After surveying Konoha, the Sage of Six Paths also took a close look throughout the Land of Fire.
He discovered that even the nobility—who had traditionally stood in opposition to shinobi—harbored almost no resentment toward them.
"Even that has been resolved?"
This time, the Sage of Six Paths was genuinely astonished.
Even so, he patiently continued examining every place that caught his interest.
By the end, his satisfaction with Konohagakure had reached an entirely new level.
It wasn't that a sage like him lacked experience...
It was simply that his two hopeless sons had spent nearly a thousand years turning what should have been a conflict of ideals into one farce and tragedy after another.
Even he, as their father, had eventually run out of things to say.
In a sense, Asura and Indra had been living off the credit their old man had earned by saving the shinobi world.
But after a thousand years...
They had nearly burned through all of it.
Sometimes, the Sage of Six Paths couldn't help wondering...
If true peace ever did come to the shinobi world, what would future generations of shinobi think of him?
"Let's see what this Hokage named Sarutobi Hiruzen is doing..."
The Sage of Six Paths steadied himself.
Like saving the finest bite of a meal for last...
He realized he was actually feeling a little nervous.
Filled with anticipation, he adjusted the "Six Paths Crystal Ball" before him and switched it over to the "Hiruzen Channel."
The moment he looked...
He smiled.
At that very moment, Hiruzen was seated in the Hokage's office, leisurely smoking with a gentle smile as he watched the crystal ball before him, calmly exhaling one soft puff of smoke after another.
Inside the crystal ball, Hiruzen was observing every corner of Konohagakure in turn, occasionally nodding in satisfaction.
A strange glimmer flashed through the Sage of Six Paths' eyes.
The scene before him looked almost exactly like what he himself had been doing moments ago.
Only the scale was different.
Especially since both of them were using the Crystal Ball Technique...
"Interesting."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen is a very interesting man..."
Hiruzen had made an excellent first impression on the Sage of Six Paths.
To someone like the Sage of Six Paths, there was hardly any praise greater than finding another person kindred to himself.
Just then...
Orochimaru walked into the Hokage's office.
As naturally as if he were returning home, he knocked on the door before casually taking a seat.
He poured a cup of tea for his teacher and another for himself.
Then, completely at ease, he opened one of Hiruzen's desk drawers, took out a bag of dried meat, and started eating without the slightest hesitation.
"You're here?"
Hiruzen glanced at Orochimaru before lifting his teacup for a sip.
As for everything else Orochimaru was doing...
He paid it no mind, keeping his attention fixed on the crystal ball.
Whenever the Hokage took a break from his training, he liked to personally watch everything happening throughout Konohagakure.
After all...
This village was the work of his own hands.
"Sensei, Hiruko recently transplanted two Kekkei Genkai into himself."
Orochimaru spoke in a casual, unhurried tone.
Just as Hiruzen enjoyed watching the crystal ball, Orochimaru also grew tired after spending all day immersed in research.
One of his favorite ways to unwind was simply to come over and chat with his teacher.
"They're Steel Release and Swift Release."
"The genetic material came from the specimen archive left behind by the Second Hokage."
"Why those two?"
Hiruzen took another sip of tea and flicked away some ash from his cigarette.
"They don't seem to suit his fighting style."
"If I remember correctly, he prefers indirect combat."
"Why is he suddenly in such a hurry?"
"Does he feel he's falling behind?"
Hiruzen frowned.
"Specimens can always be acquired later, and some can even be purchased."
"Rushing things for quick results is never a good idea."
He couldn't help worrying that Hiruko's old insecurities had flared up again.
That inferiority complex and oversensitivity had a habit of resurfacing in the strangest ways.
Then again, that was fairly common in the shinobi world.
Most people needed several rounds of treatment before they recovered completely.
"Haha, it's not like that, Sensei."
Orochimaru waved his hand dismissively.
"He has a very clear understanding of his own strengths."
"Even if he devoted himself entirely to combat, how could he possibly compete with a brute like Fugaku?"
"Hiruko knows how much you care about him, Sensei."
"And he also understands that his true path lies in research."
"The reason he transplanted those two Kekkei Genkai was because he plans to transplant Steel Release and Swift Release into Asuma as well."
