"If Uzushiogakure had not been destroyed, the entire Shinobi World would probably have been far more lively."
Land of Whirlpools, Uzushiogakure.
Takenaka Kaguya had a reason for feeling this way.
In the original Naruto story, every Uzumaki Clan member who appeared—whether Mito Uzumaki, Kushina Uzumaki and her son, or Karin Uzumaki—demonstrated just how extraordinary and powerful the Uzumaki Clan's constitution was.
At the very top were Naruto Uzumaki and Nagato. Both had, at different times, been regarded by the heroic Jiraiya as saviors of the Shinobi World.
Even Karin Uzumaki, at the lower end, was incredibly formidable. She possessed the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, as well as that freakish ability to heal injuries whenever someone bit her.
It could be said that without Karin Uzumaki, Uchiha Sasuke would probably have been dead long ago.
Before Takenaka Kaguya could fully recover from his thoughts, he heard the Uzumaki ninja who had led him in bow respectfully. "Lord Takenaka, Lady Mito is waiting for you inside. We will not accompany you further."
"Alright. You've worked hard. Thank you."
Takenaka Kaguya nodded and thanked them with a smile before walking toward the residence directly ahead.
"Hahaha, Takenaka, you're finally here! Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Lord Ashina Uzumaki, the leader of Uzushiogakure."
The moment he entered, Hashirama Senju laughed heartily at Takenaka Kaguya. Then he quickly came over and introduced him.
"Lord Hokage, Sister Mito."
Takenaka Kaguya first greeted Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki, then turned toward Ashina Uzumaki, who stood nearby with a broad smile.
Ashina Uzumaki had pale red hair and a tall, imposing build. He looked to be around forty or fifty years old.
Unlike when he appeared in the original story with a head full of white hair, Takenaka Kaguya could now sense the powerful constitution emanating from him.
"This junior, Takenaka Kaguya, greets the Uzumaki Clan Head!" Takenaka Kaguya said with a bow.
The man before him was also a legendary figure. On the battlefield in the Land of Fire, Takenaka Kaguya had been fortunate enough to witness him fight. By himself, he had not only easily dealt with several Elite Jonin from the Land of Lightning, but under his powerful Sealing Jutsu, even A, the First Raikage who had attended the first Five Kage Summit, had suffered at his hands.
However, Takenaka Kaguya had only just arrived on the battlefield at the time. Though he possessed shili, he had been unable to fully wield it, so he had not taken the initiative to join the battle.
Even so, Takenaka Kaguya acknowledged Ashina Uzumaki's strength.
"Hahaha, Takenaka, there is no need to be so formal. Please, sit.
This old man will use tea in place of wine to welcome you to Uzushiogakure." Ashina Uzumaki laughed, greeting him with hearty warmth.
Moreover, perhaps because Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki had already told him about Takenaka Kaguya, he did not treat the thirteen-year-old boy with any lofty superiority. Instead, he treated him more like an equal.
"Thank you."
After both sides took a sip of tea, Mito Uzumaki smiled gently at Takenaka Kaguya. "Takenaka, how did you grow so much after only half a year apart? You're almost as tall as Hashirama."
"Haha, yes. I was startled too. It has only been half a year, but Takenaka has shot up so much," Hashirama Senju said with a laugh.
Takenaka Kaguya smiled and said, "Maybe I trained harder over the past half year, and my appetite improved, so I took in more nutrition. My shili has not increased much, but I really have grown quite a bit taller."
"Hahaha, you're far too modest, kid. Compared to half a year ago, you're terrifyingly strong now.
If you had possessed your current shili when we first met, even I would not have found it easy to defeat you.
Poor Tobirama. Ever since you two fought outside my office that time, he has refused to accept it and even developed some powerful Ninja techniques specifically for it.
But if you fought him now, defeating him would probably be even easier for you." Hashirama Senju laughed.
Though he had not examined Takenaka Kaguya in any way, as a top-tier powerhouse, Hashirama Senju could tell almost at a glance that Takenaka Kaguya had improved tremendously in the more than half year since they last met.
He even felt pressure from him.
Hearing this, Takenaka Kaguya immediately smiled bitterly. "Lord Hokage, you flatter me. I still have a long way to go."
"Hahaha, Takenaka, there is no need to be overly humble. Mito and Hashirama have already told me about you.
I must say, possessing such powerful shili at your age is truly remarkable.
Even Hashirama, strong as he is, was nowhere near your level when he was your age.
So do not belittle yourself. As long as you continue training, this old man believes that one day, you will certainly defeat this brat Hashirama." Ashina Uzumaki laughed, his words full of recognition and encouragement for Takenaka Kaguya.
"Yes, Takenaka. Your sister Mito thinks so too," Mito Uzumaki said with a smile from the side.
"Alright, alright. Senior, Sister Mito, please stop praising me. I have a fair understanding of my own shili. If you keep praising me like this, I'll get embarrassed," Takenaka Kaguya joked.
"Hahaha..."
In an instant, they all laughed together.
A moment later, Mito Uzumaki turned serious. "By the way, Takenaka, regarding the Yin Seal you mentioned in your letter, I also sought my uncle's opinion. He agreed as well.
However, you may need to owe Uzushiogakure a favor. What do you think?"
"Owe a favor? Fine, I agree. Compared to the Yin Seal, one favor from me is nothing," Takenaka Kaguya agreed after only brief consideration.
To him, increasing his shili was the most important thing. According to the system's calculations, once he completely mastered the Yin Seal, even if his Armament Haki had not reached the advanced level, his overall shili might very well rise to the Half-Step Six Paths level.
As for owing Uzushiogakure a favor, that was simple. Even if they did not call it in until Uzushiogakure was surrounded and destroyed, he would still be willing.
After all, he also wanted to see just how interesting the new Naruto World would become if Uzushiogakure was not destroyed.
"Hahaha, good. Since you have agreed, Takenaka, then the matter of the Yin Seal is settled.
If you have nothing else to do, why not stay in Uzushiogakure for a while? When the time comes, how about I personally guide your training?" Mito Uzumaki said with a smile.
A powerhouse's favor was extremely valuable. Moreover, they sincerely believed that this unbelievably powerful young man would one day reach the pinnacle of the Shinobi World.
If Uzushiogakure ever faced a situation it could not handle, all they needed to do was send him word, and Takenaka Kaguya would be able to rush over and provide support.
"I'll follow Sister Mito's arrangements in all things. I have time over the next month."
Before you continue