"Sosetsu-sama, don't worry. With Yumi-sensei here, you'll all be fine," Kakashi said calmly.
Since the battle hadn't officially started yet, Kakashi wasn't sure what level the several hundred ninjas on the other side were at, but Mutsuki was not someone who spoke without reason. On the contrary, Mutsuki had always been humble. Even though he was stronger than the candidate for Raikage, Mutsuki never claimed he would definitely win.
So when Mutsuki said he could quell the rebellion, Kakashi believed he could, and that nothing unexpected would happen.
"But..." Kazahana Sosetsu still found it hard to believe.
After all, in his world, being able to defeat a few hundred ordinary people was already incredible, but the enemy consisted of several hundred ninjas, and some of them weren't weak.
Kazahana Sosetsu, though not a ninja, knew from how quickly their side was being defeated that the enemy was much stronger.
"Father, I don't want to leave," Kazahana Koyuki clung tightly to Kazahana Sosetsu's arm with both hands.
Looking at his daughter's tear-filled eyes, Kazahana Sosetsu sighed. How could he bear to be separated from his beloved child?
"Mutsuki, I'm counting on you. If things get out of hand, please try to take Koyuki away," Kazahana Sosetsu said as he placed Kazahana Koyuki down and bowed deeply to Mutsuki.
As a ninja tasked only with protecting Kazahana Koyuki, Mutsuki had already done everything he could. Not only did he help uncover Kazahana Doto's crimes, but he was also willing to stand by them in this critical moment.
Mutsuki gave a slight nod to reassure Kazahana Sosetsu, then said to his three disciples, "You don't need to go on the offensive. Just protect Koyuki and the Daimyo."
Neither Kazahana Sosetsu nor Kazahana Koyuki could be allowed to die. Kazahana Sosetsu's death would have a significant impact on the Land of Snow, and Kazahana Koyuki was the very core of their protection mission.
The disciples, having carried out missions before, all nodded in understanding.
After speaking, Mutsuki walked toward the approaching Snow Ninjas.
"Ice Release: Swallow Snow Storm!"
Kanko Hyouketsu gathered chakra in his mouth, spitting out a barrage of snow shuriken in all directions.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Blood splattered in the air as many of the guards were injured by the snow shuriken.
"Ice Release: One-Horned White Whale!"
"Ice Release: Tearing Dragon Fierce Tiger!"
Taking advantage of the situation, many of the Snow Ninjas formed hand signs, unleashing ninjutsu to try and annihilate the guards in one strike. A large number of ice beasts charged toward the guards.
Among the guards were also some ninjas, but they were not as strong as the Snow Ninjas, and now, already injured, they were powerless to resist so many ninjutsu attacks.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!"
Just when the guards thought the battle was about to end, a dense barrage of fireballs surged from behind them, soaring over their heads in graceful arcs, crashing into the ice whales and snow tigers.
Boom!
A fierce burst of fire erupted, accompanied by a thunderous explosion. The ice beasts created by the Snow Ninjas were all obliterated by the fireballs, dissipating into white smoke.
"That's the powerful ninja Mutsuki-sama, hired by Sosetsu-sama! Don't give up, we still have a chance at victory!" Sandayu Asama shouted excitedly after seeing Mutsuki approaching.
Although he knew very little about Mutsuki, Sandayu Asama had no choice but to trust him at this moment, as it was clear they couldn't defeat the Snow Ninjas brought by Kazahana Doto on their own.
"Maybe he really can do it," a glimmer of hope arose in Kazahana Sosetsu's heart.
Obito and the others' confidence in Mutsuki, Mutsuki's own confidence, and the impressive Fire Release he just used to save them made Kazahana Sosetsu believe that Mutsuki might be capable of a miracle.
"Hyouketsu, that's Mutsuki Yumi. Do you think you can handle him?" Kazahana Doto asked as he turned to Kanko Hyouketsu, seeing the terrifying power of Mutsuki's Fire Release Ninjutsu.
Aside from Kazahana Sosetsu, Mutsuki Yumi was the person Kazahana Doto most wanted to eliminate. Ever since Mutsuki arrived in the Land of Snow, Doto had not had a single good day.
"The ninja who can fight against a Jinchuriki is indeed strong, but if it's only to this extent, I can defeat him even without the Chakra Armor," Kanko Hyouketsu confidently replied.
He believed that the effect Mutsuki's attack had just caused could be matched, or even surpassed, by his own most proficient ninjutsu, the Black Dragon Blizzard.
"If he had a few more years of training, I might not be able to take him on. If this kid doesn't die, he could become the next Sannin." Though he spoke confidently, Kanko Hyouketsu no longer underestimated Mutsuki in his heart.
After all, he had been training since he was six and had spent over thirty years honing his skills to reach his current power, while Mutsuki wasn't even twenty yet.
