Regarding Mokgetsu's abilities, the Hidden Mist Ninjas are most wary of his Flying Thunder God Jutsu, similar to the Yellow Flash, and his powerful Ice Release Ninjutsu.
They didn't expect Mokgetsu to also master such an overwhelming Fire Release, as Mokgetsu had never displayed such a formidable Fire Release in previous battles.
"Even without that Blazing Sun Secret Techniques, Mokgetsu-kun's Fire Release can rank third in the entire Konoha." Orochimaru's peripheral vision caught sight of Mokgetsu's terrifyingly intense sea of flames.
And the reason Mokgetsu is third is that the two ahead of him are too strong. The second is Jiraiya, who, like Orochimaru, is one of the Sannin, and the first is Orochimaru's teacher, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Mokgetsu, ranking third in Konoha, can even squeeze into the top five in the Ninja World. Orochimaru thinks that outside Konoha, besides the Rain Village Ninja Master Sosuke, probably no one has a stronger Fire Release than Mokgetsu.
Ninja Master Sosuke also possesses exceptional combat power, having defeated Hanzo, who is most skilled in Water Release, using Fire Release. Orochimaru estimates that Sosuke's Fire Release is even stronger than Jiraiya's and probably superior to Sarutobi Hiruzen's.
Of course, Fire Release level doesn't reflect overall ability, as Sarutobi Hiruzen is proficient in thousands of types of Ninjutsu, not just relying on Fire Release.
"Habu Mokgetsu, it's you again." Karatachi Yagura frowned.
The last favorable situation for the Hidden Mist was ruined by that encounter battle. Originally, the Hidden Mist dominated the East Coast Battlefield, but after the encounter, which was severely damaging, the situation rapidly reversed.
Now they have achieved great victory in the intelligence war, but suddenly Mokgetsu employed an unknown Ninjutsu, extremely restraining the Hidden Mist Ninjas.
"We must find a way to eliminate him; if he doesn't die, he will become a major threat to the Hidden Mist!" Karatachi Yagura felt a murderous intent towards Mokgetsu rise in his heart.
Mokgetsu's Sunny Day greatly affects the Mist Shadow Ninja Squad, as one sudden move in large-scale combat can directly dampen the overall strength of their Ninjas.
Unless the Hidden Mist never assembles forces for large-scale battles again, Sunny Day will always pose a great threat to the Hidden Mist Ninjas.
But this is evidently unrealistic. Although Konoha cannot currently spare an effort to counter-attack the Land of Water, the future is uncertain.
"Zangetsu, find an opportunity to try to kill Habu Mokgetsu." Karatachi Yagura ordered, giving a glance to a Hidden Mist Ninja nearby.
Hozuki Zangetsu paused for a moment; his strength is similar to Minazuki Kan's, and since Minazuki Kan was defeated by Mokgetsu, killing Mokgetsu would be hellish difficulty for him.
But higher authority suppresses, especially on a battlefield where orders are as significant as mountains. Thus, Hozuki Zangetsu had to use Instant Body Jutsu to distance himself, no longer tangling with Ino-Shika-Cho.
Nara Shikaku and others naturally didn't want to let Hozuki Zangetsu leave, but they were blocked by Jonin like Biwa Juzo and Kuriarare Kushimaru.
Orochimaru, seeing this, prepared to release Wind Release to help Ino-Shika-Cho but suddenly sensed a terrifying aura rising.
An ordinary-looking middle-aged Hidden Mist Ninja transformed into an old man with a white beard, growing a stone-shelled tail taller than himself from his back.
After releasing Chakra, the old man charged toward Orochimaru without any hesitation.
The Three-tailed Jinchuriki had been deployed on the battlefield for some time, but Karatachi Yagura hoped to strike Konoha with a big surprise so they had always kept the Three-tailed Jinchuriki hidden discreetly.
"They actually deployed the Three-tailed Jinchuriki." Orochimaru frowned slightly.
Even though Orochimaru had gotten information about the Hidden Mist's main forces, he had not launched a major assault due to concerns about a Jinchuriki in the Hidden Mist reinforcements; his worst fear had come true.
Swish!
"Summoning Technique!"
Orochimaru hastily retreated and immediately used Ninjutsu to summon Manda.
Although Manda can't beat a Tailed Beast, it has tough skin and strong endurance, capable of entangling and delaying time.
With a puff of summoning smoke, a gigantic purple snake with stripes emerged.
"Orochimaru, where are my hundred sacrifices?" Manda, unceremoniously said upon being summoned.
Unlike ordinary Summoning Beasts, Manda does not regard Orochimaru as a master or companion; in its eyes, Orochimaru is merely a collaborator.
"You won't be short of what you're owed; this enemy is no simple foe, don't get careless." Orochimaru stood expressionless on Manda's massive snake head.
If it weren't for Manda's considerable strength, any Summoning Beast audacious enough to act so boldly would've long become Orochimaru's culinary ingredient.
Orochimaru glanced out of the corner of his eye at Mokgetsu's area. With only Manda, he could at best ensure his successful retreat and survival, but whether he could win depended on whether Mokgetsu could exert himself by taking down Hozuki Zangetsu to assist him.
"Water Cannon Jutsu!"
Hozuki Zangetsu silently approached Mokgetsu from behind, raising a finger to unleash the Hozuki Clan's Secret Technique on Mokgetsu.
Water droplets broke through the air, shooting at Mokgetsu's head as fast as bullets.
Yet Mokgetsu, as if predicting Hozuki Zangetsu's attack, tilted his head to dodge in the moment Water Release nearly hit him.
"What a keenly perceptive guy." Seeing the sneak attack fail, Hozuki Zangetsu sprinted forward, raising his other hand to form a handgun gesture.
"Water Cannon·Double Strike!"
Bang! Bang!!
Both hands simultaneously fired two fast water bullet droplets at Mokgetsu.
This demonstrates the strength of the Hozuki Clan's Secret Technique, requiring no hand seals and being extremely fast; only those who have cultivated the Water Transformation Jutsu can wield such formidable Water Release.
Hozuki Zangetsu didn't believe Mokgetsu could dodge all bullets again by just twisting his body, as this amounted to four times the usual Water Cannon.