Hozuki Gengetsu's Little Scheme

"Mm, a small island called Half-Moon Island, just five kilometers from the Land of Whirlpools."

Inside the Mizukage's office in Kirigakure.

As Takenaka finished speaking, Byakuren's brow furrowed slightly.

Half-Moon Island was not large, covering only five square kilometers. However, it was still territory of the Land of Water. As Kirigakure's First Mizukage, Byakuren had the authority to grant it directly to Takenaka, but if others or other clans came asking him for islands in the future, should he agree or refuse?

After thinking for a moment, Byakuren looked at Takenaka and asked, "Takenaka, may this old man ask why you want Half-Moon Island?"

"Hehe, it's nothing much. I'm not afraid of Lord Byakuren laughing at me, but my aunt and I are homeless now, with nowhere to go. So we plan to live on Half-Moon Island and find a peaceful place to settle down." Takenaka chuckled and did not hide anything.

He then recounted what had happened in the Kaguya Clan's territory that morning. After hearing it all, Byakuren's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. When he glanced at Hozuki Gengetsu, anger even appeared on his face.

Byakuren was no fool. Unless something unexpected had happened, such a petty scheme had definitely been devised by his dear disciple.

However, Byakuren could not lash out now. Quickly coming up with a solution, he immediately said angrily, "This is utter nonsense! Is Motosawa Kaguya a pig? He's driving away a Kage-level expert like you, Takenaka?

"Like this, Takenaka. You and Miss Yuko wait here. This old man will personally go question Motosawa Kaguya and make sure you get justice."

As Byakuren spoke, the fury on his face was difficult to conceal as he prepared to head outside.

Seeing this, Hozuki Gengetsu also put on a righteous, indignant expression and followed him out.

Yet, watching the master and disciple make this move, Takenaka did not budge. He merely watched them leave with a calm smile.

"Takenaka, Lord Byakuren and the others..."

However, barely a dozen seconds after Byakuren and Hozuki Gengetsu left the Mizukage's office, Yuko Kaguya was about to persuade Takenaka to call them back when he directly cut her off with a wave of his hand.

Meeting Yuko Kaguya's puzzled gaze, Takenaka's face turned cold. He then said to her with a grave expression, "Aunt, haven't you seen through it even now? What happened this morning was clearly ordered by that Hozuki Gengetsu who just went out.

"Otherwise, would that useless Motosawa Kaguya dare come to our home early in the morning to cause trouble when he knew I was there?

"Hehe, Aunt, tell me, isn't a house a house no matter who lives in it?

"It has been years since Uncle passed away. No one in the clan had dared say they wanted to reclaim that house, yet they came to take it back precisely while I was home?"

Upon hearing this, Yuko Kaguya was no fool either. Thinking of certain rumors that had circulated through the village before, she understood.

Clearly, Byakuren had secured the position of Mizukage over Takenaka through the support of many clans and the Daimyo.

As for Hozuki Gengetsu, the Mizukage's assistant, his strength and military achievements were nowhere near those of the battle-hardened Takenaka.

Thus, he feared Takenaka's strength, but he also feared that using other methods would drive Takenaka into slaughter.

The hidden village had only just been established. At such a time, forcing a Kage-level expert like Takenaka into rebellion was something that even Byakuren could not simply ignore, no matter that he had once saved the Daimyo of the Land of Water's life.

Therefore, using such disgusting methods to directly force Takenaka away was the best course of action.

And just now, the flash of anger in Byakuren's gaze toward Hozuki Gengetsu was enough to show that Byakuren had also realized Hozuki Gengetsu was behind this. That was why he had first moved to placate Takenaka.

"Then what should we do now? Lord Byakuren is Hozuki Gengetsu's teacher, so he must favor Hozuki Gengetsu in his heart." Yuko Kaguya spoke worriedly.

However, Takenaka smiled faintly at those words. "Aunt, there's no need to worry. Since they want to put on a show, we'll just watch it properly.

"The stage has already been set. If the two of us spectators aren't there, wouldn't we be letting them down?

"Just wait, Aunt. Have some water. After all, we're not the ones who should be anxious now.

"At worst, if there's no place for us here, there will be somewhere else. Among the nations of the Shinobi World today, plenty lack high-level combat power. We needn't worry about having nowhere to live."

As his words fell, Yuko Kaguya's anxious heart suddenly calmed. Looking at her nephew, she suddenly felt a little dazed.

"Takenaka, you've truly grown up."

Meanwhile, on the road to the Kaguya Clan's territory, Byakuren walked alone in front. He did not stop until they had left Kirigakure's gates.

He then looked at his guards and said, "Stand watch around the area. This old man has a few words to say to Gengetsu."

"Yes!"

In an instant, several guards vanished using the Body Flicker Technique and took up positions around them.

"Teacher, what is it?" Hozuki Gengetsu found it somewhat strange. Why had Byakuren suddenly stopped when they had been walking perfectly well?

However, at that moment, Byakuren flashed forward and instantly appeared before Hozuki Gengetsu. With a slap, he struck Hozuki Gengetsu across the face.

"Teacher, why did you..."

Before he could finish, Byakuren snarled at him in a low voice, "This old man warned you only yesterday that you cannot offend Takenaka Kaguya. Not only that, you must befriend him. If you befriend him, you can smoothly succeed this old man's position. Why wouldn't you listen? Why insist on secretly pulling these underhanded little tricks?"

At those words, a trace of panic flashed across Hozuki Gengetsu's face. Yet it did not linger for long. He immediately looked at Byakuren and explained, "Teacher, it is not that this disciple wished to engage in such little tricks. It is simply that Takenaka Kaguya is too terrifying.

"Do you know? Last night, this disciple received news from the Land of Fire. It said that both Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, the two legendary figures of the Shinobi World, believed that if Takenaka Kaguya were given ten years, he would be able to stand at the same height as them.

"Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, and Madara Uchiha, another legendary ninja—both are incomparably proud men. If they had not seen Takenaka Kaguya's potential, they would never have said such things.

"Therefore, Teacher, in this disciple's view, rather than befriending Takenaka Kaguya as you instructed, it would be better to force him away directly.

"After all, the war has ended. As long as Takenaka Kaguya leaves the Land of Water, with your support, Teacher, and the strength of the clans supporting us, this disciple can still safely inherit the position of Second Mizukage from you."