Kaguya Takeori Coughs Blood; Crucial Intelligence for Tomorrow

"Using Kekkei Genkai on such a large scale can easily cause your body to collapse. Aren't you afraid?"

Feeling waves of discomfort throughout his body, Kaguya Takeori could no longer suppress his desire to live and asked the question.

"Afraid! Of course I'm afraid of my body collapsing. I don't have a Sage Body, and I don't have Yang Release chakra to sustain my body."

Hearing Kaguya Takeori's words, Uchiha Makoto let out a faint sigh, instantly putting himself in his place and becoming a patient suffering from a bloodline disease.

"Hmph, so what if you have a Sage Body? I'm practically half a Sage Body myself, yet the burden of using Kekkei Genkai is still too great!"

Kaguya Takeori snorted and refuted Uchiha Makoto's claims about Sage Bodies.

Uchiha Makoto rolled his eyes, pointed at himself, then at Kaguya Takeori. "The Mangekyo Sharingan is caused by overly powerful Yin Release chakra, which is why I need the Yang Release chakra of a Sage Body."

"You have the Shikotsumyaku. What do you need a Sage Body for?"

Kaguya Takeori frowned. He did not know much about that, and there were few relevant records in the archives.

Seeing his reaction, Uchiha Makoto silently crossed him off the list of possible candidates for Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.

Ōtsutsuki Kaguya could not possibly be unaware of such things, much less disguise herself like this.

Still, he needed to probe further.

With that thought, Uchiha Makoto raised his hand and pointed at the Hyūga Clan members, his voice taking on a tempting whisper. "The Hyūga Clan's Byakugan is also Yin Release! You're distant relatives, so if you had the Byakugan too..."

"Maybe... you could free yourself from the negative effects of Kekkei Genkai."

Kaguya Takeori glared at Uchiha Makoto with an unpleasant expression, his brow tightly furrowed, though he was also considering whether it was feasible.

Although he disliked Uchiha Makoto, he had to admit that what he said made sense.

"How about it? Think it over." Uchiha Makoto continued to incite him. "As long as you cooperate with me, I can help you obtain the Byakugan."

Just as Uchiha Makoto prepared himself for disappointment, the silent Kaguya Takeori shook his head.

"If you want our cooperation to be nullified, then keep going!"

Kaguya Takeori spoke firmly and decisively, startling Uchiha Makoto with his resolute attitude.

"You haven't disappointed me after all. I wouldn't feel at ease cooperating with someone who harms his own clansmen!"

Uchiha Makoto made an excuse for himself.

This confirmed that he definitely was not Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. Otherwise, given that opportunity just now, an Ōtsutsuki would definitely have found a pair of Byakugan and implanted them!

Kaguya Takeori glared furiously at him. That red-eyed bastard!

He actually dared to toy with him!

In his rage, his already overburdened body began to feel unwell beyond his control.

Kaguya Takeori covered his mouth and coughed violently. When he lowered his hand, scarlet drops of blood stained his palm.

Seeing Kaguya Takeori cough up blood, Uchiha Makoto realized that his condition was terrible.

"Do you need me to treat you?"

Uchiha Makoto walked closer and asked with concern.

Yet a trace of pain and helplessness appeared in Kaguya Takeori's eyes. In the end, he stubbornly shook his head.

"None of your business!"

Uchiha Makoto hesitated. Looking at Kaguya Takeori, who was still coughing dryly, he ultimately decided to lend a hand.

This was a partner he had only just confirmed after spending one hundred million ryō. He could not let him die like this!

He placed a hand on Kaguya Takeori's shoulder, and strands of high-quality Yin Release chakra flowed into his body.

"Relax. You're a partner I confirmed with one hundred million ryō!"

As the Yin Release chakra regulated his condition, Kaguya Takeori's tightly furrowed brow relaxed, and the pain in his body eased considerably.

"Thank you..."

His voice was dry and weak, and even speaking took all his strength.

Uchiha Makoto smiled faintly. "We're partners. Helping each other is only natural."

However, he had other plans in mind...

This guy probably won't live for more than a few years!

"Hmm, the Hyūga Clan members have already left. I've been gone for too long, so it's time for me to return."

Sensing Hiashi Hyūga leading three squads back, Uchiha Makoto also said his farewell.

Kaguya Takeori nodded to show that he understood.

Uchiha Makoto then turned and headed toward the woods.

"Hey! Uchiha Makoto!"

Kaguya Takeori suddenly called out to him.

"?"

A question mark slowly seemed to appear above Uchiha Makoto's head as he turned back to look at Kaguya Takeori in confusion.

Kaguya Takeori hesitated, then finally gritted his teeth and said, "The Third Mizukage has decided to encircle and annihilate you tomorrow. Don't die."

Uchiha Makoto's expression hardened. This was crucial intelligence!

"Thanks! And besides, I definitely won't die."

Kaguya Takeori, still breathing heavily, did not argue. He merely said, word by word, "You helped me once, and I helped you once. We no longer owe each other anything."

"If we meet on the battlefield, I won't hold back!"

Uchiha Makoto waved at him, turned around, and walked into the woods.

"Do as you please."

In the woods.

As he walked, Uchiha Makoto suddenly stopped. He sensed someone approaching.

"Who is it?"

He called out in a low voice.

"It's me, Uchiha Fugaku!"

Uchiha Fugaku emerged from hiding.

Uchiha Makoto raised an eyebrow inwardly. He had not expected Uchiha Fugaku to come here.

"What are you doing here?"

Uchiha Makoto asked.

"You hadn't returned after so long, so of course I came to make sure you were safe."

Uchiha Fugaku rolled his eyes and said bluntly, "Hiashi Hyūga and the others had all returned. I thought you'd fallen into a trap."

Uchiha Makoto smiled. "Thanks for the concern. I'm fine."

Uchiha Fugaku looked around before his gaze fell on Uchiha Makoto. "Did you find that Kaguya Takeori? How strong is he?"

Uchiha Makoto straightened his expression and deliberately lowered his voice. "I found him!"

"His Kekkei Genkai is powerful! His strength is probably among the top three in the Mist ninja forces!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku's stern face became even more serious. This was not good news!

"My dealings with him went fairly well, and he agreed to our proposal, but for now, it only applies to the Kaguya Clan."

Uchiha Fugaku's expression eased somewhat. "That's good, but according to you, if he's among the top three in the Mist ninja forces, he must be the overall commander here. Why does it only apply to the Kaguya Clan?"

Looking at Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Makoto said, "Do you remember the plan Ōnoki proposed to encircle and annihilate us?"

"It's tomorrow!"

Uchiha Fugaku was instantly alert and asked urgently, "Is the information reliable?"

Uchiha Makoto shook his head. "Kaguya Takeori told me this. Its authenticity is still uncertain."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded at that. "Then it's still possible. It's worth considering!"

"We should make preparations as well!"

Uchiha Makoto suggested, "Have the Hyūga squads stay on alert at all times, and have your people prepare for battle too."

"Whether Kaguya Takeori is trustworthy will be decided tomorrow!"