"Very well, I'll leave this to you. I'll look for an opportunity to go in and capture Kazahana Sosetsu," Kazahana Doto said, feeling much more at ease seeing Kanko Hyouketsu's confidence.
Kanko Hyouketsu nodded in agreement with Kazahana Doto's plan, acknowledging that it would indeed be a huge problem if Kazahana Sosetsu managed to escape.
"Step back a bit; otherwise, it would be bad if you get caught in the crossfire," Mutsuki said to the guards.
With several hundred ninjas on the opposing side, Mutsuki knew he would need to use large-scale ninjutsu. Since there weren't any reliable ninjas on his side, to avoid friendly fire, Mutsuki decided to handle the entire Snow Ninja Village on his own.
Sandayu Asama looked at Mutsuki in disbelief, briefly wondering if the battle had damaged his ears, making him hear wrong.
"Mutsuki-sama, are you planning to fight the enemy alone?" one of the guard ninjas couldn't help but ask.
Although Mutsuki had indeed just shown impressive strength, this move seemed too puzzling.
"Mutsuki-sama, some of us are still capable of fighting," Sandayu Asama said, gripping his longsword tightly.
Mutsuki shook his head and said, "The best help you can give me is to retreat. The ninjutsu I'm about to use will cover a large area."
Their intentions were good, but the harsh reality was that, to Mutsuki, they were just burdens that would only get in the way.
Though Mutsuki had excellent chakra control, facing several hundred ninjas while ensuring that no friendly forces were harmed was mentally exhausting. Some of the guards were ordinary people, and while ninjas could dodge attacks, the guards couldn't.
One of the guards was about to say something, but several Snow Ninjas had already charged forward.
Whoosh!
Mutsuki's figure blurred, and with speed too fast for the naked eye to follow, he dashed to the front of the Snow Ninjas and unleashed rapid punches.
Bang, bang, bang!
The Snow Ninjas who charged forward were instantly sent flying back at even greater speed, crashing hard into the ground or into other Snow Ninjas.
From Sandayu Asama's perspective, Mutsuki's body flickered, and the Snow Ninjas were already being struck down. By the time he realized what had happened, Mutsuki had already returned to his original position.
"Is this the power of a true strong ninja?" Sandayu Asama thought in a daze.
"Everyone, fall back! Don't interfere with Mutsuki-sama's fight!" Sandayu Asama finally shouted, choosing to trust Mutsuki, believing that his confidence was not arrogance but true strength.
The ninjas among the guards, having recognized Mutsuki's power, nodded in agreement and retreated. As ninjas themselves, they better understood the magnitude of Mutsuki's strength.
The Snow Ninjas could also see that Mutsuki was strong, but given their overwhelming numerical advantage, they didn't feel fear. They attacked Mutsuki using ninja tools and ninjutsu.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Mutsuki switched to Flame Breathing and spat out an enormous fireball, engulfing all the incoming attacks. With Mutsuki's current level of Fire Release, even a Great Fireball carried immense power.
"What a powerful Fire Release Ninjutsu!"
The Snow Ninjas watched in awe as the massive fireball, as large as a two-story building, blazed toward them, causing cold sweat to drip from their foreheads.
"Ice Release: One-Horned White Whale!"
Kanko Hyouketsu immediately rushed forward, gathering a large amount of chakra to create an even larger ice whale, which collided with the fireball, shattering it. However, the intense heat of the Great Fireball melted the ice whale completely in the end.
Seeing this, the Snow Ninjas regained their confidence. Mutsuki was powerful, but their leader was also strong.
Just then, silver-white fragments began to descend from the sky.
This snowfall was a normal occurrence in the Land of Snow, but on the current battlefield, it caused the guards to display uneasy expressions while the Snow Ninjas grew excited.
"Damn, the Snow Ninjas' ninjutsu becomes stronger when it's snowing," one of the guard ninjas said, now looking at Mutsuki with concern.
There was already a huge numerical disadvantage, and now the Snow Ninjas had an environmental advantage as well—how could they win like this?
"Kid, it looks like the heavens are against you," Kanko Hyouketsu laughed loudly.
The sudden snowfall had further solidified their already overwhelming odds of victory.
"Is that so? Actually, the Great Fireball I used earlier is one of the weaker jutsu I've mastered," Mutsuki replied with a calm smile, unbothered by the change in the environment.
While it's true that the environment can affect a ninja's jutsu, when the difference in strength is too great, no environment can make up for it.
"Hmph, empty boasting," Kanko Hyouketsu thought Mutsuki was exaggerating his abilities.
The level of Fire Release ninjutsu Mutsuki had just used was something even he had to seriously counter with his own jutsu, so it couldn't possibly be considered weak.
"Flame Breathing, Total Concentration!"
