"About the matter of you wanting to change positions…"
"But next, you will write a ten thousand word self reflection."
"If it is written well, I will transfer you to the History Department. You can see many books there. Studying history is quite good too.", Arisu stood up and said.
"Thank you!", Black Zetsu's face lit up with joy, and he quickly knelt down to thank him.
Although the history department was also quite boring, at least he could look at history and read books. When there was nothing to do, he could even slack off a bit with the working toads.
'Live the life of a worker.'
'It was at least better than being a grave guard at the cemetery.'
'Such a life… I would be satisfied…'
Arisu nodded. Black Zetsu was fairly obedient to reform.
Of course, it was also possible that Black Zetsu was copying him, learning Arisu's ability to endure and think openly.
But that did not matter. Once Black Zetsu realized he could not revive his mother, he would naturally begin to truly blend into life at Mount Myoboku.
———
[Several Years Passed]
The morning mist had not yet fully cleared.
Sunlight slanted through the window lattice and fell onto the bamboo scroll in front of Hagoromo.
Hagoromo sat upright, teaching two four or five year old children beside him to read.
On the left, Indra had handsome brows and eyes. Even at such a young age, he showed a calm air. His fingertips gently rubbed the patterns on the bamboo scroll.
On the right, Ashura looked more lively. His round face was full of childish innocence. From time to time, he secretly glanced at the birds outside the window. He looked quite playful.
"Father."
"Why do we not have power like you?", Indra suddenly raised his eyes and asked clearly.
Hagoromo's hand holding the bamboo scroll paused. He looked at his eldest son and said calmly, "I believe you only need a sound mind and a healthy body. There is no need for power."
"I see…", Indra frowned slightly. A trace of confusion flashed in his eyes, but he did not continue asking.
His gaze slowly shifted to the front wall of the hall, where a portrait hung. The person in the painting wore a black and red robe, with indifferent brows and eyes. It was the founder of the Ninja Sect, the Sage of Six Paths, Arisu.
"Father, is that our founder, the Sage of Six Paths?", Indra asked softly.
Ashura also looked over.
Hagoromo followed his gaze and nodded slowly. "That is right. He is my teacher and also the root of our Ninja Sect."
"Then is your power learned from the Sage of Six Paths?", Indra's voice carried a bit more urgency.
Hagoromo nodded. "Yes."
"Then can I go learn from him?", Indra suddenly sat up straight, desire shining in his eyes.
Hagoromo raised his brows slightly, his tone becoming more serious. "Indra, why are you so obsessed with power today?"
Indra lowered his eyelashes, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Yesterday Ashura and I went out to gather herbs and met a wild wolf. If not for the brother from the Ninja Sect arriving in time, we might have been hurt."
"I think if I had power, I could protect myself and also protect Ashura."
"Yes, yes!" Ashura immediately agreed, patting his chest with lingering fear. "That wolf's eyes were so fierce. My legs went soft at that time!"
Hagoromo fell silent for a moment. Then he slowly stood up, his gaze landing on the two children.
"You do not need power. True power is firmness and kindness in the heart. It is understanding how to connect with others and rely on each other."
He had never thought of teaching the power of chakra to his two children. Even though they inherited his bloodline, they still did not understand the true meaning of power.
At the beginning, Hagoromo himself admitted that the Ninja Sect was originally only a pure religion.
In the end, he only wanted everyone to have bonds of the heart.
As long as the body was healthy, that was enough. There was no need to pursue more power.
Hagoromo did not believe it was necessary to practice stronger power.
Indra looked at his father's back, pressed his lips together, and did not insist further.
He was precocious and understood how to read expressions. If his father was unwilling to teach, he would not continue to pester him. But the desire in his heart was like a seed that quietly sprouted.
"Ha…", Ashura let out a big yawn and rubbed his eyes as he looked at Indra.
"Brother, it is getting late. Let's sleep.", As he spoke, he threw himself onto the tatami at the side, pulled the blanket over himself, and soon his breathing became steady.
Indra, however, had no sleepiness. He continued to look at Arisu's portrait on the wall, his fingers slowly clenching.
If Father would not teach him, then he would go find Father's teacher, the legendary Sage of Six Paths.
The books recorded that the Immortal was close with the toads of Mount Myoboku. Those toads could speak human language. Perhaps they could help him find the Immortal's traces.
Once this thought took root, it could no longer be erased. Indra slowly closed his eyes, already forming a plan in his heart.
In the following days, Indra's figure could often be seen in the forests around the Ninja Sect.
He avoided others and moved through the dense woods, carefully searching every corner, just to find that talking toad.
He searched through the streams, tree holes, and piles of rocks near the Ninja Sect, from morning until sunset, yet he never found a talking toad.
As the sun set, golden light spread across the bamboo forest. Indra collapsed tiredly onto a large rock, looked up at the sunset in the distance, and let out a long sigh.
"Sigh! I have searched for so many days. Is it really something that can only be met by chance?"
There was a trace of disappointment in his voice, but no intention of giving up. He simply looked at the sky, and in his eyes still burned the desire for power.
———
[Inside The Great Hall OfMount Myoboku.]
Arisu was sitting on a stone seat, flipping through a scroll spread out before him. It was densely filled with writing.
It was the ten thousand word self reflection that Black Zetsu had written after staying up for several days and nights.
Black Zetsu shrank in the corner of the hall, occasionally sneaking glances at Arisu's expression, afraid that the Immortal would be dissatisfied and assign him more tasks.
"Wonderful, wonderful. Black Zetsu, this self reflection of yours is well written. It is good because it speaks of being kind to others. It is good because it understands reflecting on Kaguya's mistakes!", Arisu nodded in praise.
Black Zetsu immediately showed a bright smile. "You overpraise me!"
At that moment, Fukasaku hurried in with short steps.
"Great Immortal, news has come from the Ninja Sect. Lord Hagoromo's eldest son, Indra, has been searching in the forests near the Ninja Sect these past few days."
"He seems to be looking for a talking toad. He likely wants to find your traces.", Fukasaku bowed respectfully.
"Oh?"
Arisu's fingers holding the bamboo scroll paused. He raised his eyes to look at Fukasaku, a hint of surprise flashing in them. 'Indra is looking for me?'
He had not expected that Hagoromo's eldest son would take the initiative to seek him out.
"Hehe, Black Zetsu, the necessary power for you to revive Kaguya has come to find me on its own.", Arisu smiled and teased Black Zetsu.
"Uh, you must be joking. I already belong to you. I, Black Zetsu, am basically already a member of Mount Myoboku.", Black Zetsu laughed awkwardly.
Arisu chuckled twice. "Haha…"
"Great Immortal, shall I send a toad to use genjutsu to lead him away, or simply dismiss him?", Fukasaku asked for instructions.
Mount Myoboku never lightly interfered in Ninja Sect matters, especially regarding Hagoromo's children.
Arisu waved his hand and casually placed the bamboo scroll aside. "No need."
"Fukasaku, take Black Zetsu to the Mount Myoboku History Department to take up his post.", Arisu pointed at Black Zetsu.
As his voice fell, his figure disappeared from the hall, leaving only a faint trace of sage chakra in the air.
Black Zetsu's face lit up with joy. He respectfully walked to Fukasaku.
"Lord Fukasaku, please guide me well!", Fukasaku nodded slightly.