Indra
In the vast, white expanse of Akira's inner mind, a man walked toward him.
He wore the white haori of the Six Paths Ninshū era. His long dark-brown hair was tied into a thick braid, with two shorter braids bound near his ears by white cords. His brows were sharp and angled downward, his eye shadow deep, his gaze cold and profound.
If not Indra, who else could it be?
Akira's surprise stemmed from one thing—
Ever since that fleeting glimpse on the day he awakened his eyes, Indra and Asura had vanished together.
And yet, here he was—at this crucial moment.
"Are you saying I can't copy the Kaguya artificial body right now?" Akira -asked.
"Hmph."
Indra stopped before him, one hand resting on his hip, voice cool and detached.
"Even someone as clever as you can lose clarity, youngster."
"You're overconfident in Twin Blossom."
"Ōtsutsuki Kaguya consumed the Chakra Fruit. As a lifeform, she stands far above you mortals—even above most Ōtsutsuki."
"If you forcefully replicate her body—even an incomplete artificial version—you won't gain the power you seek."
"You'll be devoured by it instead."
"If you truly wish to copy her, awaken both Rinnegan and obtain complete Six Paths power first."
So that's it…
A chill ran down Akira's spine.
Temptation is blinding.
If Indra hadn't appeared today, the consequences would have been disastrous.
Akira -turned and said solemnly, "Thank you."
"Hmph." Indra crossed his arms. "Listen when wisdom speaks."
From the shadows behind him, another figure stepped forward.
"Well now~ We finally meet properly, Akira."
Asura emerged with a warm grin.
Indra frowned instantly.
"What are you doing here? Didn't we agree not to appear together?"
Those words stirred Akira's memory.
"Yes. A thousand years of fighting is enough. But playing brothers again is nauseating. Why not compete?"
"Compete? How?"
"Let's see who earns this youngster Akira's recognition first."
Akira -had thought long and hard about that day.
The brothers had fought all their lives. Death hadn't ended it. Their chakra reincarnated across generations, extending their rivalry for a millennium.
Naruto and Sasuke finally reconciled.
But for Indra and Asura, that resolution left something unfinished.
Physical combat was meaningless now.
So it became a battle of influence.
A war of guidance.
To see who Akira -would acknowledge.
For this "literary duel," they set three rules:
First — No interfering with each other's turn. When one speaks, the other endures it.
Second — On major matters, remain united. No internal strife.
Third — Sever ties with Naruto, Sasuke, and Hagoromo. Focus solely on supporting Akira.
In short—
Akira -was part of their "play."
He thought dryly: Thank you for dragging me into your love-hate drama.
Yet truthfully—
He welcomed it.
Since his Zen Master passed, no one had truly guided him.
Madara could advise him—but his century of experience had limits.
As for Hagoromo?
Akira -knew well—
The Sage of Six Paths would never approve of him. Especially after what he had done concerning Kaguya.
Indra and Asura's support was no less valuable than the Sage's.
In this "play," Akira -also set his own three rules:
Don't initiate.
Don't reject.
Don't acknowledge.
Asura beamed at Indra's glare.
"Don't be so tense, big brother. The match hasn't begun. I'm just greeting Akira."
First impressions matter, he thought. Big brother just saved Akira—he's earned goodwill. I can't fall behind.
Asura stepped forward and grabbed Akira's hand.
"Akira! Want me to teach you a secret technique?"
"Oh?" Akira -showed interest. "Sure."
Indra's brows knotted sharply.
"Asura, you—"
"Big brother," Asura interrupted cheerfully, "I'm beginning my turn. Rule one, remember?"
"Hmph."
Indra turned to leave.
"Wait," Akira -called. "Indra-senpai. Thank you—truly."
Indra paused.
Three seconds of silence.
Then he left without a word.
"My brother's like that. Don't mind him," Asura said warmly as they sat facing each other.
Akira -skipped the pleasantries.
"What technique?"
Asura's lips curved into a mysterious smile.
"Something fun and useful~"
He raised his palm.
Chakra swirled rapidly, forming a sphere resembling a Rasengan.
"This is Gale Sphere!"
Ah.
The technique Asura realized while drawing water from the well during his Six Paths trial.
It looked like Rasengan, but was actually his self-created Wind Release technique—far more powerful.
"Oh." Akira -responded flatly.
"Not impressed?" Asura chuckled. "Then watch this."
He clasped it with both hands.
The Gale Sphere expanded, becoming hollow. Inside the outer shell, six smaller Gale Spheres formed and orbited like miniature planets.
"One outer shell, six inner cores."
"Multi-Layer Grand Gale Sphere!"
Akira: "…"
Asura continued enthusiastically.
"The outer layer acts as protection and amplifies impact. Even my brother struggled with it—"
—Divine Illumination.
Crack.
Akira -pierced the outer shell instantly. The six inner spheres scattered across the ground.
Asura blinked.
"It's not useless," Akira -said calmly. "At least it can block one ocular technique."
He raised his hand.
A Gale Sphere formed.
Expanded.
Hollowed.
Then—
Within it, a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and a Fire Release: Rasenshuriken materialized, spiraling in mutual orbit.
Gale Sphere is versatile.
It can package techniques.
That makes storage via Toyomikezuchi far more efficient.
"With Gale Sphere as the shell, and dual elemental Rasenshuriken inside…"
He paused thoughtfully.
"…That'll do."
With a flick of his right eye, the technique was stored.
Asura stared, impressed.
"He grasped it instantly—and improved it."
"No wonder he mastered Samadhi meditation in three years…"
Akira -nodded politely.
"Asura-senpai. Anything else?"
"If not, I'll take my leave."
Asura thought:
Appetizers aren't enough. I need a main course.
He straightened his robes.
"Akira."
"Would you like to learn my Wood Release Sage Art?"
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