The performance of Obito and others in the Chunin Examination gave Yuhi Kurenai quite a shock.
Both Obito and Might Guy were no strangers to Kurenai; they were all friends who got along well enough.
In the last special training, Obito's strength had already surpassed theirs, but not by much. This time, it's different. In this Chunin Examination, they showed a crushing level of strength.
Kurenai felt that she couldn't withstand even a single move against them. They were so strong that it left her wondering how they could become so powerful in just a year.
It wasn't just Obito and his group; even Asuma's progress felt somewhat unfamiliar to Kurenai.
Unknowingly, Asuma's Wind Release had surpassed his Fire Release, and he could even use Wind-Fire Combination Ninjutsu.
When Kurenai mentioned this, Asuma empathized immediately. In Kurenai's eyes, Obito and others were bewilderingly strong, and it was about the same for Asuma.
"Kurenai, I understand you. Let's work hard and train together." Asuma nodded and said.
"Of course, but also remember to take it in moderation." Asuma then reminded her.
Asuma had become a Chunin yet remained so diligent, motivating the students around him. The entire training ground was filled with an air of determination.
Apart from adding some teaching elements, Mokgetsu followed the model of the previous special training, conducting exams every two weeks to assess the students' progress, then grading and ranking them.
Without question, Asuma was currently the strongest ninja in the special training. His fellow Chunin, Nara Shiomizu, was no match for him in a duel, so Asuma firmly secured the first place in Group A for the first exam.
In Group B, Gekkou Hayate stood out more as the training progressed, but his first place was not very stable, depending on his condition. In Mokgetsu's view, the gap between Hayate and the second in Group B was very small.
In Group C, Anko really proved herself this time. Although she didn't get first place, she claimed second, which was already quite strong for a second-year student, defeating a bunch of fourth-year students.
Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu's performances were also decent for second-year students, but average compared to the overall student body, significantly weaker than Anko. The students in Mokgetsu's class overall surpassed those in third grade.
In the evening, Mokgetsu returned to his home in the Main Konoha District. Not long after, Namikaze Minato knocked and entered Mokgetsu's house.
"Sorry, I'll have to trouble you to take care of Kushina again," Namikaze Minato said a little apologetically to Mokgetsu.
For Namikaze Minato, no matter how good a relationship he had, he always felt a little embarrassed to trouble others.
"Mm, if I'm in Konoha, Kushina's meals are a given." Mokgetsu agreed without asking for further explanation.
Listening to Mokgetsu's words, Namikaze Minato revealed a warm smile and took the initiative to explain:
"The Hidden Cloud deployed more ninjas to the Land of Hot Water to launch a border assault, so I need to lead some ninjas to support them."
This was not a particularly confidential matter, so it was okay to tell Mokgetsu. He was openly supporting the front line, not carrying out some secret mission.
"I see. Will Obito and the others be going to the battlefield with you?" Mokgetsu pondered, then asked.
This was no small matter. If they ended up in a large-scale battle in the Land of Hot Water, then Mokgetsu, far away in Konoha, wouldn't know what things Obito and the others would face.
The incident during the Chunin Examination gave Mokgetsu a premonition; perhaps Uchiha Madara would make a move sooner than expected, because Obito was growing faster than in the original series.
Namikaze Minato shook his head and replied, "I received an S-level war mission this time, which is too dangerous for Obito and the others. Fortunately, they can take on missions independently now, so I don't plan to bring them along."
If it were an A-Class Mission, Namikaze Minato might have considered bringing Obito and the others, but an S-level mission was too dangerous, especially since this was a war mission.
"Obito and the others' training will also trouble you; I'm not a very competent teacher." Namikaze Minato said with a wry smile.
He felt there was little he could do for Obito and the others, and now he had to leave them behind to carry out a mission.
"Don't say that. Even they acknowledge you, so why deny yourself? It's not something that can be helped with the village tasks." Mokgetsu smiled gently, comforting him.
