Chapter 462: Entrustment
Ashura and Indra, these two children of the Sage of Six Paths, had long since passed away in the distant past. What they left behind was not their own souls, but special chakra carrying their fates' trajectories.
This chakra drifted and flowed through the river of time, constantly seeking individuals whose essence "resembled" theirs.
Those who in personality, talent, or fate's turning points resonated with Ashura (emphasizing love and bonds, believing in the power of the many) or with Indra (pursuing power and talent, valuing bloodline and individual ability) would have the chakra attach to them, carrying out a kind of "chakra reincarnation" that was not soul transmigration, yet profoundly influenced the host's life.
The true souls of Ashura and Indra had long since obtained eternal peace in the Pure Land created by the Sage of Six Paths to give rest to the deceased.
However, though they were powers from the same bloodline that should have been closely connected as brothers, the reincarnation vessels over a thousand years had almost without exception walked toward opposition and slaughter.
At this moment, witnessing with his own eyes that this generation's "Ashura chakra vessel" and "Indra chakra vessel" not only had not repeated the same mistakes, but had instead formed a married couple...
Even the Sage of Six Paths couldn't help but feel an extremely strange sensation rise in his heart. That strange sensation was called... well, something awkward.
Immediately after, the Sage of Six Paths did something. The next moment, behind Satsuki, the air twisted slightly, and a phantom constructed of blue chakra with slightly blurred outlines slowly emerged.
That phantom had black hair similar to Satsuki's, but eyes that were more ancient, proud, carrying an obsession with power and sense of loneliness deeply rooted in bloodline. This was precisely Indra's chakra manifestation.
Regarding the Sage of Six Paths and the story of Ashura and Indra, Satsuki was actually not unfamiliar. When Naruto persuaded Nagato, he had traced back this history of the ninja clan's origins.
It was just that Naruto had not explicitly told her at that time that the "Indra's chakra" in this life had chosen her as its vessel.
Satsuki turned her head to look at Naruto beside her. Naruto showed no surprise at the chakra phantom behind her, only nodding slightly.
...Which meant what this person said was true? The last doubt in Satsuki's heart was dispelled, but what followed was not the relief of having questions answered.
"It seems you're willing to believe my words now." The Sage of Six Paths' voice sounded at the right moment. "However, looking at your expression, you don't seem entirely shocked by this. I imagine you've also already deduced who this generation's 'younger brother,' the Ashura chakra reincarnation vessel, actually is."
Satsuki fell silent for a moment, emotion passing through her black eyes.
For so long, her obsessive pursuit of Naruto, that inexplicable attraction and bond from deep within her soul, as well as the impulse that sprouted when they first met in childhood, wanting both to get close and to surpass him...
If she applied this explanation of "chakra reincarnations mutually attracting," everything became clear.
"...It's Naruto, isn't it."
"Precisely so." The Sage of Six Paths confirmed.
However, understanding the reason didn't mean Satsuki would hold much respect or affection for this "founder" who had appeared so suddenly.
Her brows furrowed tighter, her tone carrying obvious displeasure and vigilance. "Sage of Six Paths... Then, what exactly do you want by suddenly appearing today and telling me these old stories?"
She didn't like these hidden truths. She had finally managed through her own efforts to reach Naruto's side, to become his legitimate wife, to obtain the happiness she had dreamed of.
And now, this old man claiming to be the founder of the ninja world suddenly jumped out to tell her that this profound emotional connection between her and Naruto very likely was rooted in some kind of "chakra attraction" originating from blood relatives?
"Let me make this clear first," Satsuki's tone suddenly turned cold. "I don't want your eldest son's chakra to continue staying with me. My father is Uchiha Fugaku, my mother is Uchiha Mikoto. I am their bloodline, I am Uchiha Satsuki who grew up in Konoha."
"If you try to define me using the absurd logic of 'your son's chakra is attached to you, so essentially you are Indra,' or try to affect my relationship with Naruto, I absolutely will not acknowledge it."
Watching Satsuki whose emotions had clearly grown agitated, the Sage of Six Paths let out a sigh. "Calm down, young one. I of course clearly know you are not Indra himself. Indra's true soul is resting peacefully in the afterlife's Pure Land. I'm telling you these things with absolutely no intention of having you acknowledge yourself as 'being Indra.' That would be disrespectful to your personhood."
Feeling the sincerity in the Sage of Six Paths' words, Satsuki's tense nerves relaxed slightly, but the wariness in her eyes was not completely eliminated.
What she worried about most was nothing more than the bond based on "past lives" or "blood relative chakra" touching upon some ethical taboo regarding her and Naruto's marital relationship in "this life" that was established through genuine interaction and shared experiences.
The Sage of Six Paths perceived her concern. He looked at this young newlywed couple, his heart filled with myriad emotions.
The Indra chakra reincarnation vessels throughout history had indeed all been exceptionally obsessive and extreme in their emotions. Once they set their mind on something, they would devote everything.
However, toward the Ashura reincarnation vessels whom they were destined to mutually attract, who throughout history had mostly been enthusiastic, outgoing, and valued the collective and bonds, this intense, possessive "obsessive love" was often viewed by the other party as a burden, a restraint, or even "trouble," ultimately evolving through constant friction and ideological conflict into complete hostility and fighting.
But this time...
The Indra chakra vessel (Satsuki) had unreservedly transformed that attraction and obsession toward the Ashura chakra vessel (Naruto) originating from the essence of their power into the purest, most fervent love between man and woman.
And the Ashura vessel (Naruto), far from rejecting this overly intense emotion, responded with equally deep affection, accepting and cherishing it.
Indra viewed Ashura as the entire core of her emotional world, and Ashura likewise treated this as a treasure.
Such a development, such an outcome... could also be considered "reconciliation" and "fulfillment," couldn't it?
The Sage of Six Paths shifted his gaze from Satsuki, whose emotions were still somewhat fluctuating, and refocused on Uzumaki Naruto.
"First, I must express my most sincere gratitude to you, Uzumaki Naruto."
"You exposed the lie woven over a thousand years and thoroughly prevented the conspiracy to resurrect my mother Kaguya... The method you used was admittedly somewhat 'crude.'"
"But without question, you achieved what previous people, including myself in the past, were unable to accomplish."
"Not only that, you also clearly know that a threat more distant than my mother, yet also more imminent, will eventually arrive. Regarding this matter... I must also entrust it to you in advance."
Naruto met Hagoromo's gaze. "Mm, don't worry. Even if you didn't say it, I would still do it. I absolutely will not allow Kaguya's clansmen, or any other existence, to destroy this world, to destroy everything I cherish."
"That's good."
Hagoromo's voice seemed to relax slightly, but immediately after, that solemnity became even deeper. "Then, next, please allow this old fellow who has long since passed away to make one final, and most important, request of you."
"Uzumaki Naruto, your power has long far surpassed the level I reached when I was alive, and has even touched upon laws and authority that even I could only vaguely perceive. You not only possess the power to protect, but are also beginning to possess the ability to 'define' and 'maintain' order."
Naruto felt a trace of doubt rise in his heart. In the original story, after the Sage of Six Paths entrusted his power and the task of stopping Kaguya, he had not mentioned any other unfinished "duty" that needed to be entrusted.
"Request? What matter?"
"I hope you can take over from me... or rather, take over management of the resting place I created and have maintained until now for the souls of the deceased: the Pure Land."
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