The next morning, after eating, Orochimaru arranged for a ship to take Takuya and the others to the Uzumaki camp.
They were joined by a few of Konoha's Jonin.
It was quite a mixed group—Uchiha, Hyuga, Sarutobi, Shimura... Ninjas from various Konoha clans had gathered together, including even the future in-laws of the Third Hokage.
"Senior."
Seeing Yūhi Shinku, Minato and Nawaki stepped forward to greet him.
"Not bad, you boys have grown."
Yūhi Shinku inspected Minato and Nawaki, his stiff face showing a rare smile as he praised them.
"Senior."
Takuya also approached.
Their relationship wasn't exactly close, but it was at least more familiar than with most people.
After all, they had worked together during the Second Shinobi World War.
At that time, Shinku wasn't yet a full Jonin—he was only at the level of a Special Jonin.
Despite Yūhi Shinku's high status among Konoha's Jonin, his strength was not particularly outstanding.
He also became a Jonin relatively late.
The reason he couldn't advance to Jonin, despite having the required strength for some time, was because Shinku was a severe "specialist."
More of a specialist than Nawaki used to be.
Simply put, his taijutsu was average, kenjutsu was average, ninjutsu was average—but his genjutsu was exceptionally strong.
"You've been laying low these past few years; I haven't seen a trace of you," Shinku joked, knowing that Takuya wasn't petty in certain matters.
"I originally wanted my daughter Kurenai to take you as her master, but I heard you weren't interested in taking on any disciples—what a pity."
"Please, no," Takuya laughed.
"Senior, it's better if you teach your own child. My achievements in genjutsu are rather ordinary; I wouldn't be able to guide her well. I'd just lead her astray if I tried to be her teacher."
*Ordinary?*
Minato and Nawaki burst into laughter while Shinku looked bewildered.
The other Jonin stared at Takuya in astonishment.
You, Takuya, call *that* ordinary?
Who was it that controlled a Jonin with genjutsu at such a young age?
Even the Third Kazekage fell victim to it, and you call that *ordinary*?
Forget the others, even several Uchiha Jonin wouldn't dare claim their genjutsu was stronger than Takuya's.
If Takuya is "ordinary," then what are they?
Trash?
Shaking his head with a smile, Shinku leaned against the ship's rail, arms folded:
"I've always been curious. Though I've heard a few things, why exactly don't you want to take on disciples?"
"I even heard that Sakumo Hatake was quite eager for you to do so."
Sakumo Hatake was straightforward; he didn't keep his intentions of wanting Takuya to teach Kakashi a secret.
Some things were never hidden among the upper echelons of the village, which was why, despite it happening just recently, even Shinku knew about it.
Why are they all so nosy?
Seeing that others were also perking up their ears, Takuya chuckled and explained:
"It's not really a secret. I'm sure you've heard about it. It's not that I have anything against taking disciples."
"It's just that being a ninja is a unique and dangerous profession. Many times, people fall out with each other over different stances."
"Fathers and sons, brothers, friends, even teachers and students."
"If it were my brothers or friends who opposed me due to different stances, I would be saddened, but I could accept it."
"After all, we are all on the same level. Sometimes, that's just a ninja's fate."
"But disciples are different. I cannot accept a disciple, whom I raised personally, turning against me because of a stance or someone else's orders."
"You shouldn't always think about the worst-case scenario," Shinku patted Takuya's shoulder.
"You think too much, kid. You should open your heart and embrace the world—that's what you ought to do."
Father and son turning against each other, brothers becoming enemies, teachers killing students over differing positions, or students killing their teachers on orders—these situations were all too common in the world of shinobi.
Ending that unsuitable conversation, Shinku turned to look at the foggy sea, muttering in irritation:
"Those bastards from Kirigakure are such a pain, constantly creating this dense fog."
"Not only is the visibility low, but even sensory ninjas have a hard time. I'm afraid we're in for some tough battles ahead."
Just by boarding this ship, they had accepted the mission to pierce through the island chain as a spearhead unit.
What dangers they would face during this mission were unknown, and even Jonin were at constant risk of death.
"You took the Samehada from Kirigakure. As long as you show up, they'll fight tooth and nail to take it back."
They had spent so much effort to form an elite group, and right after establishing it, they had a weapon taken away. It was embarrassing.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were more about the weapons than the people wielding them. The people could be replaced, but the weapons were irreplaceable.
Without their swords, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were nothing but a joke.
Currently, Takuya was carrying Samehada on his back, flaunting it around—a clear provocation to Kirigakure.
Smiling, Takuya said eagerly:
"I really hope they come looking for trouble. Maybe they'll bring me the other six swords as well."
"I heard Kirigakure put in a lot of effort to forge those swords. If I managed to take the rest and had them melted down in the Land of Crafts to forge something else, I wonder if Kirigakure would cough up blood out of anger."
*Hahaha...*
Takuya's words drew laughter from many of the others.
If someone really did manage to take the other swords and use them as material to forge new weapons, Kirigakure wouldn't just be coughing up blood—they'd go berserk.
The ship docked smoothly at the port of one of the Uzumaki islands, and the group disembarked onto the island.
"Even though I've been here several times now, I still find it incredible that the Uzumaki clan was able to establish an entire country," Nawaki said, full of admiration for the Uzumaki clan's feat of building a nation.
Takuya glanced at him.
"That's why the Uzumaki clan was wiped out. Now, there are only a little over twenty left in Konoha."
"...."
Nawaki was left speechless.
Alright!
You make a good point, and I have nothing to say in response.
On the surface, a clan building a country seems impressive. But is it really that amazing?
Unless your clan has powerful individuals at all times, you're just a juicy piece of meat in others' eyes.
As long as you have value, your demise is inevitable.
The Uzumaki clan was the perfect example.
Without a powerful figure to hold everything together, and while still being a tempting target, they became prey for anyone willing to take a bite.
Once Konoha decided to abandon them, the Uzumaki clan was quickly destroyed.
Not just by the Five Great Shinobi Nations—even smaller villages dared to target the Uzumaki.
No matter how strong they were, they were still just a single clan. At the end of the day, they could never truly compare to a full nation or other villages.
__________________________
Next Bonus: 500 Power Stones. When restarting I will give you two chapters╰ (´꒳`) ╯
__________________________
(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 340+ at patreon,com/ Emik01. ಥ‿ಥ
___________________________