Before Shinji could respond, the Sage of Six Paths continued: "With your current chakra level, there shouldn't be anything you need my help with, right?"
Shinji asked: "Are you aware of the current situation the shinobi world is facing?"
The Sage of Six Paths hesitated for a moment and asked tentatively: "What specifically are you referring to?"
Shinji's expression darkened.
He had initially assumed that the Sage of Six Paths would have noticed the existence of the Hegemon of Terror. Now, it seemed that the Sage—who had split the Ten-Tails, founded Ninshu to spread chakra, and eventually lost his physical body—had suffered a severe decline in power. He was no longer capable of sensing the Hegemon of Terror lurking outside the spatial barrier.
However, this was only natural. Even the Great Toad Sage, who possessed the talent for prophecy, could only vaguely foresee a coming crisis for the world without being able to identify the nature of the threat or the identity of the enemy.
Seeing Shinji's expression, the Sage of Six Paths felt somewhat bewildered: "Just what has happened?"
Shinji sighed: "Since you know nothing, there is no need for me to explain too much. You only need to know that a terrifying enemy in the universe is peering at the shinobi world. Within three years at most, this world may face total destruction!"
The Sage's expression turned stern: "Is it the Otsutsuki clan?"
Shinji shook his head: "Ordinary Otsutsuki haven't been a concern of mine for a long time. This time, the enemy is an existence far more terrifying than they are. Therefore, I need some Six Paths Level helpers!"
"Six Paths Level?" Stunned, the Sage of Six Paths reacted: "This old man no longer wishes to interfere in the affairs of the shinobi world!"
"You misunderstand, I didn't intend to ask for your help personally!" Shinji paused, pointed at the distant Naruto and Sasuke, and said to the Sage: "There should be no one more familiar with their identities than you, right?"
With a complex expression, the Sage of Six Paths nodded slightly.
Shinji stated: "Regardless of the method you use, I hope you can help them successfully advance to the Six Paths Level within a year!"
The Sage seemed hesitant: "This..."
Shinji interrupted him: "Do not refuse. This is what you owe the shinobi world. This pair of sons of yours has reincarnated dozens of times, turning the world upside down in every life. It is time they made a contribution to this world in this generation!"
The Sage was momentarily speechless.
Shinji lowered his voice: "I'm counting on you."
The Sage could only sigh: "This old man will do his best."
"Thank you." Shinji thanked him sincerely.
Aside from his poor track record in educating Indra and Asura, Shinji really had no grounds to criticize the Sage of Six Paths. One could say that if not for him, the shinobi world would likely still be living under the terrifying reign of Otsutsuki Kaguya.
Waving Naruto and Sasuke over, Shinji said: "From now on, you will train under the Sage of Six Paths!"
"Yes!" Sasuke nodded.
Naruto said to Shinji: "Shinji, don't worry, I'll work hard!"
After Shinji said his goodbyes, the Sage said helplessly: "You two, come with me." One could tell the Sage was also troubled, seemingly unsure of how to make Naruto and Sasuke reach the Six Paths Level within a year.
In the blink of an eye, the Sage of Six Paths took Naruto and Sasuke away.
Watching them leave, Shinji felt a bit sentimental.
In fact, before meeting the Sage, Shinji had already prepared himself mentally because he had previously seen Otsutsuki Hamura on the moon. The spirit-form Hamura was not only unable to help him deal with the Hegemons, but he didn't even have the power to deal with the rebellious branch family on the moon.
As the elder brother, Hagoromo was significantly stronger than Hamura. However, the Sage had effectively "dismantled his own martial arts" over the years; how much of his peak Six Paths power remained was highly debatable.
Seeing him now, Shinji finally gave up hope on that front. The current Sage was merely a withered old man; he might barely maintain a Six Paths level of power, but his spirit was gone. He appeared listless and lacked the sharp edge of a true powerhouse.
"Sigh, it seems I can only rely on myself."
Shinji sighed with a wry smile, dismissing the idea of recruiting the Sage as an active combatant. He gradually realized that it wasn't necessarily that the Sage was too weak, but that he himself had become so strong that the recruitment value of the Sage had drastically diminished.
"Unknowingly, I have reached a point where I can look as an equal—or even look down upon—the Sage who once existed only in legends. Heh, I'm really not quite used to it yet!"
Shinji shook his head with a smile, then opened a spatial gate and left the Land of Hot Springs.
The Research Institute.
In a laboratory, a White Zetsu clone on the operating table suddenly began to tremble violently. Then, its body started to expand rapidly.
"Everyone, stand back!"
Amado ordered the researchers to retreat while keeping his eyes fixed on the instruments beside the table.
Rumble...
Soon, the White Zetsu clone expanded until it looked like an overinflated balloon, turning into a bloated sphere in an instant. Seeing that the readings on the instruments had completely lost any reference value, Amado waved his hand helplessly.
Instantly, a barrier was activated, trapping the expanding clone. At that moment, the clone reached its limit and exploded into a mass of mangled flesh with a loud bang.
Looking at the scattered flesh, Amado shook his head: "Failed again."
To research the Shinjutsu contained within the body of Otsutsuki Shibai, nearly a dozen groups in the institute were pouring all their efforts into cell transplantation experiments. However, so far, no group had made a breakthrough. All transplantations, without exception, ended in failure.
In Amado's view, this was perfectly normal. Successful cases like Eida and Daemon were the exceptions—they couldn't be easily replicated or mass-produced.
At that moment, Orochimaru walked in. He glanced at the messy operating table and smiled: "It seems things aren't going too well on your end either."
Amado said: "My hypothesis should be correct. Only individuals capable of becoming a 'Vessel' for that Otsutsuki can potentially withstand the cell transplant. Continuing to use White Zetsu clones is just a waste of time and energy."
Orochimaru spread his hands: "Then that's problematic. A lot of people are going to die."
Amado didn't believe for a second that Orochimaru cared about human lives. He said: "I will personally apply to the Leader to use shinobi for live human experiments."