Nara Suzaku and Aburame Shikuro, who went to the Land of Grass with Mokgetsu to strike against the Grass Village, are present, as well as Hyuga Hizashi who fought alongside me on the Hidden Mist Battlefield, and Akimichi Doto whom I met at the Jonin meeting through Namikaze Minato.
The majority of the official Jonin are from various Ninja Clans, while the special Jonin are mostly ordinary ninja.
While Mokgetsu was observing them, the ninjas were also observing Mokgetsu.
Except for the Jonin with positions of importance in the Ninja Squad, who had ninja personally notify them, the other ninjas did not know the situation and did not expect the commander to be the relatively young and inexperienced Mokgetsu.
"Currently, besides the high-ranking members and Lady Tsunade in the village, the most qualified to lead the Ninja Squad is only Commander Mokgetsu," thought Nara Suzaku.
If Nara Shikaku were in Konoha, he might have been comparable. Though Shikaku's strength isn't great, his wisdom is exceptional, and he would have the support of the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans.
Now that the Ino-Shika-Cho aren't in Konoha, and even Namikaze Minato, who is on par with Mokgetsu, isn't here, Mokgetsu is the most suitable choice.
"I never thought that after becoming a Jonin for such a short time, Mokgetsu would become the squad's commander." Akimichi Doto was amazed at the speed of Mokgetsu's growth.
As far as he remembers, it's been only a little more than two years since Mokgetsu became a Jonin.
"Having Mokgetsu as the commander is truly reassuring." Hyuga Hizashi smiled at Mokgetsu.
He is the sensory team leader for this support squad and knew that Mokgetsu was the commander before Mokgetsu arrived.
Hizashi didn't find it inappropriate. Although Mokgetsu's tenure as a Jonin was short, his achievements far surpassed those of many seasoned Jonin with more than ten years of experience.
Mokgetsu quietly watched the rapidly assembling Ninja Squad without speaking.
Obito and the other disciples knew it was a serious occasion, so apart from Mokgetsu's arrival, they didn't speak again and stood silently at the front of the Ninja Squad.
After the Ninja Squad had gathered, Mokgetsu spoke.
"Konoha's Ninja Squad in the Land of Grass was defeated just recently."
Mokgetsu's words were like a bomb thrown onto a calm water surface, instantly causing most ninjas in the squad to lose their composure.
Some were shocked, surprised by the defeat in the Land of Grass without any warning, while others showed worried expressions, concerned for their family or friends who went to the battlefield.
"Something happened over there in the Land of Grass! Uncle Toad and Minato-sensei seem to be with the Ninja Squad there." Obito immediately thought of Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato, feeling a bit worried.
Although Jiraiya liked to boast and often acted irresponsibly, he was still kind to him, and Namikaze Minato was his second most respected and liked teacher.
"They should be fine," Kakashi said quietly, shaking his head.
According to future information, Namikaze Minato only died after becoming Hokage, and Jiraiya did not die until many years later when Uzumaki Naruto was a teenager, and it was due to the evil Akatsuki.
Though the future is likely to change due to their actions, like Yamato becoming Mokgetsu's disciple,
they haven't done anything significant yet, so it shouldn't have a major impact on the Ninja World.
Compared to Minato, Kakashi was more worried about Mokgetsu.
The sudden defeat was unexpected; even someone as attentive to the Ninja World's circumstances as Kakashi did not notice any signs.
In his impression, Konoha's forces should have had a considerable advantage in the Land of Grass.
Since the Hidden Rock Squad could suddenly turn an unfavorable situation into an advantageous one, they must have had impressive means, possibly related to the war where Mokgetsu fell.
"We're still too weak." Kakashi sighed inwardly. With their current skills, perhaps only Might Guy could barely assist Mokgetsu.
Even though they had trained hard, their cultivation time was still too little. At their ages, in peaceful times, most wouldn't have graduated from the Ninja School.
"Hopefully, I can master the Yang Seal before that day comes."
If Kakashi can master the Yang Seal, even if other abilities don't improve, his actual combat power could still increase dramatically.
Shisui looked serious, having similar thoughts to Kakashi.
