"Water Release: Round Mirror Jutsu!"
The Third Mizukage waved his hand, creating a giant water mirror.
Rasa's Golden Sand collided with the water mirror, which rapidly underwent form transformation, ultimately trapping all the Golden Sand within it, perfectly blocking it.
At this moment, Mokgetsu and the Third Raikage each retreated several steps, temporarily creating some distance.
"Mizukage, you traitor!" Rasa paused momentarily, then glared at the Third Mizukage in anger.
Undoubtedly, the Mizukage had betrayed them.
"I simply can't stand your wicked deeds of the strong bullying the weak." The Third Mizukage proclaimed righteously.
Though it was a backstab for profit, this kind of thing is better understood internally; outwardly, one must still save face.
Onoki, who had gathered his Dust Release, frowned deeply; this was unexpected.
Though The Hidden Mist Village is not on the mainland, it has been seeking mainland interests, so logically it shouldn't let the opportunity to weaken the mainland's hegemon, Konoha, slip by.
Moreover, didn't The Hidden Mist suffer many losses at the hands of Konoha? With such a good chance for revenge, shouldn't it seize the opportunity for retribution?
Onoki couldn't quite comprehend The Hidden Mist Village's choice.
This is the information gap.
If Onoki had known that Konoha had captured over a thousand Hidden Mist members, including Karatachi Yagura, he would never have dared to ally with The Hidden Mist Village.
But reality doesn't allow any "ifs." Even The Hidden Mist Village only learned of this information when Konoha approached them, let alone The Hidden Rock Village.
"Damn, if Mizukage has betrayed us..." Onoki's face changed dramatically upon realizing something.
If the Third Mizukage is a traitor, then Konoha must have long been aware of their ambush plan.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Wearing combat attire, Sarutobi Hiruzen took out giant shuriken from a scroll, then jumped up and hurled them at Onoki in the sky.
Whizz, whizz, whizz!!
The giant shuriken split rapidly in flight—doubling and redoubling—instantly blocking all of Onoki's escape routes.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
Onoki could only use the prepared Dust Release meant to attack Mokgetsu for defense, sweeping the incoming giant shuriken with Dust Release.
"Third Hokage-sama!" Many Konoha Ninja shouted joyfully.
Though they trust the Wood Release Ninja, Mokgetsu is ultimately just a young man still needing growth, while Sarutobi Hiruzen has been protecting Konoha for a long time as Hokage.
The Konoha Ninja still have great faith in Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage who succeeded in protecting Konoha during peril.
"You shameless old red-nosed man, conspiring with three Kage to assassinate a junior!" Sarutobi Hiruzen scolded harshly.
The Third Mizukage had revealed all the information to him, so he knew that it was Onoki who spearheaded the ambush plan.
Onoki's face turned grim, not from being cursed by Sarutobi Hiruzen, but because he realized the strong likelihood that Mokgetsu wouldn't be killed today.
With the Third Mizukage's betrayal and Sarutobi Hiruzen's personal involvement, their number of strong fighters does not give them an advantage.
"Everyone, whatever your ulterior motives, this is our last chance. If we don't stop Habu Mokgetsu here, we won't have another opportunity!" Onoki shouted from above Rasa and the others.
At this stage, Onoki could not easily give up.
Due to the Third Mizukage's backstab, future alliances would be even more challenging; this is the last opportunity to kill Mokgetsu.
In the future, it won't be a matter of low probability; killing Mokgetsu will be impossible.
Right here and now, they not only have an army with numerical advantage but also elite forces arriving soon—the outcome is still uncertain.
During the meeting, Onoki did not specify how many ninja each side needed to lead, just that each should lead a team of elite forces.
Onoki is very clear about his role: he's not an alliance leader without the qualification to command; he's just a coordinator, organizing the collective ambush on Mokgetsu.
Therefore, even Onoki himself is unaware of their collective strength.
The organizer himself doesn't know; naturally, neither would the mole. Next, it's a matter of who has stronger raw power.
Whoosh, whoosh!!
As soon as Onoki finished speaking, hundreds of ninjas in Hidden Rock uniforms rushed to the battlefield.
These were Onoki's chosen elites, prepared specifically for ambushing Mokgetsu.
Half a second hadn't passed when a group of dark-skinned Hidden Cloud Ninja also charged forward, each sporting muscular builds and emanating a fierce aura, appearing quite formidable.
"Raikage-sama!" The Hidden Cloud Ninja stood behind the Third Raikage, swiftly drawing weapons and staring at Mokgetsu.
They knew they had only one mission today: to kill Mokgetsu.
"Fourth!"
Groups of Hidden Sand Ninja soon gathered near Rasa.
"Looks like today will be a tough battle." Nara Shikaku sighed as he brought a large group of Konoha Ninja to the battlefield.
"Five Kage gathering on one battlefield; there hasn't been such a battle in history," Uchiha Fugaku nodded in agreement.
To ensure Mokgetsu's safety and severely damage the Three Great Ninja Villages, Sarutobi Hiruzen mobilized Konoha's elites to the extent possible.
Most of the Jonin from various Konoha clans were present on this battlefield.
Even the Police Squad responsible for Konoha's security was brought to the battlefield by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Sorry, Third Hokage-sama."
Karatachi Yagura brought a large number of Hidden Mist to the battlefield, slightly bowing beside the Third Mizukage.
With sufficient sincerity from The Hidden Mist and Karatachi Yagura being an invaluable high-level combatant, Konoha released Karatachi Yagura early.