"Ice Release: Pheasant Beak!"
As Sarutobi Shinji's alarm bells rang in his heart, a massive ice bird burst out of the still-dissipating smoke.
The ice bird had immense impact force and exuded a chilling cold air. A ninja, unable to evade or form seals in time, attempted to counter with Taijutsu, only to be knocked away and frozen into a block of ice.
Caught off guard, five ninjas were frozen by the ice bird.
The ninjas who weren't frozen were inwardly relieved; the flame had barely disappeared before the ice bird charged out, truly catching them off guard.
"He actually possesses the Ice Release Kekkeigenkai!" Sarutobi Shinji exclaimed, looking at the frozen ninjas, his face filled with shock.
Although he had never seen an Ice Release Ninja use Ice Release Ninjutsu firsthand, the undeniable effectiveness of this Ninjutsu was clearly a Kekkeigenkai Ice Release.
Sarutobi Shinji was deeply puzzled; by rights, Mokgetsu was no unknown figure. Such an obvious Ninjutsu trait as Kekkeigenkai should be easily recognized, yet he had no impression in this regard at all.
Sarutobi Shinji couldn't help but admire Mokgetsu's ability to conceal his own information; even people from his own Ninja Village didn't know, let alone Mokgetsu's enemies.
"He could use such Ice Release Ninjutsu right after just merging with Ice Release." Sarutobi Hiruzen, watching through the Crystal Ball, acknowledged Mokgetsu's Ice Release Ninjutsu.
Mokgetsu had only merged with Ice Release in Snow Country, and to attain such a level in such a short time fully demonstrated Mokgetsu's Ninjutsu talent.
The other ninjas were also shocked, looking at Mokgetsu; this sudden Ice Release was truly beyond their expectations.
But soon they had no leisure to think about such things, as Mokgetsu began a new round of attacks.
Swish!
Mokgetsu's real body flickered behind a Root Ninja and then kicked out a rapid Tornado Kick.
The Root Ninja only saw a blur, and then the world in his eyes began to spin.
"Ice Release: Ice Beam!"
At this moment, a Shadow Clone raised its hand, releasing a beam with chilling frost that froze the ninja who had been kicked away.
In just an instant, the student side lost another ninja.
"So strong, not even on the same level," whispered Tobita Kenji, beads of sweat on his forehead as he watched Mokgetsu rampage amidst the crowd.
Clearly, Mokgetsu was just one person, yet he pressured these thirty elite ninjas.
Tobita Kenji took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Although Mokgetsu was their upcoming training instructor, it was embarrassing that so many Root Anbu Ninjas couldn't cause Mokgetsu even a bit of trouble.
Not to mention defeating Mokgetsu, but at least they should make him look at least a little disordered, instead of him defeating them all without even dirtying his clothes.
Other Anbu Ninjas and Root Ninjas had similar thoughts; the intense pressure from Mokgetsu made their cooperation become more tacit.
Soon, with the effort of over twenty elite ninjas on the scene, they successfully dispersed Mokgetsu's two Shadow Clones.
Of course, this was intentional on Mokgetsu's part.
If even Shadow Clones could easily overpower the Anbu Root, it would be too overbearing; that wouldn't fit his plan.
"Secret Technique: Insect Whirlwind!"
"Wind Release: Wind Cut!"
The ninjas acted, trying to keep Mokgetsu in place.
At this moment, Tobita Kenji also employed his signature Ninjutsu.
"Lighting Release: Four Pillar Binding!"
With Tobita Kenji rapidly forming seals, four massive stone pillars suddenly rose around Mokgetsu, and a dazzling electric net linked the pillars to form a cage.
"Earth Release: Clay Skyfall!"
Then, a ninja cast Earth Release Ninjutsu, summoning a large amount of clay from above the cage, attempting to seal Mokgetsu within.
But they underestimated Mokgetsu's Taijutsu prowess.
"Golden Horizon!"
Mokgetsu extended two fingers of his right hand, gathering the Breath of Rock, and entered the state of the Transparent World.
Mokgetsu then placed his right hand behind his waist, slightly bent his left leg, and burst out with Chakra, thrusting forward with a slash toward the Thunder Pillar ahead.
Boom!
A flash of golden light, and a black line appeared instantly on the thick stone pillar. As Mokgetsu took a step forward, the two large stone pillars in front of him collapsed, and the electric net vanished.
Thus, Mokgetsu boldly walked out of the Thunder Cage; as he emerged, a torrent of clay surged down, becoming a backdrop for Mokgetsu.
"How is it possible? He actually destroyed my Four Pillar Binding with Taijutsu alone!" Tobita Kenji showed an unprecedented expression of shock.
His Lighting Release: Four Pillar Binding was combined with the Earth Release Barrier Jutsu, known for its sturdiness. Even Ninjutsu typically couldn't destroy it, and yet Mokgetsu broke through with Taijutsu from inside.
This directly challenged Tobita Kenji's worldview as a ninja.
"An unknown Taijutsu, could it be developed by Mokgetsu himself? If Mokgetsu continues to grow, he might rival the Raikage's Hell Spike." Even Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but express some surprise at the terrifying power of the Golden Horizon.
He was familiar with almost every Ninjutsu in Konoha, including the not-so-special Lighting Release: Four Pillar Binding; he knew the characteristics of this Ninjutsu well.
Though not as impressive in presence as the combined Wind Release and Fire Release Ninjutsu Mokgetsu used at the start, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that the Golden Horizon was far more dangerous.
If this were on the battlefield and Root and Anbu were Mokgetsu's enemies, using the Golden Horizon at the start of the battle could eliminate half the ninjas in an instant.
Watching Mokgetsu's increasingly fearsome might, some ninjas couldn't help but feel a bit lost in their hearts. They had already given it their all, but there was nothing they could do against Mokgetsu.