Half an hour later, the two groups finally met in a dense forest.
Ashura's Ninja Sect had overwhelming numbers, with a crowd of nearly five thousand people, while Indra's side had only a few hundred. The disparity seemed enormous.
But birds of a feather flock together.
Those who followed Indra believed in strength, while those who followed Ashura believed in the intangible concept of love. Every individual on Indra's side was a skilled warrior capable of fighting ten opponents alone. If it were a one-on-one contest between those who advocated power and those who advocated love, the difference would be immediately obvious.
Unfortunately, this was not a one-on-one battle, and no one could predict the outcome.
Isamu stood beside Indra, his eyes sweeping across Ashura and his followers.
Unsurprisingly, Mandala, Garuda's elder brother, had also arrived.
His gaze was fixed on Garuda, who stood beside Indra. As if sensing Isamu's attention, Mandala shifted his murderous glare toward him.
The cause of this conflict could be traced back to the duel between Isamu and Indra.
Since Indra was his own brother, Mandala naturally couldn't blame him.
Therefore, all responsibility had to fall on the outsider.
Isamu.
However, Isamu merely gave him a brief glance before turning his attention toward Ashura.
That dismissive attitude instantly infuriated Mandala.
While Isamu observed Ashura's group, Ashura was likewise observing Indra's side.
When his gaze landed on Isamu, his pupils narrowed slightly.
A trace of regret flashed through his eyes.
In his mind, Isamu had become yet another person led astray by Indra.
In truth, as the younger brother, Ashura had never truly understood Indra.
Otherwise, he would never have thought such a thing.
Indra disdained manipulating people.
The powerful warriors who followed him did so willingly, drawn by his charisma and convictions.
Then again, for two brothers who had been destined rivals since childhood, truly understanding each other was almost impossible.
"It seems you've finally fallen."
Ashura spoke at last, his gaze fixed on Isamu.
The words were clearly directed at him.
Isamu shrugged casually.
"Everyone has their own ideals and the right to choose freely."
"By selfishly imposing your ideals on others and preventing them from pursuing their own freedom, do you really think you're qualified to talk about saving the world through love?"
"Do you honestly believe a world filled entirely with love can exist?"
"Where there is light, there will be darkness."
"Where there is darkness, there will inevitably be dawn."
"No matter what, a perfect world cannot exist."
"Wherever people exist, conflict will follow."
"That is human nature."
"How dare you!"
One of Ashura's followers stepped forward angrily.
"Who do you think you are to speak to Lord Ashura like that?"
"You're courting death!"
The rest of the Ninja Sect members immediately joined in, glaring at Isamu and hurling insults.
Isamu merely sneered.
Was this the love they constantly preached about?
Human nature never changed, regardless of the era.
When people were weak, they cried about injustice and preached understanding and respect.
But once they gained power—or found someone powerful to stand behind—they abandoned those ideals without hesitation.
The very people who demanded understanding became the first to look down on others.
Perhaps Ashura himself truly practiced what he preached.
But his ideals were far too idealistic.
There were countless people in the world.
Even a creator god could not spread love equally to everyone.
Who did Ashura think he was?
He was simply too naive.
"Oh?"
Ashura shrugged.
"Then what are your ideals?"
"To rule the world through absolute power like Indra?"
"Power is indeed useful."
"But relying on it too heavily will only cause someone to lose themselves."
"How can something so dangerous be used to govern the world?"
Isamu rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Honestly, talking to Ashura was exhausting.
"Although I don't know what power can ultimately bring to the world, what exactly do you think love is?"
"Understanding?"
"Caring?"
"Trust?"
"Tolerance?"
"Or the mutual respect and understanding you constantly speak of?"
"Stop being so naive."
"Human nature is inherently flawed."
"A world where everyone understands each other completely will never exist."
"Look at the endless conflict between you and Indra."
"How many loving families have been destroyed because of your war?"
"If true love really existed in your heart, would things have reached this point?"
"While insisting on your own sense of justice, have you ever considered that you're trampling on the justice and ideals of others?"
"In the end, you're merely protecting the small love of your own ideals."
"You've never possessed true Great Love."
After hearing those words, Ashura fell silent.
For the first time in a long while, he found himself unable to refute someone.
Because Isamu was right.
Everyone pursued what they believed was justice.
Yet in doing so, they often crushed the justice of others.
Even the conflict between himself and Indra was proof of that.
While preaching love, he had also destroyed countless happy families.
For the first time, uncertainty appeared in Ashura's eyes.
His understanding of love began to waver.
Looking at the silent Ashura, Isamu continued calmly.
"I don't deny that power may bring peace."
"And I don't claim that love cannot bring peace."
"But I know one thing."
"If you want to protect your family…"
"If you want to protect the people you care about…"
"Then you need power."
"Without power as a foundation, love and justice are nothing more than empty words."
"As I said before, there is no perfect world."
"And you, Ashura, are not a savior."
"You only need to be yourself."
"And protect the people precious to you."
Those words were not philosophy.
They were simply Isamu's truth.
He never wanted to rule the world.
Nor did he wish to become a savior.
When he was young, he pursued strength to survive and for the sake of his clan.
After growing older and building a family, his reason became even simpler.
To protect them.
That was all.
He possessed no grand ideals or lofty ambitions.
Everything he had done, from beginning to end, was for the sake of protecting the people he cherished most.
