After the high-level meeting passed, Onoki secretly led some skilled Hidden Rock Jonin to Six Paths City, without even notifying Firelight, the Hidden Rock person in charge over there.
In Onoki's view, it was not advisable to publicize this matter; the fewer people who knew, the better.
The reason was simple: Onoki believed that he would most likely lose.
Onoki didn't think he was weaker than Sarutobi Hiruzen, but he didn't think he was stronger either; if Sosuke could defeat Sarutobi Hiruzen, then he could most likely defeat him.
Since there was a very high chance of losing, it was natural to try to block the news.
A Kage losing was not a glorious matter, and Onoki had no intention of transmitting power now, as he couldn't find a ninja in Hidden Rock that satisfied him.
Until entering Six Paths City, Onoki had maintained the disguise state of Transformation Jutsu, and the Hidden Rock Jonin who came with him did the same.
After entering Six Paths City, Onoki didn't immediately seek out Sosuke but instead wandered around Six Paths City.
Although he had always paid attention to the affairs of the Ninja Sect, it was his first time in Six Paths City.
After all, he was the Tsuchikage and couldn't just leave the village; he had to sit at the rear to maintain the village's stability and oversee the big picture.
"These Ninja Sect ninjas don't seem anxious at all," Onoki observed the Ninja Sect ninjas performing their duties in Six Paths City from the corner of his eye.
He wasn't just strolling; he was gathering intelligence, confirming the atmosphere in Six Paths City, and the status of the Ninja Sect ninjas.
"Kitsuchi, let's go find Sosuke," Onoki turned to Kitsuchi, who was standing behind him.
For confidentiality, he brought absolutely reliable ninjas, either experienced Hidden Rock Anbu or Hidden Rock Jonin he knew very well.
Kitsuchi nodded, took a few Hidden Rock Jonin to a secluded place to release Transformation Jutsu, and then went to the Ninja Sect's office building to request a meeting with Sosuke.
Onoki wouldn't personally negotiate with Sosuke but would have Kitsuchi convey his thoughts.
If Sosuke agreed, they would choose a secret location outside Six Paths City for a friendly sparring.
If Sosuke didn't agree, then Onoki would pretend he hadn't been there and bring his subordinates back to the Hidden Rock Village.
Kitsuchi, who often served as the Hidden Rock representative to connect with the Ninja Sect, was relatively familiar to the Ninja Sect ninjas. He smoothly met Sosuke and brought forward the request.
"Want to engage in a friendly battle with me..." Mokgetsu's Shadow Clone got a thoughtful look.
He saw the friendly sparring as a guise for intelligence gathering.
Some of Hidden Rock's activities outside the Land of Rain might elude the Ninja Sect, but Mokgetsu was not just the Leader of the Ninja Sect; he was also the Hokage of Konoha.
Given Hidden Rock's actions, Mokgetsu felt Hidden Rock might be apprehensive about the Ninja Sect and wanted to act against it, aiming to deplete the previous friendships before acting.
"Alright, let's meet outside the city at 3 p.m.," Mokgetsu's Shadow Clone agreed.
If it were before, Mokgetsu's Shadow Clone couldn't have agreed; even if he did, he couldn't possibly fight the same day.
Now it's different; the Unlimited Jutsu far exceeds the Flying Thunder God Jutsu in long-distance travel, allowing him to quickly travel between two different countries with ease.
Since Onoki wanted information, he would show Onoki the information.
If Onoki was intimidated and calmed down, it would make the Ninja World a bit more peaceful. If Onoki wasn't intimidated and wished to get rid of Mokgetsu's alias, Mokgetsu hoped he could rally a few more allies, preferably resolving all issues at once.
"Thank you," Kitsuchi expressed gratitude.
"No trouble, Hidden Rock had helped quite a bit during the initial construction of Six Paths City," Mokgetsu replied cheerfully.
Kitsuchi sighed, didn't speak, and slightly bowed to Mokgetsu before leaving the office.
He felt somewhat ashamed; while Hidden Rock was plotting against the Ninja Sect, the Ninja Sect still remembered the past favors from Hidden Rock.
But after all, Kitsuchi was a Hidden Rock ninja, and no matter how ashamed he felt, he still didn't reveal any of Hidden Rock's plans to Sosuke.
Perhaps from a worldly moral standpoint, they were guilty, but standing from the viewpoint of Hidden Rock Village and the Land of Earth, there was no fault.
Though they agreed to meet at 3 p.m., Onoki arrived at the appointed location ten minutes early.
Coincidentally, Mokgetsu also arrived with Nagato, Yahiko, and several Ninja Sect ninjas at that time.
Due to Onoki's need for confidentiality, Mokgetsu brought very few people, and he reminded them before coming to not spread any information.
"Worthy of the legendary Ninja Master; just looking from a distance, one can feel the scholarly aura. It's better to have met in person than to have heard," Onoki said with a smile.
Since this fight was initiated by Hidden Rock seeking the Ninja Sect, they must keep a good attitude.
They might fall out later, but for now, they must show an ally-like posture.
Roshi stood behind Mokgetsu, watching Onoki, who appeared as a kind old man, with a jaw-dropping surprise. Could this guy be this friendly?
Never mind compliments; Roshi had never seen Onoki show him a friendly smile.
