Arisu only casually painted a big promise for Black Zetsu.
Of course, if Black Zetsu's heart truly returned in loyalty, then Arisu could naturally let Mount Myoboku gain another sage.
Sage Black Zetsu.
As for whether someone in the future would be willing to sign a contract with Black Zetsu… that remained to be seen.
Mount Myoboku, Longevity Peak.
Arisu appeared.
He lowered his gaze, opened his palm, and two Rinnegan quietly floated there. The rings in the eyes circled one after another, carrying the supreme pressure unique to the Otsutsuki bloodline.
'Rinnegan, Hagoromo's Rinnegan. Wonderful!'
Arisu gently rubbed them with his fingertips, feeling the power inside the Rinnegan, while a faint smile rested at the corner of his lips.
He had intercepted far too many divine weapons.
Such as the Totsuka Sword, the Six Paths treasures, the Rinnegan, and so on.
But on the path of cultivation, having many skills never weighs you down. Having one more top-tier power like this would only bring benefits and no harm.
However, the next second, a faint light flashed in Arisu's eyes and his tone became slightly heavier.
"But I do not believe Hagoromo has truly died just like this."
Arisu stared meaningfully at the Rinnegan in his palm. The invisible sensing power around him instantly surged like a tide and seeped into the eyes.
The next moment... The hidden secret deep inside the Rinnegan was completely uncovered.
A strand of weak yet extremely condensed soul chakra was curled inside. It was none other than the sleeping Otsutsuki Hagoromo.
A teasing curve appeared on Arisu's lips, and his tone carried a bit of superiority.
"Hehe, Hagoromo, you are still too young. Trying to scheme against your teacher is still far too naive."
Everything was just as he expected. Otsutsuki Hagoromo had never truly died. He had simply hidden his soul chakra inside the Rinnegan and left behind a hidden move.
Once this soul chakra was triggered by outside force, Hagoromo could appear in soul form. He could even act just like in the original story, casually giving the power of Yin and Yang to others and becoming the one who hands out power-ups.
Most likely, when Hagoromo willingly offered the Rinnegan, this was exactly the plan he had in mind.
Hagoromo was certain that Arisu would not carefully inspect these eyes. He was even more certain that as long as the Rinnegan stayed in Arisu's hands, they would be absolutely safe and no one would dare damage them.
This way, he could hide inside the Rinnegan, observe everything in the world through Arisu's perspective, and wait for the right chance to act.
"This kid Hagoromo actually dared to set a trap for me.", Arisu chuckled lightly, but he did not blame Hagoromo.
This was simply normal strategy. Hagoromo was just preparing for the worst.
Arisu had lived too long and had seen countless schemes and plots.
Back then, Kaguya pretended to offer the fruit of the Divine Tree. Yata Crow respectfully presented the ancient demon sword.
Now Hagoromo offered the Rinnegan. One after another, every one of them was a carefully woven trap.
Arisu had always been extremely cautious. How could he allow such tricks to succeed against him?
"Sage Art: Confinement Seal!", Arisu cast the technique calmly.
The Sage sealing technique instantly wrapped around the Rinnegan, firmly imprisoning Hagoromo's soul chakra inside and completely sealing off his ability to secretly give power or interfere from afar.
After finishing all this, Arisu casually stored the Rinnegan away and walked toward the back mountain.
"Next, I should go check on Indra."
Behind Longevity Peak, spiritual grass covered the ground, and the chakra density was far higher than the outside world.
Indra was sitting cross-legged on a green stone, training hard.
Indra had already given up the idea of competing for the Ninja Sect. The only obsession left in his heart was defeating Ashura.
When he saw Arisu approaching, Indra immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Grandmaster!"
Arisu looked at the determination in his eyes and slowly spoke.
"Indra, is defeating Ashura really that important?"
Indra straightened his body. His eyes were extremely serious, without the slightest hesitation, "Yes, Grandmaster. I must defeat Ashura first! Everything else can wait!"
Hearing this, Arisu felt somewhat speechless inside.
He truly could not understand the way these two brothers thought. In the original story it was even more ridiculous.
Their souls kept reincarnating for thousands and thousands of years, endlessly entangled and fighting without end. What meaning could such endless conflict possibly have?
Before Arisu could say more...
"Grandmaster, the training path of Mount Myoboku's Sage Art conflicts with my own chakra nature. I am afraid it does not suit me.", Indra frowned and spoke again.
Arisu thought about it slightly. Mount Myoboku's Sage Art emphasized natural harmony and leaned toward gentle healing.
It was completely incompatible with Indra's domineering, sharp, and proud nature.
Perhaps the Sage Art of Ryuchi Cave, which was strange, fierce, and carried cold chakra, was the path that truly suited him.
Thinking of this, Arisu raised his eyes and looked at Indra.
"Since Mount Myoboku does not suit you, I will point you toward another path. Go train at Ryuchi Cave."
"Considering my reputation, Ryuchi Cave will naturally be willing to teach you.", Arisu spoke calmly.
Hearing this, gratitude flashed in Indra's eyes.
Grandmaster had saved him from danger again and again.
He was practically closer than his own father.
And now he was once again showing him the right path like a guiding sage.
"Grandmaster, I do not understand. Why did you choose to save me? Hagoromo is also your disciple. Why were you willing to fight another disciple for my sake?", Indra asked in confusion.
He truly could not understand why Grandmaster saved him. Before, he always thought it was because of their teacher-student relationship.
But now, Hagoromo and Arisu had shared a teacher-student relationship for several hundred years. Logically, their bond should be deeper.
Arisu smiled slightly and gently patted Indra's shoulder.
"Because behind Ashura and Hagoromo stand countless members of the Ninja Sect, while behind you, Indra, there is only your teacher…", Arisu said with a smile.
When Indra heard this, his eyes turned red.
Yes, the only one who truly hoped he would live was Grandmaster.
"Grandmaster! You are my real father!", Indra said emotionally as he knelt on the ground.
A look of shock flashed through Arisu's eyes.
Then the corner of his mouth twitched, and he said helplessly, "Alright, get up. Do not be like this. Go to Ryuchi Cave and train seriously. Just mention my name to Sage Black Snake."
"Okay, Master!", Indra nodded heavily, his eyes full of determination.
Arisu calmly watched Indra leave.
———
About a month later, Indra returned from Ryuchi Cave.
"Grandmaster, there is one thing you said that is no longer correct. Sage Black Snake has already passed away. Now the one in charge of Ryuchi Cave is Sage White Snake." Indra said.
The Indra who returned had a much stronger aura, and his chakra had become colder.
"Oh? Black Snake has already died… and that girl White Snake has already become a sage…"
A trace of emotion flashed in Arisu's eyes.
"Oh right, Grandmaster. Sage White Snake asked me to bring you a letter.", Indra suddenly remembered and handed the letter to Arisu.
Arisu paused for a moment and took the letter.
He had not gone to see White Snake for a very long time, probably several hundred years.
Ever since the last time he fought Kaguya and suppressed the Ten-Tails, he had never gone to see her again.
Even though they had a contract, Arisu had not contacted White Snake.
[Arisu-kun, several hundred years have passed. Are you well?]
It was only a short greeting.
Looking at White Snake's letter, Arisu seemed to see that free-spirited, bright, playful young girl again.
[But… but… but that was actually several hundred years ago.]
[It truly was...]
[I long for you across the ends of the earth, but you are beyond my reach; looking back, a hundred years have passed.]