Outside Kirigakure.
As Hozuki Gengetsu's voice faded, Byakuren's face flushed and paled in turns. He looked at Hozuki Gengetsu with a hint of disappointment, falling silent for a long moment before finally speaking, "Gengetsu, since when did your heart become so narrow that you could no longer tolerate others?"
"Master, this disciple once heard that if a threat is not eliminated, it will ultimately become a calamity.
This disciple is not unable to accommodate Takenaka Kaguya; it is simply that his shili terrifies this disciple too much.
In recent years, the achievements Takenaka Kaguya has made on various battlefields are things that even a prestigious and powerful Kage-level expert like you, Master, cannot suppress.
If not for the backing of the Daimyo behind us, along with the support of the nobles of the Land of Water and various large and small ninja clans, I am afraid that even you, Master, might not have necessarily won when competing with him for the position of the First Mizukage, right?
And now, Takenaka Kaguya is only thirteen years old. A thirteen-year-old Kage-level expert means that for the next few decades, as long as he suffers no accidents, no one—including you, the Mizukage—will be able to command him.
Not to mention, this disciple lacks sufficient prestige. While you are here, you can naturally suppress Takenaka Kaguya, but once you, Master... this disciple has no confidence in being able to keep him in check.
Instead of that, it is better to take this opportunity to drive him away directly." An unnatural look appeared on Hozuki Gengetsu's face, but then he looked firmly at Byakuren and explained.
"I see, so this is your reason?"
Byakuren felt somewhat disappointed. Hozuki Gengetsu could be said to be the successor he had nurtured with all his effort, and Takenaka was the greatest trump card Byakuren had prepared to leave for him.
It was just a pity that after listening to Hozuki Gengetsu's explanation, Byakuren understood in his heart that his disciple's mind was made up.
"Sigh, Gengetsu, I hope you will not regret this in the future. Originally, according to my plan, Takenaka Kaguya was to become a guardian deity of the Land of Water comparable to Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.
Even if you cannot suppress him in the future, as long as he remains in the Land of Water, once war breaks out between the nations again, with him present, our Land of Water and Kirigakure will possess the presence of a calming sea-needle. We can sit back and watch other countries fight to the death while we calmly reap the profits from the middle.
Yet now, you are pushing away the top-tier expert I left for you. Heh, Gengetsu, oh Gengetsu, I do not even know how to evaluate whether you are overly shrewd or utterly foolish," Byakuren said with a heavy sigh.
He could somewhat understand why Hozuki Gengetsu had done this, but in his heart, disappointment was ultimately unavoidable.
Opposite him, upon hearing Byakuren finish these words, Hozuki Gengetsu felt no ripples in his heart.
In his view, a super-expert like Takenaka was simply not someone he could suppress. Furthermore, an expert who obeyed orders but refused allegiance still required careful handling; rather than that, it was better not to have him at all.
"Master, although this disciple does not know whether what I have done is right or wrong, up until now, this disciple does not regret anything I have done," Hozuki Gengetsu stubbornly nodded and said.
"Sigh!"
Looking at Hozuki Gengetsu with his resolute expression, Byakuren sighed once more. Then, shaking his head, he said, "My teaching of you is still not enough. Once this matter is dealt with, you will follow closely by my side to learn.
In addition, as for Elder Genji, you had best not reveal any flaws. Otherwise, given Elder Genji's support for Takenaka Kaguya, I am afraid you will face tremendous difficulty in successfully taking over the position of the Second Mizukage from my hands."
"Thank you, Master; this disciple understands."
Hearing Byakuren mention Genji, Hozuki Gengetsu's expression shifted slightly. Although Byakuren was in power and could easily suppress Genji, that elder possessed authority equal to the Mizukage.
If Genji truly learned that for the sake of the Second Mizukage position, he had forced away a gifted young genius and expert like Takenaka Kaguya, who was quietly becoming the strongest in the Land of Water, that fellow would likely cause real trouble for him.
It was precisely because too many people had supported Byakuren initially, coupled with the fact that Byakuren had once saved the life of the Daimyo of the Land of Water, that Genji and those who supported Takenaka had not succeeded.
Thinking of this, while feeling a sense of fortune, Hozuki Gengetsu also felt lingering fear.
Beside him, observing the lingering fear on Hozuki Gengetsu's face, Byakuren sighed and said, "Since matters have reached this point, it means that you and Takenaka Kaguya can no longer truly reconcile.
However, Gengetsu, for the sake of the peace and stability of the Land of Water, no matter what you think in your heart, you must not let Takenaka Kaguya just leave the Land of Water like this.
Otherwise, once he is recruited by other countries, it will pose a tremendous threat to our Land of Water and to Kirigakure.
Even future threats from Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha might not compare to him."
"Master, since that is the case, why not gather experts and kill him directly? Anyway, matters have already reached this point; killing him would end all troubles once and for all." A vicious look surfaced on Hozuki Gengetsu's face, the killing intent on his body unmasked.
However, hearing these words, the disappointment in Byakuren's eyes deepened. He shook his head and said in a somewhat cold voice, "Gengetsu, abandon this kind of unrealistic fantasy.
If Takenaka Kaguya were truly so easy to kill, you would likely have succeeded when you orchestrated those things behind the scenes previously, wouldn't you?
Hmph, even Gods of Shinobi like Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha could not keep him. Do you know that once the operation fails, I am afraid other nations will not even need to participate, for Takenaka Kaguya alone could heavily injure the foundations of our Land of Water."
Saying this, Byakuren no longer had the patience to say anything more to his disciple. The reason Byakuren had allowed those past actions directed at Takenaka was, firstly, that it truly removed an obstacle to his becoming the First Mizukage, and secondly, he also wanted to see just how far Takenaka Kaguya could reach.
Now, everything had become clear. Ever since Takenaka Kaguya returned safely and alive from the battlefield of the Land of Fire, it had proven that nothing could be done against him.
Yet he had not expected Hozuki Gengetsu to still be entertaining such ideas.
"Master, since you do not agree, what should we do now?" Hozuki Gengetsu asked with some unwillingness.
"Heh, what else can we do? He wants Half-Moon Island, so give it to him. That place is the intersection of our Land of Water, the Land of Whirlpools, and the Land of Fire. As long as he chooses not to betray us, it is equivalent to adding a barrier for our Land of Water and Kirigakure," Byakuren said with a cold snort.
With those words, Hozuki Gengetsu was silent for a moment before finally cupping his fists in a respectful bow and saying, "As expected of Master's wisdom."
"Let us go. Even if it is just putting on a show, we must play the part well.
Lastly, I will tell you only one more time: even if you cannot tolerate Takenaka Kaguya, do not stand on the opposite side of him. Otherwise, I have no confidence in what your future will hold."
Before you continue