Minato adjusted his mood, thanked Mokgetsu again, and then took the meals to find Kushina.
Leaving Konoha, the person he was most worried about was Kushina.
Just as Mokgetsu felt the war was intensifying, a few days later, he received information from Tsunade that Jiraiya had returned to the Land of Grass battlefield.
Perhaps, upon learning of the Hidden Cloud's massive offensive, Hidden Rock also attempted to send more troops to continue putting pressure on Konoha.
The situation on the continent was now extremely chaotic, with wars between Hidden Rock and Konoha and the Hidden Cloud, and between the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Sand and Konoha and Hidden Rock. The four major countries on the continent were in a state of war, with only the Land of Water at sea temporarily uninvolved.
Although major ninja villages were waging war, they were not fighting on their own territory, mostly clashing in neighboring small countries. Even the Land of Wind, after recovering, had driven the Hidden Cloud back to the Land of Rivers, forcing small countries to be dragged into the war and participate.
"Will the Hidden Mist attack Konoha early? Or will they remain unchanged?" Mokgetsu pondered the only major nation not involved in the war.
Due to the butterfly effect causing plot changes, he was a bit uncertain whether the Hidden Mist would maintain the original series' actions.
Although Konoha didn't demand too much compensation from the Hidden Mist over the Chunin Exam incident, taking a business-like approach, Mokgetsu didn't think the Hidden Mist wouldn't wage war on Konoha because of this.
It's inevitable that the Hidden Mist would wage war on Konoha, because Konoha had won too much before, always maintaining the strongest stance. Being the strongest would cause everyone to be wary, and when given a chance to weaken, they naturally wouldn't pass it up.
The Hidden Mist might not want to be the first challenger, but when two countries are already at war, they would surely have the nerve to join the fray.
The Chunin Examination allowed the Hidden Mist to witness the strength of Konoha's younger generation. Mokgetsu thought the Hidden Mist might feel a sense of crisis and launch an attack on Konoha early.
Uchiha Madara was also a major consideration for Mokgetsu. Given that Madara could control the Hidden Mist Jonin, he might control others in the Hidden Mist as well, instigating their involvement in the war.
The more chaotic the Ninja World, the more advantageous it was for the aging Uchiha Madara, facilitating his actions. If Madara wished to take action against Obito early, he would surely push the Hidden Mist and Konoha to war.
This was one of the reasons Mokgetsu remained so low-key before; he didn't want the plot to change too much because of him, as this would increase the difficulty of protecting his disciples.
For instance, he knew that Obito would encounter danger at the Shinobi Bridge battle. If the plot remained unchanged, he just needed to go along to easily save Obito. If the plot changed, Madara might not choose the Shinobi Bridge mission to take action.
Even though Mokgetsu was very cautious, changes ultimately happened.
The incident in the Forest of Death was definitely orchestrated by Uchiha Madara. Although the Hidden Mist hadn't acted yet, Mokgetsu would prepare for the worst.
However, even if given the chance to choose again, Mokgetsu would still maintain similar actions, because he couldn't hold back Obito's power for fear of plot changes. That would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
In a situation where enemies are shrouded in darkness and they are exposed, Mokgetsu could only strive to enhance his own and his disciples' strength.
In theory, after enduring the arduous stretch during the Chunin Examination, they should rest for a while, but for the safety of his disciples, Mokgetsu prepared a whole new level of hellish training for them.
"Good morning, Shisui. How did you know I became a Chunin?" On his way to the Southern Border Forest for training, Obito ran into Shisui and cheerfully greeted him.
Shisui: ...
"Hehe, good morning, Teacher Mokgetsu." Once reaching the Southern Border Forest, Obito greeted Mokgetsu with a big smile.
Even though he didn't get first place, becoming a Chunin put Obito in a very good mood.
"Mm, good morning." Mokgetsu responded with a warm smile.
For some reason, despite Mokgetsu's gentle smile, Obito suddenly felt uneasy, sensing that something unfavorable might happen.