[Name: Hanzo]
[Chakra: 130,500]
[Skills: Water Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation (Master Level: 6,100/15,000), Fire Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation (Master Level: 2,000/15,000), Water Instant Body Jutsu (Master Level), Fire Release: Detonating Flame Array (Master Level)...]
Among the Kage Level experts Mokgetsu had assessed, Hanzo was one with relatively few skills, with only two master-level nature transformations, and most of the ninjutsu he mastered were Water Release techniques.
Though his skills were few, it didn't mean Hanzo was weak. His proficiency in Water Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation was high, and he also had some master-level Water Release Ninjutsu.
Being familiar with the plot, Mokgetsu also knew some of Hanzo's strengths not displayed on the panel, which was poison.
Hanzo had a summoning beast called Salamander, capable of exhaling extremely poisonous and widespread toxic mist. Additionally, Hanzo himself had implanted a poison sac from the Salamander, which was why he always wore a mask.
If he didn't wear a mask, the toxic gas from Hanzo's breath could paralyze those around him.
Mokgetsu had to admit that Hanzo's poison tactics somewhat restrained the Breathing Technique, as using the Breathing Technique in the presence of poisonous gas would make the toxin invade faster.
Mokgetsu had been fully aware of this drawback of the Breathing Technique from the start, so he had been planning to improve it. However, making such improvements was even more difficult than developing a new Breathing Technique, which had slowed progress.
Mokgetsu had two ideas: one was to alleviate, and the other to cure.
To alleviate would be to add a detoxification or poison resistance effect to the Breathing Technique, while curing meant changing the Breathing Technique's operation so it no longer relied on normal breathing forms.
The former was much simpler than the latter, and Mokgetsu planned to make iterative improvements accordingly.
Additionally, equipment like gas masks or oxygen masks could be relied upon.
The advantage of equipment is its simplicity, but the downside is it might get damaged in battle.
Considering the intensity of a ninja battle, it would be damaged with even a slight brush from ninjutsu.
Seeing Mokgetsu return safely, the ninjas' anxious hearts were finally at ease.
Regardless of what they thought of Hanzo, for any ninja from the Land of Rain, the first strong figure that came to mind would surely be Half-God Hanzo.
"According to the information provided by Hanzo, I've been bounty-listed, and the bounty amount in the black market has reached 3.5 million ryō. There might be some bounty hunters coming to attack me soon."
Upon returning to the team, Mokgetsu immediately shared the information obtained from Hanzo.
"Some of them might be quite powerful ninjas, so the upcoming journey will no longer be safe and carries certain risks," Mokgetsu warned.
If it's just a few people, Mokgetsu was confident he could keep them safe, but he wasn't a hundred percent sure he could protect all seventy-two of them; among the bounty ninjas were dangerous figures like Kakuzu.
If Kakuzu came and was more focused on attacking the team members to distract Mokgetsu rather than targeting him directly, Mokgetsu would not be able to protect everyone; at most, he could kill Kakuzu to avenge them.
"Three hundred fifty-five million ryō..." Ike Masaya's pupils contracted sharply.
As a wandering ninja, he had never seen such an amount, so he understood the allure of this sum.
"Those who want to leave the team can do so now, no one will blame you," Mokgetsu offered straightforwardly.
The ninjas looked at each other, showing signs of contemplation.
One can't deny that this was indeed a very challenging dilemma.
Many among them were not particularly strong; otherwise, they wouldn't have sought to learn ninjutsu from Mokgetsu to become stronger.
"Sosuke, don't underestimate the strength of the Akatsuki. Not only can we ensure our own safety, but we can also protect you," Yahiko laughed and said.
When not considering exceptions like Nagato, neither Yahiko nor Konan were weak, and Yahiko would not leave for such a reason.
In fact, he's more inclined to stay by Mokgetsu's side, worried that Mokgetsu might encounter danger.
"My skills are average, but I'll try my best not to hold the team back," a determined ninja decided to stay.
Leaving was certainly safe, but that's all there is to it; there's no other significance.
Staying, on the other hand, was different; not to mention the ninjutsu learned from Mokgetsu, just observing Mokgetsu's journey through the Land of Rain made one feel they were witnessing new history, contrasting with their previous muddled life.
After some struggle, Ike Masaya ultimately made a decision he wouldn't have made in the past, which was also to stay.
Surprised by his own decision, even Ike Masaya found it incredible that he, usually so cautious, would face danger head-on.
Ike Masaya considered more than others; the 3.5 million ryō bounty might not immediately attract strong figures like Mokgetsu, but as Mokgetsu killed the bounty hunters drawn by it, Mokgetsu's bounty would increase, making it more and more dangerous.
Yet, he ultimately decided to stay for reasons he didn't quite understand.
Ultimately, no one chose to leave the team; everyone chose to continue following Mokgetsu.
This surprised Mokgetsu somewhat; he had expected some to leave, considering the ninjas hadn't been with him for very long.
The bounty on the black market did not affect Mokgetsu's actions. He continued to travel through the Land of Rain at his own pace.
When encountering bandits, he eliminated them; when in need of food, he completed local villagers' requests. For difficult requests, he stayed longer, for simple ones, shorter. They traversed more and more places.
"Turns out, I didn't know the Land of Rain as well as I thought," Yahiko sighed.