However, with Mokgetsu present and multiple enemies on the scene, Kakashi chose to trust Mokgetsu's judgment.
If Mokgetsu had any plans, he would have said so directly, but Mokgetsu's silence indicated that everything was still under his control.
Since Kakashi and his team carried Mokgetsu's Flying Thunder God Kunai, Mokgetsu used the Flying Thunder God Jutsu to return to their side immediately.
Minazuki Kan revealed an expression of realization.
"You lost because you weren't ruthless enough." Minazuki Kan believed he had won.
By this point in the battle, Minazuki Kan had realized that, in terms of individual strength, he was inferior to Mokgetsu. If it were a true duel, he would likely lose.
But hypotheticals aside, the reality was that he had the help of four members of the Seven-Swords Ninja, along with his Chunin and Jonin subordinates, while Mokgetsu only had his injured and exhausted followers.
If Minazuki Kan were in Mokgetsu's position, he would choose to retreat.
Not just for himself, but for the greater strategy. Losing a few Chunin or Jonin could be remedied by bringing in replacements from the village, but the death of someone as strong as him would significantly impact the battlefield.
"Step back a little; there might be a lot of shattered ice in a moment," Mokgetsu smiled and said to his disciples while concentrating his Chakra.
Kakashi and the others nodded and retreated a few meters.
Then Mokgetsu turned his gaze toward the massive incoming ice dragon, switching from Breath of Flame to Breath of Rock to enhance his physical abilities.
Mokgetsu pushed the Breath of Rock to its limits, activating the Transparent World. Then, he placed his left hand in front of him and his right hand behind his waist, extending his index and middle fingers.
Seeing this posture, Might Guy's eyes shone brightly, instantly recognizing that Mokgetsu was preparing to use the immensely powerful Golden Horizon.
"You can use that move on such a big ice dragon too?" Might Guy displayed an excited expression.
He had no doubts about Mokgetsu's abilities. He eagerly anticipated the brilliance that Mokgetsu's Golden Horizon would unleash against such a formidable opponent.
"Golden Horizon!"
With the Transparent World activated, Mokgetsu could precisely utilize every bit of energy. Fully prepared, he explosively sprinted forward with an outburst of Chakra.
As the gigantic dragon and Mokgetsu were about to collide, every ninja on the field focused intensely on the figure charging toward the dragon.
In front of the enormous dragon, Mokgetsu seemed insignificant, like a mantis attempting to stop a wheel.
The moment he met the dragon, Mokgetsu used a drawing sword stance to unleash a slash with his fingers.
A beautiful golden thin line flashed by.
Boom!!
A tremendous explosion roared, with white ice shards and dust rapidly spreading, while variously sized ice pieces shot out swiftly in all directions.
Rumble!!
The enormous shockwave caused the ground to explode, forming pits, and the scattered remnants blew the surrounding leaves with a rustle, sending the ninja's hair flying backward.
Minazuki Kan stared in disbelief at the explosion's center, where the once massive ice dragon had vanished, leaving only shards of ice scattered across the ground.
"Impossible! I unleashed an ice dragon with all my might, and it was shattered head-on, using Taijutsu no less." Minazuki Kan found it difficult to accept this reality.
An ice dragon as large as his was actually smashed by someone using Taijutsu. How could mere Taijutsu have such power?
"Taijutsu like that little green kid's, but the power is in a whole different league," Aohire Karei couldn't help but take a cold breath.
Might Guy's Golden Horizon had already stunned them, nearly killing Suikazan Fuguki on the first attempt and tearing through a protective net and breaking the Decapitating Carving Knife while disabling Biwa Juzo during a second, multi-opponent assault.
But compared to Mokgetsu's Golden Horizon, Might Guy's was like child's play. If it were Mokgetsu's Golden Horizon, none of the Seven-Swords Ninja would survive.
Though surprised, Minazuki Kan's strong-willed nature still remained. He immediately wanted to use Instant Body Jutsu to relocate and escape.
However, Mokgetsu had anticipated his thoughts. As Minazuki Kan tried to retreat, he was forced back by a Wind Blade launched by Mokgetsu's Shadow Clone.
Failing to escape at the first opportunity, Minazuki Kan completely lost his chance to flee, as Mokgetsu had already reached him.
