Hozuki Shingetsu hadn't expected the Water Release Chakra Mode to have a chance of being completed before Sage Mode was even within reach.
He'd originally planned to use the news of Whirlpool Entry spreading as an opportunity to undermine Konoha's credibility. Then, during the Second Shinobi World War, he could exploit the resulting opening to poach the Tsuchigumo Clan and use his Golden Finger to obtain a ticket to Sage Mode.
But now, it seemed he could put that plan off for a while.
The main reason was that, judging by what had happened at Uzushio Village, simply damaging Konoha's credibility might shake people's trust in the village, but unless they were facing a life-or-death situation, they still wouldn't be interested in joining Kirigakure.
And he couldn't find some sucker to go after the Tsuchigumo Clan, the way he'd stirred the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth into targeting the Uzumaki Clan. No one was stupid enough to fall for that again, and besides, the Tsuchigumo Clan had no worthwhile target.
So he could only wait for the Second Shinobi World War to begin before making his move.
For now, his priorities were figuring out how to deal with Ren, using Blue B to train in Water Release Chakra Mode, and preparing for the trip to the Capital of the Land of Water next month.
After giving Blue B a quick bandage to keep him from dying, they had no time to rest. They headed back through the night and rejoined the main force at Uzushio Village.
Once they reached Uzushio Village, Hozuki Shingetsu learned that Uzumaki Takumi had died sealing the Five-Tails.
"What a shame!"
Hozuki Shingetsu shook his head sadly. Objectively speaking, he'd rather liked the old man, Uzumaki Takumi. Despite all the twists and turns