Meanwhile, in the space between life and death, Hagoromo, who had been silently observing everything, grew increasingly puzzled.
He didn't understand, not at all.
Hagoromo's residual consciousness felt a strong logical confusion.
Forcibly changing the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki form...
Wasn't that a bit unreasonable?
Finally, he couldn't suppress his emotions and used a bit more Chakra, wanting to observe more carefully.
At this moment, a sudden change occurred. Satoshi felt the power observing him getting closer and closer, as if it was inviting him.
So, he responded.
Drip, drop.
Suddenly, the scene before Satoshi's eyes twisted sharply.
The next moment, he was in a mysterious space he had never set foot in before.
In the center of the space, an old man sat quietly, cross-legged and suspended. A circle of pitch-black orbs surrounded him, as if supporting his body, and he wore a long robe.
Satoshi asked, "Excuse me, are you the legendary Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo?"
Hagoromo was clearly stunned. This young man had actually come to this space between life and death.
I didn't intend to call you here. How did you get in?
The problem is, you're not even dead.
After a brief shock, he regained his aloof demeanor.
Since you're here, sit down and chat for a bit before you leave.
"I didn't expect you to know my name, and... such unique power."
Hagoromo turned around, revealing his true face. He had two small pointed horns on his head, a crimson mark on his forehead, and a pair of Rinnegan eyes.
Looking at this figure who only existed in legends, Satoshi wasn't particularly nervous.
Instead, he asked a somewhat strange question, "Is this the Pure Land? Did you kill me, Sage of Six Paths?"
Hagoromo didn't rush to answer. Instead, he once again seriously scrutinized Satoshi.
Last time, in the distant Land of Rain, when the powers of Uchiha and Senju subtly resonated within this young man, that rare fusion piqued the interest of his residual consciousness remaining in the world. But that was all.
Yet who would have thought that a few years later, his bloodline had undergone another massive change?
Within him, Hagoromo clearly sensed two familiar Chakras. They came from his sons, Asura and Indra.
This was impossible. He was clearly not Asura, nor was he the current reincarnation of Indra.
And his eyes.
How did he achieve the evolution beyond the Rinnegan?
This young man named Satoshi was a mystery that defied the common sense of the Ninja World and Hagoromo's understanding. Too many inexplicable anomalies were intertwined within him.
The fused and sublimated bloodline, the ocular power beyond comprehension, the unclassifiable power system.
The sum of all this had far exceeded the scope of what Hagoromo's residual consciousness in the Ninja World could understand.
Because it was too bizarre, it caused a violent fluctuation in his residual consciousness. This was an error that should not have appeared.
This fragment of his consciousness remaining in the Ninja World was the last failsafe left from ancient times. Its sole purpose was to act as the final guardian, residing in the space between life and death, silently observing the Ninja World.
Once it sensed the crisis signs of Kaguya's imminent revival, this program would activate. It would guide a portion of his power and bestow it upon the contemporary reincarnations of Asura and Indra, granting them the power to fight against Kaguya.
Yes, it was to grant them power-ups.
However, despite all his calculations, he had never predicted such a possibility.
Kaguya had not truly escaped her predicament. Instead, she had been transferred into Satoshi's body.
And Satoshi, in some strange way, had become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. Then, he even changed his appearance. It looked like he was just messing around.
Hagoromo's silence seemed a bit too long.
Seeing that Hagoromo didn't answer, Satoshi could only pretend to be clueless and repeated his previous question.
"This is not the Pure Land, and you are not dead."
Satoshi pretended to suddenly understand and nodded seriously.
He knew it. When unprecedentedly powerful forces appeared in the Ninja World, and possibly involved Kaguya, Hagoromo wouldn't be able to resist coming out to give power-ups.
As for whether the recipient of the power-up was himself, or if Hagoromo came out on his own initiative, did it matter?
[Ninja World Scientist, preparing to activate!]
On Hagoromo's side, however, he had a bit of a headache.
This consciousness body of his was a valuable, one-time resource. Once it appeared, it would dissipate from the Ninja World. Was he just going to return empty-handed?
Sigh...
Hagoromo decided to go all out.
The core instructions of the program ultimately revolved around the reincarnations of Asura and Indra.
Since Satoshi, this anomaly, couldn't be analyzed for now, he would proceed with the original plan and meet his sons of this generation first.
Perhaps he could find a breakthrough through them, or at least complete a part of his mission.
So, he waved his hand.
In an instant, two familiar figures, with astonished expressions, abruptly appeared in this strange space.
Naruto and Sasuke were equally shocked for a moment.
"Whoa! Where is this?"
Naruto stumbled, then steadied himself and immediately looked around cautiously. His eyes lit up when he saw Satoshi.
"Sensei, why are you here too? Huh?"
His gaze then fell on Hagoromo. Who was this old man?
Sasuke's shock was also hard to hide. He vigilantly scanned the unfamiliar surroundings and the figure floating in mid-air.
Hagoromo looked at them and spoke in a deep voice, answering their shared question, "This is not the Pure Land, nor are you dead. I have brought your consciousnesses here."
"Who are you?"
"I am Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo. The world might be more familiar with my other title — Sage of Six Paths."
Naruto's eyes instantly widened, his mouth agape enough to fit an egg.
"The Sage of Six Paths? The legendary ninja progenitor? So amazing!"
"Sasuke, it's the Sage of Six Paths! The one who only exists in legends."
Sasuke 'tch'ed. So what if it was the Sage of Six Paths? What did that have to do with him? Could he teach him Ninjutsu to defeat Satoshi?
Satoshi's heart was calm. He just wanted to quickly get through the process and then get his power-up.