What followed was an eruption of volcanic fury—and lingering terror!
“So all this time… we’ve been alive, painstakingly cultivating Chakra, only to help the Sage of Six Paths ‘fatten up’ the ‘seed’ he planted inside us?!”
A shinobi suddenly grabbed his own hair, his eyes bloodshot and his voice hoarse with overwhelming rage.
“And after we die… not even our souls can rest in peace! He harvests us like crops, imprisons us in that damned space, and makes us… makes us serve as fuel and preparation for his ‘immortality’?!”
“Th-then how can he be some kind of savior or Creator God?!”
The person beside him was trembling, his face deathly pale.
“He’s clearly… clearly the greediest slave master of all, hiding beneath the guise of a god—and an eternal overseer!”
“Then does that mean… right now, at this very moment, the Sage of Six Paths’ soul is in that so-called ‘Pure Land’ of his?!”
Someone stared fearfully at the sky, as though they could see through the clouds and behold those cold eyes watching all living beings.
“He’s been… watching us all this time? Controlling our lives and deaths, plotting out everything that happens to us even after we die?!”
The terror brought about by that realization seeped deep into their bones, far surpassing the fear inspired by any tangible enemy.
It shook the very foundation of their power, tainted the source of their faith, and filled every person who possessed Chakra with a bone-deep chill—as though they were trapped beneath an invisible web, their fates already marked with a price.
Yet the Heavenly Curtain did not pause because of the fear and fury erupting in the real world.
The scene shifted, and history continued onward.
Within a secluded valley, the Sage of Six Paths had completed the initial refinement of the Spatial Orb and formulated his shocking vision for the “Pure Land.” After resting, he was ready to move again.
He concealed the wild joy and obsession in his eyes, restoring the solemn dignity and inscrutable bearing of the Sage of Six Paths—the founder of Ninshū—and set off for his order.
However, the moment he stepped within its grounds, his keen senses immediately detected that something was wrong.
The familiar sounds of training, sparring, and discussion were nowhere to be heard. In their place was an oppressive, tense silence, accompanied by faint pulses of hostile Chakra.
As far as the eye could see, the disciples gathered on either side of the order’s plaza had clearly divided themselves into two camps.
One side surrounded Indra, their expressions arrogant and their eyes filled with contempt for the other faction.
The other had gathered around Asura. Their faces were filled with indignation, their fists tightly clenched.
Neither side had come to blows, but the clash of their gazes and the subtle confrontation between their Chakras had already saturated the air with the scent of gunpowder, as though a single spark could set everything ablaze.
The Sage of Six Paths immediately frowned deeply.
Ninshū was the foundation he had spent half his life building from the ruins—a means of spreading Chakra and realizing his original ideals. More importantly, it was a vital “breeding ground” and platform for the future implementation of his Pure Land plan.
Internal strife? A schism?
He would never allow such a thing!
This dangerous development had to be crushed before it could take root, and everyone’s attention had to be redirected toward a course more favorable to him.
Rather than directly reprimanding the two factions or mediating their dispute, he demonstrated the decisiveness expected of their supreme leader.
He immediately issued a strict order summoning every disciple of Ninshū to the central plaza.
Standing upon the high platform, the Sage of Six Paths swept his gaze across the disciples below. Though their expressions varied, every one of them regarded him with reverence. In a calm yet powerful voice, he clearly announced two matters significant enough to shake all of Ninshū.
“First, beginning today, Ninshū will officially begin to expand.”
“I will send disciples to more distant and remote regions throughout the world, spreading Chakra to more people who have yet to encounter this power. Let the light of Chakra illuminate a broader world!”
“Second—”
The Sage of Six Paths paused, deliberately allowing his gaze to linger briefly on Indra and Asura. The entire plaza held its breath.
“The question of Ninshū’s future successor will no longer remain unresolved. From among my two sons—Indra and Asura—I will select the more suitable candidate through a fair trial.”
The two announcements were like massive stones cast into a tranquil pond!
The expansion of Ninshū meant greater power, resources, and influence. It was welcome news for everyone devoted to the path of Chakra!
The open selection of a successor was even more significant, directly affecting the future direction of Ninshū and the interests of every disciple!
The crowd erupted!
Whether they supported Indra or Asura, both sides were immediately filled with excitement and anticipation at the news.
Expansion would bring new opportunities, while an open selection would give the young master they supported a legitimate chance to assume leadership!
The tense, hostile atmosphere from moments earlier miraculously dissipated by more than half before these greater concerns of collective interests and the future. In its place came excitement and calculation over what was to come.
Seeing that his initial objective had been achieved, the Sage of Six Paths wasted no time and directly announced the trial. Its terms were simple and straightforward.
“Indra. Asura.”
“You will depart immediately. Neither of you may take any followers. You will travel alone.”
He pointed in two different directions.
“Each of you will travel to one of these villages. Your trial is to do everything within your power to assist the villagers, resolve their hardships, and demonstrate the… abilities and character expected of Ninshū’s successor.”
“You have one month. Return to Ninshū within that time and tell me of your experiences and what you have learned.”
The trial appeared simple, yet it carried deeper implications.
It would test not only their individual abilities, but also their leadership, their ability to connect with others, their wisdom in solving problems, and…
Whether they could truly use the ideals and power of Chakra to help and guide others—precisely the principles Ninshū claimed to uphold.
At those words, both Indra’s and Asura’s eyes flashed. They were brimming with confidence.
“Yes, Father!” the two brothers answered in unison.
Without another word, the brothers accepted the task. Under the watchful eyes of every disciple in Ninshū, they each shot off toward their assigned destination like streaks of light, parting ways.
From the high platform, the Sage of Six Paths silently watched as his two sons gradually disappeared into the distance.
A complicated, inscrutable light flickered in his eyes.
Did he harbor expectations for his sons? Was he speculating about the outcome of their trial?
Perhaps there were even deeper thoughts—ones no one else could possibly understand.
In the end, he did nothing. He offered no further instructions and conducted no secret surveillance. After standing there quietly for a moment, he simply turned and left.
To him at that moment, the temporary harmony within Ninshū and the attention focused on the trial to determine its successor were certainly important.
But neither was as urgent as his ultimate goal: expanding the number of people in the world who possessed Chakra.