Mokgetsu didn't even look back. Concentrating the Breath of Rock to strengthen both power and defense, he gathered Chakra at his right hand's index and middle fingers, slightly turned his body and extended his arm to precisely catch the incoming Kunai.
"Hmm?" Shimura Danzo's expression changed slightly, surprised at how quick Sosuke's reaction had been.
Woosh!!
Shimura Danzo exploded with Chakra to increase his strength, attempting to forcefully drive the Kunai into Sosuke's body.
The sudden burst of powerful Chakra caused a stream of air that blew Sosuke's hair and white robe upward, but to Shimura Danzo's astonishment, no matter how hard he tried, the Kunai could not advance even a millimeter.
"How can his strength be so powerful!" Shimura Danzo exerted himself to the point his foot pressed into the ground, yet still couldn't make the Kunai move forward.
Shimura Danzo failed in his surprise assault but did not panic, the place was full of his and Hanzo's ninjas, with even Uchiha Madara's ninjas lurking around, the operation was not likely to fail.
Swoosh swoosh!
Seeing Shimura Danzo make a move, the Root Ninjas disguised as Rain Ninjas dropped the act, each drawing their swords or pulling out Kunai, attacking Sosuke if they were closer to him, or Nagato if they were closer to him.
Crack!
As Mokgetsu strengthened his grip, the Kunai tightly held by Shimura Danzo directly snapped.
Bam!
Mokgetsu clenched his right fist and fiercely struck Shimura Danzo's abdomen, a dull sound of impact rang out, and Shimura Danzo was knocked flying ten meters away.
Bam bam bam!!
Immediately after, Mokgetsu's body moved rapidly, like a flash of lightning, swinging fists towards the incoming Root Ninjas, instantly sending all charging Root Ninjas flying, crashing to the ground.
Hanzo showed no surprise at this, looking calmly at Sosuke.
He had been expecting this all along; Sosuke's Taijutsu was even more powerful than his, and thanks to his warning, Sosuke was well-prepared, how could Shimura Danzo's surprise attack succeed?
"Hanzo, what are you waiting for!" Shimura Danzo's fury burned as he looked at Hanzo standing beside Sosuke, indifferent and unmoving.
Just when Sosuke blocked his surprise attack, if Hanzo had joined in, they could have easily killed Sosuke, yet Hanzo did nothing, like a dead man.
Shimura Danzo noticed the real Rain Ninjas just viewed the situation like Hanzo did, with no action taken.
Shimura Danzo couldn't comprehend what Hanzo intended; did he regret the plan and stop supporting it? Yet Hanzo hadn't acted against him.
Why wouldn't he attack Sosuke then? Shimura Danzo was confused.
"Waiting for the right timing to make a move." Hanzo responded calmly.
He wouldn't help Shimura Danzo fight Sosuke, nor would he aid Sosuke against Shimura Danzo; he'd wait quietly until Sosuke resolved the troubles with Konoha, then he'd act.
Shimura Danzo felt speechless hearing Hanzo's words; what timing could be better than now?
Nevertheless, Shimura Danzo now clearly understood one thing: Hanzo was unreliable, and killing Sosuke required him to rely on himself.
"Dare to betray me, after dealing with Sosuke, you'll suffer too." Shimura Danzo thought to himself.
Although Hanzo hadn't attacked him, in Shimura Danzo's mind, Hanzo's inaction against Sosuke was betrayal.
Shimura Danzo didn't immediately confront Hanzo, fearing aggressive words might make Hanzo turn around and help Sosuke.
Shimura Danzo was pleased with his constant efforts in enhancing his Wood Release, never slacking off since obtaining it.
"I shall become the second God of Ninjas!" Feeling his powerful Wood Release Chakra inside, excitement surged through Shimura Danzo's heart.
He was already a strong figure, now mastering potent Wood Release, his Chakra levels soaring to new heights, Shimura Danzo couldn't believe he couldn't defeat Sosuke.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Taking advantage of the Root Ninjas continuing their fierce attack on Sosuke, Shimura Danzo swiftly made Hand Seals, exploding with a vast amount of Chakra to use his strongest Wood Release.
Though he wanted to use Senju Hashirama's Wooden Human, his Wood Release was not yet that powerful.
Bang bang!!
Under the catalysis of mighty Wood Release Chakra, numerous trees burst from the ground and rapidly grew, the open space was about to turn into a forest.
This scene surprised all the ninjas on the field except Mokgetsu.
Currently, most village Kages had only reached the third generation, and it was only a few decades since Senju Hashirama dominated the Ninja World, the era generating the invincible God of Ninjas still lingers in the ninja world's memory, as does the God of Ninjas' unique Kekkei Genkai.
"He actually mastered Wood Release." Hanzo gazed towards Shimura Danzo, his eyes somewhat moved.
This was something Hanzo hadn't anticipated.
Konoha had unexpectedly produced a second Wood Release Ninja, and it was Shimura Danzo, a key figure within Konoha.
"Is this the legendary God of Ninjas' Wood Release? How strong!" The Rain Ninjas watched the ground becoming forest, their hearts filled with amazement.
Seeing everyone's surprised expressions, Shimura Danzo felt extremely pleased.
The only regret he had was that Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't there, unable to witness his majestic Wood Release demonstration.
Shimura Danzo didn't dwell on it; Hiruzen would eventually see it. The most crucial matter now was killing Sosuke and Nagato.
Under Shimura Danzo's control, all the trees extended their limbs and twisted their trunks to launch attacks on Sosuke and Nagato.
Nagato concentrated Chakra in his feet and made a sudden leap.
Meanwhile, the trees continued stretching their branches towards Nagato, trying to pull him back into the forest.
"Almighty Push!"