Orochimaru shrugged.
"This is the first time anyone has attempted a dual Kekkei Genkai transplant."
"Cases like Nagato's are structural anomalies, so they aren't really useful as reference material."
"So Hiruko decided to test the procedure on himself first."
"Otherwise, he felt it would be irresponsible toward Asuma."
"And Hiruko is actually quite satisfied with those two Kekkei Genkai."
"He's a researcher—what does he need overwhelming destructive power for?"
"As long as he can protect himself and put up a bit of a fight if things ever go wrong, that's more than enough..."
Hiruzen blinked in surprise.
So it had all been for Asuma?
"My hopeless youngest son..."
"Was there really any need to go this far?"
Hiruzen shook his head, his emotions complicated.
Though it was too late to say anything now.
Once Asuma received Steel Release...
If he ever hit the ground, it would probably make a nice, solid clang.
"The next time you, Tsunade, and Jiraiya come over for dinner, bring Hiruko with you."
"And tell him to come chat with me whenever he has time."
"Just tell him... I miss him."
"I don't usually call for him because I don't want to interrupt his work."
After thinking it over, Hiruzen came to that decision.
Orochimaru smiled.
"If Hiruko hears you say that, Sensei, the entire Research Department will know about it before the day's over."
"His feelings toward you have always been... rather unique."
After taking Asuma as his disciple, Hiruko's overwhelming joy had quickly turned into equally overwhelming anxiety.
He constantly worried that he wasn't doing enough, that he might somehow fail to take proper care of the Hokage's son.
Even bringing Kakuzu in wasn't enough to reassure him.
So he had prepared Steel Release and Swift Release for Asuma as well—the two most straightforward, practical Kekkei Genkai he could think of.
It wasn't that Hiruko believed Asuma should never face hardship.
But as his teacher, he felt his own responsibility had to be beyond reproach.
Sometimes...
Attitude mattered more than ability.
Hiruzen's feelings grew even more complicated.
The deep affection the village's shinobi held for him...
Was one of the driving forces that kept him from ever slacking off in his training.
There were times when a shinobi's cunning and sincerity existed side by side in almost contradictory extremes.
The Sage of Six Paths watched with a slight nod, his own feelings equally complicated.
A thousand years ago, when he had led Ninshū...
He, too, had been loved and respected by countless people, just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was now.
Unfortunately...
Everything had become far more complicated after Asura and Indra's conflict.
No matter how he looked at it...
He had been the one who allowed the two brothers to continue down that path.
"This shinobi is called Orochimaru..."
"The disciple of Sarutobi Hiruzen..."
The Sage of Six Paths sifted through the information he had gathered.
"The bond between them seems exceptionally close."
"They may be sensei and student, but they care for each other like father and son."
"It seems they once had their differences..."
"But they reconciled before long."
Something stirred within the Sage of Six Paths.
He couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy.
Truthfully...
He, too, had his own impossible fantasy.
That one day Asura and Indra would finally reconcile.
That the family would be whole again.
Working together.
A father surrounded by dutiful sons.
"By the way, Sensei..."
Orochimaru fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Have you ever considered transplanting a Kekkei Genkai?"
"It would certainly be faster than relying solely on training."
"You always keep pushing yourself alone."
"As Hokage, using some of the village's shared resources is perfectly reasonable."
"Everyone agrees with that."
"And if there's anything the Research Department can do to help you..."
"You should tell us."
"You're always helping everyone else grow stronger."
"I've heard the other shinobi in the village say it countless times."
The Sage of Six Paths immediately perked up.
Keyword detected.
The fundamental disagreement between him and Kaguya—and later Indra—was his belief that power should never be concentrated endlessly in the hands of a single individual.
If it were...
An overwhelming power would inevitably consume that person's heart and drive them toward extremism.
Only comrades and bonds with others could preserve the humanity of someone truly powerful.
The Sage of Six Paths had never opposed strength itself.
After all, it was through overwhelming strength that he had sealed Kaguya.
What he feared...
Were powerful individuals who had no restraints.
Yet Orochimaru's words made it abundantly clear that Sarutobi Hiruzen was not such a person.
