"I have already mastered the nature transformation of the five basic chakra attributes. Although I'm not particularly skilled with the Earth attribute, I can still teach the basics without any issue," Mokgetsu replied calmly.
His mastery of the Five Elements Ninjutsu came from selecting ten at the Ninja Dojo earlier, and then picking up two more when he was promoted to Official Jonin, all B-rank and above.
Mokgetsu could already use anything below B-rank with ease. He was no longer an unknown, so no one would question him using a C-rank jutsu. As long as it wasn't something special like the Hidden Mist Jutsu, there would be no problem.
"You've mastered all five nature transformations... Could I take a look?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a curious expression.
Learning one's own innate chakra nature isn't difficult, and learning an additional one isn't too hard either. Konoha Jonin typically master two or more nature transformation ninjutsu.
However, mastering all five nature transformations is quite challenging, even more so to the point of using them effectively in battle.
The difficulty is significant but so is the enhancement to the ninja's abilities. It means that no matter what jutsu the opponent uses, you can counter it with a jutsu that restrains it, gaining a chakra attribute advantage and potentially combining jutsu for increased power.
Sarutobi Hiruzen earned the title of "Ninja Technique Professor" because he mastered thousands of jutsu, not only including the five great nature transformations but also genjutsu and secret techniques. Whatever jutsu the enemy used, he could counter it.
Ironically, none of his three disciples followed in his footsteps. Tsunade focused on medical ninjutsu and taijutsu, Jiraiya on Fire Release and Immortal Techniques, and Orochimaru developed his unique Snake Ninjutsu.
Mokgetsu nodded, indicating he had no objection. This was exactly why he came, as it would be inconvenient to demonstrate his skills in the Hokage Office during the day.
Sarutobi Hiruzen led Mokgetsu to the backyard, where Asuma greeted Mokgetsu eagerly. He was about to practice some Wind Release.
"Come closer, don't get accidentally hit by Mokgetsu's jutsu," Sarutobi Hiruzen warned Asuma, drawing him aside to watch.
"No way! With Teacher Mokgetsu's control, there's no way I'd be hurt," Asuma retorted.
Still, Asuma obediently stepped aside. It wasn't that he doubted Mokgetsu, but rather he was eager to see Mokgetsu's ninjutsu.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bomb!"
Mokgetsu first used Fire Release, finally deciding on the Fire Dragon Flame Bomb, a top-tier Fire Release jutsu in terms of power and difficulty, fully testing the user's skill.
With Mokgetsu's seals completed, a massive amount of flame was expelled, instantly forming a sea of fire under Mokgetsu's control, advancing in three directions—front, left, and right. Although intense, not a single flame touched Sarutobi Hiruzen's house.
"A rather skilled Fire Dragon Flame Bomb," Sarutobi Hiruzen admitted, stroking his moustache approvingly.
From this Fire Dragon Flame Bomb, Sarutobi Hiruzen could tell that Mokgetsu's Fire Release skill surpassed most people in the Ninja World, both in power and control.
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen was at about this level when he was Mokgetsu's age.
"Amazing!" Asuma, with limited knowledge, genuinely thought Mokgetsu was incredible.
"Is Hiruzen not at home?" Just then, Danzo's voice suddenly called.
"I'm in the backyard. Come over," Sarutobi Hiruzen called out, raising his voice slightly.
Though he hadn't seen Danzo yet, Sarutobi Hiruzen guessed his purpose.
It was about the compensation from the Hidden Mist. Despite the elders firmly claiming that Ishijima Hideyuki was a spy from another ninja village, he was ultimately brought by the Hidden Mist, so Konoha demanded compensation from them.
This was where Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo had their differences. Danzo believed they should demand more, whether money or ninja tools, believing a heavy penalty was necessary to assert their authority.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, on the other hand, thought a symbolic demand was enough—primarily to express their stance, as they were concurrently in conflicts with the Hidden Rock and the Hidden Cloud, and demanding too much from the Hidden Mist might push them to war with Konoha too.
During the day at the Hokage Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected Danzo's proposal, but he could tell Danzo wasn't content. As he expected, Danzo came to see him after hours.
"Hiruzen..." Danzo began, about to relay the arguments he'd prepared throughout the day, but then he noticed the sea of flames in the yard and Mokgetsu locked in a sealing stance.
Though Danzo's strength was below Sarutobi Hiruzen's, his insight was sharp. He could immediately tell that Mokgetsu's Fire Dragon Flame Bomb was no ordinary jutsu.
Danzo's expression soured instantly, as it was he who'd rewarded Mokgetsu with the Fire Dragon Flame Bomb, and now Mokgetsu was demonstrating it at Sarutobi Hiruzen's residence, something Danzo had only stumbled upon by chance.
"Let's discuss this afterwards, let Mokgetsu finish his jutsu first," Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted.
Danzo nodded coldly.
Even though Mokgetsu's previous actions showed that he was still aligned with him and hadn't forgotten his tutelage, seeing Mokgetsu as someone who used to act freely but now had to find secretive opportunities was unsettling to Danzo. This was a powerful Jonin capable of contributing significantly in battles against Tailed Beasts.
Danzo's arrival caused no change in Mokgetsu's expression; he simply greeted Danzo. After all, Danzo's message was to keep things on the surface level, as Mokgetsu officially had no ties with Root anymore.