After speaking, Tsunade emphasized, "It's a loan, not a gift. This necklace is worth a lot. If sold, it could buy three mines. After you develop Wood Release, you must return it to me."
Mokgetsu looked at the necklace in Tsunade's palm. This necklace was quite famous, with the nickname "Death Necklace."
In the original story, Tsunade gave it to three people: Nawaki, Katou Dan, and Naruto.
Of the three, all except Naruto died on the battlefield. Although Naruto didn't die, the necklace broke.
Although it sounds like a cursed item, Tsunade wasn't lying. This necklace is indeed very valuable, and it can even be classified as an advanced ninja tool. Its effect is suppressing Tailed Beast Chakra.
"I've been a bit busy lately and forgot to tell you that I've already mastered Wood Release," Mokgetsu revealed a faint smile, performed a single-handed seal to gather Wood Release Chakra, and made a large tree grow rapidly in Tsunade's courtyard.
"Hmm?!" Tsunade's eyes widened, looking shocked at Mokgetsu and the rapidly growing tree.
Tsunade was dumbfounded. Someone could actually develop Wood Release. Isn't this her grandfather's unique Kekkei Genkai?
At this moment, Tsunade even wondered if she had fallen under Genjutsu.
She silently performed hand seals to try to break the Genjutsu, but found her Chakra was very stable, with no signs of being under Genjutsu.
"How did you do it?" Tsunade couldn't help but ask.
"By studying documents." Mokgetsu answered matter-of-factly.
Tsunade: …
She had also looked at those documents, yet she hadn't learned Wood Release. A strong sense of defeat surged in her heart.
Who could understand this? She, the direct granddaughter of Senju Hashirama, hadn't learned Wood Release, but someone unrelated to Senju Hashirama had.
"Why are you such trouble? You've just developed Wood Release, and there's still a lot you need to learn. Just tell me if you want it or not." Tsunade stretched out a hand to Mokgetsu.
Seeing Tsunade slightly frustrated, Mokgetsu didn't bring up the Wood Release topic again and accepted the necklace with a sincere "Thank you."
He didn't need the necklace to study Wood Release, but studying this necklace was indeed useful. If he could master similar techniques, he could make an accessory for Kushina.
"Even though it's a loan, it's not interest-free," Tsunade continued.
"For each day you borrow the necklace, you owe me a meal. Two days means two meals, and so on until you return the necklace."
"I can't stand people who don't repay debts. If you don't return it, I'll beat your disciples half to death, especially that rude little goggle-wearing brat."
After speaking, Tsunade raised her fair fist slightly.
"Then I'll try to return to Konoha to repay the debt soon." Mokgetsu waved goodbye.
Tsunade isn't someone who speaks openly. Even though her words were full of threats, Mokgetsu could feel her concern.
"It's best that way." Tsunade casually waved her hand in response.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, I hope your mission proceeds smoothly and safely," Shizune beside them expressed her farewell blessings.
Mokgetsu smiled at Shizune then turned to head to the training field.
"Lady Tsunade really isn't straightforward. Even though she's worried about Teacher Mokgetsu, she didn't say a single nice thing," Shizune muttered inside after entering the room.
As a bystander, she saw clearly from the side.
"Of course I'm worried about him. If he doesn't come back, my necklace worth three mines will be gone." Tsunade grabbed Shizune's fair little cheeks and said.
"Mm... it's not about that." Shizune struggled to speak.
Although she was young, she didn't believe everything.
"I think you, Shizune, are just too idle." Tsunade tugged at Shizune's little cheeks and immediately assigned her a medical problem that couldn't be solved in a day.
...
When Mokgetsu reached the training field, the Ninja Squad was just about to complete their assembly.
"Commander Mokgetsu."
"Lord Mokgetsu."
The ninjas on the training field all greeted Mokgetsu.
Even though Mokgetsu knew all their names, due to the large number of people, he couldn't respond individually. He only nodded in acknowledgment to a group of them.
