Aside from eating and necessary sleep, Mokgetsu and the others were basically on the move.
Under their high-speed march, they quickly entered the Land of Grass and arrived near Grass Village.
"There's no alert barrier; we can infiltrate directly," Aburame Shikuro reported to Mokgetsu after retracting the reconnaissance bugs.
The secret techniques of the Aburame Clan have a sort of universal quality; as long as they cultivate enough bugs, not only can they fight, but their reconnaissance and other auxiliary abilities are quite impressive.
This was within Mokgetsu's expectations, as Fuinjutsu and Barrier Jutsu are inseparable in the Hokage's arsenal.
Basically, only a Great Ninja Village can afford a Great Barrier that encompasses the entire village; a Small Ninja Village at most masters some specialized sealing techniques.
Bear in mind that these so-called villages in the Ninja World are actually city-sized.
To construct such a large-scale barrier, not only is a master of Fuinjutsu required, but it can't just be one or two—they need a dedicated sealing team to have any chance of accomplishing it, something an ordinary Ninja Village can't muster.
With no barrier in place, Mokgetsu led the disguised team directly into Grass Village.
Instead of starting the investigation immediately, Mokgetsu took the team to an inn and booked several rooms to serve as the gathering point for this mission.
"Proceed according to the original plan from here on," Mokgetsu commanded Aburame Shikuro and the others.
Mokgetsu had already arranged the specific action plan on the road.
Aburame Shikuro, Nara Suzaku, and Maruboshi Kosuke all nodded, disguising themselves as normal people as they left the inn one by one.
Including Mokgetsu, their squad consisted of eight people, and when it comes to infiltration and reconnaissance, such a large team definitely can't move together, as the group size makes them prone to exposure.
Thus, Mokgetsu divided them into three teams for investigation, forming one team by himself as the strongest, another team with his four disciples, and the final team with Nara Suzaku, Maruboshi Kosuke, and others.
Mokgetsu fully considered the safety of his teammates, ensuring that each group had the ability to withdraw safely in case of exposure.
He's not concerned about his own team; with his current real strength, in a regular Ninja Village like Grass Village, he can come and go as he pleases.
The Kakashi team, consisting of Kakashi, Shisui, and Obito, can fully explode with battle power akin to the Seven-Swords Ninja, equivalent to the Three-Swords Ninja trio, although not sustained.
Add in Nohara Rin, the Medical Ninja, who also possesses normal Jonin combat capabilities, and as long as Kakashi's team isn't surrounded by hundreds or thousands of ninjas, they can withdraw even if they can't win.
Maruboshi Kosuke's team includes two Elite Jonin, with Aburame Shikuro being an all-rounder ninja, and the comparatively weaker Nara Suzaku is still above an average Jonin and can serve as the team's strategist. Their overall strength is sufficient to carry out an S-level mission.
"If exposed, make as much noise as possible; that way, I can come immediately to resolve the issue," Mokgetsu said, handing Kakashi a Flying Thunder God Kunai.
On the surface, it's an investigation mission, but from the personnel configuration, you can tell investigation isn't the focus.
Take into account Maruboshi Kosuke, who, written as Genin and read as Jonin—they have a mission configuration of eight Jonin, with Mokgetsu famed across the Ninja World as a powerhouse. With this kind of personnel setup, forget investigating Grass Village, they could even assassinate all of Grass Village's leadership without issue.
Therefore, Mokgetsu didn't mind whether Kakashi and his team could uncover any information; he would make his move regardless.
"I will prioritize everyone's safety," Kakashi assured, accepting the Flying Thunder God Kunai.
To Kakashi, the lives of his comrades come before the mission. If danger arises, he will prioritize the survival of Obito and the others over completing the mission.
"We're all Jonin, so why is Kakashi the leader?" Obito asked, a bit puzzled.
Previously, on the battlefield, Kakashi had acted as vice-captain commanding them; now, for the group mission, Kakashi was designated as the leader again, and Obito wanted an opportunity to lead and command Kakashi for once.
"Shisui, if you were to choose one person as the leader, who would you select?" Mokgetsu asked Shisui instead of answering Obito.
"Probably Kakashi," Shisui responded after considering.
Kakashi has, with many tasks, proven his ability. He certainly possesses the skills to lead a team.
As for Obito, Shisui believes such a thought-intensive position isn't suitable for Obito at the moment.
"Rin, how about you, who would you choose?" Mokgetsu continued, asking Nohara Rin.
Nohara Rin felt Obito's expectant gaze and ultimately couldn't help but express her true thoughts, "It feels like the more experienced Kakashi is more suitable."
Instantly, Obito's face turned ashen; Nohara Rin's comment hit him harder than not being chosen as leader.
Nohara Rin admitting that he wasn't as capable as Kakashi made Obito wonder if Nohara Rin found Kakashi more impressive, prompting wild thoughts in his mind.
"No way, Rin said it's because annoying Kakashi has more experience. Annoying Kakashi indeed became a ninja much earlier," Obito self-consoled.
Mokgetsu, before leaving, patted Obito's shoulder, "To become a leader, Obito, you need to learn more skills."
Mokgetsu purposely asked Nohara Rin; knowing Obito so well, how could he not be aware of how much of a blow Rin's denial would be for Obito?
Becoming Hokage can't rely solely on pure passion; even Naruto in the original series, who saved the Ninja World, only became the Seventh Hokage after diligent learning.
Currently, although Obito frequently vocalizes his desire to become Hokage, he lacks capability in many aspects. He can't possibly rely entirely on Kakashi's support if he ascended to Hokage; he should develop some personal skills too.