"Ice Release: Ice Rock Prison!"
In a last-ditch effort, seeing escape as hopeless, Minazuki Kan created an ice wall in front of himself.
Crash!
Mokgetsu's fingers pierced through the ice wall and stabbed into Minazuki Kan, ending him decisively.
Nobody could stop Mokgetsu when he burst out at full speed, making their efforts futile.
"How could it be, Lord Kan actually…" Minazuki Kan's subordinates were completely stunned by the sight.
Despite Minazuki Kan's numerous flaws, his strength was undeniable. They never expected him to be killed by Mokgetsu so effortlessly.
"I must train even harder. Such power is the true Golden Horizon!" Might Guy was filled with the desire to cultivate further.
Compared to Mokgetsu's Golden Horizon, his own was far weaker. Whether in physical strength or technique proficiency, improvement was needed.
"This move is indeed powerful. Perhaps it's the most terrifying Taijutsu in the Ninja World, but I wonder how it compares to the Strongest Spear of the Third Raikage," Kakashi thought to himself.
The Third Raikage's Taijutsu falls under Lighting Release Nin-Taijutsu, and his Hell Spike is famed as the Strongest Spear in the Ninja World. However, Kakashi believed the Golden Horizon might not be inferior to the Hell Spike.
Thinking of this, Kakashi felt a bit of a headache. In the next internal conflict, if Might Guy's Six Gates and Breath of Rock Chakra Mode became persistent, they might need three people to gang up on him to have a chance of victory.
"Die!"
In the final moment, Jinin Akebino finally acted, seizing the opportunity when Mokgetsu's arm pierced through the ice wall to strike at Mokgetsu's neck fiercely.
Whoosh!
Mokgetsu's body vanished from the spot, and Jinin Akebino's sword struck the ice wall with a shower of ice shards.
In the next instant, Mokgetsu suddenly appeared beside Jinin Akebino, clutching a Kunai and stabbing it into his heart.
Jinin Akebino looked at Mokgetsu in confusion, ultimately falling with doubt remaining. He couldn't comprehend Mokgetsu's sudden ability to appear beside him, given there was no Flying Thunder God Kunai here.
"Sometimes, the dead can be quite useful." Mokgetsu glanced at the already deceased Minazuki Kan.
When Mokgetsu killed Minazuki Kan, he left a Flying Thunder God Jutsu mark on him.
Seeing Mokgetsu effortlessly slay both Minazuki Kan and then dispatch Jinin Akebino like a chicken, Aohire Karei couldn't help but touch his back, realizing his clothes were already drenched in sweat.
Without hesitation, Aohire Karei turned and fled. At this moment, he had no battle spirit left.
Aohire Karei believed there was still hope for him to survive. Though he couldn't outrun Mokgetsu, he could certainly outrun the other Hidden Mist Ninja.
Aohire Karei's plan was solid, but unfortunately, he faced Mokgetsu.
When the Hidden Mist Ninja realized something was amiss and attempted to retreat, two Shadow Clones blocked their escape route, killing the fleeing Mist Ninja. Aohire Karei, caught by Mokgetsu himself, was struck in the chest with a Rasengan and died instantly.
After eliminating all the enemies, Mokgetsu quickly cleaned up the battlefield, sealing the Ninja Blades and the corpses of Minazuki Kan and others into a Scroll.
Mokgetsu didn't intend to conceal this battle as he had before.
First, the Seven-Swords Ninja and Minazuki Kan were significant figures on the East Coast Battlefield, and Konoha would be keenly interested in them.
Second, Mokgetsu's apparent strength wasn't low, eliminating the need for the previous restraint and secrecy; he could let this victory spread and enhance his reputation.
A ninja with exceptional strength who deliberately remained understated would only attract greater attention.
Mokgetsu's secrecy was not about blindly hiding. He aimed for concealment that matched his identity, capabilities, and persona, ensuring no issues arose.
After tidying up, Mokgetsu led his disciples back to the camp. His current power still couldn't allow him to disregard all constraints on the battlefield, as even the mightiest skills require Chakra.
Upon returning to the camp, Mokgetsu checked the panel, where the rewards for his disciples' life missions had been settled.