"Shouting with such energy, it seems like it's not a dream." Jiraiya stroked his chin, analyzing.
Obito: ...
Considering Jiraiya is the teacher of his teacher, he decided to let it slide for now.
After organizing his thoughts in his mind, Jiraiya's expression became serious, and he looked at Mokgetsu and said:
"So, Mokgetsu, you now have a large-scale Wood Release capable of posing a significant threat to Ninja squads."
"Yes, if the enemy gathers together, I can use Flower Forest Emergence to spread pollen that can induce unconsciousness." Mokgetsu nodded and said.
"In that case..." Jiraiya fell into a thoughtful expression.
Before Mokgetsu arrived, he had already devised a counterattack plan.
It was to use his squad as bait to lure the Hidden Rock Squad into attacking, then Mokgetsu would lead the squad to flank them and launch an offensive.
However, the spies' premature escape made Jiraiya abandon this plan because it signified that the Hidden Rock Squad was already aware of Mokgetsu's arrival.
Thinking about it now, the reason Konoha hadn't relayed the latest information about Mokgetsu was likely to guard against Hidden Rock spies.
But with Mokgetsu's current strength, it seemed plans weren't necessary anymore; he could fight whenever he encountered them, as losing was almost impossible anyway.
In the face of absolute strength, everything else becomes meaningless.
Jiraiya carefully observed Mokgetsu for a few moments; had he not already encountered Nagato with the Six Paths Sage's eyes, he might have thought Mokgetsu was the prophesied child.
Namikaze Minato's ninja prowess was already exaggerated, and Mokgetsu could be seen as a super version of Namikaze Minato.
If Mokgetsu continued growing at this pace, he might become another God of Ninjas.
"Mokgetsu, how about you form an elite squad and act freely?" Jiraiya pondered and suggested.
The battle with two thousand Hidden Rock had proven Mokgetsu's wisdom, and suppressing the Hidden Mist Ninja Squad proved his strength.
Jiraiya felt that conventional tactics were too wasteful for a special talent like Mokgetsu, so he simply let Mokgetsu lead a squad to maximize his abilities.
"Alright, I'll give it a try." Mokgetsu agreed.
This was exactly what he wanted.
Just like splitting forces on the Hidden Mist Battlefield, Mokgetsu wasn't worried about defeating opponents; his only concern was not finding any.
Now that he had attained perfect-level Wood Release, even a Jinchuriki capable of complete Tailed Beast Transformation would find it hard to pose a significant threat.
Unless the Tailed Beast was Kurama.
After leaving the camp, Mokgetsu called out to his disciples, "You have those Repairing Elixirs I gave you before, right?"
Mokgetsu had given each of his disciples a Repairing Elixir and instructed them to carry it close to them.
"Yes, you reminded us back in Konoha." Obito took out a black medicine pill and said.
"Good, this elixir can instantly heal bodily injuries and even save someone from near death," Mokgetsu nodded as he saw all his disciples take out the Repairing Elixirs.
On the first day in the Land of Grass, Mokgetsu mainly handled various chores and did not lead the team out to search for the Hidden Rock Squad.
Even though he wasn't very tired, ordinary ninjas needed rest after a high-intensity rush to have a good state to face battles.
On the second day, Mokgetsu and Jiraiya discussed the list for the elite squad.
The list consisted of one hundred people: sixty elite members from Mokgetsu's support squad and forty elite ninjas selected by Jiraiya from his squad.
The entire squad consisted of experienced Jonin, Special Jonin, and seasoned Chunin.
In the afternoon, Mokgetsu gathered the team for a brief practice session.
On the third day, Mokgetsu led the elite squad out of Jiraiya's unit and started his operational plan.
In the beginning days, the operations of Mokgetsu's elite squad were going smoothly.
Without any casualties, they swept through eight Hidden Rock squads, eliminating a total of thirty-four Hidden Rock ninjas.
However, an unexpected incident happened soon.
That day, Mokgetsu was leading the squad to chase a two hundred-member Hidden Rock squad and ended up in an ambush.
During the chase, a large number of Hidden Rock rushed out from the dense forest and surrounded Mokgetsu's squad.
