutsu attacks to have immense power.
Boom!!
The ground was directly pounded into a large pit by Roshi, with the bodies of two unlucky Hidden Rock lying inside.
As for Mokgetsu, who was Roshi's target, at the last moment, he used the Instant Body Jutsu to distance himself, rushing towards the small lake he had created, where most of the Explosion Release Ninjas were.
"Indeed, a genius like him is not afraid of a wounded Jinchuriki at all." Seeing this, a smile flashed across Iwakura's face.
Normally, in the chaos of the battlefield, choosing a ninja capable of Flying Thunder God as the target to encircle is unwise.
Because Mokgetsu could leave anytime with Flying Thunder God, and they couldn't stop him.
But Iwakura anticipated Mokgetsu's thoughts; he didn't believe Mokgetsu would be scared or retreat due to Roshi's Complete Tailed Beast Transformation.
Just the opposite, he thought Mokgetsu would use this opportunity to defeat Roshi completely.
Mokgetsu is not only a young super genius but has personally killed a Jinchuriki on the battlefield before. Iwakura believed such a Mokgetsu would have his pride and not retreat easily.
"Explosion Release: Exploding Shattering Stone!"
Iwakura seized the opportunity, rapidly creating several stones far more powerful than Explosive Tags and shot them at Mokgetsu.
Even before taking action, Iwakura had already ordered the other Blast Team members. As Iwakura made a move, the other five Explosion Release Ninjas also cast their best Explosion Release Ninjutsu.
"Explosion Release: Detonating Stone!"
"Explosion Release: Explosion Jutsu!"
Various Explosion-inducing Ninjutsu flew towards Mokgetsu.
Seeing Mokgetsu about to be engulfed by explosions, Iwakura still didn't relax, knowing Mokgetsu only needed to use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu to easily escape this crisis.
Iwakura swiftly concentrated Chakra, preparing to cast his strongest Explosion Release Ninjutsu, Meteor Rock Burst.
He predicted Mokgetsu wouldn't use Flying Thunder God to move too far but would teleport nearby to counterattack.
No matter where Mokgetsu appeared, whether beside anyone, how many Hidden Rock Ninja were around, Iwakura would immediately unleash his jutsu.
If he could personally take down Mokgetsu, it wouldn't be just a regular defeat but an honorable one.
However, to Iwakura's surprise, Mokgetsu did not use Flying Thunder God to dodge but instead cast a ninjutsu.
"Ice Release: Ice Age!"
A large amount of Chakra condensed within Mokgetsu erupted at this moment, terrifying icy blue chill spreading from him as the center.
Crack!!
Boom!
The small lake instantly transformed into an ice field, those explosion-laden stones turned into ice blocks, falling to the ground with a series of explosions.
The chill spread rapidly, coupled with Iwakura's unpreparedness for Mokgetsu using Ice Release instead of Flying Thunder God. In Iwakura's shocked expression, the chill swiftly invaded his body, freezing him into a large ice block.
The other Explosion Release Ninjas close to Mokgetsu weren't as strong as Iwakura and naturally couldn't escape being frozen.
Roshi originally wanted to take advantage of the situation to punch Mokgetsu, but before his fist swung, the chill already touched his body.
The biting cold made Roshi instinctively shrink his pupils, and before he could move again, he was transformed into a massive ice sculpture.
Under Mokgetsu's generous display of Chakra, the S-level Ice Age exhibited terrifying power.
Besides the Explosion Release Ninjas near Mokgetsu and Roshi, some nearby Hidden Rock Ninja couldn't escape the chill's invasion, turning into chunks of ice one after another.
The Hidden Rock Ninja who escaped looked at the gigantic ice sculpture, showing a terrified expression and retreating rapidly.
Even the nearby Konoha Ninja could not care about anything else and quickly retreated.
For a moment, the battlefield became a silent ice blue land.
"As expected of Teacher Mokgetsu!" Seeing Mokgetsu easily resolve the crisis and make a powerful counterattack, Obito exclaimed.
Just now, his disciples teamed up to kill many Hidden Rock Ninja and led a Konoha Ninja Squad intending to help Mokgetsu relieve pressure, but before their support arrived, Mokgetsu had solved the problem himself.
"Seems it's not this time." Kakashi felt relieved.
Up to now in the war, their plan to ensnare the Hidden Rock Squad had already succeeded halfway.
Mokgetsu and the Konoha Ninja Squad were in good condition. No matter what, it wouldn't end with Mokgetsu's demise.
Next, they only needed to weaken the Hidden Rock Ninja's living forces as much as possible, which would be the greatest victory since the Konoha War began.
"Next, we need to be more aware of our surroundings." Shisui's Sharingan swiftly scanned the surroundings.
With no problem on Mokgetsu's side, they needed to protect themselves, avoiding becoming Mokgetsu's burden.
"To think he silently cultivated Ice Release to such a level." Jiraiya, who was fighting the Five-tails, was somewhat surprised.
Jiraiya should have been too focused on fighting the Jinchuriki to pay attention to anything else, but the frozen Four-tails was too large and eye-catching.
At this moment, the sun was slowly rising, and dawn light reflected various colors on the ice. Coupled with the Four-tails' naturally striking red fur, it was truly dazzling.
"If it's him, perhaps he can surpass Sarutobi-sensei's Ninja Technique Professorship." Jiraiya couldn't help but sigh now.
Mokgetsu had already shown far superior Water Release and Fire Release, and now he cultivated the Kekkeigenkai Ice Release so proficiently.
It's worth noting that Mokgetsu is still in his early twenties, with plenty of time to cultivate and research ninjutsu, making his future immeasurable.
Han also noticed the situation on the main battlefield, and his usually calm temperament gave rise to some anxiety, making his attacks more impulsive.
However, Sage Mode Jiraiya is not a soft target, and Han's impatience didn't yield results, instead exposing flaws that Jiraiya seized upon.
Not only did he get injured, but all the Hidden Rock Jonin responsible for his protection were killed by Jiraiya and the Two Sages.
"With these annoying disruptors settled, the fight becomes much easier." Jiraiya exhaled.
A Jinchuriki capable of Complete Tailed Beast Transformation is not to be underestimated by any strong individual.
If also aided by a specialized Jonin Squad, the danger significantly increases.
However, a strong individual like Jiraiya, with mastery over multiple techniques, on facing a single Jinchuriki, though not easy, has high chances of victory.
The ice-sealed Four-tails and frozen Hidden Rock Ninja boosted Konoha Ninja morale, but for the Hidden Rock Ninja, it was unbearable.
The squads' powerful combat forces were repeatedly thwarted without gaining an advantage, making it hard to talk about defeating Konoha, even breaking through seemed unlikely.
PS: This is 4.2k, there will be another chapter later, possibly around midnight or so, latest not past one o'clock.
Since Little Tangerine successfully went to bed early yesterday, wants to keep it up, sticking to it for a week might restore the schedule.