Kill Them All

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Kakuzu slowly revealed the truth about that fateful year, the biggest secret he had kept hidden deep within his heart. Until now, he had never confided in anyone. To the outside world, he had always claimed that he simply failed the assassination and was defeated.

"So that's how it went," Takuya Senju nodded in understanding after hearing Kakuzu's story. "Letting go of the ninja sent to assassinate you... that sounds just like something the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, would do."

"Do you hold any hatred for those in Takigakure?" Takuya asked, his tone probing.

"Hate?" Kakuzu echoed. "No, I wouldn't say that. I just grew tired of dealing with those pathetic people, so I defected from the village."

Takuya nodded, choosing not to press further. Soon, the two of them arrived in the Land of Waterfalls. Under Kakuzu's guidance, they approached a massive waterfall.

"Behind this waterfall lies Takigakure," Kakuzu informed Takuya.

"Heh... Does your village have another name?" Takuya asked, a slight smile playing on his lips as he gazed at the waterfall.

"What other name?"

"Water Curtain Cave."

Seeing Kakuzu's puzzled expression, Takuya didn't elaborate. They walked directly through the waterfall, entering a long, narrow, and dark passage. The tunnel stretched on for hundreds of meters, damp and infested with snakes and insects—an obstacle that would deter ordinary people. After traversing the passage, they emerged into a lush, open area bathed in sunlight, where dense forests thrived and vibrant greenery spread as far as the eye could see.

"What a beautiful place," Takuya couldn't help but admire the scenery. Unlike the outside world, Takigakure was a hidden paradise, filled with verdant vegetation, a variety of animals, and a rainbow arcing across the sky. It was like a scene from a mythical story.

"Who are you two?!" Two ninjas wearing Takigakure headbands appeared before them. Upon noticing the rogue ninja headband on Kakuzu, their expressions immediately darkened. They knew of only one rogue ninja from Takigakure—the infamous Kakuzu who had stolen the village's treasure.

"Alert the Great Elder!" one of the ninjas shouted, and they both quickly retreated, aware that they couldn't possibly face Kakuzu alone.

"These guys are getting more and more pathetic," Kakuzu grumbled.

"Really? I think it was a smart move," Takuya commented calmly.

"Bah! To be a ninja, one must always be prepared to face death. Retreating just because the enemy is stronger is disgraceful," Kakuzu replied, dissatisfied. In his time, failing a mission, even at the cost of one's life, was considered dishonorable. It seemed the times had changed.

Takuya smiled faintly at Kakuzu's silence. Nostalgia, he mused. Although Kakuzu claimed he didn't care about Takigakure, returning to the village where he was born and raised undoubtedly stirred some emotions within him. Perhaps, Takuya thought, it might not be a bad idea for Kakuzu to help manage Takigakure. After all, Takuya no longer needed Kakuzu's strength to protect his family—both Kabuto and Naruto could easily surpass Kakuzu with just a bit more growth.

As Takuya was lost in thought, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence. Nearly a hundred ninjas wearing Takigakure headbands had gathered before them.

"Kakuzu, how dare you return?!" The leader, an elderly man with gray hair, stepped forward. He was likely the Great Elder of Takigakure.

"Yuta?" Kakuzu's voice was calm.

"Hmph... I didn't expect you to recognize me," the elder sneered.

"No, I don't recognize you anymore. It's the birthmark on your face that gave you away. When I left the village, you were just a child," Kakuzu said evenly.

"To think you've remained unchanged after all these years... Is this the power of the Earth Grudge Fear?" Greed flickered in Yuta's eyes. There was a legend in Takigakure that those who possessed the Earth Grudge Fear could live as long as the heavens and earth. And here stood Kakuzu, a relic from the era of the First Hokage, still alive and vigorous.

"Yuta, I came here to see you for a reason. This is Takuya-sama, the Hokage," Kakuzu introduced, stepping back to let Takuya take the lead.

"H-Hokage?" Yuta and the other ninjas' eyes widened in shock. Although Takigakure was independent, they were well aware of Takuya's reputation. Seeing him in person, Yuta grew flustered. Why had the leader of the ninja world come to Takigakure with Kakuzu? A very unsettling thought crossed Yuta's mind—were they here to cause trouble?

"Elder Yuta, I'm here for the Seven-Tails that resides in Takigakure. I expect you to hand it over," Takuya said, getting straight to the point.

"You want our village's tailed beast?" Yuta's expression darkened. Damn it! He knew it. The Hokage and Kakuzu together could only mean trouble. "Takuya-sama, the tailed beast has been in Takigakure's care for generations. We cannot simply hand it over."

