At this moment, the forest was incredibly silent. Everyone was shocked by Kakashi's powerful strike, and his last words echoed in the quiet environment.
"How could this be? Ishijima Hideyuki was killed just like that!" Zabuza looked in disbelief at the bisected Ishijima Hideyuki, stunned by Kakashi's slash.
This wasn't some Genin or Chunin, but a Jonin with a decent reputation even in the Hidden Mist, and he was killed in one strike.
"Is this the power of protection?" Zabuza's worldview was greatly shaken.
He was sure that Kakashi didn't have this strength before; otherwise, it wouldn't have been so hard when Kakashi was fighting them before. If he could kill Ishijima Hideyuki instantly, he could definitely do the same to Hoshigaki Kisame, yet Kakashi hadn't done that, and the fight had lasted a while.
Zabuza truly couldn't understand why the desire to protect others would unleash such terrifying power.
"Is this guy really a Genin? That can't be real," Kurozawa showed a face full of doubt.
He now suspected that Kakashi might be some powerful Konoha Ninja using a Transformation Jutsu in disguise, pretending to be weak during the battle.
"As expected of my dear friend, I'm really looking forward to our next battle," Might Guy gave a thumbs up to Kakashi after his initial surprise.
Guy truly couldn't figure out the current Kakashi, who seemed so heavily injured and lacking in imposing aura, but could deliver a strike capable of instantly killing a Jonin.
Watching Kakashi and Obito, Nohara Rin showed a gentle smile and said, "I knew you guys could do it."
She was aware that with her strength, achieving the dream of ending the war was impossible, so she did what she could, which was to provide all the support she could behind Kakashi and Obito.
"So that's how it's resolved," Nara Shiomizu's expression was complex, filled with surprise, relief, and emotion.
He highly agreed with Kakashi's last words; the current Kakashi was indeed the most brilliant genius.
Obito quickly supported the collapsing Kakashi, shaking his body, "Kakashi, are you okay? I admit that last strike of yours was genius."
Kakashi closed his eyes, too exhausted to speak. That last strike had used up the last of his strength, leaving him completely powerless, but a hint of a smile still appeared on his face upon hearing Obito's words.
"What should we do now? Rin, can you still perform any healing?" Obito asked Nohara Rin anxiously.
Although they won the battle, their current state was terrible, with everyone severely injured and exhausted, most unable to even walk.
Nohara Rin shook her head and took out some bandages saying, "I've used all my remaining Chakra to treat you, Obito. I can only do basic bandaging now."
If she still had any Chakra, Nohara Rin would have started treating them long ago, but she was injured herself.
"Let me heal you," Teacher Mokgetsu appeared among them and said.
"Teacher Mokgetsu!" Obito showed an excited expression upon seeing Mokgetsu, knowing that Mokgetsu's Medical Ninjutsu was stronger than Nohara Rin's.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Mokgetsu formed seals, created nine Shadow Clones to use Mystical Palm Jutsu to heal the nine Konoha examinees.
As for Kisame, Mokgetsu temporarily ignored them, considering it fortunate not to have them tied up and imprisoned after what happened.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, you arrived just in time," Obito relaxed completely upon seeing Mokgetsu, laughing.
Now, not to mention the Hidden Mist Jonin, even if the Mizukage came, he wouldn't be afraid, because he believed Mokgetsu would protect them.
"Let's just say I wasn't too late. 'In time' means resolving it the moment the unexpected occurs," Mokgetsu said, shaking his head.
Mokgetsu was a very rational person, but he wasn't devoid of emotions. Watching his students getting repeatedly hurt from the shadows didn't feel good to him.
"Anyway, the outcome is the same, and without your treatment, Teacher Mokgetsu, we'd be in real danger," Obito said with a carefree smile.
After all, in both scenarios the enemy was defeated and they were safe, just that one way was a little tougher.
"Exactly," Might Guy gave a thumbs up in approval.
Under Mokgetsu's treatment, Kakashi's condition gradually improved. Hearing Obito calling Teacher Mokgetsu also allowed Kakashi to completely relax, because it represented that there was nothing to worry about going forward.
When he opened his eyes again, Kakashi's vision returned to normal, without the prior sensation, but instead of dwelling on it, he asked Mokgetsu:
"Teacher Mokgetsu, did something happen between the Hidden Mist and our village?"
Without a doubt, the fact that a Hidden Mist Jonin infiltrated the Chunin Examination to attack these examinees, in Kakashi's eyes, practically equaled a declaration of war.
"This is hard to say for now; apart from that Jonin infiltrating the examination area, the other Hidden Mist haven't taken any action," Mokgetsu thought for a moment and replied.
After hearing Mokgetsu's words, Kakashi fell into thought, unable to guess the motives of the Hidden Mist.
Assassinating Konoha's Genin genius seemed flimsy, since the Hidden Mist couldn't know which ninjas would be attending the Konoha Chunin Examination, and sending their own genius ninjas for such a task was foolish.
"Just rest well, don't overthink. As examinees, you've already done your best," Mokgetsu said with a smile.