"That won't be necessary."
"My circumstances are rather... unusual."
Hiruzen smiled and slowly exhaled another puff of smoke.
"I've practiced too many forbidden techniques."
"My body is no longer like that of an ordinary shinobi."
"Most enhancement methods simply don't work well on me."
"Rather than designing an entire treatment plan just for me..."
"I'd rather those opportunities be given to more shinobi of Konohagakure."
"So everyone can gain the strength needed to protect the Will of Fire."
"I won't waste public resources."
"If I ever truly need something, I'll say so."
"So don't worry about me."
Orochimaru was left speechless.
His teacher's selflessness bordered on the unbelievable.
What Orochimaru didn't know...
Was that Hiruzen genuinely had no need for such things.
Whenever Konoha's shinobi grew stronger...
He grew stronger as well.
If the same resources could ultimately benefit two people...
Why spend them on himself alone?
Besides...
Everything he had said was the truth.
Hiruzen's body had long since surpassed the limits of an ordinary human.
Within him, not only did the Ten Thousand Seals Body Integration Seal serve as a second heart...
His body also contained Kekkei Genkai and composite chakra threads that existed somewhere between the tangible and the intangible.
Once the seals for the remaining three chakra natures had been completed...
He would use one Four Symbols Seal after another as the structural pillars of his body, weaving those chakra threads around them until they formed a complete internal framework.
Transplanting a Kekkei Genkai at this point would simply be unnecessary.
And the Demonic Infiltration Technique would likely be heavily suppressed by the properties of his sealing techniques anyway.
"Orochimaru..."
Hiruzen asked curiously.
"You never thought about transplanting a couple yourself?"
"You're the one who should be most interested in something like that."
"I don't need to."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"I have a feeling you're researching an incredibly powerful technique, Sensei."
"Though... calling it a technique probably isn't quite accurate..."
Orochimaru carefully chose his words before replying.
"It's more like... some kind of grand undertaking."
"Anyway, I'd rather wait until you've completely refined it, Sensei."
"Then I'll start practicing it myself."
"As for me, I'll just spend some time on Sage Mode."
"If I can catch up to Jiraiya, that'll be enough."
"I'm in no hurry beyond that."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
Ever since deciding not to rush into becoming Hokage, he had stopped obsessing over gaining power as quickly as possible.
Instead, he preferred to wait for the highest possible ceiling.
In his view...
For a very long time to come, no one would want Sarutobi Hiruzen to step down as Hokage.
There was no need to hastily patch up his own shortcomings.
"Very well."
"When I have results, you'll be the first to know."
Hiruzen chuckled.
"You really know how to pick the ripe fruit, don't you?"
"Tell them to push ahead without holding back."
"As long as they ensure everyone's safety..."
"I want them to become as strong as they possibly can."
"Without strength..."
"How can anyone hope to protect peace?"
Orochimaru nodded.
"The words you once said to Jiraiya—"
"'If peace is brought about by one person alone, then one person can take it away just as easily.'"
"A lot of the village's shinobi have taken those words as their motivation to keep striving."
Hiruzen himself didn't think much of it.
But the Sage of Six Paths felt his heart tremble ever so slightly.
Those words...
Spoke directly to his heart.
Even after a thousand years of Asura's and Indra's conflict...
There was still a shinobi whose heart and whose ninja way resonated so closely with his own?
That was exceedingly rare.
The Sage of Six Paths firmly committed Sarutobi Hiruzen's name to memory.
"This office of yours..."
"It certainly carries a great sense of history."
Orochimaru looked around before nodding to himself.
"Madara's and Hashirama-sama's armor..."
"And that stone tablet said to have been left behind by the Sage of Six Paths..."
"The office of the leader of the greatest hidden village in the shinobi world should look exactly like this."
A glimmer flashed through the Sage of Six Paths' eyes.
At this point, it was already obvious who had ultimately brought the conflict between the Uchiha and Senju—and between Madara and Hashirama—to an end.
From the Pure Land, the Sage of Six Paths could quietly gather the thoughts of shinobi whose chakra wasn't especially strong, all without them ever noticing.
But once their strength reached a certain level...
