The Shadow Clone cannot support the Chakra for Transformation Jutsu, but it's still usable for non-Chakra-consuming transformations.
In the end, Mokgetsu's Shadow Clone sensed the Hidden Rock Ninja Squad relaxing and dissipated, allowing its memories to return.
With the memories obtained, Mokgetsu wasted no time. After ordering the squad to move out, he took some Jonin, while Namikaze Minato accompanied Jiraiya and their teammates. The two performed the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport to the resting point.
BOOM!!
Mokgetsu and Namikaze Minato gathered Chakra to detonate the pre-set explosive tag traps. The resting point exploded in bursts, throwing the Hidden Rock Ninja Squad into chaos.
They came to ambush the Konoha Ninja, but without warning, they found themselves ambushed instead. They hadn't even seen a silhouette before being bombarded, making it difficult for even a ninja to remain calm in such a situation.
Swish, swish, swish!!
Namikaze Minato pulled ten Flying Thunder God Kunai from his Ninja Pouch and shot them in all directions. Each time he passed a Hidden Rock Ninja, a yellow flash would appear, claiming a life.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bomb!"
Jiraiya, without summoning the toads for assistance, swiftly formed hand seals and spewed flames towards the Hidden Rock Ninja ahead.
Their squad was still rushing over, and the area was teeming with Hidden Rock Ninja. Summoning large toads would just invite trouble, and it was still too early to summon the two Immortals. Therefore, Jiraiya opted not to use the Summoning Technique, choosing instead to attack with Ninjutsu himself.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Extinguishing!"
Faced with the numerous Hidden Rock Ninja, Mokgetsu made a choice similar to Jiraiya's, using a wide-range, high-damage Fire Release.
Whoosh!!
Mokgetsu spewed out large swaths of flame, creating a dazzling crimson sea of fire around him, far exceeding the range of Jiraiya's Fire Dragon Flame Bomb.
"Water Release: Water Array Wall!"
Some Hidden Rock Ninja who mastered Water Release attempted to use it to block Mokgetsu's flames.
But even Mokgetsu's restrained use of the Great Fire Extinguishing wasn't something any ordinary Hidden Rock Ninja could block.
The water streams spat out by the Hidden Rock Ninja quickly evaporated, and those hit by the flames were reduced to ashes under the searing inferno.
The Hidden Rock Ninja near the sea of fire all wore horrified expressions, each desperately trying various means to block it, but most efforts were in vain.
"That Fire Release." Jiraiya was a bit surprised.
Though the power of Fire Release wasn't enough to shock him since he had plenty of powerful Fire techniques.
The main thing was that the Great Fire Extinguishing is an advanced Fire Release of the Uchiha Clan.
Jiraiya quickly dismissed it from his mind. After all, a Fire Release isn't a Secret Technique, and if Mokgetsu wanted, he had a good chance of acquiring it either from the Uchiha direct line or from Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Those cunning damned Konoha Ninja!" Iwakura's face turned dark.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Jutsu!"
Witnessing the scene, Han swiftly formed seals and released a massive water flow to counteract the flames.
Although Han's Water Release skills were average, with the boost from Tailed Beast Chakra, his Great Waterfall Jutsu was quite impressive, saving many Hidden Rock Ninja even if it didn't completely extinguish the flames.
"No wonder we keep losing battles. With a group of incompetent fools like this giving commands, it's a wonder if we don't lose." Roshi remarked with a dour expression, narrowly avoiding an explosive trap.
In the strategy meeting, they mocked Jiraiya as reckless, laughed at Habu Mokgetsu's short-sighted intelligence, speaking as if Konoha had already ceded territory and paid reparations.
But the reality was a rushed nighttime march that left them sleepless, only to be caught off guard by an explosive tag right before resting.
Iwakura heard this, but pretended not to as he ordered the demolition squad ninjas near him to gather around him.
Jinchuriki holds a special status, and someone like Roshi, who can completely transform into a Tailed Beast, is even more special. Even the esteemed Tsuchikage, Onoki, wouldn't dare to scold him, let alone Iwakura, the deputy leader of the Hidden Rock Demolition Squad.
