"Thank you." Mokgetsu took the flowers with a smile and placed them on the desk in the office.
...
On the day of departure, the unselected ninjas gathered together to see Sosuke off.
Among them, a few emotional ninjas even had mist in their eyes.
They were unsure of Sosuke's true strength, but they knew that the Third Hokage was one of the pinnacles of the Ninja World.
So, from many people's perspectives, Sosuke agreed to this extremely dangerous battle to protect the Ninja Sect.
"We must work hard and train, strive to expand the Ninja Sect as soon as possible, and no longer be under the thumb of the Five Great Ninja Villages!" This was the thought in many ninjas' hearts.
To them, Sosuke was the greatest ninja of the Land of Rain, incomparable even to Hanzo.
Watching their leader and idol face such adversity, how could they not feel upset?
"It's just a temporary departure, yet everyone's acting like I won't return for a long time." Mokgetsu smiled, comforting everyone.
Mokgetsu's words deeply moved the ninjas of the Ninja Sect; he truly was their great leader, Sosuke—even in such a situation, he could still maintain such poise to console them.
Mokgetsu felt helpless; even if he claimed he could easily defeat Sarutobi Hiruzen, it wouldn't change their preconceived notions that he was sacrificing himself for the Ninja Sect.
"Sosuke-sensei, please come back safely. I still want to hear about the Ninja Sect's philosophy from you." One Ninja Sect ninja said reluctantly.
These words instantly stirred the emotions of the ninjas present, prompting them to join in unison.
The nine ninjas accompanying Mokgetsu to the border also displayed solemn expressions, feeling the heavy responsibility.
Sosuke's importance to the Land of Rain and the Ninja Sect was self-evident.
Without Sosuke—a key figure, could the Ninja Sect maintain such vitality? No one dared to provide a definitive answer.
"Rest assured, I'll be back soon." Mokgetsu gifted all the ninjas of the Ninja Sect with a warm and confident smile.
With those words, Mokgetsu led Nagato and the others eastward.
On the journey, Mokgetsu reached a milestone and found an opportunity to switch places with his Shadow Clone.
As Mokgetsu approached the mountain, he used Observation to sense his surroundings and found that Sarutobi Hiruzen and his group were climbing the other side.
As for Orochimaru and his negotiation team, they had already reached the mountainside due to arriving early.
Eventually, Mokgetsu and Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived at the mountainside simultaneously.
The two sides stood opposed, sizing each other up.
No matter which side, most eyes concentrated on their respective leaders—Sarutobi Hiruzen for Konoha and Mokgetsu for the Ninja Sect.
A Kage is a pinnacle in the Ninja World. When not in the same Ninja Village, seeing a Kage is rare.
Regarding Sosuke, Konoha Ninjas found him a mysterious powerhouse.
Suddenly appearing in the Land of Rain, creating the Ninja Sect, he shook the Land of Rain and quickly became famous in the Ninja World.
"So that's Konoha's Third Hokage. What a commanding presence!"
A few weaker Ninja Sect ninjas felt immense pressure just from Sarutobi Hiruzen's sharp gaze.
"The matchup between a Ninja Master and a Ninja Technique Professor—it's hard to imagine the ensuing battle," Kakuzu thought.
Kakuzu had met the First Hokage but hadn't seen the Third Hokage.
Though unfamiliar, Kakuzu had heard plenty about the Third Hokage.
It's said that this Hokage mastered the majority of Konoha's Ninjutsu, possessing a myriad of techniques beyond ordinary imagination. No one could counter him in battle; instead, they were easily overwhelmed.
Nonetheless, Kakuzu believed Sosuke wouldn't be suppressed by Sarutobi Hiruzen. From Sosuke's theoretical knowledge, his Ninjutsu in other attributes was formidable.
"Besides Orochimaru, Konoha's elder is here too." Roshi noticed Mitokado Homura next to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
As a former Konoha adversary, Roshi wasn't unfamiliar with this high-ranking Konoha official.
