Hayato had no way to defend himself—when did he ever sneak around?
He merely brought out Ashura's original potential.
Fast-forwarding what's destined to happen—does that count as cheating?
"Hayato, you're being unfair enough to drown the ocean," Hiroki sighed.
Hayato opened his mouth to speak.
"Don't be so quick to argue."
Hiroki continued.
"If the intel is right, Hayato, you should've already become Shinigami by now."
"Shinigami, who controls all souls. Whether Indra or Ashura manages this place, whether those people live or die—it's all decided by you?"
"You control the world of the dead while Hamura and others manage the living. There's absolutely no one capable of defeating them."
"In other words, we've completely controlled this world already. Why bother with childish games and waste time!"
By the end, Hiroki's tone carried a sense of frustration, as if lamenting someone's failure to live up to expectations.
Hayato was in the Pure Land, and Indra, whose Rinnegan had awakened, could also connect to the Pure Land.
As long as their physical forms were intact, couldn't they just resurrect whomever they pleased?
Life and death itself was decided entirely by them.
"How can you take lives so lightly?" Hayato immediately responded.
"Exactly," Ashura nodded in agreement.
Though Indra was currently benefiting from Ashura's retaliation, watching Hayato's reluctant expression and listening to his justification made him feel uncomfortable inside.
Was it really so difficult just to gain his recognition?
"Hayato, if you wanted to leave, then go ahead—you should step down now," Kaguya spoke up.
Hayato helplessly wondered—was he losing his position as clan leader again?
Was he about to get expelled directly?
He turned to Indra and asked,
"Indra, if you become the heir to Ninja Arts, how do you plan to govern the village and nurture its members?"
"Father, I know you wish for everyone to coexist peacefully, with equal opportunities," Indra replied calmly.
"However, equality itself can sometimes be another form of injustice. If someone is naturally a genius, should they stay stuck, waiting around forever for others to catch up?"
"Therefore, my idea is to hold regular competitions among everyone. Only those who prove themselves through achievements may learn more powerful techniques."
"The others can just keep taking care of things outside as usual."
Hayato frowned silently, seemingly deep in thought.
"Hayato, Hayato—the Pure Land needs you," Kaguya muttered.
Hayato smiled bitterly.
"Brother, don't forget—I'm still here," Hamura interrupted, thinking inwardly:
If we follow Father's way, generation after generation, eventually through survival of the fittest, most people in this world will be our descendants anyway...
When everyone's basically part of the same family, maybe Father and Mother won't be able to bring themselves to act so ruthlessly anymore.
Under pressure from Kaguya and Hiroki, although Hayato didn't change his stance, he reluctantly agreed to let Indra inherit the Ninja Arts—but added Indra's suggestion into practice.
Trainees within the Ninja Arts sect must undergo regular sparring matches.
Ashura and Indra would jointly manage the village while maintaining their competitive relationship.
The specific rules and regulations were left for them to discuss.
Learning about these matters made the disciples of the Ninja Arts realize they couldn't slack off anymore, so they unavoidably became tense.
They divided themselves into two groups for training under Ashura and Indra respectively.
Within less than a month, their numbers split evenly between both sides.
If it was just about living comfortably, naturally they would choose to follow along with Ashura, who was cheerful, easygoing, and loved mingling with everyone.
But when considering future strength, some decided to side with Indra, who was more strict, skilled in various ninjutsu techniques, and active in development.
This outcome surprised Hayato somewhat, but since he had to set off to guard the Pure Land, he didn't bother interfering.
As for Kaguya and Hiroki interfering at the last minute and breaking their previous promise, he could only grumble silently to himself without voicing any complaints.
"Farewell. If anything else comes up, come find me in the Pure Land," Hayato waved goodbye to several people before departing.
Hamura, Ashura, and Hayato's wife waved back in response.
Kaguya, Hiroki, and Indra showed no reaction whatsoever.
Hayato gave an awkward rub to his nose and left with an embarrassed grin.
The moon still hung in the night sky every evening, and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path summoned from within had been placed by Kaguya into the Origin World.
Although Indra was cold-hearted, he always followed through on his words.
Besides training those who followed him, he also focused greatly on improving his own power.
The Six Paths abilities of the Rinnegan, Planetary Devastation, Heavenly Obstacle Quaking Star, Rinne Reincarnation Technique—and more—he had already mastered completely.
[Planetary Devastation]
[Heavenly Obstacle Quaking Star]
[Rinne Reincarnation Technique]
"Grandmother Kaguya, is my eye capable of further evolution?" Indra asked during an afternoon while several of them were in the same room.
He once caught a fleeting glimpse of Kaguya's Rinne Sharingan located between her eyebrows, particularly its nine tomoe, which deeply stunned him.
"It can evolve, yes, but likely not possible on this planet," Kaguya replied calmly.
"Why not?" Indra didn't quite understand.
"Lack of resources," Kaguya answered concisely.
"Resources?" Indra murmured, "You mean this world can't cultivate that many extraordinary individuals?"
"You could see it that way," Kaguya nodded.
"There's absolutely no need for so many people to harness chakra in the first place," Indra suddenly sneered.
In his mind, he believed all people and power should be unified under one banner.
Ashura cleared his throat slightly and shifted the topic. He pointed at his own eyes with longing, gazing enviously at theirs.
"Uncle, Grandmother Kaguya, Grandfather Hiroki, what about me? Can my eyes evolve?"
"If you weren't born with them, you basically won't have them in this lifetime," Hiroki smiled, shaking his head.
A flash of disappointment crossed Ashura's face. Since it was a distinguishing feature of their family, why did he alone lack it? It made him feel like an outsider.
Seeing his expression, Indra smirked slightly.
Turning his head again, Indra questioned Hamura and Hiroki further, "Is the Tenseigan on the same level as the Rinnegan?"
"Yes," Hamura nodded. "Though it's not as powerful as Mother, it's on par with you and my older brother Hayato."
"Then what special techniques does it have? I've rarely seen you use any jutsu," Indra continued asking.
Ashura wore a similar expression of curiosity.
Hamura smiled slightly. "Although different from the Rinnegan, many techniques ultimately get you to the same place in the end."
"Gravitational Force, Repulsive Force, mental control, Chakra absorption via Ninjutsu, Puppet control, and so on..."
"Even your Susano'o—I could use it too, technically, but it would just be a huge waste of Chakra."
A layer of green Chakra appeared around Hamura before vanishing in a flash.
Indra's eyes sparkled with eagerness, wanting to test his abilities against him.
"Let's spar for a bit," Hamura said calmly, reading his thoughts.
They exited the chamber without another word.
Ashura trailed right behind them.
Otsutsuki Homeworld.
"Mineo, are you fully healed already?"
Mineo merely nodded in response to Otsutsuki Yoro's question. "I'm almost completely recovered."
"Good." Yoro glanced at him. "We've detected an undeveloped location—we'll leave it for you to handle."
"A new world?" Mineo responded, inwardly wondering how the clan had found it—but he was smart enough not to ask outright.
"What about my partner? Haven't they returned yet?"
"Don't worry, we've already selected someone. Come out, rookie!"
With that, Yoro snapped his fingers.
From behind him slowly emerged a silhouette. The sound of footsteps grew clearer, and the figure gradually became more distinct.
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