"Spread out quickly, they are few in number!" Iwakura swiftly ordered.
He had been observing the situation. It seemed the entire resting point was in disarray, but in reality, most of the chaos was from the traps. The actual attacking Konoha Ninja numbered less than two digits.
If they didn't spread out, even the Hidden Rock couldn't effectively use Ninjutsu for fear of accidentally hitting comrades.
There are nearly two thousand Hidden Rock Ninja here.
Iwakura commanded as he retreated to the rear.
Though few Konoha Ninja appeared now, based on their earlier performance, the so-called intel was a trap from Konoha.
The Konoha Ninja Squad in the Land of Grass might have already joined with Konoha's support forces. They might be surrounded by a Ninja Squad not much smaller in number than theirs.
With this in mind, Iwakura felt the urge to retreat.
They indeed had a greater number, but with some killed by traps and many tired from the nighttime march, many ninjas were not at their best, making victory against Konoha uncertain.
"We've fallen into Konoha's trap, retreat now!" Iwakura shouted loudly.
Initially, he wanted to fight for a bit before deciding, thinking retreating from merely a few Konoha Ninja might lead to ridicule later for being too cowardly.
But Iwakura was concerned that delaying the retreat might lead to trouble, causing significant Hidden Rock losses.
Compared to the latter, losing some face was a minor issue.
"Minato, relocate me." Seeing the Hidden Rock Squad attempting to retreat, Jiraiya immediately said.
Their Ninja Squad was still on the way, so they couldn't let the Hidden Rock Squad escape.
Namikaze Minato understood, grabbed Jiraiya's shoulder, and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to reposition towards the retreating Hidden Rock Ninjas.
They were prepared for this; Mokgetsu and Namikaze Minato had planted many Flying Thunder God Kunai in the vicinity.
"Summoning Technique!"
Poof!
White smoke rose, and two giant toads descended from the sky, crashing into the Hidden Rock Squad.
"The intensity of recent battles has been a bit high." Gamabunta snorted, eyeing the thousand Hidden Rock Ninjas surrounding him.
It was always either holding off a Jinchuriki or facing off against a thousand ninjas in a brawl.
Gamaken silently raised his shield to defend himself, as the attacks from Hidden Rock began.
"Sorry, I'm putting you guys through a lot." Jiraiya said, feeling a bit apologetic.
Although larger targets tend to attract more aggression in scenarios like this, he indeed had no better means to slow down their retreat.
"Earth Release: Rock Cannon Jutsu!"
Without any orders needed, the Hidden Rock Ninja silently executed their legion Ninjutsu.
In moments, a barrage of stone, like artillery shells, flew towards Gamabunta and Gamaken.
"Water Release: Cannon Jade!"
Gamabunta countered with Sage Art Water Release, launching his own attack.
His water technique was strong, destroying all stones it touched, but there were just too many Hidden Rock attacks incoming.
Their firepower was overwhelming, and even the thick-skinned, Chakra-guarded Gamabunta had sustained numerous wounds.
Gamaken, thanks to his shield, was slightly better off but it couldn't cover his entire body, and he too was injured.
With their strength, holding off a thousand-strong Ninja Squad was somewhat taxing.
"These persistent damn toads." Roshi frowned.
There were so many Hidden Rock Ninja around, let alone using a Tailed Beast Ball, he couldn't even use Complete Tailed Beast Transformation, lest he end up crushing a fellow Hidden Rock Ninja.
"Han, take on the toad with the shield, I'll deal with the other. Finish them quickly." Roshi quickly instructed, gathering Lava Release Chakra.
Though annoyed, Roshi kept a clear head, knowing retreating after a trap was the best choice, and the faster, the better.
No one knew what else in that intel could be a trap. Was the Konoha support force truly just a thousand strong? Or could there be more?
Han nodded, and with Tailed Beast Chakra infused, his body was clad in dark red chakra, ready to knock out Gamaken with a single punch.
But as Roshi entered Lava Release Chakra Mode to charge at Gamabunta, a sudden sense of danger made him halt abruptly.
In the next moment, a Water Spear pierced the ground where he was about to step.