Battle Against Hashirama Senju

"Hehe, I have to admit, Kakuzu really wasn't bragging. I thought he'd just thrown a Kunai from far away and then run off!"

Land of Whirlpools, Uzushiogakure.

Speaking of Kakuzu, Takenaka Kaguya couldn't help picturing that man who loved nothing but money and didn't care who his targets were. The higher the bounty, the more interested Kakuzu became.

Thinking of this, Takenaka Kaguya looked at Hashirama Senju and smiled. "I never expected Kakuzu from Takigakure to have such courage, actually daring to go to Konoha and assassinate Brother Hashirama."

"Hahaha, that guy was indeed quite capable, but he wasn't very bright. He actually went to Konoha and made a big show of asking around for information about me on the streets." Hashirama Senju laughed.

Hearing Takenaka Kaguya say this, Hashirama Senju couldn't help laughing as well. It was one thing for Kakuzu to come to Konoha to assassinate him, but he had actually gone around Konohagakure asking people about his whereabouts.

As a result, being a stranger, he was naturally discovered very easily.

So he sent a clone to play with him. Unexpectedly, the guy really did have some skill and even managed to take down his clone.

"Hehe, he really was pretty foolish. If Brother Hashirama could be taken down that easily, could he still be called the God of Shinobi?"

"But speaking of which, he'd have something to brag about in the future. As long as he told people that he had once assassinated the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, he could definitely bluff plenty of people." Takenaka Kaguya teased.

"Hahaha..."

It was quite a vivid image.

After chatting and laughing for a while, they sat down to eat. When they were finished, Mito Uzumaki looked at Takenaka Kaguya and said gently with a smile, "Takenaka, over the past half month, you've already learned the Yin Seal. Next, you only need to gradually accumulate Chakra."

"And there's nothing more I can teach you. You can only rely on yourself from here on."

"Also, you must remember this: until you have successfully cultivated the Yin Seal, you absolutely must not use Chakra. Otherwise, all your previous effort will be wasted, and you'll have to start over."

"Mm-hmm, thank you, Sister. I understand. Once I begin cultivating the Yin Seal, I definitely won't use Chakra." Takenaka Kaguya nodded with a smile.

He had long understood this point clearly, and Mito Uzumaki had reminded him of it many times. But with their parting imminent, she was still somewhat worried about his safety.

After a moment of silence, Mito Uzumaki looked at Takenaka Kaguya again and said, "Takenaka, how about you return to Konohagakure with us? You can come back after you've completely mastered the Yin Seal."

"That way, with Hashirama and me protecting you in Konohagakure, there'll be no need to worry about your safety."

"Thank you for your concern, Sister. Although I can't use Chakra while cultivating the Yin Seal, my taijutsu is enough to keep myself safe." Takenaka Kaguya smiled and refused again.

He was very confident in the results of his Rokushiki training and his level of Haki.

Honestly, as long as he didn't encounter top-tier experts like Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha, even if he faced Kage-level experts from the other four great hidden villages, he was confident he could handle them without using Chakra.

Hearing this, Hashirama Senju became interested and immediately said with a smile, "Takenaka, how about I test you? Your Sister Mito is worried about your safety. Once I've tested you, she can set her mind at ease too. What do you say?"

"Hahaha, sure. I've been studying Sealing Jutsu these past few days and haven't had a chance to stretch my legs. My bones are practically rusting." Takenaka Kaguya agreed at once.

After all, words were cheap. It was better to let Hashirama Senju see for himself.

Mito Uzumaki nodded and smiled from the side. "All right, then Takenaka, spar with Hashirama. If you can last ten minutes against him without using Chakra, I won't insist that you return to Konoha with me."

Crack! Crack!

As soon as she finished speaking, Hashirama Senju and Takenaka Kaguya both nodded. They rose and walked to the center of the courtyard, each loosening up their bodies until a series of cracking sounds rang out.

"Takenaka, be careful. You may not be able to use Chakra, but I don't have that restriction. If you feel like you can't hold on, surrender quickly," Hashirama Senju said with a chuckle.

"Come on, Brother Hashirama." Takenaka Kaguya drew the famed blade Shusui from his waist, holding it one-handed as he smiled at Hashirama Senju.

"Be careful."

Chakra instantly surged around Hashirama Senju, blowing the dust in the courtyard into the air. Then he rushed toward Takenaka Kaguya, arriving before him in nearly the blink of an eye.

Clang!

The moment Hashirama Senju closed in, his fist shot directly toward Takenaka Kaguya's head. The punch was so fast and powerful that it created a gust of wind.

It was clear that Hashirama Senju was still holding back. Takenaka Kaguya, however, didn't care. He merely tilted his head slightly and dodged Hashirama Senju's fist at just the right moment.

"What fast reflexes!"

Hashirama Senju was greatly surprised that Takenaka Kaguya had evaded his attack so easily.

But in the next second, a flash of cold light swept out as the razor-sharp Shusui slashed toward his neck.

Whoosh!

In that instant, Hashirama Senju didn't dare receive the blade with his body. He immediately lowered his head and avoided it.

Hashirama Senju truly deserved his title as the God of Shinobi. Even as he evaded the attack, he was still able to launch a counterattack.

Bang!

A kick flew toward Takenaka Kaguya's chest, but under the detection of Observation Haki, no matter how fast Hashirama Senju was, it was useless.

Takenaka Kaguya kicked out as well, and their legs collided instantly.

With a clang, Hashirama Senju felt as if he had kicked a piece of steel.

"What?"

Hashirama Senju was utterly astonished.

Before he could react, Takenaka Kaguya grinned, and Shusui slashed at him once more.

"Good kid. No wonder you're so confident."

Hashirama Senju leaped back, swiftly dodging Shusui's attack.

Whoosh!

Yet the sword energy from that slash directly cut off a corner of his clothes. If Hashirama Senju had reacted any slower, that strike might have injured him.

Lowering his head to look at his damaged clothing, Hashirama Senju's fighting spirit blazed fiercely in his eyes.

As the God of Shinobi, he naturally had his own pride. Although he could use Chakra and ninjutsu, he also wanted to see just how strong Takenaka Kaguya's taijutsu truly was.

However, in his current state, his flesh and blood could not withstand the incomparably sharp Shusui in Takenaka Kaguya's hand.

"Hahaha, Takenaka, let's try again—Sage Mode!"