"No wonder it's the notorious Blazing Sun Mokgetsu, with just a hundred ninjas, daring to charge recklessly through the war zone."
A steady voice came from the Hidden Rock Squad, as a robust-bodied Hidden Rock stepped out from among the crowd.
"Rock Fist Kitsuchi."
Kakashi immediately recognized him as the son of the Third Tsuchikage Jiraiya had mentioned before.
"After all, Teacher Mokgetsu can take on two thousand; the ninjas here seem insufficient for that." Obito quickly retorted when he saw someone dare to mock his teacher.
Kitsuchi was slightly stunned; he genuinely thought Mokgetsu had courage, but it seemed the other party misunderstood his words.
Kitsuchi didn't mind too much and quietly gathered Chakra.
Though slightly straightforward, it didn't hinder him from eliminating the enemies in front of Hidden Rock.
"Only nine hundred ninjas, looks like I can conserve some Chakra." Mokgetsu thought to himself.
With his Observation range, it's obviously not a real trap but just bait.
"Why are these Konoha ninjas so calm?" A Hidden Rock Jonin noticed that the surrounded Konoha ninjas showed no fear, but appeared eager.
The Hidden Rock Jonin was puzzled, unable to understand where these Konoha ninjas got their confidence, mistakenly thinking Konoha was surrounding Hidden Rock instead.
In truth, they had noticed this hundred-member squad on the second day after Mokgetsu led the team out.
They had only acted now after investigating, setting up, and ensuring it wasn't a Konoha conspiracy, leading to the current ambush.
Mokgetsu defeated Hidden Mist with remarkable speed and allowed no Hidden Mist to escape, so this information was known only to a few, and Hidden Rock was evidently not among them.
"Earth Release: Rock Cannon Jutsu!"
A large number of Hidden Rock skillfully gathered Chakra, launching stone-like cannonballs.
This was Hidden Rock's most formidable Legion Ninjutsu, their firepower extremely fierce.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
"Water Release: Water Array Wall!"
Many ninjas hurriedly deployed Defensive Ninjutsu.
Bang Bang Bang!!
Due to the difference in numbers, the defensive nets constructed by Konoha ninjas were rapidly destroyed.
At that moment, Mokgetsu's Chakra was ready.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Large amounts of Wood Release Chakra brought an unimaginable vitality to the land.
Boom Boom!!
The soil seemed bestowed with life, surging, tumbling, countless small roots burst forth from the soil, spreading in all directions.
These roots grew rapidly, intertwining into a net that quickly covered the entire battlefield.
Then, thick tree trunks emerged from the ground, growing upward at an astonishing speed, rapidly developing into massive trees.
As this area was already a forest, coupled with the newly grown trees, the density of the forest trees became somewhat alarming.
Sunlight filtered through dense canopies, casting dappled shadows, but within this region governed by Deep Forest Emergence, the Hidden Rock felt no warmth or peace; every Hidden Rock ninja was filled with disbelief and fear.
"Wood Release?!" Kitsuchi's eyes widened, showing an extremely surprised expression.
The legend of the God of Ninjas was known to all, and now he encountered another ninja capable of performing large-scale Wood Release, a sight that couldn't fail to astonish.
After using the trees to shield from the incoming Rock Cannon shots, Mokgetsu immediately controlled the trees to attack the Hidden Rock ninjas.
The elite squad ninjas also coordinated to counter-attack alongside Mokgetsu.
Most of them had already witnessed Mokgetsu's Wood Release and were somewhat accustomed to it.
The situation on the battlefield changed abruptly.
Some Hidden Rock were caught by tree branches without reacting, while others struggled against the continuous assault from trees and Konoha ninjas.
Kitsuchi gathered substantial Chakra, intending to use extensive Earth Release to destroy Mokgetsu's Deep Forest Emergence.
But Might Guy, who had been targeting Kitsuchi, charged at him even before he could fully concentrate his Chakra.
Mokgetsu was about to assist Might Guy in defeating Kitsuchi when he suddenly sensed something, looking towards the north.
Swish!
A ninja in a black robe appeared in the center of the battlefield using Instant Body Jutsu, openly staring at Mokgetsu.