Sarutobi Hiruzen leisurely sliced open the fish's belly, removing the innards in such a meticulous manner that he seemed unaffected by the odor of the flesh, his serious expression tinged with a hint of enjoyment.
Beside him, Asura hesitated to speak.
He wanted to say that he was in no mood to enjoy a bowl of fish soup, even if Sarutobi Hiruzen's culinary skills were the best in the Ninja World...
Asura was eager to understand why the esteemed Aomi, so highly praised by the wise Sarutobi Hiruzen, would demand forced unity in the Ninja World if not influenced by the Otsutsuki Chakra.
What secret lies behind this?
Yet Asura couldn't speak.
Because Sarutobi Hiruzen told him that everything needed calm consideration.
To Asura, this wise elder aimed to guide him toward independent thinking rather than forcefully imposing knowledge on him...
It was for his own good!
"I must not waste the goodwill of Mr. Sarutobi Hiruzen... I will think, think for myself..." Asura struggled to steady his mind, trying to rid it of distracting thoughts.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen's theory that "power is merely a blade, and the blade itself is innocent" lingered in Asura's mind, refusing to dissipate.
A blade can be the weapon of murder, or a tool guiding others to forge a path forward — it all depends on how it's used...
And influenced by the Six Paths Sage, Asura believed transforming chakra, a tool for mutual understanding, into offensive ninjutsu was wrong, was guilty, leaving him with deep guilt.
As the saying goes, a single leaf can obstruct one's view.
The troubled Asura kept pondering, yet despite his efforts, he remained trapped in Sarutobi Hiruzen's logic...
This was because once Aomi appeared...
The notion that power is guilty was thoroughly shattered... Without power, how could the ordinary folk of the Ninja World handle the Otsutsuki, such as Isshiki and Urashiki, appearing outside of the Six Paths Sage's plans?
No matter how idyllic the home, faced with external violence, it would dissolve into bubbles.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, though leading, were founded in solid logic.
The Ninja World, this planet, indeed the cosmos, was no untouched utopia where the Six Paths Sage could freely conduct social experiments but was long observed as a battlefront...
"Has it succeeded?"
While leisurely slicing fish, Sarutobi Hiruzen secretly observed Asura's micro-expressions, intricately planning his next move.
"Asura seems suitable to develop the Will of Fire..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought, "He holds guilt toward the Ninja World and, like Lord Hashirama, possesses a selfless nature…"
"I must find a way to cleverly convey Aomi's contributions to the Ninja World, ensuring he at least regards Aomi as a role model…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flashed: "In that case, if Aomi needs the chakra support upon opening the Death Gate, Asura's character certainly wouldn't refuse to join, contributing his chakra…"
"If I can win over Asura, post-victory, even Teacher Tobirama would have to commend my achievement?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly placed the sliced fish into the pot, simmering it gently.
Despite cooking fish chunks in the pot.
In reality, this old hand Sarutobi Hiruzen was simmering Asura's volatile inner struggle in this tug-of-war...
This time, Sarutobi Hiruzen aims to defy heaven's will, surpassing Otsutsuki Hiruzen!
————————
While Sarutobi Hiruzen was engaging in conversation with Asura.
In the underground laboratory of the Ninja World Alliance Army.
Uchiha Madara walked in with Indra, casting a glance at Senju Tobirama, who returned a grim look.
What a bother, since Izuna swapped eyes with that rascal, it's been unpleasant no matter how you look at it!
Yet Uchiha Madara couldn't voice it.
After all, since Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna exchanged eyes, their ocular powers had markedly advanced, reaching the Eternal Mangekyo level.
His brother indeed gained tangible benefits.
There's little he can say about it...
"Hey."
Uchiha Madara spoke coldly: "I've discussed with Indra... He agreed with our plan but insists on participating, as he mistrusts your capability in jutsu research."
"Additionally, both Indra and I believe we shouldn't place the entire burden of the Ninja World's unified power upon Aomi, not forgetting Aomi's test on us."
Uchiha Madara swept his gaze around.
Among the present ninjas, besides the Kinjutsu Master Senju Tobirama, were his brother Uchiha Izuna, the most powerful Fuinjutsu ninja Uzumaki Mito, alongside Orochimaru and Hiruko.
In essence, all ninjas with research and experience in Kinjutsu in the Ninja World gathered in this underground laboratory.
Within this lineup...
Hiruko and Orochimaru, the two Kinjutsu Masters, were relegated to menial tasks, obediently listening to Uzumaki Mito and Senju Tobirama discussing the big picture...
"What's the meaning?"
Senju Tobirama spoke coldly: "Let me clarify upfront to prevent misunderstandings later from interfering with the ultimate battle against Otsutsuki!"
"This grand formation focusing the Ninja World's life forms should, and must, be structured using Aomi's and my Soul Engraving!