Konohagakure, Uchiha clan compound.
Takenaka Kaguya's words made Madara Uchiha frown slightly. But it was true—the Uchiha clan members really were rather afraid of him.
"You're leaving Konoha today, aren't you?" Madara Uchiha nodded and asked.
"Mm." Takenaka Kaguya nodded. Though Madara Uchiha had not come looking for him these past few days, he was still one of Konoha's higher-ups, so it was no surprise that he knew the people from Kirigakure were leaving today.
"Have you ever considered not leaving? Staying in Konoha and becoming one of its people in the future?" Madara Uchiha asked again.
Takenaka Kaguya fell silent for a moment upon hearing that. Then he shook his head and said, "No. I killed quite a few Konoha Ninja on the battlefield before. If I stayed here, hehe...
So, forget it."
Though he did not continue, Madara Uchiha could hear the confidence in his words.
Thinking about it, that made sense. Unless Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha personally took action, dealing with this little fellow would not be easy.
"Fine, then let's leave it at that. But your current situation probably isn't very good either. Tobirama used some underhanded tricks, and you were already rejected by the people of Kirigakure."
"Byakuren and Hozuki Gengetsu have probably long since wanted to kill you. So, if possible, you'd be better off not going back. Find another place to live." Madara Uchiha nodded and offered the reminder.
Takenaka Kaguya was somewhat surprised to hear that. 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 Kaguya chuckled and spoke with ease.
Seeing how relaxed he was, Madara Uchiha immediately laughed heartily. "Looks like you already have an answer in mind. Still, I'm 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 nothing that does or doesn't suit me. Over these past two years, I've seen too many lives disappear and too many human tragedies.
Unless I'm truly left with no choice, I'll endure what I can.
Besides, I have no desire for power, so taking a step back is nothing.
But if they truly want to kill me, I'll let them know that killing me comes at a price." Takenaka Kaguya smiled faintly, making no effort to hide his thoughts.
Madara Uchiha immediately nodded and smiled at his words. "Hehe, people are the most complicated creatures in this world. The human heart is also frightening and cannot withstand testing.
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 and actions. I only hope that you will never regret them for the rest of your life."
With that, Madara Uchiha stood up 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—we need a little excitement."
"Don't worry. You won't have to wait long."
After saying that, Takenaka Kaguya bowed to Madara Uchiha and turned to leave.
About twenty minutes after Takenaka Kaguya left, Hashirama Senju arrived. Looking at Madara, who was drinking tea, he smiled and said, "Looks like he turned down your invitation."
Madara did not even raise his eyelids. He merely smiled and shook his head. "The people of Kirigakure are all short-sighted. They'll help force Takenaka Kaguya to leave."
"When that happens, we can invite him again. I believe we'll succeed."
"Hahaha, Madara, you're still as confident as ever. But Takenaka may not do as you wish," Hashirama Senju said with a hearty laugh.
"It doesn't matter. We'll wait and see," Madara Uchiha replied with the same confidence.
As for Takenaka Kaguya, after leaving Konoha, he quickened his pace and soon caught up to Byakuren's group.
However, perhaps because Takenaka Kaguya had openly maintained a good relationship with Konoha's people, Byakuren and the others looked wary when he arrived. They would not even let him approach the vessels sealing the Three-Tails and Six-Tails.
Takenaka Kaguya understood this perfectly and did not care.
They continued like that until they left the Land of Fire and arrived at Half-Moon Island. Only then did Byakuren finally seek Takenaka Kaguya out alone. With a complicated expression, he looked at him and said, "Takenaka, I know the village has wronged you, but I hope you can understand certain things."
Faced with Byakuren's sudden and inexplicable words, Takenaka Kaguya knew what he was thinking. Byakuren felt guilty, but just as Madara Uchiha had said, power could blind the eyes of those in high positions.
"Lord Byakuren, let the past remain in the past. If you have time, you're welcome to visit Half-Moon Island as a guest," Takenaka Kaguya said with a smile.
Under the cover of Advanced Observation Haki, he knew exactly what Byakuren was thinking. The moment Byakuren developed killing intent toward him, he had stopped hoping for anything from him.
Now, he could naturally understand what Byakuren meant by those words. He simply did not want to explain anything further, nor did he want to keep wasting words with Byakuren.
He had always judged actions rather than intentions. After all, no one in this world was perfect when judged by their heart.
In other words, as long as the people of Kirigakure did not make a move against him, he could pretend that nothing had happened.
Byakuren could also sense Takenaka Kaguya's distance. After sighing, he nodded. "All right. If I have the chance, I'll visit Half-Moon Island. Take care."
"Take care!"
Only after watching Kirigakure's ship sail away did Takenaka Kaguya turn and head toward the island.
However, aboard the ship, Hozuki Gengetsu wore an unsightly expression as he bowed to Byakuren. "Teacher, Takenaka Kaguya has already been flirting with Konoha."
"First, he visited Hashirama Senju's home as a guest. Then, before we departed, Madara Uchiha invited him over for a talk. All of this proves that he has already betrayed the village. Teacher, if we do not kill him, what will we do if he leaks the village's secrets to Konoha in the future?"
"What do you want to do, then? Kill him?
Gengetsu, you must understand that in the previous war, Takenaka Kaguya's military achievements were unquestionably the greatest. In terms of 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.
Let alone the fact that Takenaka Kaguya may merely have defected to Konoha—even if he truly had, without evidence, do you understand the consequences of taking action against him?"
Before you continue