That became far more difficult.
It wasn't because the Sage of Six Paths lacked power.
Rather, the Pure Land itself functioned as an enormous natural barrier.
If he truly exerted himself, those limitations wouldn't matter.
But doing so would consume energy.
More importantly...
There was no need.
He had no desire to interfere excessively with the shinobi world.
He only wanted a more complete understanding of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen certainly enjoys an excellent reputation among the people..."
"But who exactly was his sensei?"
"Some say Senju Tobirama..."
"Others insist it was Senju Hashirama..."
"And there are even a handful who claim it was Uchiha Madara?"
That completely baffled the Sage of Six Paths.
Could someone really embody Asura...
Indra...
And that troublesome Senju all at once?
That truly was unprecedented.
"By the way, Sensei..."
Orochimaru asked curiously, "Does the method recorded on that stone tablet actually work?"
"It... has shown some results."
Hiruzen didn't answer directly.
After all, he was still exploring the training methods recorded on it himself.
"But ever since I put this tablet on display..."
"Some of the nobles who came to visit started claiming that I'm someone blessed by the Sage of Six Paths."
"They say the ancient Ninshū may one day be reborn in Konohagakure..."
"And that the Will of Fire aligns with the Sage's ideals."
Hiruzen couldn't help laughing.
Once the nobles discovered the historically significant stone tablet, they naturally seized every opportunity to flatter him.
If they could have gotten away with calling the Hokage the Sage of Six Paths reincarnated...
They probably would have.
It was simply what they did best.
"That may not be entirely inaccurate."
Orochimaru continued the conversation casually.
"Some of Ninshū's principles do share common ground with the Will of Fire you've established."
"What do you think of the Sage of Six Paths himself?"
"He founded the way of the shinobi."
"He is the forefather of every shinobi alive."
"He deserves our respect."
A thought crossed Hiruzen's mind, prompting him to offer a few kind words.
"I've always admired Ninshū."
"I believe it's the kind of ideal future worth striving toward."
Of course, Hiruzen had no idea the Sage of Six Paths was actually listening.
The problem was...
He knew miraculous interventions from seemingly impossible beings were a very real possibility in the shinobi world.
The saying 'The gods are always watching' wasn't necessarily just a proverb here.
It might very well be the truth.
Better to play it safe.
Who knew?
Maybe the Sage of Six Paths really could hear him.
"Hahaha! Good lad!"
The Sage of Six Paths burst into laughter.
"Like Indra? Like Asura? Or even that white-haired brat?"
"No..."
"He's clearly the one who's most like me."
"No wonder I found Hiruzen so likable."
At that very moment...
The chakras of Asura and Indra stirred.
They drifted away from the Pure Land.
It was worth mentioning that Indra had always known the Pure Land belonged to his father.
Yet after every reincarnation, he would still return there, find some remote corner to brood in, and sulk as though nursing an old grudge.
It was almost as if he wanted to provoke the Sage of Six Paths into striking him down...
Just so he could prove, in his own way, that his father had always favored Asura.
But the Sage of Six Paths steadfastly refused.
And so their awkward little standoff had continued for centuries.
Silently, the Sage watched.
Asura's chakra chose Naruto.
Indra's chakra chose Sasuke.
"Hiruzen's talent is truly remarkable..."
After observing for a long while, the Sage of Six Paths revealed a hint of surprise.
The tomoe Rinnegan on his forehead gleamed faintly.
"The structure is astonishingly similar to a Kekkei Mora..."
"Although it's still only a rough framework, and the fusion of chakra natures remains relatively basic..."
"He reached this point without directly inheriting that bloodline..."
"The fact that he accomplished this without Indra's chakra... or even my own chakra..."
The Sage of Six Paths was genuinely astonished by Hiruzen.
If combining Indra's and Asura's chakras produced the Rinnegan, and taking another enormous leap beyond that led to a Kekkei Mora...
Then what Hiruzen was doing was the equivalent of an ordinary human trying to leap straight toward the realm of the Sage himself.
True, the structure was only similar.
And he wasn't quite following the right path.
But the mere fact that he had managed to create something...
Was already an astonishing display of talent.
