Next Bonus, 100PS!!
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"Hmm... so this is Asura's reincarnation in this era..." Manji rubbed his chin. His body shifted and faded into a thin mist.
Without a sound, he disappeared among the pillar shadows of the Six Paths Hall.
In the next instant, the mist gathered again. A figure in plain white robes appeared behind Senju Tsuru.
Manji's hair and beard were both white. He stroked his long beard, and his wise look fit the old shrine so well he almost seemed to belong there.
At that moment, Senju Tsuru was lowering his eyes and cleaning the incense table before the altar.
Incense smoke drifted through the hall. Light came through the carved window above, falling on his thin face and softening his features.
Tsuru didn't realize anyone was behind him until he heard Manji's footsteps and snapped back to attention.
"Ah!" Tsuru cried out, startled.
"Heh. You're very focused, young man," Manji said.
Tsuru turned, holding his chest as he tried to calm down. "Sir, you scared me half to death! You just appeared out of nowhere."
"Of course I don't slack off."
"The Six Paths Hall is sacred for the Senju. There's no room for carelessness when working here."
After saying that, Tsuru cupped his hands toward the portrait of the Sage of Six Paths inside the hall. His gesture was respectful and solemn.
Manji watched and nodded to himself.
This was a much better attitude than Uchiha Sa's back at the Six Paths Hall by the Naka River.
Tsuru scratched his head, looking confused. "I'm just an average person, so I didn't notice you come in. Sorry for being rude."
"But the ceremony ended a while ago. Why are you still here in the shrine?"
To Tsuru, this old man must be a reclusive Senju elder. No one else could appear in the hall so quietly.
"Heh..." Manji chuckled and walked over to the altar.
He looked at Tsuru's thin frame. "There's something wrong with your body, isn't there? I guess you can't use chakra."
"Mm..."
Tsuru froze, and a shadow crossed his eyes.
Everyone in the Senju Clan knew this. Since he was a child, it was common knowledge he couldn't use chakra—a regret people knew but rarely spoke about.
He nodded quietly. "You're right."
Manji clasped his hands behind his back and looked at him. "And you're okay with living as an average person for the rest of your life?"
Tsuru sighed, a quiet loneliness on his face. "There's not much I can do. I used to think it was the worst thing ever, but after spending so much time here in the Six Paths Hall, I've made peace with it."
"This is fine. I'll just let things happen as they will." Tsuru spoke with calm acceptance. There was no bitterness in his voice.
Manji was surprised inside—
This Asura reincarnation was even more withdrawn than Manji had expected.
He thought it over in silence. Since Indra and Asura began reincarnating, these two had not crossed paths even once in this era, much less fought their destined battle.
Could this contest end with Uchiha Sa winning by default?
"Right now, I only want to stay here in the Six Paths Hall and keep the Sage company."
"I read, sweep the hall, and live quietly. I'm still the clan head's son, so even without training, the clan makes sure I have food and shelter. I get hot soup and flatbread every day. That's enough for me."
Tsuru smiled as he spoke. There was no bitterness in his eyes, only satisfaction with his plain life.
Seeing him like this, Manji understood.
This generation's Asura reincarnation had checked out.
"I see. Then I won't disturb you."
Manji spoke lightly, brushed his sleeve, and walked toward the exit of the Six Paths Hall at an unhurried pace.
Tsuru rose to see him off and chased him out through the door, only to find a breeze sweeping incense ash along the corridor.
The white-robed old man was gone. Not even a faint aura remained.
"Huh? How did he leave so fast?"
Tsuru scratched his head and looked around in confusion. After confirming no one was there, he raised a hand and yawned, sleepiness creeping into his face.
"It's already noon. Time to head back to the side hall for a nap."
Muttering to himself, he turned and walked toward the residence behind the shrine. His thin figure disappeared into the building's shadow.
..............
Mount Myōboku. Longevity Peak.
Clouds and mist wrapped around the summit.
Manji stood at the cliff's edge, looking out over the rolling sea of clouds as he shook his head.
"Asura's reincarnation has checked out. Not even half a thought of competing. Meanwhile, Indra's reincarnation, Uchiha Sa, is arrogant, domineering, and sharp enough to cut. This destined confrontation is probably hers to win."
Manji paused. His fingertips tapped against his sleeve, and his voice turned calm. "But I've already interfered enough with the fate of the Shinobi world. Since Senju Tsuru is content with an average life, I have no reason to step in."
A sigh spread through the mist, and a trace of regret passed through Manji's eyes. "Looks like this contest ended before it even began. If I want to watch Indra and Asura clash until the ground runs red, I'll have to wait for the next reincarnation."
Seasons turned. Stars shifted.
In the blink of an eye, a year passed.
Shinobi Year 231 was destined to shake the Shinobi world.
Uchiha Clan Head Uchiha Sa expanded the clan with an iron hand, leading the Uchiha elite into open war and wiping out three neighboring shinobi clans in succession.
The surrounding clans fell into panic. Every rumor sounded like marching feet, every rustle like an ambush. Each one feared that the Uchiha blade would point at them next.
Inside Mount Myōboku, another event reached its conclusion.
After a year of training, Black Zetsu mastered Mount Myōboku's Sage Arts.
On Longevity Peak, one immortal, one toad, and one Zetsu stood facing one another.
Manji stood before a stone. Sage Fukasaku crouched on a nearby blue rock. Black Zetsu stood before them with his head lowered, a faint aura of Sage power surrounding him.
"Grand Sage, the Sage Arts I trained are all support techniques. They have no direct offensive power." Black Zetsu spoke with respect, explaining his abilities. "My power only takes effect when I attach myself to a host."
"Sage Art: Fusion Technique—allows me to attach Sage power to the host's body, enhancing their strength, perception, and reaction speed."
"It can also help the host refine and condense chakra, and I can absorb natural energy on their behalf and convert it into Sage chakra."
"Even an average person with no chakra could become a top-tier shinobi while I'm attached to them."
Then Black Zetsu shifted to the drawback.
"But the technique has a flaw. Once I separate from the host, every bit of power they gained through me disappears, and they return to their original state."
"Likewise, once I leave the host, I can't use ninjutsu myself."
"Oh?" Fukasaku croaked from the side and nodded. "That sounds a lot like our Sage Art: Amphibian Technique."
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