Hagoromo looked at Ashura's uneasy expression, then at Indra's confident posture, and let out a soft sigh in his heart.
"The inheritance of the Ninja Sect needs more than strength and wisdom. It also needs someone who understands people's hearts."
"You both have your strengths and weaknesses. This test is not only a trial of your ability, but also a tempering of your character. Go. Just do it with your heart." Hagoromo spoke slowly.
When Ashura heard this, his lips moved a few times. In the end, he still nodded and tightened his grip on the scroll in his hand.
Father's decision would not change. He could only brace himself and accept this test.
Indra saw all of this and shook his head even more in his heart.
With such a timid look, how could he take on the heavy responsibility of the Ninja Sect?
Perhaps Father was only giving Ashura a chance to save face.
Indra lowered his head and opened the scroll, quickly reading through its contents. The confidence in his eyes grew even stronger.
...This test, he would definitely win.
After that, the two of them ran in different directions.
'The battle between Indra and Ashura is about to begin. The road is long. I have lived for so long, and only now have I finally reached the battle between Indra and Ashura.'
'According to the original story, there are still more than a thousand years before Hashirama and Madara are born. As for Naruto's birth, that is even farther away....'
Arisu shook his head.
Perhaps if he had traveled through time to when Konoha had just been founded, he would have had a lot of room to grow.
Of course, traveling to the ancient era also had its own advantages.
The biggest change Arisu had made now was forcefully turning the belief system of the Naruto world into belief in himself.
Returning to Mount Myoboku, Arisu summoned Black Zetsu, Fukasaku, and a group of historian toads.
"Great Immortal!", Black Zetsu and the toads bowed slightly.
Arisu sat on the seat in the main hall and slowly spoke, "I called you here today to set up the next historical record."
"Next, I want to divide the historical records."
"Black Zetsu, write this down. I will divide it as follows.", Arisu glanced at Black Zetsu.
"Yes."
Black Zetsu quickly took out a brush and began recording.
"From Kaguya's arrival to Hagoromo establishing the Ninja Sect, we will call this period the Ancient Era."
"From Hagoromo establishing the Ninja Sect until now, we will call this period the Ninja Sect Era."
Arisu divided the current history into: the Ancient Era, the Ninja Sect Era....
"Great Immortal, does the Ninja Sect Era end at the present? But..."
Black Zetsu stopped, as if unsure whether to continue.
He sharply noticed that the Ancient Era basically began with Kaguya's arrival and ended when Kaguya was sealed and left the stage.
But the Ninja Sect Era had not yet ended.
Arisu slightly shook his head. "Just record it this way."
Black Zetsu nodded and immediately began writing.
After he finished recording, Arisu looked at Fukasaku and the other historian toads.
"Fukasaku, have you finished recording the history of the mortals?", Arisu asked.
The history of the world was not only about the powerful.
There were also countless mortals and common people. They were often the most easily ignored, yet they were also an essential part of history.
"Replying to Immortal, there are too many nations established among the mortals. Their relationships are too complicated, and governments change frequently."
"We need to wait for information from the intelligence department before we can confirm.", Fukasaku said.
"Fine. Send a few more intelligence toads to infiltrate the mortal nations and have them grasp the movements of the human world.", Arisu ordered.
Beside him, Black Zetsu was already sweating. He was shocked by Mount Myoboku's layout.
He had not expected that deep within the world there was such a powerful sage faction.
Like Mount Myoboku, they did not show off or draw attention. They simply coldly recorded history and acted as observers.
Only after he started working at Mount Myoboku did he truly feel how unfathomable it was.
Such a powerful organization had never thought of conquering the world, but instead chose to remain a hidden force.
Arisu slightly closed his eyes to rest.
———
Several days later, in front of the Ninja Sect, the morning mist had not yet fully cleared.
A sharp and upright figure landed in the courtyard of the main hall.
It was Indra.
His hair lifted slightly in the wind. His handsome brows and eyes were full of confident pride as he walked steadily into the hall.
"Father, I have returned."
Indra bowed to Otsutsuki Hagoromo, who sat in the main seat. His voice was clear and confident, "Father, I have successfully completed the task you assigned. Everything went smoothly, without the slightest obstacle."
Indra lifted his eyes, his gaze burning.
He was already certain in his heart.
In speed, in strength, in efficiency, no one in the Ninja Sect could compare to him. The position of successor would surely be his.
"I understand."
But Hagoromo only lowered his eyes and brushed the fabric over his knees. His expression was calm and without waves as he spoke lightly, his voice not loud.
"The test I set this time was never about comparing speed or the ability to act alone. Wait patiently. When Ashura returns, I will make the final decision."
"Oh?", Indra froze slightly. A trace of confusion quickly flashed through his dark eyes.
He had thought that finishing the task would be the final word. He did not expect Father to have other considerations.
But he still respected Hagoromo. After a brief pause, Indra nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "I understand."
Yet the certainty in his heart did not lessen at all.
He even began imagining what kind of system and policies he would carry out after becoming the leader of the Ninja Sect.
———
Time hurried on for more than ten days.
At the mountain entrance of the Ninja Sect, a noisy set of footsteps could be heard.
Unlike Indra's lonely and sharp return, these sounds were messy but warm, mixed with bright laughter, drawing closer and closer.
"I'm back!", A lively voice rang out.
Ashura appeared before everyone, dusty from travel. His clothes were stained with some dirt, yet his smile was still bright. His brows and eyes curved gently, full of warmth.
And behind him followed dozens of plainly dressed mortals. There were white haired elders, young children, and strong men and women.
They supported one another, their faces filled with trust and friendliness. They got along happily with Ashura, like one big family.
"Huh? This is.....", Sarutobi, who was in charge of receiving people at the mountain entrance, narrowed his pupils slightly.
Surprise appeared on his face. He had thought Ashura would return alone, but he did not expect him to bring so many ordinary villagers. This scene was truly unexpected.
"Ashura, you finally returned. Lord Hagoromo has been waiting for you in the hall.", Sarutobi put away his surprise and stepped forward with a smile.
Ashura paused. The smile on his face faded a little as he subconsciously asked, "Father… hasn't he already decided Brother as the successor?"
He had been delayed on the way. He had thought his brother had already taken the position of leader of the Ninja Sect with his outstanding ability.
Sarutobi shook his head helplessly and sighed softly. "No decision has been made. Lord Hagoromo said he would wait for you to return before deciding."
Hearing this, Ashura's brows tightened. A trace of unease appeared on his honest face. For no clear reason, a bad feeling rose in his heart, and he tightened his grip on his bag.
At that moment, a cool figure slowly walked over.
Indra stood in the center of the courtyard, looking at his younger brother who had arrived late. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he stepped forward. "Ashura, you're back."