Following Mokgetsu, they have occasionally encountered powerful enemies unexpectedly, used strategy to defeat ninja squads far larger than themselves, but being trapped in a circle by a numerous ninja squad is a first.
"Don't spread out too much during the fight, support each other, and keep an eye on Teacher Mokgetsu," Kakashi said quickly.
Obito, Shisui, and others nodded solemnly, aware of the danger they were about to face.
Neither the Hidden Mist army nor Karatachi Yagura's taunts could change the expression on Mokgetsu's face.
"Have you ever heard the saying that a good hunter often appears as prey?" Mokgetsu glanced around, identifying the stronger Hidden Mist ninjas.
[Name: Karatachi Yagura]
[Chakra: 116800]
[Skills: Water Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 5100/15000), Yin Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 3000), Wind Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 2800), Water Mirror Jutsu (Master Level)...]
[Name: Hozuki Shingetsu]
[Chakra: 62000]
[Skills: Water Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 3700/15000), Wind Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 2600), Water Transformation Jutsu (Master Level), Water Cannon Jutsu (Master Level)...]
[Name: Momoguruma Kawasaki]
[Chakra: 56000]
[Skills: Water Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 3300/15000), Wind Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 2600), Water Transformation Jutsu (Master Level), Water Cannon Jutsu (Master Level)]
Although Observation can sense strength, it's no match compared to Identification Jutsu, which reveals most information.
"Heh, just a bluff." Karatachi Yagura tightened his iron rod and secretly gathered chakra, preparing to attack.
Mokgetsu's ninja squad only numbered eight hundred, while he had fourteen hundred Hidden Mist ninjas. With such a lopsided manpower discrepancy, not even Mokgetsu, even with Orochimaru, would have to flee shamefully.
"Mokgetsu, you take a portion of the elite and retreat. I'll lead the remaining troops to cover you," said Mimura Hamaki, his face resolute as he looked at the Hidden Mist squad, which was nearly twice as large.
Compared to himself, an aging Jonin at his limit, Konoha needed the talented young Mokgetsu more.
Whiz whiz!!
Boom!!
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Water Release: Water Array Wall!"
Ninjas from both sides sprang into action, shuriken and kunai flying, and various ninjutsu appearing in rapid succession.
Mokgetsu shook his head slightly and walked in front of Mimura Hamaki, "Elder Hamaki, you can trust me a bit more."
After using Identification Jutsu, the battle was already over. On this battlefield, there was no ninja capable of stopping him.
Swoosh!
"Hope your strength is as tough as your words!" Karatachi Yagura raised an iron rod, bursting with chakra, charging at Mokgetsu.
He had never faced Mokgetsu directly; on the previous battlefield, he was busy confronting Orochimaru and couldn't spare a hand for Mokgetsu.
However, Karatachi Yagura didn't believe Mokgetsu could be stronger than him; even Orochimaru couldn't easily defeat him, let alone Mokgetsu.
In ordinary ninja eyes, Karatachi Yagura's speed was extremely fast, almost untraceable.
But Karatachi Yagura faced Mokgetsu, who had opened the Byakugan and entered the Transparent World. Before Karatachi Yagura stepped forward, Mokgetsu already foresaw his next move.
Mokgetsu calmly pressed his hands together, fingers interlocked, thumbs overlapped, forming the Snake Seal.
At that moment, a surge of Wood Release Chakra erupted within Mokgetsu.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Rumblings!!!
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble, as if numerous lives were stirring underground.
Soon after, green saplings burst through the ground, rapidly growing, so fast the ground cracked open.
The saplings quickly grew into towering, lush trees, covering the entire battlefield in the blink of an eye.
These trees seemed to possess self-awareness, furiously attacking nearby Hidden Mist ninjas with branches and trunks, halting Karatachi Yagura with thick branches.
At that moment, the battlefield's atmosphere changed.
Both Konoha ninjas and Hidden Mist ninjas stared at Mokgetsu in shock.
"This!" Mimura Hamaki looked at the sudden forest, incredulous as he gazed at Mokgetsu standing before him.
His first thought was that he had fallen under a Genjutsu.
It's not that Mokgetsu was untrustworthy, but the scene was too astonishing.
Even he had only heard in stories of the First Hokage's immense power to create a forest with a wave of his hand.
But Mimura Hamaki was, after all, a seasoned Jonin, quickly realizing he wasn't affected by Genjutsu, that everything before him was real.
"No wonder he said those words..." Mimura Hamaki looked at Mokgetsu with a complex expression, instantly understanding a lot.
He thought Mokgetsu was overly confident due to youthful arrogance, but in truth, Mokgetsu was extraordinarily talented and wise.
With the powerful Wood Release, Mokgetsu wouldn't hesitate even if leading half the squad against the entire Hidden Mist squad.
If they chose to ambush Teacher Chen, Mokgetsu could rely on his high mobility to rush over and assist.
"Teacher Mokgetsu also mastered Wood Release." Kakashi was shocked.
Mokgetsu had never shown Wood Release in front of them, due to Shimura Danzo, he had privately coached Yamato in Wood Release, publicly teaching other ninjutsu.
So Kakashi didn't know Mokgetsu possessed the Wood Release Kekkeigenkai.
"Is it not this time?" Watching the situation change, Kakashi felt he guessed wrong.
But Kakashi's mood didn't improve.
Mokgetsu was proficient in seven Chakra Nature Changes, mastered countless jutsu, developed many powerful S-level Ninjutsu Secret Techniques, and had two Kekkeigenkai, one being Wood Release, held only by the God of Ninjas.
Kakashi could barely imagine a difficult situation leading to Mokgetsu's demise.
Being surrounded by ten thousand ninjas to protect a companion?
Surely not the legendary Uchiha Madara resurrecting to fight Mokgetsu.
Now Kakashi realized they truly struggled to support Mokgetsu, the difference in power was too great.
Whenever he felt closer to Mokgetsu, Mokgetsu exhibited new strength.
"It's Wood Release! So cool, Teacher Mokgetsu!"
Always watching Mokgetsu, Obito couldn't help but cheer for him as Mokgetsu turned the tide with a single jutsu.
"I wish I could learn Wood Release, Sharingan is useless," Obito mused, unable to resist grumbling.
Even as a member of the Uchiha Clan, Obito considered Sharingan inferior to Wood Release.
Foremost, even the strongest Uchiha Madara couldn't beat Senju Hashirama with Wood Release. Additionally, Wood Release was rare, possessed only by Senju Hashirama and Mokgetsu; rarity often implies strength.
Moreover, Sharingan's abilities seemed standard; mastering Transparent World or perfecting Observation wasn't inferior to Sharingan.
"It's Wood Release!"
Many Konoha ninjas, excited after the initial surprise, looked at the Hidden Mist ninjas as if they were at a disadvantage rather than their own side.
The Hidden Mist responded oppositely, many gazing at Mokgetsu with fear. If not for the strict rules of Hidden Mist, fleeing the battlefield meaning certain death, they would have already run.
The Ninja Village era only developed for several decades, ninja throughout the Ninja World hadn't forgotten the tales of the First Hokage Senju Hashirama and his invincible Wood Release.
Karatachi Yagura swung his iron rod, smashing attacking branches, his face grim.
As an older ninja, he could best feel the pressure of Wood Release.
Konoha once developed a Genjutsu capable of creating tree illusions, intending to make opponents wonder "Is the enemy a Wood Release ninja," to incite fear and exploit weaknesses.
The intimidation power of Wood Release was evident.
Despite nearly double the numbers, Karatachi Yagura's heart couldn't help but nurture a retreating mindset.