The Valley of the End lay in ruins.
Massive cracks stretched across the ground, and enormous craters scarred the landscape. Broken stone slabs and shattered earth formed a chaotic terrain, while fallen trees and snapped branches were scattered everywhere. The aftermath of a devastating battle still lingered in every corner.
A cold wind swept through the empty valley, producing a hollow, lonely sound.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Nothing moved.
Buzz.
Without warning, a terrifying aura suddenly emerged.
A figure appeared out of thin air.
He sat cross-legged in midair, suspended effortlessly with no visible support. Anyone who witnessed such a scene would be stunned, because levitating like this without assistance was far beyond ordinary shinobi.
The figure was an old man.
Despite his aged appearance, there was no sign of weakness in him. Instead, he exuded a deep, unfathomable presence. His eyes alone were enough to shake the entire ninja world.
They were the Rinnegan.
And not just that, a third eye rested on his forehead, glowing red and unsettling to behold.
Several black orbs hovered behind him, and he held a black staff in his hand.
His identity was unmistakable.
The Sage of Six Paths had arrived.
Unknown to everyone else, while the battle between Ryūjin Uchiha and Madara Uchiha took place, there had been another observer watching silently from the shadows.
No one detected him, not even Ryūjin or Madara.
Even at their level, they had not reached the Six Paths realm.
"Even Indra's reincarnation has been defeated," the Sage murmured, confusion flickering in his eyes.
"When he faced Asura's reincarnation before, he did not possess Wood Release. Yet now, he has mastered it once again. What changed?"
As the founder of Ninshu, the Sage of Six Paths stood at a level far beyond all shinobi. To him, most individuals were transparent, their abilities easily understood.
But Ryūjin was different.
"I cannot see through him at all."
Madara had awakened the Rinnegan by combining the powers of Indra and Asura through the fusion of Uchiha and Senju traits.
But Ryūjin?
"How did he awaken the Rinnegan?"
"And the Tenseigan… that power belongs to Hamura's lineage."
Questions piled up endlessly.
Even more troubling was another matter.
"He carries the chakra of seven Tailed Beasts."
The Sage frowned deeply.
The Tailed Beasts were still free in the world. Ryūjin had not captured them.
So where did that chakra come from?
After a long silence, the Sage exhaled slowly.
"No matter the source, his goal is clear. He intends to gather all nine Tailed Beasts and take the final step."
His expression hardened.
"I cannot allow that. The future of this world cannot be gambled on."
Before becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, a shinobi remained within the bounds of human power. But once that transformation occurred, everything changed.
They would step into the realm of the Otsutsuki Clan.
Madara and Obito had already shown signs of this evolution, developing physical traits unique to that lineage.
If Ryūjin succeeded completely, he would become something far closer to a true Otsutsuki.
And that carried a greater danger.
Such power could attract others from that clan.
One Otsutsuki was sealed on the moon. Another lurked within the ninja world.
The Sage could not allow another variable to emerge.
"It's time to speak with him."
Buzz.
His figure vanished instantly.
---
Konoha.
"Lord Hokage!"
"Lord Hokage!"
As Ryūjin walked through the village, people greeted him respectfully.
He responded with brief nods, his expression indifferent.
Being Hokage was nothing special.
If anything, it was tedious.
Too many documents, too many responsibilities.
"Once I get bored, I'll hand this position to someone else," he thought casually.
For now, though, there were still matters to settle. The tension with other villages had not been resolved, and his actions had already drawn hostility.
He was not the type to leave things unfinished.
Inside the Hokage office, Koharu Utatane placed a stack of documents on the desk.
"Lord Hokage, these require your review."
Ryūjin flipped through a few pages before his expression soured.
"Handle them yourself."
He tossed them back without hesitation.
"I'm going out to check on the village."
Koharu narrowed her eyes.
Check on the village? More like wandering around out of boredom.
Still, she said nothing.
She had already grown used to this so-called Hokage.
The day passed quickly.
By evening, Ryūjin returned home, shared a quiet meal with his parents, and went back to his room.
The moment he sat down, a voice echoed in the air.
"Ryūjin Uchiha."
Ryūjin looked up.
A figure floated before him.
"The Sage of Six Paths?" he said, slightly surprised.
Of all people, this was unexpected.
The Sage studied him carefully.
"I didn't expect you to recognize me so easily."
"I'm Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the founder of Ninshu."
Ryūjin leaned back slightly.
"So why are you here?"
The Sage spoke calmly.
"I observe the ninja world, guiding its balance. Normally, I do not interfere. But when a threat arises that could disrupt or destroy that balance, I must act."
Ryūjin said nothing, waiting.
"I have been watching you for some time. You are pursuing a dangerous power, one that could bring disaster to this world."
His gaze sharpened.
"Stop targeting the Tailed Beasts. Abandon this path."
Ryūjin understood immediately.
So that was it.
The Ten-Tails.
He let out a faint chuckle.
"For you to come personally, I should feel honored."
Then his expression turned cold.
"But what if I refuse?"
The Sage's tone deepened.
"That would be unwise. If necessary, I will intervene."
Ryūjin tilted his head slightly.
"So if I continue, you'll try to stop me yourself?"
"Yes."
Silence filled the room.
Then Ryūjin laughed.
"A dead man still acting important."
His eyes sharpened, his voice dropping.
"Stay out of my way and nothing happens. But if you decide to interfere…"
He paused.
"Don't expect me to show respect just because you're ancient."
The Sage froze.
For a brief moment, even he was stunned.
Ryūjin Uchiha had just threatened him.
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