Will be releasing all chapters soon since the book is finished on patreon.
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The starlit sky was truly beautiful.
Even if it only appeared like a reflection on water.
Yet Uchiha Sasuke couldn't quite understand what the Sage of Six Paths meant.
"This is the boundary between life and death,"
the Sage explained solemnly. "Each of those glimmering lights above is the soul of someone who, for a thousand years, has been trapped by obsession—unable to find peace. They are bound to this place for eternity, never finding release…"
"!!!"
Sasuke felt dizzy just looking up.
From beneath his feet, he could see countless stars—so many he couldn't possibly count them. How many souls were trapped here, unable to pass on?
"To be trapped by obsession…"
"Usually means that their life in the mortal world was filled with regret…"
"Not everyone in this world can face death calmly…"
As the Sage spoke, his staff swept again—and the image of Shigen appeared.
That man stood like a towering figure, gently lifting a 'star' into his hand, allowing that trapped soul to pass on to the afterlife.
"Him…"
Sasuke still didn't quite understand.
"For over a thousand years…"
"Shigen has done one thing alone…"
"He guides every soul trapped by obsession to peace."
"Using wisdom and power beyond comprehension, Shigen has wandered the boundary between life and death for millennia, watching as souls weighed down by pain passed through. What he has seen, over and over again… is despair."
"..."
Sasuke was speechless.
"I once tried to speak with him."
The Sage watched as the stars in the pool slowly began to fade, his voice soft:
"But he never chose to meet me. That may mean he has completely shut his heart—and I fear the world created by the darkness my mother left behind has swallowed him whole. That means… he might become the greatest obstacle in preventing her return."
"I understand,"
Sasuke nodded, finally grasping the implication.
"If we want to stop Madara—or stop Kaguya from being resurrected—we have to take Shigen out. Is that right?"
"..."
The Sage hesitated for a long time, his wise face suddenly full of confusion, as if he didn't quite expect that interpretation.
Meanwhile—
In another space, Naruto's response made the Sage beam with satisfaction.
"I'll make Shigen believe in hope again!"
Naruto clenched his fist with determination. He had never imagined Shigen had borne so much pain for so long.
"Hehehe…"
The Sage smiled gently, as if he saw his son Asura reborn in Naruto.
Their desires, their spirits—they were exactly the same.
"Well then…"
The Sage looked at the revitalized Naruto with a face full of trust and expectation.
"I leave it all to you."
Back with Sasuke—
He was a bit confused.
Why hadn't the Sage responded to what he said?
What's going on?
Did he misunderstand?
"You and Indra…"
"Really are just alike…"
The Sage chuckled bitterly, as if he'd seen his eldest son's shadow in Sasuke. "Back then, Indra also wanted to kill Shigen the first time he heard his name…"
"..."
Sasuke frowned, displeased. "But strength is the fastest way to solve problems, isn't it?"
"Unfortunately…"
"Indra lost to Shigen."
The Sage shook his head, his smile now tinged with helplessness. "While Asura… he persuaded Shigen to give up on destroying Ninshū."
"..."
Sasuke's face darkened. He was starting to feel like the Sage was mocking him.
Was this old man insulting him?
Saying he never thinks before acting?
"I only want to tell you…"
"That power can't solve every problem."
The Sage could read Sasuke's thoughts and gently offered that truth—before giving him one very important piece of intel:
"Shigen's current power… has surpassed even mine. Though I don't fully understand his true strength, it's very possible he is stronger than my mother."
"!!!"
Sasuke was floored!
Why was the Sage only saying this now!?
"You possess the Sharingan…"
"You should understand—chakra can be influenced by emotion…"
"And the power Shigen obtained… was my own."
"He has endured a thousand years of despair, his soul endlessly tormented…"
The Sage spoke cryptically—he never said it outright, but it was clear. Shigen didn't just inherit a fragment of power.
He obtained the Sage's very body.
Which meant…
He likely also gained his complete power. And his chakra, twisted by centuries of pain, had grown even stronger.
"This Yin-Yang power you're giving us…"
Sasuke glanced at his palm.
"It can't seal two people, can it? We can only seal one."
"..."
The Sage sighed helplessly. "If you truly cannot resolve it… when Indra's chakra, Asura's chakra, and the Nine-Tails' chakra unite, my remaining spirit will be able to descend once more."
"..."
Sasuke looked at him with suspicion.
Seriously…
Even that might not be enough to stop Shigen?
But…
There was no other choice. Sasuke had no power near the Sage's. He had to trust him.
Back in the living world—
The battle had taken a dramatic turn.
Madara slowly raised his fingers as the Ten-Tails surged into his body like a tidal wave. His hair turned white in an instant, fragments of chakra danced with the strands, and a horn-like protrusion emerged from his forehead.
He had become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki.
Madara basked in this vast, powerful energy. Behind him, nine black Truth-Seeking Orbs began to float.
Just as he looked smugly down at Hashirama and the Ninja Alliance—viewing them as nothing more than ants—Shigen quietly appeared beside him.
"Apologies for the delay, Lord Shigen."
Madara narrowed his eyes slightly, instinctively comparing Shigen's chakra to his own. "Or perhaps it's just my imagination, but your chakra seems…"
"Stronger than yours."
Shigen shook his head, casually answering Madara's musing. "Once you reach the power of the Six Paths, chakra level hardly matters anymore."
"Even the strong…"
"Can fall to the right jutsu."
"Even the weak…"
"Might turn the tide if driven to desperation."
"..."
Madara agreed with Shigen's point—but even after becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, not being the undisputed strongest still irked him.
"Madara, use Infinite Tsukuyomi first,"
Black Zetsu cut in cautiously.
"End this war quickly. That way, fewer people will die…"
It sounded almost… peace-loving.
Even though everyone found it a little weird coming from him.
"Then…"
Madara looked toward the hesitant Ninja Alliance.
"Don't worry."
Shigen stepped forward, raising a hand toward the alliance.
"I'll handle this."
"Alright, but… don't let Hashirama return to the underworld…"
Madara had no doubt Shigen could hold off the alliance. He glanced one last time at his old rival Hashirama, then soared into the sky, leaving behind only one arrogant remark:
"I want Hashirama to witness the eternal peace Infinite Tsukuyomi will bring this world!"
"..."
Black Zetsu's expression turned awkward.
Really…?
Still nitpicking now?
Whatever.
As long as Infinite Tsukuyomi's light bathed the earth…
Black Zetsu looked up at the blood-red moon as Madara ascended. His heart finally relaxed. They were just one step away from reviving Kaguya…
And then—
Just as he let his guard down—
A massive purple arrow suddenly appeared, flying straight toward Madara!
"What is that?!"
Black Zetsu's heart leapt in shock!
"No need to worry…"
Shigen casually summoned a Truth-Seeking Orb, which halted the arrow mid-flight. His voice remained calm, undisturbed:
"Looks like someone used my method to meet the Sage of Six Paths…"
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Powerstones?
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