Geniuses naturally recognized one another.
The Sage of Six Paths himself had been a genius without equal.
He had mastered complete control over natural energy in a single breath and devised the power needed to seal Kaguya.
Although he had accomplished it together with Hamura...
Hagoromo had contributed the greater share of that achievement.
"Konohagakure..."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen..."
"Asura... Indra... and a transformation unseen in a thousand years..."
The Sage of Six Paths pondered for a long time.
"It's not that I'm taking anyone's side."
"I remain completely impartial."
"It's simply that observing everything from the Pure Land doesn't provide the full picture."
"I should experience it firsthand."
"I've remained in the Pure Land for long enough."
"Perhaps it's time I spent a while in the shinobi world again..."
"A clone should suffice."
The Sage of Six Paths closed his eyes.
His true body once again entered a low-energy state of slumber.
Meanwhile, a strand of chakra rapidly took shape under the effects of an extraordinarily profound Yin-Yang Release.
It became the form of a middle-aged man and stepped from the Pure Land into the shinobi world.
"Hmm..."
"Let's see..."
"I'll travel as a merchant."
"That ramen shop owner in Konoha has remarkably positive emotions."
"I'll visit him first."
"If things go well..."
"Perhaps I'll even invest in the shop."
"It can serve as my base while I observe Konohagakure and Sarutobi Hiruzen."
The Sage of Six Paths' clone had made his decision.
In this new identity...
He would try becoming the owner of a ramen shop.
Even a sage ought to understand the lives of ordinary people.
He gave his new identity the name Ichiraku, intending to use it as an excuse to strike up a friendship with Teuchi later on.
Leisurely making his way through the shinobi world, his first stop was the largest transportation hub of the era—
The Land of Rain.
"'Jiraiya-sama's latest masterpiece! Saving Jōnin Yashiro!'"
The bookstore owner shouted enthusiastically as circles of shinobi crowded around the storefront.
"Huh? Does this have something to do with Shinobi Battle Through the Heavens?"
"I heard there are some hidden surprises in it. Let's take a look!"
"No, it has nothing to do with Shinobi Battle Through the Heavens."
"But it's absolutely a serious literary work worth buying!"
Among the gathered shinobi, one man dressed like a monk sat quietly reading a book.
He immediately caught the Sage of Six Paths' attention.
The man was Rōshi of Iwagakure.
The Sage of Six Paths had once lived as a monk himself, so he naturally felt a bit of goodwill toward Rōshi.
More importantly...
He realized that Rōshi was a jinchūriki.
'Son Gokū...'
The Sage of Six Paths sighed softly.
He walked over beside Rōshi and asked gently, "My friend, is the book any good?"
Rōshi looked up.
Seeing the kind face of the middle-aged man before him, he nodded.
"It's very good."
"It tells the story of an extraordinary journey experienced by a shinobi."
"Though I believe it's mostly Konoha propaganda and not entirely true."
"Even so..."
"It's well worth reading."
The Sage of Six Paths nodded.
"Thank you."
Rōshi shrugged.
Inside him, the Four-Tails narrowed its eyes.
"That middle-aged man..."
"He feels strangely familiar."
"Familiar?"
"I suppose that's not too surprising."
"The Land of Rain is now full of shinobi from every nation."
"It's become the main hub for Konoha's trade—and smuggling."
"And now they're even exporting culture."
Rōshi lowered his gaze to the book in his hands.
"Reading this almost makes me want to visit Konoha myself."
"But that's impossible."
"The next time I see them..."
"It'll probably be on the battlefield."
As a jinchūriki, Rōshi had long been dissatisfied with Iwagakure's excessive control over its shinobi.
It was simply too oppressive.
After mastering the Four-Tails' power, Ōnoki had begun treating him with a certain degree of respect.
But before long...
His controlling nature resurfaced, and he was back to constantly meddling in Rōshi's affairs.
So Rōshi had accepted a long-term reconnaissance assignment.
In many ways, it resembled Jiraiya's former lifestyle.
He wandered the shinobi world as he pleased, rarely following orders, yet he wasn't considered a missing-nin.
Only when war broke out would he return to the village.
