Sowing Discord, Schemes on Both Sides

Konohagakure, Hashirama Senju's study.

As Takenaka Kaguya's words fell, Hashirama Senju seemed to let out a sigh of relief. Then he burst into laughter. "I see, hahaha..."

Although Takenaka Kaguya did not know why Hashirama Senju reacted that way, he had merely spoken his true feelings.

He had no desire for power and naturally would not do such things. Besides, he did not have many ties to this world. As long as he lived comfortably, nothing else mattered.

If others did not offend him, he would not offend them!

A moment later, Hashirama Senju finally stopped laughing. He 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—I'm saying if—one day you have nowhere to go, you can come live in Konoha. You will always be welcome here."

Across from him, Takenaka Kaguya also did not understand why Hashirama Senju would say such a thing. Still, he nodded and said gratefully, "Thank you. If that day truly comes, I will go to Konoha."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mito Uzumaki's voice came from outside the study, calling them to wash their hands and eat.

A moment 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 certain Takenaka Kaguya really went to Hashirama Senju's home as a guest?" Byakuren's face was extremely gloomy, as black as if water might drip from it. There was even a trace of killing intent in his eyes.

"Teacher, this isn't exactly a secret. If you find anyone in Konohagakure and ask them, they'll know that Takenaka Kaguya followed Hashirama Senju's wife to his home as a guest." Hozuki Gengetsu answered with a grim expression.

"Damn it! What is Takenaka Kaguya doing? Does he think that just because Konohagakure distributed Tailed Beasts to the major hidden villages, Kirigakure is now their friend?" Byakuren cursed bitterly.

"Teacher, I don't think you should find this strange. In my opinion, there were signs of this long ago.

"Others might not know, but don't we?

"Last time, on the Land of Fire battlefield, Takenaka Kaguya should never have made it back. Yet, with Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, and Tobirama Senju all present, they still let him go.

"Takenaka Kaguya is young and exceptionally powerful. Did Konoha's people not know that once they let him leave, he could very well become Konoha's enemy in the future?

"If Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, those two legends of the Shinobi World, were confident in their own strength and did not fear that Takenaka Kaguya might cause them trouble in the future, that would be understandable.

"But what about Tobirama Senju? That man is not like that. Given his nature, he would rather kill by mistake than let anyone slip through his fingers. With him there, unless Takenaka Kaguya had reached some private agreement with Konoha, how could Konoha possibly have let a powerful man like him leave?"

At this point, Hozuki Gengetsu made no effort to conceal his killing intent toward Takenaka Kaguya. He continued in a low voice, "Teacher, if it were you, would you let someone with Takenaka Kaguya's immense potential go?

"So, I'm not surprised in the slightest that he is now visiting Hashirama Senju's home. On the contrary, I think it is perfectly normal."

As his words fell, Byakuren furrowed his brow tightly and said nothing. However, judging from his expression and the faintly flickering Chakra around him, he had already made some kind of decision.

Beside him, Hozuki Gengetsu was inwardly thrilled.

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 Kirigakure's Second Mizukage.

Previously, he had wanted to have enemies kill Takenaka Kaguya directly on the battlefield. Yet Takenaka Kaguya had not only survived, but had 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 Kirigakure's First Mizukage might well have gone to him.

Later, Byakuren successfully took the position of Kirigakure's First Mizukage. Although most of the village supported Byakuren, quite a few were also Takenaka Kaguya's diehard followers.

To stabilize the village, Byakuren swallowed his anger and did not dare move against Takenaka Kaguya. Hozuki Gengetsu had wanted to act, but Byakuren had stopped him.

Now that these things had happened, Byakuren had already listed Takenaka Kaguya as an enemy.

Thinking of this, Hozuki Gengetsu became even more delighted.

But he could not show it. After all, Byakuren was no fool.

"Enough, Gengetsu. For now, act as though this never happened. We will discuss everything after we bring the Three-Tails and Six-Tails back to the village," Byakuren said.

Hearing this, Hozuki Gengetsu initially wanted to object. However, when he saw the killing intent in Byakuren's eyes, he immediately bowed. "Understood, Teacher. I will follow all your orders."

"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 confirm with him personally," Byakuren said with a nod.

"Teacher, what is there left to confirm? Takenaka Kaguya has already betrayed the village. That is an ironclad fact; nothing can change it." Hozuki Gengetsu hurriedly said, his tone anxious.

However, Byakuren merely raised his head and gave Hozuki Gengetsu an expressionless glance. Reluctantly, he said coldly, "Gengetsu, you should understand that with Takenaka Kaguya's talent and strength, he will inevitably become the strongest person in the Land of Water.

"Moreover, Genji is backing him within the village. Therefore, when dealing with Takenaka Kaguya, even as the village's Mizukage, I must proceed with utmost caution!"

After he finished speaking, Hozuki Gengetsu was unwilling, but he did not dare say anything more. After bowing, he turned and walked out.

In the room, Byakuren's expression darkened again. At this moment, he no longer concealed his killing intent at all.

"Takenaka Kaguya, you had 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 visit my elder brother's home. Heh. I hope that when you finally realize what is happening, you'll enjoy this grand gift I prepared for you."

Tobirama Senju laughed heartily, his face full of excitement. He seemed unable to wait to see Takenaka Kaguya fall out with Byakuren and the others.