"Hmm… this generation's Asura…"
Arisu lightly rubbed his chin with his fingertips. His body shifted slightly, and in an instant, his figure turned into a wisp of faint, thin mist.
Silently dispersing among the shadows of the pillars in the Hall of Six Paths.
In the next moment, the mist solidified, and a figure dressed in a plain white Daoist robe landed steadily behind Senju Syura.
Arisu's hair was completely white. His immortal-like bearing blended perfectly with the ancient and simple shrine hall.
At this moment, Senju Syura was lowering his eyes, focused on carefully wiping the incense table in front of the Sage of Six Paths' altar.
Inside the hall, incense smoke curled in the air. Light filtered through the carved windows in the roof, falling onto his thin side profile, adding a touch of softness to his features.
Senju Syura was completely unaware of anyone behind him. It wasn't until Arisu's footsteps sounded softly that he suddenly came back to his senses.
"Ah!" Senju Syura cried out in fright.
"Hehe, young friend, you are quite focused.", Arisu spoke gently, his tone carrying a bit of calm amusement.
Senju Syura quickly turned around, covering his chest as he calmed his suddenly racing heartbeat.
"Old sir, you appeared so suddenly, you nearly scared me to death! That really startled me."
"I naturally wouldn't dare be careless."
"The Hall of Six Paths is the sacred ground of the Senju. Being on duty here, not even the slightest negligence is allowed."
After saying that, Senju Syura even clasped his hands toward the portrait of the Sage of Six Paths in the hall from afar, his movements respectful and solemn.
Arisu watched this scene and nodded slightly in his heart.
This attitude was far more respectful than Uchiha Yui in that Hall of Six Paths at Nanhe River.
"Old sir.", Senju Syura scratched his head, a bit of confusion on his face.
"Just now, I'm only an ordinary person and didn't notice your arrival. That was really rude of me."
"But I saw that the ritual procession had already dispersed, so why are you still staying in this shrine?"
In Syura's view, the old man in front of him was probably a reclusive elder of the Senju clan, which was why he could appear silently inside the hall like this.
"Hehe…"
Arisu chuckled softly and slowly walked to the side of the altar.
His gaze fell on Senju Syura's thin figure as he spoke slowly, "Young friend, your body seems to have some issue, doesn't it? I suppose you are unable to refine chakra."
"Mm…"
Hearing this, Senju Syura's body stiffened slightly, and a trace of dimness flashed in his eyes.
This matter was no longer a secret within the Senju clan. Since childhood, his inability to refine chakra had become a regret known to everyone in the clan.
He nodded silently, his voice low. "You're right."
Arisu clasped his hands behind his back, looking at Senju Syura, his tone carrying a hint of probing. "Then are you willing to remain an ordinary person for your entire life?"
Senju Syura let out a soft sigh. A bit of relieved loneliness appeared in his expression.
"I don't really have any choice. I used to think this was something terribly bad, but after staying in this Hall of Six Paths for so long, I've gradually come to terms with it."
"Let it be. I'll just leave it to fate. That's fine too."
As Senju Syura spoke, his tone was full of calm acceptance. There truly wasn't even a trace of unwillingness.
Seeing this, Arisu raised his brows slightly in his heart.
This generation's Asura reincarnation was far more "laid-back" than he had expected.
Arisu thought to himself. Since the reincarnations of Indra and Asura appeared, the two had not had any interaction so far, let alone that destined confrontation.
Could it be that, in the end, this confrontation would result in Uchiha Yui winning without even fighting?
"Old sir, right now, I just want to stay peacefully in this Hall of Six Paths and keep the Sage of Six Paths company."
"Usually I read some books and clean the hall. Life is fairly leisurely. I am, after all, the son of the clan leader."
"Even if I don't train, the clan can still ensure I have food and clothing. Every day I even get hot soup and food to fill my stomach. With a life like this, I'm already satisfied."
As Senju Syura spoke, a faint smile appeared on his face. There was no resentment in his eyes, only satisfaction with his current simple life.
Looking at him like this, Arisu clearly understood that this generation's Asura reincarnation had truly completely given up striving.
"I see. Then I won't disturb you any longer."
Arisu spoke lightly. With a gentle flick of his sleeve, he walked slowly toward the outside of the Hall of Six Paths.
Senju Syura quickly stood up to see him off, hurrying after him out of the hall. But under the corridor, only a breeze swept past, carrying incense ash.
The white-robed old man from before had already disappeared without a trace, leaving not even the slightest aura behind.
"Huh? Why did he leave so quickly?"
Senju Syura scratched his head, looking around in confusion. After confirming there was no one, he raised his hand and let out a lazy yawn, a hint of drowsiness appearing in his expression.
"It's already noon. Time to go back to the side hall and take a nap."
Muttering that, he slowly turned around and walked toward the residence behind the shrine. His thin figure quickly disappeared into the shadows of the buildings.
———
[Mount Myoboku, Longevity Peak]
At the peak, clouds and mist swirled.
Arisu stood by the cliff, looking at the rolling sea of clouds and gently shook his head.
'Asura's reincarnation has completely given up, without even the slightest desire to compete. On the other hand, Indra's reincarnation, Uchiha Yui, is arrogant and domineering, her sharpness fully revealed. In this destined confrontation, she is ninety percent certain to win.'
Arisu paused slightly, tapping his sleeve with his fingertips, his tone becoming a bit more indifferent.
"However, I have already interfered with the fate of the ninja world enough. Since Senju Syura is content with an ordinary life, there's no need for me to intervene further."
A soft sigh spread out as a trace of regret flashed in Arisu's eyes.
"It seems this confrontation has already ended before it even began. If I want to see Indra and Asura clash with blood flowing like rivers, I'll have to wait for the next generation of reincarnations."
Time passed, seasons changed.
———
In the blink of an eye, a year went by.
The 231st year of the ninja calendar was destined to be a year that shook the ninja world.
Uchiha clan leader Uchiha Yui expanded the clan with an iron hand, leading the elite forces in large-scale campaigns, successively destroying three small ninja clans nearby.
The surrounding clans all lived in fear. Every rustle of wind and movement of grass made them nervous, afraid that the Uchiha's blade would point at them next.
Meanwhile, within Mount Myoboku, a major matter had also been settled.
After a year of arduous training, Black Zetsu finally succeeded in mastering Mount Myoboku's sage arts.
On Longevity Peak, one immortal, one toad, and one Zetsu stood facing each other.
Arisu stood quietly in front of a stone. The sage toad Fukasaku squatted on a green rock beside him, while Black Zetsu stood with his head lowered before them, faint sage energy lingering around his body.
"Sage, the sage arts I have cultivated are entirely support techniques, without any direct offensive power."
Black Zetsu spoke respectfully, carefully explaining his abilities.
"My abilities can only take effect when I attach myself to a host."
"Sage Art: Fusion Technique allows me to attach sage energy to the host's body, enhancing their strength, perception, and reaction."
"It can also help the host refine and condense chakra, and even absorb natural energy on their behalf to convert it into sage arts."
"Even an ordinary person with no foundation can become a top-tier ninja after I attach to them."
Black Zetsu changed his tone, revealing the drawback of the technique.
"However, this technique has a flaw. Once I leave the host, all the power they gained through me will completely disappear, and they will return to their original state."
"Correspondingly, once I leave the host, I also cannot use various ninjutsu."
"Oh? That's somewhat similar to my toad symbiosis technique."
Fukasaku at the side croaked and nodded.