A Different Kind of Family Love (Second Update)

Konohagakure, Hashirama Senju's home.

As Mito Uzumaki's voice faded, Takenaka Kaguya said somewhat embarrassedly, "Sister Mito, Lord Hokage praises me too highly. When I fought him, he probably hadn't even used half his strength.

If he hadn't deliberately let me go back then, I would have probably died on the battlefield."

"Hehe, Takenaka, don't be so modest.

Hashirama told me that when he and Madara were your age, they weren't nearly as formidable as you.

And he said that in a few more years, you would definitely possess strength comparable to his.

Come to think of it, this is the first time I've heard Hashirama give such high praise to anyone other than Madara." Mito Uzumaki said with a smile.

As she spoke, she observed Takenaka Kaguya's expression.

Across from her, Takenaka Kaguya gave a wry smile. He truly hadn't expected Hashirama Senju to think so highly of him. It was rather surprising.

After their last battle, he had estimated that Hashirama Senju had only just begun using his major techniques and still had many more unrevealed.

Therefore, he did not believe he deserved such high praise.

In his view, it would already be quite good if he could fight Hashirama Senju head-on before he and Madara Uchiha battled at the Valley of the End.

Although his strength was indeed improving, there was still quite a gap between him and Hashirama Senju.

"Lord Hokage praises me too highly. While I am confident that I can one day reach Lord Hokage's level, I still need time to develop," Takenaka Kaguya said modestly.

"Hehe, Takenaka, having such strength at your age is already remarkable.

By the way, there is something I wanted to ask. Did you leave Kirigakure and move to Half-Moon Island, not far from our Uzushiogakure?" Mito Uzumaki chuckled, offering Takenaka a word of comfort before asking again.

"Hmm?"

Takenaka Kaguya was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Mito Uzumaki, living all the way in Konohagakure, to know that he and Yuko Kaguya had moved to Half-Moon Island only a month ago.

"Yes, Sister Mito. I live on Half-Moon Island now," Takenaka Kaguya said truthfully after thinking it over.

"Ah? It's actually true?"

Across from him, Mito Uzumaki was greatly surprised. She had initially thought the information was false. After all, Takenaka Kaguya's name was famous not only in the Land of Water, but across the battlefields of every major nation.

Especially after he had fought two legendary Ninja of the Shinobi World, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, on the Land of Fire's battlefield and emerged unscathed, Takenaka Kaguya's name had spread throughout the entire Shinobi World.

Moreover, everyone knew that in terms of military achievements and strength, Takenaka Kaguya was comparable to Byakuren, Kirigakure's First Mizukage. The only reason he had not become Kirigakure's First Mizukage was because he was too young.

Yet Mito Uzumaki truly had not expected Kirigakure to let a powerhouse like Takenaka Kaguya drift away. They had only just established Kirigakure, yet they had allowed him to leave and settle on Half-Moon Island at the border of the Land of Water.

"Sister Mito seems quite surprised," Takenaka Kaguya said, finding Mito Uzumaki's expression rather amusing.

Before transmigrating, when he had watched Naruto, most of Mito Uzumaki's appearances had been through flashbacks. Even so, it was clear that Mito Uzumaki, who had become the first Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, was truly formidable.

It could be said that after Madara Uchiha left Konoha and the First and Second Hokage, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, passed away, Mito Uzumaki became the pillar that held Konohagakure steady.

Compared to her image in the original work, the Mito Uzumaki before him felt far more approachable.

"Yes, I am quite surprised. When I heard this information some time ago, I thought it was false.

I never expected that after making such great contributions to the Land of Water, they would treat you this way.

Takenaka, why not come live in Konoha? With me, your sister, looking after you, I am sure it would be better than living on Half-Moon Island." Mito Uzumaki said, her face showing indignation on Takenaka Kaguya's behalf.

Hearing this, Takenaka Kaguya froze again and then studied Mito Uzumaki's face for a while.

However, a moment later, under the cover of Observation Haki, he discovered that Mito Uzumaki was sincere from the bottom of her heart and had no hidden schemes.

For a moment, Takenaka Kaguya felt touched at being understood.

"Phew!"

After letting out a soft breath, he smiled and thanked her. "Thank you, Sister Mito, but I'll pass on coming to live in Konoha.

My aunt and I are living on Half-Moon Island now. It's peaceful there, and I find it quite nice.

Every day, I train and improve my strength, then talk and eat with my aunt. I think this kind of life is very good.

And Sister Mito, there is no need to feel that it is unfair for me. I never had much interest in power to begin with. Otherwise, I would not have taken my aunt to Half-Moon Island to stay away from Kirigakure."

As his words fell, Mito Uzumaki nodded in understanding.

Although she truly felt that Kirigakure had gone too far, given Takenaka Kaguya's achievements and strength, even if he could not become the First Mizukage, he should at least have become one of Kirigakure's high-ranking leaders.

Yet Takenaka Kaguya had gained nothing and could still maintain such a mindset. This made Mito Uzumaki like him even more.

"Then all right. Takenaka, if you are ever unhappy in the Land of Water in the future, come to Konoha and find your sister.

If anyone dares bully you, tell me. I'll have Hashirama teach them a lesson." Mito Uzumaki nodded and said adorably.

"Hahaha, then thank you, Sister Mito." Takenaka Kaguya laughed heartily, a sincere smile appearing on his face.

The two chatted for a while. Mito Uzumaki glanced at the sun outside, then had Takenaka Kaguya rest for a bit while she went to prepare dinner.

As the sun set, everything was quiet and peaceful. This rare time of relaxation truly warmed Takenaka Kaguya's heart.

Originally, he had agreed to come here only because he admired the characters from the original Naruto story. Yet as they spent time together, he discovered that he felt a long-lost familial affection from Mito Uzumaki.

Yes, familial affection. It was something he could not feel from Yuko Kaguya, with whom he had lived since childhood in the Kaguya Clan.

Although Yuko Kaguya treated him well, the coldness of the Kaguya Clan seemed ingrained in their bones.

Instead, from Mito Uzumaki, whom he had only known for a short time, he felt a different kind of warmth after acknowledging her as his sister.

Suddenly, the courtyard gate was opened from outside. Hashirama Senju then walked in. Since Takenaka Kaguya was sitting in the courtyard watching the sunset, their eyes met at once. Hashirama Senju hurried over while laughing heartily. "Hahaha, I'm back late. Takenaka, welcome to my home!"