A Different Kind of Family Bond

At Hashirama Senju's home in Konohagakure.

As Mito Uzumaki finished speaking, Takenaka Kaguya said somewhat sheepishly, "Mito, Lord Hokage is flattering me. When I fought him, he probably hadn't even used half his strength.

If he hadn't deliberately let me go back then, I'd probably have 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 strong as you.

He even said that if you were given a few more years, you would surely possess strength comparable to his.

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

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

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

After their last fight, he had estimated that Hashirama Senju had only just begun using his major techniques. He still had many more powerful moves he hadn't unleashed.

Therefore, he did not think himself worthy of such high praise.

In his view, it would already be quite good if he could fight Hashirama Senju fairly and openly before his battle with Madara Uchiha 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 is flattering me. I do believe that one day I can reach Lord Hokage's level, but I still need time to grow," Takenaka Kaguya said modestly.

"Hehe, Takenaka, having strength like yours at your age is already very impressive.

By the way, there's something I want to ask you. Did you leave Kirigakure and move to Half-Moon Island, which isn't far from Uzushiogakure?" Mito Uzumaki chuckled, offering Takenaka a word of comfort before asking.

"Hm?"

Takenaka Kaguya was somewhat surprised. He had not expected Mito Uzumaki, who lived all the way in Konohagakure, to know that he and Yuko Kaguya had only been living on Half-Moon Island for a month.

"Yes, Mito. I live on Half-Moon Island now." After thinking it over, Takenaka Kaguya answered truthfully.

"Ah? It was true?"

Mito Uzumaki was greatly surprised. She had initially thought the information was false. After all, not only in the Land of Water, but on battlefields across all the major nations, Takenaka Kaguya's name was well known.

Especially after he had fought both Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, the two legendary ninja of the Shinobi World, on the Land of Fire battlefield and still 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, the First Mizukage of Kirigakure. 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 remain on the outside. Right after establishing Kirigakure, they had allowed him to leave and settle instead on Half-Moon Island at the border of the Land of Water.

"Mito, you seem very surprised," Takenaka Kaguya said, finding her expression rather amusing.

Before his transmigration, when he watched Naruto, Mito Uzumaki had mostly appeared through flashbacks. Still, it was clear that Mito Uzumaki, who became 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 steadied Konohagakure.

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

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

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

Takenaka, why don't you come live in Konoha? With your sister here to take care of you, I'm sure it would be better than living on Half-Moon Island." Mito Uzumaki said, her face showing indignation on Takenaka Kaguya's behalf.

Takenaka Kaguya froze again at her words, then studied Mito Uzumaki's face for a while.

However, moments later, under the cover of Observation Haki, he discovered that Mito Uzumaki was sincerely speaking from her heart and was not hiding any schemes.

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

"Phew!"

After letting out a light breath, he smiled and thanked her. "Thank you, Mito, but I'll pass on moving to Konoha.

My aunt and I live on Half-Moon Island now. It's quiet, and I think it's very nice.

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

And Mito, you don't need to feel it isn't worth it for me. I never cared much for power in the first place. Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken my aunt to Half-Moon Island to stay away from Kirigakure."

As his words fell, Mito Uzumaki nodded to show that she understood.

Although she truly felt Kirigakure had gone too far, considering Takenaka Kaguya's military 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 at all, and still possessed such a mindset. This only made Mito Uzumaki like him even more.

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

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

"Hahaha, then thank you, Mito." Takenaka Kaguya laughed heartily, a genuine 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 cook.

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

Originally, he had only agreed to come because he admired the characters from the original Naruto story. Yet during their 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, whom he had lived with since childhood in the Kaguya Clan.

Although Yuko Kaguya treated him well, the Kaguya Clan's coldness seemed to be ingrained in their bones.

On the contrary, 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. Immediately afterward, Hashirama Senju walked in. Since Takenaka Kaguya was sitting in the courtyard watching the sunset, their eyes met at once. Hashirama Senju strode over quickly and laughed. "Hahaha, I'm back late. Takenaka, welcome to my home as a guest!"