On the contrary, if there is no life-threatening danger, Mokgetsu would not appear.
For the disciples, this might be a bit harsh. Even if they don't die, getting hurt is very painful. But Mokgetsu has no choice; this is the cruel Ninja World. He can protect the disciples once but not forever.
This time, because they are in Konoha, he made several preparations to protect the disciples from the shadows. But what about next time, outside of Konoha? What if the disciples encounter danger in different places?
Even Minato with the Flying Thunder God can't always make it in time to save the day, let alone someone like him who just runs a little faster.
Improving the disciples' strength is the optimal solution. If their strength is great, they can hold out a while longer, even if they can't defeat the enemy, until he arrives.
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
The knife wound on Might Guy's body did not show a trace of fear. With Kakashi's support, he launched another attack on Ishijima Hideyuki.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Jutsu!"
Ishijima Hideyuki calmly performed Water Release Ninjutsu, spitting out an immensely large water ball.
Water itself isn't very harmful upon contact, but if there's a large stream of water, its impact can be quite powerful.
Like ocean waves, this massive amount of water slammed into Kakashi and Might Guy. Exhausted, Kakashi was directly washed away by the water, while Might Guy, though able to advance against the current, moved much slower.
Ishijima Hideyuki swam swiftly through the water, evading Might Guy's attacks while adding another bleeding wound on his body with a swift blade.
"Guy." Laying on the ground, Kakashi panted heavily, unable to maintain Full Concentration Breathing. Despite his anxiety, there was nothing he could do to assist Might Guy in the battle.
Shiranui Genma and Ebisu were already significantly weaker, and now injured. Though they still had some stamina, they couldn't join the fight with Might Guy and Ishijima Hideyuki, and they were quickly swept away by the Great Waterfall Jutsu.
The injured Nohara Rin was using her last chakra to heal Obito, choosing to trust Obito over healing herself.
"Gohyo!"
With more and more wounds on his body, Might Guy ultimately used the strongest Taijutsu he could currently perform.
He could use it at most twice in a short time, and this was his last chance. But he had to use it—if he waited any longer, he wouldn't be able to use it at all.
Might Guy channeled all the strength into his legs, the powerful chakra burst countering the impact of the water current, propelling Might Guy forward once more.
"Water Dragon Bomb Jutsu!"
Ishijima Hideyuki immediately formed seals and used ninjutsu to manipulate the surrounding water— a typical Hidden Mist battle strategy, first using supportive Water Release to create favorable conditions, then using aggressive Water Release.
A massive whirlpool of water formed a gigantic water dragon around Ishijima Hideyuki, charging toward Might Guy.
In front of the enormous water dragon, the 1.3-meter Might Guy appeared immensely small. The water dragon's head alone was several times larger than Might Guy.
But Might Guy's steps never faltered. He charged like a leopard, and the chakra aura on his body vaguely shaped into a leopard's head.
Rumble!!
A tremendous roar sounded, and tiny water droplets splattered in all directions as the dragon's head shattered, teeth broke, horns snapped, and the dragon's head deformed.
"This guy is a true monster," Kisame exclaimed, witnessing Might Guy's performance, wondering how he could still unleash such power after the battle.
"Can it work?" Kakashi, supporting himself on his arms, struggled to get up, eyes fixed intensely on Might Guy and Ishijima Hideyuki.
"Come on, Guy!" Obito maintained his breath, praying for Might Guy in his heart.
Finally, under everyone's gaze, in this struggle between the dragon and the leopard, the leopard crushed the dragon's head into pieces, shattering it completely.
By this time, Might Guy had already exhausted most of his strength, and the collision with the dragon's body sent him flying, breaking eight trees before he came to a stop.
"Why choose a painful death? Do you still fantasize about defeating me?" Ishijima Hideyuki smirked sarcastically.
Facing the taunt, Might Guy stood up again, his green tight-fitting suit now blood-stained red from excessive bleeding.
"In my youth, there is no such thing as giving up," Might Guy shouted, clenching his fists tightly.
With his companions either critically wounded or exhausted, Might Guy knew he couldn't fall now. If he did, no one would be left to confront Ishijima Hideyuki directly.
Might Guy took a deep breath, attempting to open the Eight Gates' Fourth Gate, the Injure Gate. Though his current training was far from sufficient to open the Injure Gate, he had previously used a breathing technique to forcibly open the Second Gate during a battle with a Hidden Cloud Jonin. He intended to replicate that feat, but this time forcefully open the Fourth Gate.
"Open!" Might Guy's eyes widened, fists clenched, and veins bulging on his arms as he used all his power to break through the Fourth Gate of the Eight Gates.
Whether due to the difficulty or because operations beyond the Third Gate were impossible, Might Guy failed.
Bam!
Ishijima Hideyuki used Water Instant Body to appear beside Might Guy, kicking him away unexpectedly.
"Your decision won't change the outcome, whether you give up or persist," Ishijima Hideyuki said blandly.
Ishijima Hideyuki then continued his advantage, effortlessly knocking down the obstructing Shiranui Genma and Ebisu.
Shiranui Genma was filled with frustration. Whether victory or defeat, it seemed irrelevant to him as his strength was far below Kakashi and the others.
Ebisu felt the same way. For the first time, he desired strength not for status, power, or money. He had never felt so powerless, only able to watch his companions get injured without being able to help.
Might Guy stood up again, desperately maintaining the Breath of Rock to battle Ishijima Hideyuki.
But the gap in strength wasn't something mere willpower could bridge. Struggling, Might Guy fell once more.
Watching Might Guy fall and rise repeatedly, and seeing Ishijima Hideyuki mock their persistence, the fire in Obito's heart burned increasingly fiercely. Unconsciously, there was a subtle change in his breathing.
"Breath of Flame, Full Concentration!" Once able to move, Obito immediately activated the Sharingan and charged forward, swinging a fist filled with furious flames toward Ishijima Hideyuki.
Perhaps due to overwhelming anger numbing his pain, or for some other reason, Obito felt no burn despite wrapping his fist in intense flames without a chakra barrier.
However, Ishijima Hideyuki had been focusing on Obito, so he immediately noticed Obito's move, sidestepping to avoid the attack and swinging a short blade toward Obito.
Obito's Sharingan predicted Ishijima Hideyuki's movements, realizing this strike wouldn't kill him. Hence, he allowed the short blade to slice across his chest, while his left fist struck fiercely with even more intense flames at Ishijima Hideyuki's abdomen.
Ishijima Hideyuki stepped back a few paces, frowning slightly at the intense burning sensation, using Water Attribute Chakra Nature Changes in his hand to extinguish the flames with a water stream, although the burning pain didn't vanish immediately.
After a successful strike, Obito did not become complacent, instead pondering a strategy. If the conflict continued with both sides suffering damage, he would fall first.
Yet, Ishijima Hideyuki gave Obito no time to think, immediately advancing and engaging Obito once more, leaving several new wounds on him.
"They're still struggling..." Watching unable to move due to injuries, Nara Shiomizu conceived a bold idea.
As fellow Konoha Ninjas, Nara Shiomizu didn't want to lag too far behind in this area.
Nara Shiomizu shared his plan with Inuzuka Midori and Aburame Naoya. Both nodded in agreement, deciding to make one last effort.
"Even in death, Midori chooses to die with dignity." Inuzuka Midori endured the pain, using Beast Mimicry Ninpo to crouch on the ground.