"That's better."
After setting up a barrier to isolate and monitor the spiritual energy in the area, the mysterious man finally pulled back the hood covering his head and face, revealing his true identity.
The man appeared ancient, with a long goatee and a pale, weathered complexion. Two pointed horns protruded from his forehead, and a faint red slit was visible between his eyebrows. Most striking of all, however, were his lavender eyes, rippling with concentric circles.
"Another pair of Rinnegan?" Onoki gasped.
Uchiha Madara stared at the newcomer, his expression one of pure disbelief. "You... could it be...?"
"My name is Otsutsuki Hagoromo," the old man spoke slowly.
"You finally came." Jiraiya walked up to the old man, speaking in a familiar tone. "Is Orochimaru alright?"
Apparently, Jiraiya and the old man had known each other for some time. In truth, all the intelligence Jiraiya possessed regarding Aizen had been provided by this elder.
"He is nearly at the point of perfectly mastering the power of the Hollow," Hagoromo nodded. "He is indeed a very talented child."
"Is it truly the Sage of Six Paths?" Even when facing his own ancestor, Uchiha Madara showed no sign of respect. "How is it that you aren't dead yet?"
The Sage of Six Paths?
Everyone who had been in a daze widened their eyes, looking at the old man in shock. Throughout the shinobi world, there was no one who did not know the legend of Hagoromo. The originator of chakra, the one who quelled chaos and ushered in the age of shinobi.
To these ninjas, the Sage of Six Paths was a figure of myth. Who would have thought this legendary figure actually existed and was standing before them today?
"It is not that I am not dead." Hagoromo shook his head, unbothered by Madara's attitude. "My current state is actually quite similar to yours—the reincarnation of Indra."
"The reincarnation of Indra?" Madara frowned, looking puzzled.
"Do not worry. The story I am about to tell is quite long," Hagoromo said, finding a place to sit on the ground. "Fortunately, we have more than enough time."
As the history of the turmoil in the shinobi world slowly unfolded from the mouth of the Sage, the discussion in the chat group grew heated.
Curly-Haired Boy: "The Sage of Six Paths? That old geezer is actually the Sage of Six Paths? That's a real curveball, hey!"
Book Artist: "I find it incredible, but it also seems quite reasonable. After all, based on the original Naruto story, the Sage of Six Paths was always watching over the world. He's like a permanent spectator."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "And Master Anran placed his base in the Pure Land, which is essentially digging a hole right in the Sage's backyard. It would be stranger if he didn't intervene."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "The key is that he's always been in a chakra state. How does he have a physical body now? Is that also a prosthetic body?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Anran-san?"
This is an Actor: "Ah, you could say I was the one who taught him."
In truth, Aizen had taught Otsutsuki Hagoromo more than just the process of constructing a prosthetic vessel. He had also subtly demonstrated the use of spiritual power, the transmission of the Reaper's power, and the creation of an Arrancar.
Aizen had performed these demonstrations several times in Hagoromo's presence, specifically so the Sage would learn them. All the while, he had to maintain the charade of not noticing the other party's surveillance. It was exhausting work—a massive test of both acting skills and patience.
Fortunately, Aizen's performance had been flawless.
Book Artist: "It turns out you were the teacher!"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "This habit of cultivating your own enemies is so typical of Anran-san."
Shark-Faced Guy: "The Sage of Six Paths is no simple character. Aren't you afraid of failure, Anran-san? Speaking of which, the Aizen of the Bleach world failed precisely because he over-trained Ichigo Kurosaki, didn't he?"
This is an Actor: "I thought you would understand, having seen my memories, that I am not that Aizen. I didn't expect you to still have such a superficial understanding, Kisame."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Aizen the Shinigami was too lonely, so he sought to cultivate a rival who could match him. But Anran-san is not like that. He has us..."
Book Artist: "Konan-neesan, you added that 'us' at the end on purpose, didn't you? Don't deny it, I see right through you!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Therefore, it is impossible for Anran-san to fail."
Curly-Haired Boy: "What a sudden subject change! You're just like me, Konan!"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "The biggest difference is that Anran-san is truly gentle toward his companions, while the original Aizen's gentleness was just a mask."
Book Artist: "That's true. He's almost too gentle, even doing the cooking himself."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Your tone is a bit sour. Are you jealous?"
Book Artist: "Who—who is jealous? Why would I be jealous? Mo Chou-neesan, your question makes no sense!"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Exactly! How could our Eriri-chan like a man like Aizen-sama? She likes the big, brawny type! In layman's terms, a muscle tyrant!"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Muscle tyrant...?"
Book Artist: "You're the one who likes muscle-heads, you closeted pervert!"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "If it's Eriri, I don't mind."
Curly-Haired Boy: "I get it, I get it. You say you don't mind, but you've already got your hatchet ready, haven't you? Or maybe you're just using your Zanpakutō like a hatchet? Eriri, watch out... is your golden-yellow head at risk?"
Book Artist: "Shut up, you idiot! And what the heck is 'golden-yellow'? Why do I feel so disgusted when I see you use that adjective?"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "To be honest, me too."
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Does it remind you of... fertilizer?"
Book Artist: "Please stop talking! The image is already forming in my head! Ugh!"
[System Message: Group points have reached 50,000. Group Owner, please proceed with the group upgrade.]