Takenaka's Ruthlessness, Byakuren's Warning

"Thank you for your help, Lord Mizukage. I want these people's lives!"

Land of Water, Kirigakure, Mizukage's office.

Hearing Takenaka's murderous words, Byakuren swallowed the persuasion that had reached his lips.

As the Mizukage, Byakuren knew the reason perfectly well. Those people had never intended to spare Takenaka's life. If not for the boy's formidable strength, he would likely have died.

"Fine, but only those on the list in this scroll. If you implicate anyone else, even this old man may not be able to protect you." Byakuren nodded and offered a reminder.

Takenaka smiled and nodded at those words. Then, with a Body Flicker Technique, he vanished at once.

Time returned to an hour later.

After Takenaka had dealt with everyone on the list, a relaxed smile appeared on his face.

"Wherever there are people, there will be conflict. Tell me, why did you have to provoke me? If there truly is a next life, I hope you'll be smarter."

After saying that, Takenaka rose from the pile of corpses, then dragged over the bodies scattered elsewhere and stacked them together.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The next instant, he formed hand seals with both hands and used the Great Fireball Technique, directly setting the corpses ablaze.

More than an hour later, after every corpse had been burned to ash, he used Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique to wash the ashes on the ground into the sea. Only then did he turn and leave.

Meanwhile, in the Mizukage's office.

Byakuren stood with a frown, gazing at the distant sea, his thoughts unknown.

Suddenly, a respectful voice came from outside the door. "Lord Mizukage!"

"Come in," Byakuren said casually without turning around.

Soon, the office door opened, and a tall young man entered. He bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Mizukage, the matter on Liehu Island has been settled. Everyone on the list in the scroll you gave Takenaka Kaguya has been executed by Takenaka Kaguya.

"Furthermore, after killing them, for some unknown reason, Takenaka Kaguya piled all their bodies together, reduced them to ashes with Fire Release Ninjutsu, then used the Great Waterfall Technique to wash their ashes into the sea."

When he finished speaking, surprise appeared on Byakuren's face.

He looked at the young man and smiled bitterly. "I didn't expect that boy Takenaka to hold such a grudge. He killed them, yet he still washed their ashes into the sea. He is truly ruthless.

"Gengetsu, if you deal with him in the future, remember not to offend him.

"The scouts I sent out reported that before Takenaka Kaguya left the Land of Fire battlefield, he had fought both Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, the two great powerhouses of the Land of Fire.

"I know those two men's Shili very well. The fact that Takenaka Kaguya returned alive from their hands proves that his Shili is no weaker than mine. He may even be stronger than I am."

At this point, a trace of worry flashed through Byakuren's eyes.

Given Takenaka Kaguya's achievements, he was actually qualified to become Kirigakure's Mizukage. However, the Kaguya Clan had always been aloof and simple-minded. They only knew how to fight bravely and kill enemies, not how to vie for power and profit.

As a result, Takenaka Kaguya had no great clan supporting him and no nobles backing him. That was why Byakuren had successfully taken the position of Kirigakure's First Mizukage with the support of the majority.

If Byakuren remained alive, then with his prestige, the position of Second Mizukage of Kirigakure could be peacefully handed over to Hozuki Gengetsu. In the future, Hozuki Gengetsu would also be able to protect Byakuren's Yuki Clan.

But if something happened to him, the position of Second Mizukage might not safely fall into Hozuki Gengetsu's hands.

After thinking for a moment, Byakuren looked earnestly at Hozuki Gengetsu and said, "Gengetsu, you are this old man's most outstanding disciple. Whether in Shili or wisdom, you are among the best.

"However, you must understand that Takenaka Kaguya possesses Shili comparable to mine despite being so young. In a few years, he will surely become the strongest Ninja in our Land of Water.

"Therefore, if you wish to steadily inherit the position of Mizukage from this old man, the best method is to befriend him without holding anything back.

"As long as you have his support, nothing will stand in the way of your becoming Kirigakure's Second Mizukage."

At the side, Hozuki Gengetsu frowned slightly.

But when he recalled what he had personally witnessed on Liehu Island, he agreed with Byakuren's words.

Still, he worried that Takenaka Kaguya might compete with him for the Mizukage's position. Thus, Hozuki Gengetsu asked with concern, "Thank you, Teacher, for considering your disciple's future. But what if Takenaka Kaguya intends to contend for the position of Second Mizukage?

"Should this disciple find an opportunity to kill him?"

As he spoke, killing intent flashed through Hozuki Gengetsu's eyes.

However, Byakuren was an old and shrewd man. He saw the killing intent hidden within Hozuki Gengetsu at a glance, immediately waved his hand, and smiled. "You brat, having lived to this age, this old man is still very confident in his judgment of people.

"Rest assured. This old man tested him. He has no interest whatsoever in power, and he is a complete cultivation fanatic. Otherwise, why would this old man have let you befriend him?"

Hozuki Gengetsu had followed Byakuren since he was in his teens, so he trusted Byakuren's confidence. He clasped his hands and said, "Yes, this disciple understands. Thank you, Teacher, for making plans for me."

Seeing Hozuki Gengetsu agree so readily, Byakuren chuckled. "It is good that you understand this old man's painstaking intentions.

"Very well. Since you are here, someone from the Land of Fire has sent an invitation. They say that, in Konohagakure of the Land of Fire, they will gather the Kage and leaders of hidden villages from countries large and small throughout the Shinobi World for a conference.

"The date is one month from now. During this time, arrange the matters in your hands. When the time comes, you and Takenaka Kaguya will serve as this old man's guards, and we shall go witness this grand gathering together."

"Yes, Teacher. This disciple will make the arrangements," Hozuki Gengetsu said with a respectful bow.

"Mm. Oh, right, you have returned, but where is Takenaka Kaguya? Why hasn't he returned?" Byakuren nodded, then suddenly remembered that he had yet to tell Takenaka about serving as a guard, so he asked.

"After dealing with those people's bodies, he returned to the Kaguya Clan. If Teacher wishes to see him, this disciple can personally make a trip to the Kaguya Clan grounds now," Hozuki Gengetsu said, clasping his hands.

"There is no need. There is still enough time, and this old man has many matters to handle. We can tell him about it when he comes to see this old man," Byakuren said after thinking it over, waving his hand.

"Yes. Then this disciple shall take his leave."