With front-line friction escalating, conflict erupted, and the Hidden Cloud dispatched a ninja squad into the Land of Hot Water, bordering the Land of Fire, where the Eight-tailed Jinchuriki seemed to have appeared.
Upon hearing this news, Mokgetsu knew the Third Ninja War was not far off.
Or it has already begun, but has not yet erupted in full.
Being a former Root Ninja, the original self knows a bit more than ordinary ninjas.
Since White Fang's suicide last year, the Ninja World has been seething with tension; whether it's the Hidden Cloud, Hidden Rock, or Hidden Sand, they are all itching for action.
Mokgetsu was just watching anime back then; he only felt that White Fang was no different from other famous powerhouses.
But after accepting the original owner's memories, he finally understood the true weight of the name White Fang.
Others gain fame by tying or defeating a well-known powerhouse, but White Fang was different; he gained fame for his killing, marked by extremely high killing efficiency.
Wielding a Chakra Short Knife, he transformed into an unfeeling mowing machine on the battlefield, whether you were Genin or Jonin, in a flash of white light, you're done.
It's not that White Fang's power surpassed everyone else's, being the strongest in the Ninja World, but his fighting style was exceptionally well-suited for cutting down weaker foes — anyone weaker than him could easily be killed instantly.
Seeing Konoha lose such a formidable fighter, the other Ninja Villages naturally grew more covetous.
Especially The Hidden Cloud Village and The Hidden Rock Village, since these two villages suffered minimal losses in the Second Ninja War, believing they now have the strength to challenge for the top spot.
"Those annoying Hidden Cloud Ninja; can't they ever be peaceful? Seems like war is on the horizon again," Ueda Aya sighed.
"If only Lord White Fang were still here, they certainly wouldn't dare act so arrogantly," Iketani Isamu said, slightly annoyed.
"No worries, we still have Lord Third and Lord Orochimaru; surely we'll achieve victory like before," Kimura Sugihito tried to lighten the mood.
"If war breaks out, will our teacher also receive combat orders?" Mokgetsu asked the question he was most concerned about.
He didn't want to leave the Ninja School; though he could grow stronger through training on his own, nothing beats cheating.
"It depends on how fierce the war is. If it really gets fierce enough, some teachers might be assigned to various squads based on their special skills," Ueda Aya replied.
Upon hearing Ueda Aya's words, Mokgetsu could only pray silently to the deity of origins, hoping for a delay in being selected or, ideally, not selected at all.
During the Third Ninja War, Konoha essentially fought against the other four Great Ninja Villages all over, undeniably intense, and by then, the forces of the Ninja School teachers surely would not be overlooked.
Mokgetsu wasn't afraid of going to the battlefield; he was afraid of entering the battlefield before he had the chance to develop his skills.
This Third Ninja War truly was a dangerous affair—first, the Five Great Ninja Villages fought like mad dogs, risking their lives, and secretly Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu were plotting.
"Teacher Habu, you don't need to worry about this; we are the Number One Ninja Village, it's impossible for the situation to escalate to the point where all our teachers must head to battle," Kimura Sugihito had enough confidence in Konoha.
"I'm not worried about going to the battlefield; I'm just asking so that I can be prepared for battle," Mokgetsu smiled.
Though he wasn't keen on going, such words couldn't exactly be voiced.
Mokgetsu stopped speaking and began practicing calligraphy until the school bell rang, then headed towards Class 1A.
Mokgetsu gazed into the classroom from the entrance; the war's shadow had not dimmed the children's joy, as the room was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
"Bro, how did my wonderful plan work out? Did you finally get your cousin sorted out?" After two days, Kamizuki Izumo curiously asked Hagane Kotetsu about his progress.
"Oh, don't mention it. Bro, your plan is great, but my cousin is really too sly. After following your plan, he actually took the same exact actions as I did!" Hagane Kotetsu said with a face full of frustration.
Initially, the plan was indeed effective, and the cousin received a good scolding from his aunt, but he didn't anticipate this.
Before he even made his next move, his cousin directly turned his strategy against him. Though they are kids, his cousin was only a year older than him, also considered a child.
The final result was that the two ended up scolding and hitting each other back and forth, eventually having to cease fire and jointly deem this toxic strategy as off-limits "Kinjutsu."
"Such sly characters really exist," Kamizuki Izumo sighed slightly.
"Your cousin is truly cunning, I can't think of any strategy at the moment," Kamizuki Izumo apologized.
"That's all right, Brother Izumo, you've already given me several ideas; tell me your concerns, and I'll help you share your burden." Hagane Kotetsu was ready to return the favor.
"I have a neighbor girl with whom I really feel a good connection, but I don't know how to get closer to her," Kamizuki Izumo hesitated for a moment but finally shared.
"Oh, that's easy, just give her something she likes," Hagane Kotetsu suggested.
Kamizuki Izumo thought for a while and found it quite reasonable, "I see her often looking into my flowerbed while passing by my house; she must really like flowers, and I think their family doesn't grow any flowers."
"Then give her flowers! She will definitely be very grateful," Hagane Kotetsu confidently advised.
"Ahem, let's start the class," Mokgetsu coughed lightly twice to remind everyone the class was about to begin.
The previously somewhat noisy classroom instantly went quiet, leaving only Mokgetsu's lecture voice.
Though they've only been together for four days, everyone really liked Mokgetsu, whose lessons were relaxed and fun; they consciously listened carefully.
[Lecture Completed]
[Evaluation: A]
[Reward Received: Water Release: Water Array Wall]
Upon seeing the name of this ninjutsu, information about the Water Array Wall flashed through Mokgetsu's mind.
This is a B-level Water Release Ninjutsu, the effect is to create a water wall blocking in front.
It's worth noting that Tobirama's Water Array Wall is different from others; Tobirama's wall is drawn in a circle to protect him 360 degrees with no gaps.
Reviewing the newly added knowledge in his mind, Mokgetsu found he had mastered a Water Attribute Chakra Nature Changes he didn't know before.
Mokgetsu took it in good spirits; if not given some Nature Transformation knowledge, he would have been unable to use Water Release.
Mokgetsu silently praised the thorough system.
After school, Mokgetsu brought Shisui to the training spot he had scouted—by the riverside in the southern forest.
"You've cultivated the Great Fireball quite well; today I'll teach you a new Fire Release Ninjutsu," Mokgetsu introduced today's training plan.
Speaking, Mokgetsu clapped both hands, instantly opening his mouth to spew three gigantic fire dragons; under Mokgetsu's control, the fire dragons looped through the sky before plunging into the water, turning a large amount of river water into steam, instantly making the river surface bubble with white vapor.
"Mighty Dragon Fire Jutsu," Shisui instantly recognized this Fire Release; he had seen Uchiha Jonin perform this ninjutsu.
Precisely because he recognized it, he was even more astonished, for Mokgetsu spewed out three fire dragons in one go and only formed one seal.
Shisui grew increasingly curious about Mokgetsu's strength.
"Watch closely, I'll demonstrate it for you again," Mokgetsu saw Shisui's expression and knew his intended effect had been achieved.