If we're going to assign blame, Mokgetsu must take some of it.
Because Mokgetsu knew everything, yet silently watched the events unfold without stopping them.
It wouldn't be difficult for Mokgetsu to prevent this event, he just had to not attend the meeting.
But that wouldn't solve the conflict, it would only delay the eruption. As long as the Ninja Sect keeps growing, it will inevitably clash with Hanzo's Rain Village, unless Hanzo joins the Ninja Sect.
However, based on Mokgetsu's understanding of Hanzo, that's unlikely. Hanzo has his own beliefs and pride; without extraordinary circumstances, he would never humble himself to join a force created by a junior.
Mokgetsu's current logic is actually similar to watching disciples fight against the Hidden Mist Jonin during the Chunin Examination.
He aims to train his disciples as much as possible when he can ensure there will be no accidents, but in the Land of Rain, there's the added aspect of training the Ninja Sect.
Since there's an unavoidable conflict, he plans to resolve it while maximizing benefits.
Mokgetsu believes that after this event, Yahiko and the others will become more mature, and the entire Ninja Sect will undergo a transformation.
Under Mokgetsu's protection, the Ninja Sect has always gone smoothly, never encountering setbacks, leading some Ninja Sect ninjas to become overly optimistic.
Whish!
Hanzo flung a sharp kunai in front of Mokgetsu.
"Sosuke, you are the founder and leader of the Ninja Sect. If you are willing to take your own life, I can spare the others," Hanzo said calmly.
Hanzo wanted to end this battle steadily, so he wouldn't miss any opportunity to reduce battle pressure.
Of course, even if Mokgetsu took his own life, Hanzo would not spare Nagato and the others, but it would save Hanzo a lot of effort.
Hanzo's words completely shattered Yahiko's admiration for Hanzo, leaving no trace.
The former Hanzo was a great ninja with noble ideals in Yahiko's mind, but now Hanzo was a sinister, treacherous scoundrel in Yahiko's eyes.
"Uncle Sosuke, you must not do as he says. We'll fight him," Yahiko said, gritting his teeth.
At this moment, he wanted nothing more than to rush up and punch Hanzo in the face twice.
Although Hanzo is strong, Yahiko believes they still have a chance. Even if Mokgetsu can't defeat Hanzo alone, with Kakuzu's help, they'll surely win. Moreover, their seven ninjas against two Rain Ninjas would be easy.
"Perhaps in the future, we can cooperate more with Hanzo." Watching Hanzo's actions, Shimura Danzo found them increasingly agreeable.
A ninja who gains victory by any means necessary is a true ninja. Shimura Danzo greatly admired the current Hanzo.
"I don't recommend you make such a choice, because it's a path to death," Hanzo said expressionlessly.
As soon as Hanzo finished speaking, a hundred elite Rain Ninjas ambushed in the mountains suddenly charged, looking down on Mokgetsu and the others.
Seeing the sudden appearance of Rain Ninjas, Yahiko was dumbfounded.
He truly didn't expect Hanzo to go to such lengths, with traps and an ambush of numerous ninjas, to deal with them.
Ike Masaya and Kakuzu were not surprised. Since it was Hanzo's plot, how could he have come with only two subordinates?
For a moment, Mokgetsu and the others seemed trapped in a desperate situation.
"I am the one among the Ninja Sect who has learned Uncle Sosuke's philosophy best; I'll die in his place," Yahiko said, grabbing the kunai on the ground.
If his death could exchange for Mokgetsu's and the others' safety, Yahiko would die without hesitation.
After all, the development of events had placed a great deal of responsibility on him; his admiration for Hanzo had led him to trust Hanzo too much.
"You are not qualified; only the leader, Sosuke, is qualified," Hanzo rejected Yahiko's proposal.
Among the eight present, only Kakuzu and Mokgetsu were worthy of Hanzo's notice; the others were mere seconds to kill in Hanzo's eyes, unworthy of attention.
"Sosuke-sensei, you absolutely must not commit suicide. Even if you do, Hanzo will never spare us," Ike Masaya said quickly, worried that Mokgetsu might act impulsively.
Ike Masaya didn't believe Hanzo's lies. To destroy the Ninja Sect, Hanzo used deception and ambushes; there was no way he would let the Ninja Sect members who walked into the trap go free.
Ike Masaya put himself in Hanzo's position and concluded that he would definitely choose to eliminate all traces, not only killing all the ninjas in the valley but also wiping out the Ninja Sect ninjas who hadn't come.
"Sosuke, although you are naive, you are not stupid. Don't make me look down on you," Kakuzu said mockingly, eyes fixed on Mokgetsu.
Kakuzu thought Mokgetsu, given his displayed wisdom, wouldn't commit suicide, but he couldn't guarantee it since Mokgetsu still came to this obviously conspired meeting.
"Ninja Master Sosuke, how will you break this stalemate?" Kitsuchi, observing from the side, thought with curiosity.
Kitsuchi imagined himself in this predicament and realized he would undoubtedly perish.
Even suicide would not save his companions from Hanzo, and without the option of suicide, a head-on fight would surely result in death. Whatever the choice, death awaited.