After losing the power of the Earth Grudge Fear, Takigakure had declined significantly. Losing the tailed beast would be a further blow to the village's strength and prestige. For the ninjas of Takigakure, the Seven-Tails represented power and the last remnant of their village's former glory. Despite Takuya's formidable reputation, Yuta was determined to refuse.

The smile vanished from Takuya's face. "Yuta, I think you misunderstand the situation. You have no right to refuse."

Senju Takuya's expression gradually turned cold as he faced Yuta. It had been many years since anyone dared to defy him.

"Hokage-sama, even if you are now the nominal ruler of the ninja world, you can't just take anything by force, right?" Yuta continued, gritting his teeth. "The Seven-Tails was entrusted to us by the First Hokage, Hashirama, back when Takigakure was formed. Even you have no right to take it away."

"And... you came here with Kakuzu, a traitor to our village. Shouldn't you give us an explanation for that?"

Despite the overwhelming presence of Takuya, Yuta stood his ground, determined not to yield.

"Yes, the Seven-Tails belongs to Takigakure. How can we just hand it over?"

"There's no way we can agree to this."

"That's right. We, the ninjas of Takigakure, are not afraid of death."

Behind Yuta, the Takigakure ninjas echoed his sentiments, their voices filled with resolve.

A proud smile appeared on Yuta's face. As long as the village stood united, he believed there was nothing Senju Takuya could do to them.

"Yuta, don't bring disaster upon Takigakure for your own selfish interests," Kakuzu said coldly, stepping forward. It seemed the years of peace had made these ninjas forget the harsh realities of the ninja world. They didn't realize that their continued defiance would only lead to their deaths at Takuya's hands.

"Snort! Kakuzu, you are nothing but a traitor. You have no right to speak here," Yuta retorted, focusing back on Takuya. "Lord Hokage, as you can see, I am not the only one who opposes your demand. None of the ninjas in this village agree."

Senju Takuya's curiosity was piqued. He knew Yuta must have some conditions. "Tell me, if I want you to hand over the Seven-Tails, what do you want in return?" he asked calmly.

"My terms are simple. If Lord Hokage kills Kakuzu and returns his Earth Grudge Fear to Takigakure, we will hand over the Seven-Tails," Yuta said confidently. He believed that the other party's question indicated a willingness to compromise.

Although the Seven-Tails was important, it was nothing compared to the immortality that the Earth Grudge Fear technique promised.

Hearing his words, Kakuzu sighed, knowing that Yuta's greed had sealed his fate.

"Kakuzu is my subordinate. Don't think you can make demands involving him," Takuya said calmly. "I'll ask one last time: will you hand over the Seven-Tails?"

"As long as you agree to my conditions—"

Before Yuta could finish, his head was severed from his body, blood spurting from his neck. His head rolled to the ground, eyes wide in shock. He never expected Senju Takuya to kill him so suddenly.

"Great Elder!" the Takigakure ninjas exclaimed, rushing forward.

"Hokage, we demand retribution!" they shouted, their eyes red with rage as they charged at Senju Takuya.

"Don't overestimate your own capabilities," Takuya murmured. His Rinnegan glowed with terrifying power. "Limbo: Border Jail!"

Four invisible shadows rushed into the crowd, and with a series of terrified screams, nearly a hundred Takigakure ninjas fell.

"What... what is happening?"

"Damn it, we will avenge this!"

"Everyone... drink the Hero Water. We will win!"

The remaining dozen ninjas pulled out small bottles filled with clear liquid and drank it without hesitation. Chakra surged through their bodies.

"Kill!" they roared, charging at Senju Takuya, only to fall under his shadow's power.

"These guys have been in the village for too long. Forgive them," Kakuzu pleaded, fearful that Takuya's wrath would erase Takigakure from existence.

"Kakuzu, after this is over, you will become the leader of Takigakure," Takuya stated calmly. He had no intention of wiping out the entire village. Killing the instigators was enough. He also saw that Kakuzu still had some feelings for Takigakure.

"Thank you, Takuya-sama," Kakuzu hesitated but agreed.

Takuya picked up a small bottle from a fallen Taki-nin. "Is this the legendary Hero Water?" He opened the bottle and examined it, realizing it was merely crystallized natural energy, diluted for some reason. After drinking it, ninjas gained temporary power but suffered irreversible damage.

After understanding this, Takuya lost interest in the Hero Water. "Kakuzu, how many ninjas are there in Takigakure?"

"Hmm... probably less than three thousand. I don't know if there have been any changes over the years," Kakuzu replied uncertainly.

"I see. Follow me. I have sensed the presence of the Seven-Tails," Takuya said, quickening his pace. Kakuzu followed, worried.

"Please, you fools who don't know the strength of Senju Takuya, don't provoke him again," Kakuzu thought, hoping the remaining villagers would avoid further conflict.

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