The novel Jiraiya had written, following Hiruzen's instructions, faithfully recounted the entire Yashiro incident.
Its central focus was the conflict between the Will of Fire and the traditional Shinobi Rules.
It also included portions of the internal disagreements among Konoha's leadership during Orochimaru's tenure as Acting Hokage, giving the story far greater emotional weight and a stronger sense of authenticity.
Rōshi found himself completely absorbed.
It felt as though he were living through the events firsthand.
He watched Konoha transform from a rigid, traditional hidden village into a place where genuine humanity could shine through.
"So Ōnoki wasn't telling the truth after all..."
"He claimed Konoha abandoned the Shinobi Rules because the Hokage had lost control over the lower ranks."
"But..."
"They're actually making progress?"
"And all those new protections for shinobi..."
"The Medical Chakra Scrolls..."
"I'm sure the book exaggerates some things."
"But even if only a fraction of it is true..."
"Konoha's future will be beyond imagination."
Rōshi looked up toward the sky.
From time to time, a Rain shinobi flew overhead wearing winged flight gear.
"They've even managed to recreate the Sky Ninja's flying equipment?"
"The analysis is progressing even faster than Ōnoki expected."
"Still, I am an Iwa shinobi. I should at least return and report this..."
Rōshi carefully tucked Jiraiya's latest work into his robes.
Before leaving, he glanced once more at the Sage of Six Paths, who was waiting in line to buy the book, and felt a strange sense of unease.
Was it a face he recognized?
And yet Rōshi could not sense even the slightest flow of chakra from the man...
One month later.
Ichiraku Ramen gained a new shareholder.
Unlike Teuchi, whose name was merely a nickname, this man was genuinely named Ichiraku. His official identity was that of a wealthy merchant from the border regions of the Land of Fire.
The Sage of Six Paths possessed a complete set of credentials, all of which could be traced and verified.
Meanwhile, Konoha's new generation began to appear.
At the Nine-Tails' suggestion, it planned to grant Naruto a portion of its chakra so he could begin practicing the Ten Thousand Seals Body Integration Seal from childhood, allowing it to grow alongside him.
Since Naruto had no idea how to construct sealing techniques, Minato and Kushina sought out Uzumaki Ushio and asked her to take their son as her disciple ahead of time.
On the Uchiha side...
Fugaku asked Tomie to accept his son Sasuke as her disciple.
His reasoning was simple.
Whether Seisui, Itachi's teacher, or Tomie, Sasuke's teacher, eventually became a Konoha Council Member...
Fugaku would come out ahead either way.
They were all brothers and sisters of the clan.
And they were the teachers of his own children.
When it came to unity, he had every angle covered.
As for Fugaku's previous desire to secure ties to the Hokage's faction, and his belief that Seisui's affiliation with Danzō's line made his background insufficiently pure...
He stopped worrying about any of that after Sarutobi Hiruzen personally bestowed the name "Sasuke" upon his youngest son.
That was already the greatest recognition he could have received.
And so, without fanfare, Konohagakure entered an entirely new era and stepped into the next generation.
Shikamaru, Chōji, Lee, Tenten, and Shino were born one after another.
However, while both civilians and shinobi clans in Konoha could receive childbirth subsidies...
The other hidden villages, despite wanting to increase their populations as well, saw only their upper ranks actively having more children.
Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the shinobi world...
Hi-kun was reporting to Madara.
"Madara-sama, Konoha's baby boom has ended..."
"Mm. I know."
Madara nodded.
"Notify the White Zetsu in Kirigakure."
"Have them disguise themselves as shinobi from every faction and stir up public opinion."
"I want the pressure raised within two days."
"I want to see that village fall into chaos immediately and launch a war against Konoha."
Madara had no need to control the Third Mizukage with his Sharingan.
Once the Mizukage felt the pressure and realized that conflict had seeped into every corner of the village, he would naturally be forced to find a solution.
And for Kirigakure...
Was there any simpler solution than waging an external war?
Their target would be the supposedly weakened Konohagakure.
"The Third Shinobi World War..."
Madara gazed at the map of the shinobi world and spoke softly.
"It can begin."
"Hiruzen..."
"Let's see how beautifully you dance."
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