In Konohagakure, inside Hashirama Senju's study.
As Takenaka Kaguya finished speaking, Hashirama Senju seemed to let out a sigh of relief. Then he burst into hearty laughter. "I see, hahaha..."
Though he did not know why Hashirama Senju reacted this way, Takenaka Kaguya had merely spoken his true thoughts.
He had no desire for power and naturally would not do such a thing. Besides, he did not have many ties to this world. As long as he lived comfortably, nothing else mattered.
If no one provoked him, he would not provoke anyone!
After a while, Hashirama Senju finally stopped laughing. He then looked at Takenaka Kaguya and said somewhat inexplicably, "Takenaka, although I don't know what you've been through, it seems to me that you don't quite fit into this world.
If, and I mean if, one day you have nowhere to go, you can come live in Konoha. You will always be welcome here."
Takenaka Kaguya did not understand why Hashirama Senju would say such a thing either, but he nodded and thanked him. "Thank you. If that day truly comes, I will come to Konoha."
As soon as he finished speaking, Mito Uzumaki's voice came from outside the study, telling them they could wash their hands and eat.
A short while later.
"Thanks for the meal!"
After a simple prayer, Takenaka Kaguya joined Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki for dinner.
Meanwhile, in the room Konoha had arranged for Byakuren.
"Gengetsu, are you sure Takenaka Kaguya really went to Hashirama Senju's home as a guest?" Byakuren's expression was extremely gloomy, dark enough to seem as though water would drip from it. There was even a trace of killing intent in his eyes.
"Teacher, this isn't some secret. Ask anyone in Konohagakure, and they'll know that Takenaka Kaguya went to Hashirama Senju's home as a guest with his wife." Hozuki Gengetsu answered with a grim expression.
"Damn it, what is Takenaka Kaguya doing? Does he think that after Konohagakure distributed Tailed Beasts to the major hidden villages, they and Kirigakure are friends?" Byakuren cursed bitterly.
"Teacher, I don't think you should find this strange. In my opinion, there were signs of this long ago.
Others may not know, but don't we?
Last time on the Land of Fire battlefield, Takenaka Kaguya should never have made it back. Yet Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, and Tobirama Senju were all there, and they still let him go.
Takenaka Kaguya is young and powerful. Did Konoha really not know that once they let him leave, he could very well become Konoha's enemy in the future?
It would be understandable if the Shinobi World's two legends, Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, were confident in their own strength and did not fear that Takenaka Kaguya might cause them trouble in the future.
But what about Tobirama Senju? He isn't that kind of person. With his character, he would rather kill by mistake than let anyone slip away. With him present, how could Konoha possibly have let a powerhouse like Takenaka Kaguya leave unless he had privately reached some agreement with them?"
At this point, Hozuki Gengetsu no longer concealed his killing intent toward Takenaka Kaguya and continued in a low voice, "Teacher, if it were you, would you let someone with Takenaka Kaguya's immense potential go?
So, I am not at all surprised that he is now visiting Hashirama Senju's home. On the contrary, it seems perfectly normal."
As his words fell, Byakuren's brows knitted tightly together. He did not say a word, but judging from his expression and the faintly flickering Chakra around him, he had already made some sort of decision.
Beside him, Hozuki Gengetsu was thrilled when he saw this.
He had always wanted to get rid of Takenaka Kaguya. As long as Takenaka Kaguya died, no one would be able to compete with him for the position of Second Mizukage of Kirigakure.
Previously, he had wanted to have the enemy kill Takenaka Kaguya directly on the battlefield. Unexpectedly, Takenaka Kaguya not only survived, but also earned considerable military merit. If Byakuren had not once saved the Daimyo of the Land of Water's life, and if Takenaka Kaguya had not been so young, the position of First Mizukage of Kirigakure might well have gone to him.
Later, Byakuren successfully took the position of First Mizukage of Kirigakure. Although most of the village supported Byakuren, quite a few were fiercely loyal to Takenaka Kaguya.
To stabilize the village, Byakuren swallowed his anger and did not dare make a move against Takenaka Kaguya. Hozuki Gengetsu wanted to act, but Byakuren stopped him.
Now that these things had happened, Byakuren had already listed Takenaka Kaguya as an enemy.
Thinking of this, Hozuki Gengetsu became even happier.
But he could not show it. After all, Byakuren was no fool.
"Enough, Gengetsu. Let's pretend this never happened for now. We will discuss everything after we bring the Three-Tails and Six-Tails back to the village," Byakuren said.
Hearing this, Hozuki Gengetsu wanted to argue, but when he saw the killing intent in Byakuren's eyes, he immediately bowed. "Yes, Teacher. I will follow your orders in all things."
"Mm. Go back first and see when Takenaka Kaguya returns.
When he does, have him come see me. There are some matters I need to personally confirm with him," Byakuren said with a nod.
"Teacher, what is there to confirm? Takenaka Kaguya has already betrayed the village. That is set in stone and cannot be changed," Hozuki Gengetsu said hurriedly, his tone exceedingly anxious.
At that moment, Byakuren looked up at Hozuki Gengetsu expressionlessly and said coldly, unwillingly, "Gengetsu, you should understand that with Takenaka Kaguya's talent and strength, he will surely become the strongest person in the Land of Water in the future.
Furthermore, Genji is supporting him from behind within the village. Therefore, when dealing with Takenaka Kaguya, even as the village's Kage, I must proceed with utmost caution!"
After he finished speaking, Hozuki Gengetsu was unwilling to accept it, but he did not dare say anything more. After bowing, he turned and left.
Inside the room, Byakuren's expression darkened once more. At this moment, he no longer concealed even the slightest bit of killing intent.
"Takenaka Kaguya, you'd better not have betrayed the village. Otherwise, no matter how strong you are, I will find a way to kill you," Byakuren muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, in Tobirama Senju's room.
"Hahaha, Takenaka Kaguya, let's see whether you die this time. You came to Konoha with Byakuren, yet you still dared to visit my elder brother's home. Heh, I hope that when you realize what is happening, you will enjoy this grand gift I have prepared for you."
Tobirama Senju laughed loudly, his face full of excitement. He seemed unable to wait to see Takenaka Kaguya fall out with Byakuren and the others.
Before you continue