Uzumaki Ashina, Owing a Favor

"If Uzushiogakure had not been destroyed, the entire Shinobi World would probably have been far more lively."

In the Land of Whirlpools, within Uzushiogakure.

Takenaka Kaguya had reason to feel 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 formidable. She possessed the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, as well as that absurd ability to heal injuries when someone bit her.

It could be said that without Karin Uzumaki, Uchiha Sasuke would likely have lost his life long ago.

Before Takenaka Kaguya could recover from his thoughts, the Uzumaki ninja who had brought him in respectfully bowed and said, "Lord Takenaka, Lady Mito is waiting for you inside. We will not be going in."

"Alright. Thank you for your trouble."

Takenaka Kaguya nodded. After thanking him with a smile, he headed toward the residence directly ahead.

"Hahaha, Takenaka, you finally made it! Come, come, let me introduce you. This is the leader of Uzushiogakure, Lord Ashina Uzumaki."

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 greeted Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki first before turning to Ashina Uzumaki, who stood nearby with a broad smile.

Ashina Uzumaki had light red hair and a tall, sturdy build. He looked to be in his forties or fifties.

Unlike when he appeared in the original story with a head full of white hair, Takenaka Kaguya could sense the powerful constitution within 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 once 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.

At the time, however, Takenaka Kaguya had only just arrived on the battlefield. Though he possessed strength, he had been unable to bring it fully into play, so he had not taken the initiative to join the battle.

Even so, Takenaka Kaguya acknowledged the man's power.

"Hahaha, Takenaka, no need for such formality. Please, have a seat.

This old man will use tea in place of wine to welcome you as a guest of Uzushiogakure," Ashina Uzumaki said with a hearty laugh, warmly inviting him in.

Perhaps Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki had already told him about Takenaka Kaguya. As a result, he did not treat the thirteen-year-old with any lofty superiority. Instead, he seemed to regard him as an equal.

"Thank you."

After both sides took a sip of tea, Mito Uzumaki smiled gently and said to Takenaka Kaguya, "Takenaka, how did you grow so tall after only half a year apart? You are almost catching up to Hashirama."

"Haha, indeed. I was startled just now too. It has only been half a year, and Takenaka has shot up this much," Hashirama Senju said with a laugh.

Takenaka Kaguya chuckled. "Maybe I trained rather diligently over the past half year, and my appetite improved, so I took in more nutrients. My strength has not grown much, but I really have gotten quite a bit taller."

"Hahaha, you are too modest, kid. Compared to half a year ago, you are frighteningly stronger now.

If you had possessed your current strength 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, he has never been willing to accept it and even specially developed several powerful ninjutsu.

But if the two of you fought now, it would probably be even easier for you to defeat him," Hashirama Senju said with a hearty laugh.

Though he had not made any attempt to probe Takenaka Kaguya, as a top-tier powerhouse, Hashirama Senju could tell with almost a single glance that Takenaka Kaguya had made tremendous progress over the past half year.

He even felt pressure from him.

As soon as those words were spoken, Takenaka Kaguya smiled wryly. "Lord Hokage, you flatter me. I still have a long way to go."

"Hahaha, Takenaka, there is no need to be so modest. Mito and Hashirama have told me about you.

I must say, possessing such powerful strength at your age is truly remarkable.

Even a monster like Hashirama here was far inferior to you 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 surely defeat Hashirama," Ashina Uzumaki said with a laugh, his words filled with approval and encouragement for Takenaka Kaguya.

"That is right, Takenaka. Your sister agrees as well," Mito Uzumaki said with a cheerful smile.

"Alright, alright, Senior and Sister Mito, please stop praising me. I have a fair understanding of my own strength. If you keep praising me like this, I will get embarrassed," Takenaka Kaguya joked.

"Hahaha..."

At once, they all laughed.

A moment later, Mito Uzumaki turned serious. "By the way, Takenaka, regarding the Yin Seal you mentioned in your letter, I also asked my uncle for his opinion. He agrees 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 considered it only briefly before agreeing.

To him, increasing his strength 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, there was a strong possibility that his overall strength would 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 besieged 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 did not fall.

"Hahaha, good. Since you have agreed, Takenaka, then the matter of the Yin Seal is settled.

Next, if you have nothing else to do, why not stay in Uzushiogakure for a while? I will personally guide your training then. How does that sound?" Mito Uzumaki said with a smile.

A favor from a powerhouse was extremely valuable. Besides, they sincerely believed that this unbelievably powerful young man before them would one day reach the pinnacle of the Shinobi World.

When that time came, if Uzushiogakure ever faced a situation it could not handle, they would only need to send him word, and Takenaka Kaguya would be able to rush over to support them.

"I will follow Sister Mito's arrangements. I am free for the next month."