Half an hour later, the two groups finally met in a dense forest.
Ashura's Ninja Sect had overwhelming numbers, with a crowd of nearly five thousand people, while Indra's side had only a few hundred. The disparity seemed enormous.
But birds of a feather flock together.
Those who followed Indra believed in strength, while those who followed Ashura believed in the intangible concept of love. Every individual on Indra's side was a skilled warrior capable of fighting ten opponents alone. If it were a one-on-one contest between those who advocated power and those who advocated love, the difference would be immediately obvious.
Unfortunately, this was not a one-on-one battle, and no one could predict the outcome.
Isamu stood beside Indra, his eyes sweeping across Ashura and his followers.
Unsurprisingly, Mandala, Garuda's elder brother, had also arrived.
His gaze was fixed on Garuda, who stood beside Indra. As if sensing Isamu's attention, Mandala shifted his murderous glare toward him.
The cause of this conflict could be traced back to the duel between Isamu and Indra.
Since Indra was his own brother, Mandala naturally couldn't blame him.
Therefore, all responsibility had to fall on the outsider.
Isamu.
However, Isamu merely gave him a brief glance before turning his attention toward Ashura.
That dismissive attitude instantly infuriated Mandala.
While Isamu observed Ashura's group, Ashura was likewise observing Indra's side.
When his gaze landed on Isamu, his pupils narrowed slightly.
A trace of regret flashed through his eyes.
In his mind, Isamu had become yet another person led astray by Indra.
In truth, as the younger brother, Ashura had never truly understood Indra.
Otherwise, he would never have thought such a thing.
Indra disdained manipulating people.
The powerful warriors who followed him did so willingly, drawn by his charisma and convictions.
Then again, for two brothers who had been destined rivals since childhood, truly understanding each other was almost impossible.
"It seems you've finally fallen."
Ashura spoke at last, his gaze fixed on Isamu.
The words were clearly directed at him.
Isamu shrugged casually.
"Everyone has their own ideals and the right to choose freely."
"By selfishly imposing your ideals on others and preventing them from pursuing their own freedom, do you really think you're qualified to talk about saving the world through love?"
"Do you honestly believe a world filled entirely with love can exist?"
"Where there is light, there will be darkness."
"Where there is darkness, there will inevitably be dawn."
"No matter what, a perfect world cannot exist."
"Wherever people exist, conflict will follow."
"That is human nature."
"How dare you!"
One of Ashura's followers stepped forward angrily.
"Who do you think you are to speak to Lord Ashura like that?"
"You're courting death!"
The rest of the Ninja Sect members immediately joined in, glaring at Isamu and hurling insults.
Isamu merely sneered.
Was this the love they constantly preached about?
Human nature never changed, regardless of the era.
When people were weak, they cried about injustice and preached understanding and respect.
But once they gained power—or found someone powerful to stand behind—they abandoned those ideals without hesitation.
The very people who demanded understanding became the first to look down on others.
Perhaps Ashura himself truly practiced what he preached.
But his ideals were far too idealistic.
There were countless people in the world.
Even a creator god could not spread love equally to everyone.
Who did Ashura think he was?
He was simply too naive.
"Oh?"
Ashura shrugged.
"Then what are your ideals?"
"To rule the world through absolute power like Indra?"
"Power is indeed useful."
"But relying on it too heavily will only cause someone to lose themselves."
"How can something so dangerous be used to govern the world?"
Isamu rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Honestly, talking to Ashura was exhausting.
"Although I don't know what power can ultimately bring to the world, what exactly do you think love is?"
"Understanding?"
"Caring?"
"Trust?"
"Tolerance?"
"Or the mutual respect and understanding you constantly speak of?"
"Stop being so naive."
"Human nature is inherently flawed."
"A world where everyone understands each other completely will never exist."
"Look at the endless conflict between you and Indra."
"How many loving families have been destroyed because of your war?"
"If true love really existed in your heart, would things have reached this point?"
"While insisting on your own sense of justice, have you ever considered that you're trampling on the justice and ideals of others?"
"In the end, you're merely protecting the small love of your own ideals."
"You've never possessed true Great Love."
After hearing those words, Ashura fell silent.
For the first time in a long while, he found himself unable to refute someone.
Because Isamu was right.
Everyone pursued what they believed was justice.
Yet in doing so, they often crushed the justice of others.
Even the conflict between himself and Indra was proof of that.
While preaching love, he had also destroyed countless happy families.
For the first time, uncertainty appeared in Ashura's eyes.
His understanding of love began to waver.
Looking at the silent Ashura, Isamu continued calmly.
"I don't deny that power may bring peace."
"And I don't claim that love cannot bring peace."
"But I know one thing."
"If you want to protect your family…"
"If you want to protect the people you care about…"
"Then you need power."
"Without power as a foundation, love and justice are nothing more than empty words."
"As I said before, there is no perfect world."
"And you, Ashura, are not a savior."
"You only need to be yourself."
"And protect the people precious to you."
Those words were not philosophy.
They were simply Isamu's truth.
He never wanted to rule the world.
Nor did he wish to become a savior.
When he was young, he pursued strength to survive and for the sake of his clan.
After growing older and building a family, his reason became even simpler.
To protect them.
That was all.
He possessed no grand ideals or lofty ambitions.
Everything he had done, from beginning to end, was for the sake of protecting the people he cherished most.