Chapter 421: A High Level Decision
Mugetsu taught Thunderclap Flash to Kakashi, then turned around and taught Exploding Fist and the Water Body Flicker Technique to Rin.
Rin's chakra control was excellent, which gave her a unique advantage when practicing Exploding Fist.
If she could master both techniques, Rin's combat ability would rise sharply. Exploding Fist could be treated as an upgraded version of Monstrous Strength, with greater power and additional effects, while a solid Water Body Flicker would greatly improve her mobility.
For now, Mugetsu did not teach Great Flame Ring: Flame Emperor to Obito and Shisui. He planned to wait until they finished their current Fire Release training.
In truth, the power of Great Flame Ring: Flame Emperor was not as great as Fire Dragon Dance, which Mugetsu had developed himself. Fire Dragon Dance was an ultimate Fire Release created by combining experience from many mastery level Fire Release techniques. However, its requirements were extremely high, so Great Flame Ring: Flame Emperor could serve as a transition step.
Just as Mugetsu was about to eat dinner, an Anbu arrived.
"Hayate sama, please come with me to the Hokage Building. Sandaime sama is looking for you."
Mugetsu said nothing. He simply nodded and followed the Anbu toward the Hokage Building.
Looking for me at this hour, it should not be about the Ninja Academy, Mugetsu thought as they walked.
Even the Hokage should be off duty at this time. If Hiruzen was still working overtime, it meant the matter was not something as routine as school affairs.
War, then.
Normally, with his identity as a Ninja Academy teacher, he would not be sent to the battlefield unless Konoha was pushed to the brink.
But Mugetsu was different.
Even if he hid many things, the strength he showed on the surface already surpassed most of Konoha's shinobi. He truly deserved the label of strongest.
A powerful shinobi could not be treated like an ordinary teacher. In war, the role of a strong individual was completely different from that of a normal chunin.
If Mugetsu had not displayed such outstanding teaching ability, he likely would have been sent to the battlefield long ago.
Thump.
Mugetsu knocked on the wooden door to the Hokage Office.
"Enter," Hiruzen's voice answered from inside.
Mugetsu opened the door and stepped in. The Anbu remained outside, not entering with him.
The moment Mugetsu entered, he saw Hiruzen resting a hand against his forehead, his face carrying visible fatigue.
"Sandaime sama," Mugetsu greeted with respectful composure.
Hiruzen gave a slight nod, then spoke in a heavy tone.
"Mugetsu, the village is under immense pressure right now. Hidden Mist, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure are all watching Konoha with greedy eyes. Hidden Mist has even entered the mainland of the Land of Fire, invading the east coast on a large scale."
That afternoon, Hiruzen and the other three senior leaders of Konoha had held a high level meeting. They reached the same conclusion.
The Hidden Mist forces that had entered the Land of Fire's mainland had to be dealt with first. They had to be struck hard and driven out.
Hearing those words, Mugetsu understood immediately.
"If the village needs me, I can rush to the battlefield at once and provide support," Mugetsu said, expression firm.
With his current strength, even if he could not win in every situation, he could still escape. His safety was not a major concern.
More importantly, Mugetsu wanted to use the battlefield to temper his disciples.
The shinobi world was growing more chaotic by the day, and Uchiha Madara could move at any time. Mugetsu needed to do everything possible to raise their strength.
A satisfied smile appeared on Hiruzen's face. Mugetsu's Will of Fire was truly strong.
"With your teaching talent, Mugetsu, you should be training the next generation in the rear," Hiruzen said seriously. "But right now, the village needs your combat power. We must drive out the enemy as quickly as possible."
Because Kumogakure had lost a top combatant from their Jinchuriki replacement, the meeting decided to reassign Orochimaru from the Land of Hot Springs front back to the Land of Fire to deal with Hidden Mist.
To compensate for Orochimaru's departure, they dispatched Minato to the Land of Hot Springs to prevent a surprise attack from the AB Combo.
Hidden Mist was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Hiruzen believed Orochimaru alone was not enough.
After sending Ino Shika Cho and a group of Hyuga jonin, Hiruzen finally thought of Mugetsu.
Mugetsu was proficient in five chakra natures and also possessed Ice Release. He had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, and his record included defeating the Sunagakure hero Pakura.
Hiruzen reviewed it carefully and realized something.
Aside from not being widely famous, Mugetsu's strength had already surpassed the majority of the shinobi world.
It had been Danzo who first proposed sending Mugetsu to the battlefield. At the start, Hiruzen refused.
Konoha had strong individuals, but Mugetsu's teaching ability was unique across the entire shinobi world.
As the one who discovered Mugetsu, Hiruzen understood that teaching talent better than anyone.
He had taught Asuma ninjutsu before, yet the results were nowhere near what Mugetsu achieved.
But Danzo laid out the pros and cons, and with pressure from the Fire Daimyo as well, Hiruzen deliberated and ultimately decided to send Mugetsu to join the operation to expel Hidden Mist.
With Flying Thunder God, Mugetsu's survival ability was exceptionally strong. Even if he lost a battle, he could still retreat.
After receiving the mission, Mugetsu left the Hokage Building. He gathered his disciples, excluding Guy, and informed them they would be participating in the war.
Guy was not notified because Hiruzen had already given Mugetsu the list of support forces, and Guy's squad was on it. Mugetsu did not need to tell him separately.
Mugetsu did notify Kakashi and the others because Kakashi's squad was not on the list, and Mugetsu intended to bring them along.
"Battlefield…" Shisui's eyes flickered. Among Mugetsu's disciples, only he had never been to war.
Obito looked indifferent. He already had plenty of combat experience from the battlefield.
His first time had been during an internship, when an accident threw him into a large scale melee. Later, Minato had led them on many war missions.
"Because Sandaime has assigned me some important tasks, I will not be able to lead you in battle every time like I usually do," Mugetsu warned them.
Even though he would definitely send a shadow clone to protect them, Mugetsu did not want them to know. If they always believed there was a safety net, they would never truly face desperation.
Obito's expression changed.
Without Sage Mugetsu watching over them, the danger would rise sharply.
Until now, every one of Obito's experiences had included a safety net. Sometimes it was Mugetsu. Sometimes it was Minato.
"Mugetsu sensei, I think there should be a vice captain," Kakashi said after a brief pause. "If you are not present, the vice captain will command."
Obito rarely failed at critical moments, but Kakashi did not want to gamble. If Kakashi became vice captain, he could command Obito properly when it mattered.
"Alright," Mugetsu nodded. "Then the four of you will vote."
In the end, Kakashi won the vice captain position with a three vote advantage.
Everyone voted for Kakashi except Obito, who voted for Rin.
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