Gengetsu waits a few seconds then sneers at the downed Shogo, he walks over to the body with his hand once again normal size and gives the kid a kick in the ribs to be sure.
Satisfied that his attacker turned target has been neutralized, Gengetsu takes a hold of one of Shogo's wrists and drags him along the sand to Byakuren.
The shinobi and kunoichi part ways for the blonde as they get back in formation under the watchful eye of Byakuren.
Gengetsu tosses Shogo at Byakuren's feet and huffs in annoyance before wiping his palm on the shirt of the shinobi nearest to him.
Looking back at Byakuren then crinkling his nose and looking down at Shogo, Gengetsu finally asks the question he's been burning to ask.
"What the hell are you going to do with him?"
Byakuren's unimpressed expression is slowly replaced by a face splitting malicious smile once again exposing his sharklike teeth. The old man's eye locks onto Shogo's unmoving body, an unhinged glow taking prominence over his sole working pupil.
"This child shall be a blueprint for the next generation of clanless shinobi under my rule! He shall heighten the very standard for those of low birth with ninja aspirations. The riff raff in front of me now can barely contend with the few clan ninjas opposing my vision of unification even though they outnumber them five to one!"
Byakuren roars the last part obviously discontent with the abilities of the men and women who make up most of his ranks. The disgust in his voice is palpable but despite his very open insult not one of the ninjas behind Gengetsu dares utter a peep.
"H-Help please..."
The desperate plea of the downed shinobi who Shogo injured a few minutes prior cuts through the standing silence. Blood is pooling from his mouth as it is likely Shogo's punch shattered his ribcage causing his lungs to get pierced in multiple locations.
Not even a second later, two-thirds of the shinobi's head slides off his neck and into the sand, blood spraying like a geyser painting the surroundings dark crimson. The body of the shinobi falls forward hitting the ground with a wet thud without a single person visibly acknowledging his spontaneous death.
"Injured by an untrained child then interrupting me before I can dole out your punishment. He will not be missed, I'm sure."
Byakuren's tone is filled with cold disdain as he turns his eye onto Gengetsu.
The blonde teen grinds his teeth and clenches his hands into fists at the mention of a mystery punishment but wisely decides to swallow his discontent after Byakuren's display of viciousness.
After making his general plan for Shogo known, Byakuren takes a few steps forward and stops an arm's length away from Gengetsu. The teen's shoulders tense up and cold sweat runs down the back of his neck toward his lower back.
Never has Gengetsu been this close to Byakuren in his life, his clan hadn't allowed him to ever get this close when he was young but now here, he stands before the notorious butcher, powerless and quaking in fear.
It is a feeling Gengetsu hates more than anything, however, there is nothing to be done about it. For now.
Byakuren stares deep into Gengetsu's beady eyes promising pain and destruction, he regards the teen in a soft but firm tone that only he would hear.
"Your clan was once the most powerful and feared throughout the Land of Water, there was a time the commonfolk might've worshiped your lot as deities. But that time has long passed. The Uzumaki brought your clan low, to the point you have been nothing more than attack dogs for the Daimyo for over a century. And now that leash has been passed to my hand."
"I will not say your pride in your abilities is misplaced as you've shown tremendous mastery of your clans' unique techniques at such a young age. However, this is the last time I will suffer insubordination in any capacity from you specifically."
"But I'm sure I killed-!"
Byakuren holds up a hand, stopping Gengetsu's argument in its tracks.
"I am not talking about the child. It is obvious that his proximity to the three tailed beast has altered his body, something even I wouldn't have predicted so I can't blame you for that. It is the fact you completed the mission hours before this meeting and still decided to show up late with a piss poor excuse!"
Gengetsu eyes widen in fear at being found out,
"You went to see your accursed grandmother to have her alter the minds of the Hoshigaki-clan summons into serving your clan instead. When the sharks resisted her attempts after numerous tries, you gave up and reluctantly came here to give me the scroll. Should she have been successful my fragile relationship with the Hoshigaki would have been crippled. Tell me. Was that your goal?"
Gengetsu stays silent unwilling to verbally confirm his betrayal.
Byakuren sighs and shakes his head showing his frustration,
"Half-cooked plan made by yourself I assume as your grandmother would never be shortsighted enough to believe something so insignificant would ever be an obstacle for my plans. This would have slowed down my progress maybe a couple weeks and worsened my already terrible reputation but would have ultimately resulted in the slaughter of both the Hozuki and Hoshigaki clans. All that unneeded bloodshed because of your youthful foolishness. This is why I am punishing you as a reminder that your foreseeable future will be under my foot."
Gengetsu's face is filled with white hot rage as his cheeks are beet red along with thick veins popping along his neck and forehead. Byakuren continues talking to the blonde teen like a disobedient mutt,
"As a start to getting back in my good graces, I am putting your clan in charge of fostering this child into a fearsome warrior fit to build upon the reputation of my new village."
Byakuren emphasis his words by gesturing at Shogo's unconscious form at his feet making Gengetsu's nonexistent eyebrows shoot past his hairline. Despite how badly the teen wants the lash out both physically and verbally, he stays silent with both arms shaking at his sides.
The older man scans his purpling face for a second as if waiting for another outburst to punish before continuing,
"Now I don't expect the boy to be taught your clan's secret techniques, but he will need to have a firm grasp on all the expected talents of a war-ready shinobi. This includes being a versatile combatant, inductive thinking along with fast situational analysis, adept diplomat, and most importantly: able to take orders!"
Byakuren roars the last part in Gengetsu's face unleashing his bottled fury for a brief moment before pushing it down below an impassive look once again.
"I will give you two years to whip the kid into shape before I start assigning him missions from the stockpile building up after my takeover of the Daimyo's roster. Then I will give him a test in order to become a full-fledged ninja under my rule and should I find him unsatisfactory. I will butcher you and let your rivals rip the remains of your pitiful clan apart. Have I made myself clear?"
Gengetsu nods and answers through clenched teeth,
"Crystal."
Byakuren stares at the teen's face for another second,
"Good. Take the boy and get out of my sight. I need to plan our takeover of the Terumi Clan. I expect you at my office tomorrow to receive your new assignment."
After being waved off, Gengetsu roughly scoops up Shogo by his waist with one arm and hoist's the boy over his shoulder before speeding off into the night leaving the general to drill his soldiers on their upcoming conquest of the volcanic isle.