Arisu looked at the young man standing tall in front of him, his eyes calm, his tone flat.
"When sharp edges show too much, they break easily. In everything, leave a little room. Do not be overly certain."
When Indra heard this, he immediately put away the proud look on his face and bowed respectfully, nodding.
The loose strands of hair in front of his forehead fell down and covered his brows and eyes. "This disciple will remember Ancestor's teaching."
But the slightly tense back and the brightness that had not faded from his eyes could not hide the disbelief in his heart.
The eldest legitimate son inheriting the family was only natural. Besides, he had benefited the entire Ninja Sect with his method of hand seals.
In terms of talent, achievements, and bloodline, if not him, then who else could take the position of successor?
Ashura was so innocent and carefree that he even needed others to protect him from wolves in the mountains. How could he take charge of such a large Ninja Sect?
These thoughts circled in his heart and had already taken deep root. Arisu's light words about "humility" were nothing more than wind passing by his ears.
Arisu took in the flicker in his eyes and understood clearly.
This young man's pride had already grown into a towering tree through the praise of others and his own smooth path. The nod just now was only a surface act because of their master and disciple relationship.
Proud soldiers always lose. It has been so since ancient times. Indra's talent was indeed rare, but this arrogance that looked down on everything had already become his biggest weakness.
Arisu gently shook his head. The Six Paths Sword at his fingertips trembled slightly and gave off a very soft humming sound. Then his figure turned into a thin mist and quietly faded away in the stillness of the bamboo forest.
Only Indra was left standing there alone.
When he appeared again, Arisu was already standing inside a simple wooden house.
The room was plainly furnished. There was only a desk, a few bamboo scrolls, and a couch covered with an old mattress.
Sitting at the desk was Hagoromo. His temples were fully white, and wrinkles were carved across his face like deep grooves. Although his back was still straight, he could not hide the weight of years pressing down on him.
"Master, you have come.", Hagoromo slowly stood up. His movements were a little slow, but he still kept a respectful posture and bowed slightly.
"Mm.", Arisu's gaze stayed on his aged face for a moment, and the image of their first meeting rose in his mind without control.
At that time, Hagoromo's brows and eyes were sharp, and his whole body carried a sense of righteousness. For the sake of protecting the one he loved, he dared to act against his own mother.
Time passed like a white horse flashing by. The young man of those days had finally been worn down by the years and turned into the old man before him.
Arisu waved his hand. "It has been so many years. No need to be so polite."
Hagoromo sat down as told, his fingers rubbing the cold bamboo scroll on the desk. After a moment of silence, he spoke calmly, "Master, I am about to die."
He said this lightly, as if he were talking about the weather, but deep in his eyes there was still a trace of attachment to the mortal world and concern for the Ninja Sect.
"The Ninja Sect is the work of my whole life. As for the successor, I have thought about it for a long time. In the end, I still feel that giving it to my own blood will let me rest easy."
"Indra and Ashura are both my flesh and blood. Compared to outsiders, I trust them more to guard the foundation of the Ninja Sect."
Arisu smiled faintly in his heart, 'In the end, he still could not escape the obsession of keeping everything within the family. '
Even though Hagoromo had promoted connection and kindness all his life, at the end he still saw bloodline as the most reliable bond.
Arisu did not expose it. He only looked at Hagoromo's aged eyes and slowly said, "As long as you have made your decision."
He had not come this time to interfere with the choice of successor. He only wanted to see with his own eyes whether this former disciple, even in old age, still kept the strength of those years.
Hagoromo seemed to let out a breath, yet also seemed to gather great courage. He slowly stood up and deeply bowed to Arisu, his forehead almost touching the ground. "Master, after I die, can you promise me one thing?"
Arisu raised his hand slightly, signaling him to rise. "Speak."
"You are an elder who has lived for countless years. You have always known right from wrong and have never been confused."
Hagoromo raised his head, his eyes full of earnestness, "The Ninja Sect is prosperous now, but the nations of the mortal world are rising, and conflicts are hidden beneath the surface."
"I fear that Indra and Ashura are young and inexperienced. If the Ninja Sect faces danger in the future, they may not be able to handle it."
"At that time, I ask Master to step in, set things right, and crush all conspiracies."
With the tone of entrusting his orphaned children, Hagoromo placed the entire future of the Ninja Sect into the hands of this otherworldly sage before him.
Arisu looked at his sincere expression. His tone was still calm and without waves. "I know. As your master, I have my own judgment."
In his heart, Arisu had long had other plans. The Ninja Sect might appear to promote kindness, but in truth it had already become a political power and military organization holding real strength.
The mortal world was filled with many nations. The rulers could believe in him, this distant and vague Sage of Six Paths, because such faith helped strengthen their rule.
But they would never tolerate a Ninja Sect that held heavy forces and influence everywhere.
