He felt that these words were strange, accidentally killing everyone on the opposite side, but it was indeed a fact that couldn't be more true.
"Are you sure those were Hidden Rock Ninjas?" Mokgetsu asked after hearing them out.
"They should be, they were dressed as Hidden Rock Ninjas and used Earth Release Ninjutsu." Yahiko had never doubted the identity of those Hidden Rock Ninjas.
After all, that village is on the border of the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth, so it's not strange for Hidden Rock Ninjas to appear.
Mokgetsu shook his head, "Uniform and forehead protectors are not difficult to copy, and Earth Release Ninjutsu isn't exclusive to the Hidden Rock. Did you examine the bodies carefully?"
The seven of them shook their heads in denial. They hadn't considered that aspect; Yahiko's group was inexperienced, and the remaining four ninjas had been so shocked by Nagato's strength that they forgot.
"Since they attacked first, your retaliation is justified. Their deaths are what they deserved." Mokgetsu didn't blame Nagato and the others.
"But we still need to find out who the opponents are. Take me there."
Yahiko and the others quickly led Mokgetsu to the place where they fought.
Upon returning, Yahiko and the others were dumbfounded because the bodies of the Hidden Rock Ninjas were all gone.
"Let's ask the nearby villagers, maybe they handled it," Konan suggested as a possibility.
"That's possible, but it's more likely that their comrades took them away. Recycling bodies is also an important ninja task." Mokgetsu advised them not to get their hopes up.
As Mokgetsu expected, no matter how hard Yahiko and the others inquired in the surrounding villages, they couldn't find out where the bodies went.
Nagato showed a guilty expression; if he hadn't lost control, things wouldn't have turned out like this.
"Jiraiya-sensei taught me so many Ninjutsu techniques, but I still can't control my power." Nagato was very disappointed in himself.
Jiraiya said he might be the reincarnation of the Six Paths Sage and the savior of the Ninja World, but Nagato felt that a savior like him would be a terrible one.
"Uncle Sosuke, what should we do now?" Yahiko asked Mokgetsu.
Yahiko also felt a bit tired, realizing that he might not be cut out to be a leader. If Mokgetsu had been there, this wouldn't have happened.
"Since the clues are broken, let's first focus on the tasks at hand. If they were truly Hidden Rock Ninjas, their village will definitely come looking again." Mokgetsu pondered and said.
Actually, Mokgetsu knew the entire truth.
Because Mokgetsu sent a Shadow Clone to track Yahiko and the others.
So Mokgetsu knew that these so-called Hidden Rock Ninjas were actually Root Ninjas sent by Shimura Danzo.
Mokgetsu could easily guess what Shimura Danzo wanted to do, nothing more than trying to stir conflict between them and the Hidden Rock, maybe Hanzo as well.
Though Shimura Danzo had a scheme to sow discord, Mokgetsu also had his own plans.
The philosophy of the Ninja Sect created by Mokgetsu was destined to clash with the current era of ninjas, and conflicts were inevitable.
Instead of exposing Danzo's scheme, it would be better to utilize it to train the Ninja Sect and Akatsuki, enhancing their skills.
After all, Mokgetsu was still in the Land of Rain and could provide support if necessary.
Mokgetsu had another personal reason, adversity reveals true feelings, and the crisis was an excellent opportunity to gain Nagato's favor.
"That's all we can do for now." Yahiko thought Mokgetsu made sense.
Seeing Yahiko's helpless look, Nagato felt even more guilty and returned to the village in silence.
Yahiko and Konan noticed Nagato's mood and tried to comfort him.
Nagato didn't want them to worry, so he pretended to be normal, but only showed his true expression when he returned to his room.
Knock knock!
Just as Nagato was sitting alone in a depressed state, hugging his knees, his room door was knocked on.
Nagato hastily adjusted his expression before opening the door, thinking it might be Yahiko or Konan.
But to Nagato's surprise, it was Mokgetsu, holding a bowl of ramen.
Nagato looked at Mokgetsu, puzzled.
Mokgetsu placed the ramen on the table in the room, "Eat, when you're unhappy, a good meal can really improve your mood."
"But is it narcissistic to call your own cooking delicious? Good thing Kakuzu isn't here." Mokgetsu joked to himself.
As cooking skills were one of Habu Mokgetsu's notable traits, Mokgetsu usually avoided cooking in the Land of Rain.
"What, don't you like ramen?" Seeing Nagato not moving for a while, Mokgetsu asked curiously.
"No." Nagato shook his head, answering, the long journey of wandering had left him with no picky eating habits.
Nagato was just a bit flattered; he didn't expect Mokgetsu to notice his mood and even make ramen for him.
"Eat it while it's hot; cold noodles don't taste good." Mokgetsu smiled and said.
Faced with the steaming and fragrant ramen in front of him, Nagato looked down at his stomach; he was indeed a bit hungry, using the Rinnegan consumed a lot of energy.
Nagato thanked Mokgetsu and said, "Let's eat," before starting to savor the ramen.
As soon as he took a bite, Nagato's eyes widened; it was the first time he had tasted such good ramen, no, such good food.
Not being good with words, Nagato couldn't describe his current feelings. After another bite of noodles followed by a sip of soup, his whole body felt warm and comfortable, as if he had been reborn.
The moment of happiness ended only when he realized he had unconsciously finished the entire bowl of ramen.
"Thank you, Uncle Sosuke." Nagato apologized again.
If just two words of thanks could exchange for such an incredibly delicious bowl of ramen, Nagato thought the line of people wanting to thank Mokgetsu could stretch from the Rain Village to the border of the Land of Rain.
"If you trust me, tell me what's bothering you. Keeping depression in your heart will only make you more unhappy." Mokgetsu said, sitting cross-legged.
Nagato was silent for a moment, recalling Mokgetsu's travels in the Land of Rain, the daily care he showed to followers like them, and that incredibly delicious bowl of ramen earlier.
PS: This chapter is 8.4k words, there will be another chapter later.