Concerns (First Update—Please Support and Bookmark)

Konohagakure, Uchiha clan compound.

At Takenaka Kaguya's words, Madara Uchiha's brows furrowed slightly. Still, it was true—the Uchiha clan members really were rather afraid of him.

"You're leaving Konoha today, right?" Madara Uchiha nodded and asked.

"Mm." Takenaka nodded. Although Madara Uchiha had not come looking for him these past few days, he was still one of Konoha's higher-ups, so it was hardly strange that he knew the Kirigakure delegation was leaving today.

"Have you considered not leaving? Staying in Konoha and becoming one of its people in the future?" Madara Uchiha asked again.

Takenaka fell silent for a moment before shaking his head. "No. I killed quite a few Konoha Ninja on the battlefield before. If I stayed here, hehe...

So, better not."

Though he did not continue, Madara Uchiha could hear the confidence in his words.

Thinking about it, unless Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha himself stepped in personally, dealing with this little fellow would not be easy.

"So be it. Since that is your decision, let it be. But your current situation probably isn't very good, is it? Tobirama has played some underhanded tricks, and the people of Kirigakure already reject you. Byakuren and Hozuki Gengetsu have likely harbored thoughts of killing you for some time now.

So, if possible, you should not go back. Find another place to live instead," Madara Uchiha said with a nod, offering a reminder.

Takenaka was somewhat surprised to hear this. He had not expected Madara Uchiha to say such things, much less take the initiative to warn him.

"Hehe, it's nothing.

They're merely a few petty clowns. I'll deal with them myself.

Don't worry. Before I challenge you and Hashirama Senju, I won't die," Takenaka said with an easy laugh.

Seeing how relaxed he was, Madara Uchiha immediately laughed heartily as well. "It seems you already have your answer. Still, I'm rather curious. You haven't fallen out with Kirigakure—instead, you're even willing to serve as Byakuren's guard. Hehe, that doesn't suit your character."

"There's no question of whether it suits me or not. Over the past two years, I've seen too many lives vanish, too many human tragedies.

Unless I am truly left with no choice, I'll endure what I can.

Besides, I have no pursuit of power, so taking a step back means nothing. But if they truly want to kill me, I'll let them know that killing me comes at a price." Takenaka smiled faintly, making no attempt to hide his thoughts.

Madara Uchiha nodded and smiled at once. "Hehe, people are the most complicated creatures in this world. The human heart is terrifying, and it cannot withstand scrutiny.

Those in high positions, once their eyes are blinded by desire, can do anything for their own power.

Takenaka, not everyone can understand your thoughts or your actions. I only hope that you will never regret them for the rest of your life."

At that, Madara Uchiha rose to his feet and grinned. "All right, since you've made your choice, go back.

As for challenging Hashirama and me, hehe, we'll be waiting for you in Konoha. Don't make us wait too long. A world without opponents is truly too boring—it needs a little excitement."

"Don't worry. You won't have to wait long."

With that, Takenaka bowed to Madara Uchiha, then turned and left.

About twenty minutes after Takenaka left, Hashirama Senju arrived. Looking at Madara, who was drinking tea, he smiled and said, "Looks like he rejected your invitation."

At those words, Madara did not even raise his eyelids. He merely shook his head with a smile. "The people of Kirigakure are all shortsighted. They'll help force Takenaka Kaguya to leave. When that time comes, we can invite him again. I believe we'll succeed."

"Hahaha, Madara, you're still as confident as ever. But Takenaka may not necessarily do as you wish," Hashirama Senju said with a laugh.

"It doesn't matter. We'll wait and see," Madara Uchiha said, still confident.

Meanwhile, after leaving Konoha, Takenaka quickened his pace and soon caught up with Byakuren's group.

However, perhaps because Takenaka had openly maintained good relations with the people of Konoha, Byakuren and the others regarded him warily after his arrival. They would not even allow him near the containers sealing the Three-Tails and Six-Tails.

Takenaka understood this perfectly and did not care.

They traveled on until they had left the Land of Fire and arrived at Half-Moon Island. Only then did Byakuren finally seek Takenaka out alone. Looking at him with a complicated expression, he said, "Takenaka, I know the village has wronged you, but there are some things I hope you can understand."

Faced with Byakuren's sudden and inexplicable words, Takenaka understood his intentions. Byakuren felt guilty, but just as Madara Uchiha had said, power could blind those in high positions.

"Lord Byakuren, let the past remain in the past. If you have the time, you are welcome to visit Half-Moon Island as a guest," Takenaka said with a smile.

Under the coverage of his top-tier Observation Haki, he knew Byakuren's thoughts perfectly well. The moment Byakuren developed killing intent toward him, he had already stopped holding out hope for him.

Now, he could naturally understand what Byakuren meant by these words. He simply did not wish to explain anything further, nor did he want to continue wasting words with Byakuren.

He had always judged deeds, not hearts. After all, if one judged hearts, there would be no perfect person in the world.

In other words, as long as the people of Kirigakure did not make a move against him, he could pretend that nothing had happened.

Across from him, Byakuren could also sense Takenaka's distance. After sighing, he nodded. "All right. If I have the chance, I will visit Half-Moon Island. Take care."

"Take care!"

Takenaka watched Kirigakure's ship sail away before turning toward the island.

However, aboard the ship, Hozuki Gengetsu looked at Byakuren with an ugly expression and bowed. "Teacher, Takenaka Kaguya is already cozying up to Konoha. First, he visited Hashirama Senju's home as a guest, and before we departed, Madara Uchiha invited him for a conversation. All of this proves that he has already betrayed the village.

Teacher, if we do not kill him, what will we do if he reveals the village's secrets to Konoha in the future?"

"Then what do you want? Kill him?

Gengetsu, you must understand that during the previous war, Takenaka Kaguya's military achievements were unquestionably the greatest. As for strength, even I am not certain I could defeat him. The village has only just been established, and what it needs most now is stability.

Takenaka Kaguya may only possibly have defected to Konoha, but even if he truly had, without evidence, do you know the consequences of making a move against him?"