Takizo walked through the clan compound.
The Kaguya clan had been granted a vast stretch of land by the Daimyo of the Land of Water. With nearly a thousand members, the settlement no longer felt cramped.
Influenced by the Hyuga, the Kaguya had also divided themselves into a Main and Branch family due to limited resources.
The rule was simple: if you awakened the Shikotsumyaku, you were Main House — even if you were born into the Branch family.
Likewise, if a child of the Main House failed to awaken the bloodline, they would be demoted to the Branch family to work and support those who did.
The difference between them was easy to tell.
Those with two gray dots on their foreheads were of the Main House — the mark of Shikotsumyaku's awakening.
Kaguya Takizo arrived at the heart of the settlement, his own home.
He greeted two Branch members working by the gate, then walked straight to the back courtyard.
At the main house, he stopped before the wooden steps. "Father, I'm back," Takizo said.
A voice came from inside. "Come in."
Takizo slid the door open.
Inside sat a middle-aged man with a fierce face that instantly told anyone he wasn't a kind soul.
This was Kaguya Takizo's father — Kaguya Retsugawa, the current clan head.
Retsugawa frowned. "You went to see that white-haired brat again, didn't you?"
"No, Father," Takizo replied. "I went to Kirigakure to gather some information."
"Oh? What kind of information?" Retsugawa leaned forward slightly, curious.
He was proud of his son's strength, though he thought the boy was too unlike a true Kaguya — always preferring to gather intelligence rather than seek battle.
Takizo said, "The village's hostility toward Bloodline Clans has grown worse. Hoping the Mizukage will change things is impossible."
"Where did you hear this from?" Retsugawa asked.
"From Hozuki Mangetsu," Takizo answered.
He raised his hand, showing a bloodstained bandage. "I visited under the pretext of a sparring match. In return, I received something you might find interesting."
Retsugawa's interest sharpened. "Who did you spar with? Hozuki Suigetsu? That boy shouldn't be your match."
He glanced at Takizo's injured hand. "Only Mangetsu himself could have done that to you."
Takizo sighed inwardly. That's what you focus on?
"It was Momochi Zabuza," Takizo said.
Retsugawa straightened at once. "The one who wields the Decapitating Blade?"
"Yes," Takizo replied.
"How did the fight go?"
"I lost," said Takizo. "But I broke his sword in half."
"Good!" Retsugawa slammed his palm on the table. "As expected of my son!"
He paused, then eyed him up and down. "It's been a while since I tested you myself. Why don't we—"
"Father," Takizo cut him off, "I'm injured. The message is more important."
Retsugawa looked disappointed but waved a hand. "Fine, fine. Speak."
Takizo met his gaze and said slowly, "The Hozuki clan is planning a rebellion."
Retsugawa froze. "What did you say?"
"Hozuki Mangetsu and Momochi Zabuza are preparing to rebel," Takizo said, stepping closer. "They hope our Kaguya clan will join them."
"They were supporters of the Fourth Mizukage. Now they want to rebel against him?" Retsugawa frowned deeply.
"Yes. They claim the Fourth's tyranny is a betrayal of their ideals," Takizo said. "They want us to coordinate from within."
He added, "If they succeed, they'll allow the Kaguya to establish their own ninja village."
Retsugawa's eyes gleamed. "And what did you tell them?"
"I said I would report to you before deciding," Takizo replied.
Retsugawa slapped his thigh. "Why bother reporting? Just agree right away!"
Takizo blinked. "Shouldn't you at least call a clan meeting first?"
"No need," Retsugawa said as he stood up. "If it means battle, everyone will agree faster than you can blink!"
He flung the door open and shouted, "Someone, come!"
Two Branch members rushed over. "Clan Head!"
"Inform all Main House members," Retsugawa commanded. "Clan assembly will be held tonight! Attendance is mandatory!"
Takizo stared blankly for a moment.
You're eager, but not this eager.
He sighed. "Father, if the clan learns of this too soon, they might get restless. The others aren't ready yet."
Retsugawa snorted. "The Hozuki have grown soft. Fine, tomorrow night then — but everyone must attend!"
The Branch members bowed and hurried off.
You sure it's not you who's being too impatient? Takizo thought wearily. This man was already the most "normal" one among the Kaguyas.
Retsugawa stroked his chin. "How will we stay in contact with the Hozuki?"
"They'll send Hozuki Suigetsu as a liaison once preparations are complete," Takizo said.
Retsugawa nodded approvingly. "At least they know the rules — sending a hostage. Otherwise, we might just kill them outright."
"I'll take my leave, then," Takizo said.
"Be sure to attend the clan meeting," Retsugawa reminded him before waving him off.
Takizo returned to his room and drew out the scroll Mangetsu had given him. He unrolled it and began reading carefully.
Mist techniques — Water Prison, Violent Water Wave, Great Waterfall, Water Dragon, Great Waterfall Technique, Exploding Water Colliding Wave…
No S-rank jutsu among them.
Takizo frowned in mild disappointment. But thinking deeper, he realized — in the original tales, all the S-rank Water Techniques were exclusive to certain individuals:
Kisame's Water Prison Shark Dance, the Second Mizukage's Steaming Danger Tyranny, the Second Hokage's Hard Vortex Water Blade, Water Dragon Bite Explosive Wave, and Water Severing Wave.
Senju Tobirama really did have a lot of water. He meant chakra, of course.
Takizo's mind wandered as he continued studying the scroll.
Besides the techniques, there were Mangetsu's personal training notes — and a final message:
A plea for Takizo to take Suigetsu away with him.
That was why Mangetsu had urged him to open the scroll immediately after the fight.
Takizo understood why it had been done so secretly. If Suigetsu found out and caused a scene, the rest of the Hozuki would lose faith.
Why should his brother be allowed to run while our children stay and die?
No matter how justified it sounded, people wouldn't accept it. Just as Takizo himself hadn't told Kimimaro and the others about his own plans.
He shook off the thought and focused again on the scroll, muttering softly as his fingers moved through hand signs.
Learning a jutsu began with one thing — memorizing the sequence of seals, and then training your fingers until they could move flawlessly.