Since the dawn of humanity, war has never truly ceased; it merely evolved into an era of endless strife.
The earth was stained crimson with blood, as if the soil itself sought to drink every drop of life ever spilled.
The God Tree did not involve itself in these conflicts, remaining a "Divine Pillar" worshipped by the people. But one day, the tree bore fruit.
Though no one understood its true significance, none dared to defy the ancestral warnings to touch it.
The Otsutsuki clan hailed from a distant star. Princess Kaguya, born with the Byakugan, consumed the fruit alone to obtain chakra and quell the chaotic wars.
After the fighting ended, she gave birth to twins, Hagoromo and Hamura, who were born with chakra already in their veins.
Gradually, Kaguya came to believe that chakra should belong to her alone.
She cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi upon humanity using the Rinne Sharingan, instilling such fear and awe that her title of "Rabbit Goddess" eventually twisted into that of a "Demon."
Her obsession with chakra ultimately turned toward her own children. To reclaim all chakra for herself, Kaguya merged with the God Tree, transforming into the Ten-Tails to battle her sons.
In the end, Hagoromo and Hamura activated the Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei, creating the moon and sealing the Ten-Tails within it.
As the son of Otsutsuki Hagoromo, Asura was intimately familiar with this history. Before he vanished in the forests of the Land of Rivers, he had shared this hidden truth—entirely different from the recorded history of the ninja world—with Shiraishi.
Unfortunately, even Asura's knowledge had its limits, such as the true origin of Kaguya Otsutsuki. The abnormal phenomena surrounding Uzumaki Tomoe's unborn child suggested that the Sage of the Six Paths feared the infant's potential—fearful it might become a second Kaguya.
If it were you, Asura, would you also fear this child?
Regardless, Tomoe and her child were innocent. Even the source of the Ninja Creed had no right to interfere with the affairs of the Hidden Sand.
The Otsutsuki clan had dominated the history of the ninja world for a millennium, treating the continent like a plaything, manipulating the transformations of the world.
Even Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, as the reincarnations of chakra, were merely pieces in their game.
The Skill System, as an external power, had initially been rejected by this world, fragmenting into countless skill cards scattered across the globe, and eventually forced to disguise itself as local chakra to survive.
It was only after meeting Asura and receiving the inheritance of the Ninja Creed that Shiraishi was recognized by certain rules of this realm.
But as the child within Tomoe continued to grow, the day would come when the truth would be laid bare.
"After calming the chaotic world, one uses their power to regulate it. But soon after, they become arrogant because of that power. This applied to Kaguya, and it applies to the Sage of the Six Paths as well."
As Shiraishi spoke, the sky suddenly erupted into a massive storm. Violent, chaotic air currents coalesced above, manifesting a rioting energy.
For a moment, the New Hidden Sand Village looked as though it were facing the end of the world.
Amidst the torrential rain and thunder, Uzumaki Tomoe, resting in the medical bay, turned deathly pale and collapsed to her knees.
The medical department was thrown into chaos as a massive bolt of lightning descended from the high heavens, striking the roof directly. In the wake of the terrifying roar, Chiju fell unconscious.
Though labor had not yet begun, the thunder felt like a silent warning. Faced with a village shrouded in wind and rain, Shiraishi's expression remained unchanged. It was then that a cold voice echoed from behind him.
"You seem perplexed by this sudden, strange weather?"
Orochimaru, disguised as a Jonin from the Sound Village, spoke with a flickering tongue, his pace shifting rhythmically in an unpredictable manner.
"Senior Orochimaru."
Shiraishi watched the rain, his voice unexpectedly calm. "Do you believe that the Sage of the Six Paths might still exist in this world in some form?"
Seeing Shiraishi in this state, Orochimaru, for reasons unknown, offered a rare, almost "kindly" gaze. "If I didn't believe it, wouldn't I be denying the very immortality I seek?"
"Then do you believe that the chakra of this world would specifically target a person's birth to try and erase them? It is faint, but I can feel the killing intent within it."
"It sounds like a ridiculous story."
"Ridiculous?" Shiraishi did not turn around, reaching out his hand to feel the impact of the storm.
Even for an existence like himself, the chakra-will of the Sage had never moved. Yet, for the child in Tomoe's womb, it acted as if facing a mortal enemy. This only ignited a stronger fighting spirit within Shiraishi.
As the person whose thinking pattern most closely resembled Shiraishi's, Orochimaru revealed the purpose of his visit: "Regarding this matter, I think perhaps only it can enlighten you."
"Who?"
At the mention of this being, Orochimaru licked his lips. "The White Snake Sage of Ryuchi Cave!"
"The White Snake Sage?"
Sensing Shiraishi's gaze, Orochimaru slowly explained the identity of the White Snake Sage and the sanctuary it represented.
In fact, the natural energy contained within the pure Cursed Seal on Shiraishi's body also originated from the Ryuchi Cave lineage.
The White Snake Sage resided in the legendary Ryuchi Cave, a Sacred Land of equal status to Mount Myoboku and the Shikkotsu Forest.
In the original timeline, it would have taken Orochimaru years to discover it, but due to the "butterfly effect," he had encountered the Sage ahead of schedule.
Though Orochimaru was currently unable to master the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave, the White Snake Sage had lived for ages no shorter than those of the Six Paths Sage. It was the only entity Orochimaru could think of to assist Shiraishi.
Ryuchi Cave was one of the three most mysterious Sacred Lands in the shinobi world. Its ancestor, the White Snake Sage, was among the continent's original indigenous creatures—or rather, a deity.
They had protected this planet long before the arrival of the outsider Otsutsuki clan, only retreating behind the scenes after the rise of the Six Paths Sage's Ninja Creed.
The three Sacred Lands each had their own judgments and views on the future.
The Mount Myoboku lineage was the most proactive, using the "Child of Prophecy" as a catalyst to push Jiraiya to roam the world in search of that ephemeral figure.
Simply put, they were preparing to nurture talents to deal with future invasions from the Otsutsuki, including Kaguya.
The Shikkotsu Forest's stance remained unknown.
Ryuchi Cave originally had no desire to involve itself in this mess, but following the rise of the Hidden Sand, the Fifth Kazekage had become a subject of intense focus for the White Snake Sage.
Orochimaru's visit to Ryuchi Cave had been moved forward because of Shiraishi. As a great power from the same era as the Great Toad Sage, the White Snake Sage possessed its own foresight, which is why it had instructed Orochimaru to invite Shiraishi to the Cave.
"I understand. Let's prepare to head to Ryuchi Cave immediately."
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