"He is not Senju Hashirama, not the God of Ninjas; not everyone's Wood Release can be as powerful as Senju Hashirama's." Karatachi Yagura swiftly repeated this to himself to boost his confidence.
Even with Wood Release, under the suppression of nearly double the numbers, Karatachi Yagura could not retreat as soon as they met.
According to his speculation, Mokgetsu should not have mastered Wood Release for very long, otherwise Mokgetsu would have used it in the last battle.
If Mokgetsu's strongest Wood Release jutsu is just Deep Forest Emergence, then there's still a chance to fight.
"Everyone, retreat from the battlefield," Mokgetsu commanded the Konoha Ninja Squad.
Even though Mokgetsu did not explain, Mimura Hamaki did not inquire but immediately executed Mokgetsu's order, leading the squad to retreat.
At this moment, he had one hundred percent trust in Mokgetsu; unless Mokgetsu ordered him to commit suicide, Mimura Hamaki would believe there was a reason behind it.
With the help of the massive trees, the Konoha ninjas gradually retreated from the battlefield.
Karatachi Yagura sensed something was amiss and hurriedly ordered the Hidden Mist ninjas to start retreating, away from Mokgetsu, the Wood Release ninja.
Some of the Hidden Mist had long wanted to flee, waiting for Karatachi Yagura's command.
"Whoa! It's a Wood Release master, retreat quickly!"
Even though the Hidden Mist ninjas wanted to run, Mokgetsu dared to blatantly let his subordinates retreat, naturally having the means to keep them here.
Under the influence of Wood Release chakra, new trees continuously grew at a rapid pace, using branches to attack the Hidden Mist ninjas, blocking their retreat.
Only Karatachi Yagura and Hozuki Shingetsu, these stronger ninjas, broke through the layers of obstructions and charged out.
"Wood Release: Flower Forest Emergence!"
After the Konoha ninjas completed their retreat, Mokgetsu once again gathered a huge amount of chakra and performed the enhanced version of Deep Forest Emergence—Wood Release: Flower Forest Emergence.
Rumble!!!
Enormous vines broke through the ground, moved swiftly, like a sudden emergence of massive prehistoric green pythons from the earth.
Mokgetsu merely controlled the enormous vines with a light swing, and the attacks towards Mokgetsu were all completely blocked.
Boom!!
Several giant vines slammed down suddenly, blood mist filled the air in no time, and dozens of Hidden Mist struck were instantly turned into shapeless blood and flesh.
"This is simply a monster; how is it possible to win..." The Hidden Mist ninja who was not struck glanced at the nearby pool of comrades, then at the enormous vines, feeling a chill in the heart.
Can they win against the Wood Release ninja?
Definitely not!
"I'll fight you to the death!"
Some Hidden Mist ninjas were provoked into bloodlust by this scene, no longer thinking about retreat, and charged towards Mokgetsu with weapons drawn.
But at that moment, enormous flower buds suddenly grew on the vines, and rapidly bloomed.
The gray-yellow pollen instantly enveloped the entire battlefield, the Hidden Mist at the forefront absorbing the most pollen and were the first to fall.
Thu-thu-thud!!
Before the Hidden Mist squad ninjas could react, the rest also fell into unconsciousness from absorbing the pollen, collapsing on the ground.
In just an instant, the Hidden Mist Ninja Squad fell on the battlefield like this, with only a few elite breaking out successfully without being dazed.
"Habu Mokgetsu!" Karatachi Yagura, not having inhaled the pollen, felt his vision black out watching this scene and almost collapsed.
This was a thousand-strong ninja squad, yet it fell to a single Wood Release jutsu.
Could it be that Konoha is about to have a second God of Ninjas?
"No wonder we were ordered to retreat first, indeed, this is Wood Release." Mimura Hamaki sighed in his heart at the sight of the collapsed Hidden Mist squad on the battlefield.
Such a wide area attack indeed easily causes collateral damage to allies.
Many Konoha ninjas looked stunned at the battlefield, as if trying to remember this historic moment in their minds.
After Senju Hashirama, the second Wood Release ninja appeared, defeating a thousand-man ninja squad single-handedly upon debut.
"Quick, don't let those Hidden Mist escape." Kakashi noticed Karatachi Yagura wanting to flee.
Karatachi Yagura is the core figure of this squad; if he escapes, it would tarnish this victory.
"Eight Gates, Limit Gate, open!"
Facing strong opponents from the Hidden Mist Jonin next, Might Guy directly opened the Fifth Gate of the Eight Gates, and his breathing entered a highly focused state.
Kakashi silently entered Breath of Thunder Chakra Mode, rapidly charging toward Karatachi Yagura.
Obito and Shisui also sprinted at full speed, while Nohara Rin, although immediately following, was slightly slower due to her speed.
All of a sudden, the entire Konoha Ninja Squad sprang into action.
"All of you stay and watch over these Hidden Mist, most of them are merely unconscious, not dead." Mokgetsu turned to the Konoha Ninja Squad and said.
Now, only Karatachi Yagura and a few capable Jonin from the Hidden Mist remain; there's no need for the whole squad to pursue.
Immediately after, Mokgetsu switched to Breath of Thunder and instantly entered Breath of Thunder Chakra Mode.
Swoosh!
Mokgetsu turned into a yellow lightning bolt and disappeared from everyone's sight.
"Confiscate the weapons, then tie them up!" Mimura Hamaki ordered.
With so many captives, they could negotiate conditions with the Hidden Mist.
"Almost complete annihilation, how should we explain to the Third Lord upon return..." Karatachi Yagura felt very heavy-hearted as he used Instant Body Jutsu to sprint.
It's not fear of blame, just the feeling of letting down the Third Mizukage's high regard.
However, Karatachi Yagura indeed felt it's not his fault this time; who could've expected Habu Mokgetsu would turn out to be a powerful Wood Release ninja.