"Senior Chen, Hamaki Jonin." When Mokgetsu reached the side of the performing key Jonin roles, he could respond one by one.
"Commander Mokgetsu, currently the squad..." Mimura Hamaki reported the situation to Mokgetsu.
This time Mimura Hamaki and Teacher Chen were both serving as vice-commanders.
"There are so many ninjas, a lot more than last time." Obito observed the ninja squad as he walked onto the training field.
The last ninja squad under Mokgetsu's leadership had only five hundred people, but this time there were much more. Obito roughly estimated, feeling there might be over a thousand.
"However, last time was to support the Toad Elder, the situation was different."
Kakashi turned slightly to explain.
"Hey, Kakashi, what's with that look? I know more than just battle stuff, okay?" Obito looked at Kakashi's slightly surprised expression and complained.
"Oh, then you're really impressive, Obito." Kakashi praised in a toneless voice.
"You're probably the only one who can make praise sound so annoying." Obito deeply felt Kakashi's mockery.
If he had known, he would have taken a different route, so he wouldn't have encountered Kakashi on the way.
"You two get along so well, did you come together on purpose?" Nohara Rin showed a smile and greeted as she entered the training field, seeing the familiar scene.
"No, we didn't!" ×2
"We just happened to run into each other on the road." Obito hurriedly explained.
He hadn't specifically arranged to meet Nohara Rin, so why would he go seek out Kakashi.
"I have no intention of being late, waiting for Obito is troublesome." Kakashi stated calmly.
Obito couldn't help but glare at Kakashi. He hadn't been late for a long time since he could use Shadow Clones to help when meeting elders.
"Shisui, how has work been lately?" Obito suddenly noticed Shisui was there too and immediately greeted him.
Compared to quarreling with Kakashi, it's certainly better to check in with his friend and younger clan member.
Because Shisui had been quite busy lately, even if they met, they hadn't talked much.
"It's been fine, pretty smooth." Shisui answered while greeting others.
After exchanging a few words, they walked over to Mokgetsu together.
Seeing Mokgetsu discussing the squad's matters with other Jonin, they didn't interrupt and chose to stand nearby.
"Cough, cough."
Once all Ninja Squad members had gathered, Mokgetsu coughed lightly to signal everyone to quiet down, and then began speaking.
"Our opponent is the Hidden Mist squad roaming the East Coast..."
Without much speech, Mokgetsu briefly explained the task and led the squad toward the eastern part of the Land of Fire.
"Now, Hidden Mist has spread its forces, with signs of active Hidden Mist squads from the northeast to the southeast." During their rest, the Ninja Squad's leaders were conducting a strategy meeting.
"Split up our forces for separate actions?" suggested a Konoha Jonin.
"That's not very stable. Elder Mitokado fell into Hidden Mist's trap that way." Mimura Hamaki shook his head.
They couldn't fall into the same trap again.
"But focusing power to clear one area will be inefficient." The initial speaking Konoha ninja raised the issue.
The mobility of ninjas is very high, and with the Ninja Squad's considerable target size, they might not even clear half before the other half escapes.
For a moment, the Jonin couldn't reach a consensus.
On the other side, Kakashi and his young disciples were also sitting together chatting.
Their strength was considerable, but their experience was too lacking. Even the most seasoned Kakashi hadn't been assigned an important role.
"You must be extra careful when fighting the enemy. I've heard Konoha recently suffered a defeat from this same Hidden Mist squad." Obito shared the intel he gathered from chatting with other ninjas.
"On the battlefield, beware of ninjas from any village. Recently, Konoha's situation has been grim. It might be time for Teacher Mokgetsu's life-or-death crisis." Kakashi spoke softly.
Mokgetsu's death is a mystery, but Kakashi has analyzed it countless times, and based on timing and logic, it should be related to the Ninja World War, though he doesn't know which war.
All the disciples' expressions became serious.
PS:
Have to work tomorrow, can't stay up late tonight, so there's only this one update.