How could one allow others to sleep beside one's bed?
He had no feelings for the Ninja Sect. The so called "setting things right" was nothing more than empty words.
His goal had always been only the Rinnegan. As for the rise or fall of the Ninja Sect, what did it have to do with him?
Hagoromo did not notice the coldness in his heart. He simply believed that he had agreed. A relieved smile appeared on his face as he bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Master."
"As for the successor, once I choose, I will inform you at once."
Arisu nodded slightly and said nothing more.
———
Two years passed quietly.
The bamboo forest of the Ninja Sect grew thicker and thicker. Green bamboo shot up and blocked out the sky. The two children of those days had grown into handsome young men.
Indra wore dark training clothes. His figure stood straight like a pine tree. The youthful look in his brows and eyes had faded, replaced with a sharp edge.
Standing among the crowd, he carried a sense that strangers should not approach. A steady yet cold aura surrounded him.
In these two years, with his skilled hand seal techniques and outstanding talent, he had become the model in the hearts of the Ninja Sect disciples. Wherever he went, he was met with respectful and fearful gazes.
He had grown much more mature, and much more ruthless.
Ashura beside him was completely different.
He wore light gray cloth clothes. His build was slightly broad. There was still a gentle smile on his face, and his curved brows and eyes gave him a friendly feeling.
But beneath that gentleness, there was a hint of unease.
Compared to his brother's brilliance, he always felt he was lacking in every way.
In these two years, Hagoromo's body had grown weaker and weaker, yet he had never stopped observing his two sons.
He saw Indra's swift and decisive way of handling matters. He saw him use precise techniques to solve the Ninja Sect's problems. He had to admit that his eldest son's ability was far beyond ordinary people.
But he also saw Indra's cold harshness when disciples made mistakes. He saw his arbitrary decisions and his unwillingness to listen to others.
That pride and firmness deep in his bones were very much like Kaguya of the past, and it made Hagoromo feel uneasy.
Ashura, on the other hand, was always soft hearted and kind. He could not bear to see others suffer, and whenever there was conflict, he always wanted to solve it through reconciliation.
The disciples all liked this gentle second young master. But Hagoromo knew that this indecisiveness might become a fatal weakness in troubled times.
He often thought that if he could combine Indra's decisiveness with Ashura's kindness, that would be the perfect successor.
But how could such a perfect balance exist in this world?
On this day, inside the great hall of the Ninja Sect, voices filled the air.
All the core disciples and elders had gathered.
Sarutobi stood at the front of the disciples, his expression steady as his gaze swept over the two people in the hall.
Hagoromo sat in the main seat. Although his face was pale, his eyes were still clear.
He raised his hand to signal silence. His hoarse yet strong voice echoed in the hall. "I have gathered you here today to announce an important matter."
His eyes slowly swept over his two sons below. After a pause, he continued, "My lifespan is nearing its end. The Ninja Sect cannot be without a leader even for a single day."
"From today onward, the successor will be chosen between Indra and Ashura."
As soon as the words fell, low whispers rose in the hall.
Most of the disciples looked surprised, yet also felt it was natural. After all, Indra's excellence was obvious to all.
Indra stood there, his back straighter than before. A flash of expected light passed through his eyes, and a faint smile touched his lips.
He had long waited for this day. The position of successor was his for sure.
Ashura, however, looked unconcerned and still gentle.
He did not care about becoming the successor of the Ninja Sect.
As long as everyone was well, he was well.
Hagoromo ignored the crowd's reaction. He slowly stood up, picked up two scrolls from the desk, and handed them to Sarutobi beside him.
"These are your tests."
"Inside the scrolls are two villages. Each of you will go to one and solve the problems there in your own way. When you complete the task, return and report."
Sarutobi handed the scrolls to Indra and Ashura.
Indra took his scroll. His fingers touched the slightly cool bamboo surface. His heart was full of confidence. With his ability, calming a village's problem was nothing more than lifting a hand.
Ashura, however, held the scroll with difficulty written all over his face. He looked up at Hagoromo.
His voice carried helplessness and uncertainty. "Ah? Father, why send me when choosing the successor?"
Ashura paused and said helplessly, "Brother is so outstanding. Whether in strength or in handling matters, he is far better than me. Just let Brother go and solve it alone. I… I am afraid I will not do well."
These words came from his heart.
In his mind, his brother was always that unreachable figure. All he could do was follow behind and try not to hold him back.
Indra turned his head slightly and glanced at him. His eyes were indifferent. He said nothing.
In these two years, the difference between them had already grown deeper. He disliked Ashura's hesitation and felt he was too naive to accomplish great things.
Ashura, in turn, did not like his brother's cold and heartless ways. He felt he was too overbearing and lacked warmth.
Although they were brothers, they had grown more distant. Aside from necessary greetings, they almost had no extra conversation.