Mutsuki focused his breathing, increasing both his physical abilities and the power of his Fire Chakra Nature Transformation. He then formed hand seals, gathering a massive amount of chakra in his throat.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Whoosh!
A tremendous wave of fire erupted from Mutsuki's mouth, the intense flames rapidly melting and evaporating the snow on the ground, consuming everything flammable in their path. Even the snowflakes that had yet to fall melted instantly under the extreme heat.
A vast sea of orange-red flames formed around Mutsuki, and the scorching heat caused some of the guards, despite the heavy snowfall, to break out in a sweat.
Seeing the terrifying power of the blazing inferno, the guards finally understood why Mutsuki had told them to retreat. If they hadn't, they might have been reduced to ashes by the overwhelming flames.
At that moment, Sandayu Asama felt immensely grateful that Mutsuki had taken on this mission. He thought that even in Konoha, a renowned ninja village, there couldn't be many ninjas as powerful as Mutsuki.
"I told you Yumi-sensei is incredibly strong; with him around, we'll definitely be fine," Obito said with a proud grin, standing above and watching the dazzling sea of red flames.
Obito felt that he deserved a third of the credit for the enemies defeated by the Great Fire Annihilation since it was he who had given it to Mutsuki.
Previously, Obito had performed excellently at the Uchiha gathering, and his ultimate reward was the Great Fire Annihilation. After obtaining the ninjutsu, he promptly handed it over to Mutsuki, believing that Mutsuki could learn it faster and teach him, perhaps even quicker than if he researched it himself.
"I guess issuing that mission was my only correct decision during this time," Kazahana Sosetsu remarked, gazing at the towering flames.
With Mutsuki's intervention, the glimmer of hope in Kazahana Sosetsu's heart gradually grew stronger.
While marveling at Mutsuki's powerful Fire Release, Kakashi was also cautiously observing his surroundings, ready for any enemies that might breach their defenses. After all, those guards seemed quite unreliable, and it was normal for Mutsuki to miss a few against hundreds of foes.
"Quick, use defensive ninjutsu with me!"
Sensing the terrifying aura emanating from Mutsuki, Kanko Hyouketsu shouted immediately.
Although it was hard to believe, it seemed that Mutsuki was indeed telling the truth—he had far stronger ninjutsu.
Standing at the forefront, Kanko Hyouketsu felt the fearsome heat of the fire sea more acutely than anyone else. He looked at Mutsuki in disbelief, astonished that the kid he had underestimated could unleash such powerful Fire Release ninjutsu.
At that moment, Kanko Hyouketsu cursed Kazahana Doto in his heart. He had relied on the information collected by Kazahana Doto and hadn't sent anyone to investigate Mutsuki specifically, but Mutsuki's displayed strength made Kazahana Doto's information seem false.
However, Kanko Hyouketsu had no time to ponder where things had gone wrong; he needed to use his ninjutsu to block this Fire Release.
"Ice Release: Snow Wall!"
Kanko Hyouketsu and dozens of other Snow Ninjas simultaneously performed defensive ninjutsu, creating three incredibly thick walls of ice and snow.
A single Snow Ninja's defensive ninjutsu could not withstand Mutsuki's Fire Release, but when dozens of Snow Ninjas worked together, the situation was different.
The thick walls of ice and snow, charged with a significant amount of chakra, managed to block even Mutsuki's intense flames.
Under the watch of the Snow Ninjas and the guards, the first ice wall quickly melted away. As the sea of fire shrank, the second wall was also melted, causing the fire's area to reduce further. When the last ice wall melted, the vast sea of fire disappeared entirely.
Kanko Hyouketsu sighed in relief; this proved that while Mutsuki was indeed powerful, he was not beyond being dealt with—there was still a chance when hundreds ganged up on one.
"Damn it, if only our side had Ninjas who could..." Sandayu Asama thought bitterly as he watched the fire being blocked.
Unlike Hyouketsu Kanko's side, which had hundreds of ninjas to help him, they could do nothing to assist Mutsuki.
"Very good, you've managed to block another Fire Release. Can you keep this up for what's next?" Mutsuki said with a faint smile.
Although the previous Fire Release was powerful, it was not Mutsuki's full strength; such opportunities for battle were rare, and he was merely testing the skill's power.
As Mutsuki spoke, he quietly activated his Mark and entered Flame Breathing Chakra Mode.
His breathing rhythm suddenly changed, and a massive amount of chakra erupted within him, enhancing the power of his fire-type chakra through the Breathing Technique. His aura surged rapidly.
"Is this guy a monster?"
Feeling Mutsuki's intense and fiery presence, Kanko Hyouketsu's expression changed drastically. This was not just a talented ninja; this was clearly a strong individual who had grown into a formidable fighter!
---
Don't forget to check out my patreon where you can read up to 50 advanced chapters https://www.patreon.com/CrazyNinja