"The time is still too short."
Compared to Kakashi and the others, Shisui was even younger, not yet ten years old.
Mokgetsu didn't give the ninjas much time to react and quickly continued:
"Next, our mission is to support the Land of Grass's Ninja Squad and prevent the Hidden Rock Ninja Squad from entering the Land of Fire."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't require Mokgetsu to defeat the Hidden Rock Ninja Squad. His requirement was to establish a strong defense, preventing the Hidden Rock from invading the Land of Fire.
As long as Mokgetsu could stop the Hidden Rock from breaking through the line and entering the Land of Fire, he would have completed his mission.
If Mokgetsu could repel and heavily damage the Hidden Rock Squad, it would be an additional achievement.
"Set out!" About a minute later, Mokgetsu sternly glanced over all the ninjas in the squad and ordered.
No one asked questions or complained; they quietly followed Mokgetsu, quickly leaving Konoha and heading to the Land of Grass.
For ninjas, this wasn't considered an unusual operation.
When an emergency mission needed execution, they were given the mission target and expected to act.
This time, it could be seen as a massive collective emergency mission.
Moreover, Konoha's village-loving education had been effective, instilling a strong sense of responsibility for village protection among the ninjas.
Upon hearing that the Hidden Rock Village might attack, many ninjas' first thought was to keep the Hidden Rock outside the Land of Fire, preventing them from having the chance to destroy Konoha.
On the way, Mokgetsu reviewed the intelligence provided by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
If Mokgetsu advanced at full speed, he wouldn't be able to read the intelligence while running.
But moving with the Ninja Squad allowed him the leisure to read while running.
To him, the squad's pace was not fast.
"Sarutobi Hiroshi defected and attempted to assassinate Jiraiya, showing abilities similar to the Hidden Rock assassination team." Seeing this piece of intelligence, Mokgetsu reflected thoughtfully.
In the Hokage Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen had given a brief account, only touching upon the Hidden Rock assassination team, but not mentioning Sarutobi Hiroshi's defection attack.
Initially, hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's account, Mokgetsu thought it sounded like White Zetsu. After reviewing the detailed war intelligence, Mokgetsu was ninety-eight percent certain it was White Zetsu's doing.
The rapid stealth ninjutsu used was the Mayfly Jutsu, and Sarutobi Hiroshi defected because he was not actually Sarutobi Hiroshi but White Zetsu using the Disguise Jutsu.
Ordinary White Zetsu isn't very strong; with intelligence, a competent Chunin can take down White Zetsu.
White Zetsu's strength lies in its skill set, which can best be described as high-end.
The Disguise Jutsu is the most advanced Transformation Jutsu in the entire Hokage, capable of mimicking a ninja's essence—Chakra.
The Mayfly Jutsu is a top-tier stealth movement ninjutsu, allowing one to merge with the earth, eliminate all presence, and move at high speed.
These two skills combined make White Zetsu the strongest intelligence ninja in the ninja world and a challenging battlefield assassin.
Considering White Zetsu acted first, Mokgetsu thought Jiraiya's loss was understandable, as White Zetsu's interference during the Third Ninja War was somewhat like overpowering.
It's worth noting that even the Eighty Thousand Ninja Alliance, with its many strong members in the Fourth War, was troubled by White Zetsu, let alone Jiraiya's Ninja Squad.
"However, for me, this isn't too big of a problem," Mokgetsu thought to himself.
Mokgetsu possesses a subtle yet powerful skill, the Identification Jutsu.
No matter how well White Zetsu disguises itself, the Identification Jutsu would reveal it through its skills.
The downside of the Identification Jutsu is that Mokgetsu needs to see them to use it, and so far, no White Zetsu has dared appear before him.
If White Zetsu dares to play the undercover game in his Ninja Squad, Mokgetsu will show them the power of Intelligence Mokgetsu.
Theoretical Intelligence Jiraiya exists only in theory, while Mokgetsu truly has the Identification Jutsu to see through Chakra and skills.
PS: The current plot has reached a relatively critical junction, requiring frequent revisions and taking time, so today's update is a bit shorter, 4k words in one chapter.