After becoming part of the upper echelons, Mitokado Homura seldom acted, but previously he was famed as a genius ninja in Konoha.
Roshi was glad he came; otherwise, amidst so many Konoha strong players, the battle could be interrupted if tilted against Konoha.
"That's Sosuke? So young," Mitokado Homura thought, observing Mokgetsu's transformed appearance.
Although Mokgetsu's transformation made him appear older than his original form, to the nearing-aged Mitokado Homura, it was still youthful.
"Former bounty ninja Kakuzu, the Ninja World's premier genius Nagato..." Mitokado Homura's gaze moved over other Ninja Sect members.
He doubted such a young Sosuke could defeat Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Defeating Hanzo was impressive but only within that realm.
With antidote ready, Mitokado Homura confidently believed he could defeat Hanzo, while Sarutobi Hiruzen's strength was significantly higher.
"The strongest forces are here, but I won't let them disrupt Hiruzen's battle," Mitokado Homura calculated the opposing forces, feeling reassured.
On their side, both individuals and overall strength exceeded the Ninja Sect.
"Hope it doesn't become too ugly," Shisui sighed, standing beside Orochimaru.
He preferred not to see the Ninja Sect and Konoha at odds but was powerless to prevent it.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze swiftly swept over everyone from the Ninja Sect, eventually stopping at a brown-haired, robe-wearing ninja.
"Sarutobi-senpai, nice to meet you." Mokgetsu smiled, proactively greeting.
Sosuke's gesture somewhat surprised Sarutobi Hiruzen; he anticipated Sosuke would be more anxious.
After all, he was about to face the renowned Third Hokage—the leader of the most powerful ninja village, a true pinnaclin the Ninja World.
"Nice to meet you," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied mildly.
A smile can ward off a fight; he harbored killing intent for Sosuke, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen acknowledged that Shimura Danzo's death was primarily self-inflicted. Had he not sought assassination, nothing would have transpired.
If Sosuke erred, it was simply that his forces were too weak; overzealous defense had provoked powers beyond his capability.
"Shall we begin now?" Mokgetsu asked.
As he spoke, Mokgetsu assessed Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Chakra remained consistent with assessments from years prior, though there was some skill advancement.
[Name: Sarutobi Hiruzen]
[Skills: Combined Ninjutsu (Master Level: 14000/15000), Fire Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 9000), Earth Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 7500), Lighting Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Master Level: 6100) ...]
When Mokgetsu first used the upgraded Identification Jutsu on Sarutobi Hiruzen's panel, the abundant skills left a deep impression.
At that time, he thought if he had a panel surpassing Sarutobi Hiruzen, he could survive easily and pursue things he desired.
Four years of hard work, aided by the system, now equipped him with skills rivalling Sarutobi Hiruzen's, including several Sarutobi Hiruzen lacked at a Perfect Level.
Now, he was doing what he wanted, utilizing his knowledge and abilities to bring change to this tragedy-filled world.
"Let's start now."
With those words, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Konoha ninjas, signaling them to retreat.
Even the aftermath of strong fighters' battles posed danger to average ninjas.
Mokgetsu also signaled the Ninja Sect side to withdraw.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's strength is formidable, especially without attached comparisons; thus, Mokgetsu would show his true capability.
Since Sarutobi Hiruzen initiated trouble, Mokgetsu wouldn't be courteous—besides, he had powerful skills yet untested in battle.
Orochimaru stared intently at the battlefield, he hadn't seen Sarutobi Hiruzen act in a long time.
PS: Some descriptions regarding limitless abilities from the previous chapter have been revised.
Xiaoju mistakenly remembered something; it's not that limitless abilities can't fend off toxic gases but that when Gojo-sensei first learned Reversal Jutsu, creating full-auto limitless struggled to distinguish toxins well.
Additionally, why teach Kakashi such abilities—don't you feel they're quite similar?()
Of course, Kakashi still lacks techniques, and in my book's setting, it suits the narrative.