"In front of the seniors, how could I be considered a legendary ninja? When Two Scales' name resonated throughout the Ninja World, I was just an unknown knight," Mokgetsu replied with mutual flattery.
Although Mokgetsu knew Onoki wasn't well-intentioned, he didn't mind because Onoki would soon receive the lesson he deserved.
"Haha, no wonder those ninjas who listened to the Ninja Master's courses always speak so highly of them. You're so eloquent; I want to hear your lecture too." Onoki chuckled.
This statement was indeed truthful.
Even though Sosuke's words weren't adorned with eloquent phrases, coming from Sosuke himself, Onoki found them quite pleasing.
Roshi was speechless; it turns out you do know how to speak well.
Onoki noticed a somewhat odd look from a Ninja Sect ninja but didn't pay much attention to it.
If he remembered correctly, this ninja was called Shirakawa, mainly responsible for the Bird Country branch of the Ninja Sect.
He might hold some status within the Ninja Sect, but he hadn't displayed much strength, merely a regular middle-ranking member of the Ninja Sect.
Most of the mid-level members of the Ninja Sect were not taken seriously by Onoki; he believed these people were merely basking in Sosuke's glory, their actual level inferior to that of middle-ranking members from small ninja villages like Grass Village.
"Next time there's a lecture event, I'll invite you in the name of the Ninja Sect," Mokgetsu said.
"Yes, definitely next time," Onoki replied.
Since the establishment of the Ninja Sect, Sosuke had only held two lecture events, and the interval was not short.
If his plans went smoothly, the Ninja Sect wouldn't have the opportunity to host another lecture event.
Here, the mutual flattery ended temporarily, and both sides began preparing for battle.
"Kitsuchi, retreat backward, be careful not to get caught in the battle," Onoki's eyes locked onto Sosuke, reminding the accompanying Hidden Rock people.
If he used Dust Release with full force, the area affected would be remarkably exaggerated, easily resulting in unintentional injuries to the spectators.
Kitsuchi and the other Hidden Rock Jonins understood the terror of Onoki's Dust Release and quickly retreated.
"Father, good luck."
Kitsuchi took a deep breath, quietly gathered Chakra, and focused intently on the battlefield, ready to use Ninjutsu to protect Onoki at any moment.
Actually, before coming to the Ninja Sect, he had volunteered to probe Sosuke's strength on behalf of Onoki but was rejected for not being strong enough.
Kitsuchi was considered relatively strong in the Ninja World, but still not qualified when facing Sosuke, who could defeat Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The other Hidden Rock Jonins didn't dare to relax either. Although the relationship between the Ninja Sect and Hidden Rock was friendly now, accidents could happen during battle.
Being prepared is the best; if no accidents occur, all's well. If they do, they could support Onoki instantly.
If given the choice, the Hidden Rock Jonins wanted to support Sosuke because that meant Onoki would win.
On the other side, Nagato and others also retreated backward.
Mokgetsu brought only four people, among whom Nagato and Roshi had seen Mokgetsu's battle with Sarutobi Hiruzen and knew how terrifying his strength was, while Yahiko and Konan hadn't seen it firsthand but heard accounts from witnesses and didn't dare take it lightly.
"Sparring with Sosuke, you've really hit a Chakra steel wall this time." Roshi looked at Onoki, a schadenfreude smile appearing on his face.
He couldn't say he hated Onoki very much, but he was quite annoyed.
Onoki wasn't the entire reason Roshi left the Hidden Rock Village, but certainly wasn't just the straw that broke the camel's back.
Now having the chance to see Onoki get beat up, Roshi naturally felt very happy.
If Sosuke hadn't insisted on secrecy, Roshi would have wanted to grab a camera and snap some pictures of Onoki getting beat up.
Having seen Sarutobi Hiruzen get crushed by Sosuke, Roshi could already imagine how terribly Onoki would lose soon.
The opponent Onoki is facing isn't just strong; it's a strength ordinary ninjas can't comprehend, nearing the level of the God of Ninjas.
Yahiko's eyes were fixed on the battlefield, his gaze repeatedly shifting between the two standing figures.
As a ninja himself, hearing the spirited and excited descriptions from Ninja Sect ninjas about Sosuke using strong and mysterious techniques to defeat Sarutobi Hiruzen sparked his curiosity.
Konan crossed her fingers over her chest, praying for Sosuke in her heart, hoping he could win the battle without injury.
She heard that the Tsuchikage had mastered a bloodline limit known as Dust Release, a power above bloodline limits with extremely terrifying destructive power.
Nagato maintained a calm expression, looking at the battlefield serenely.
He was the one most aware of Mokgetsu's strength among the Ninja Sect, knowing that Mokgetsu defeating Onoki was not an accident.
Actually, Nagato thought it didn't need to trouble Mokgetsu; he might just be able to defeat Onoki himself.
Under Mokgetsu's guidance, his Breath of Yang had improved significantly; according to Mokgetsu, after cultivating for a while longer, he might hope to master the Breath of Yang Chakra Mode.
Furthermore, Nagato's use of the Rinnegan was becoming increasingly proficient; now, he could use all the basic capabilities of the Rinnegan.
PS: There's another chapter later, time undecided.
Little Jue originally wanted to finish writing in one go, but the attendance line was reached, so he could only post a portion first, otherwise, he'd miss full attendance.