Chapter 336: You are the One Interfering with the World of the Living
"Eh?"
Hashirama was stunned, an undisguised look of bewilderment appearing on his face.
A lonely Soul from beyond the heavens?
Not an existence belonging to this world?
What did those words mean?
Did they mean Naruto came from a distant planet like the Otsutsuki Clan?
But Naruto clearly had a complete growth trajectory!
Moreover, if one were to talk about beingâsuspiciousâ or an âextraterrestrial visitorâ, didnât this old man in front of him, claiming to be the Six Paths Sage, fit that description better?
He heard from Tobirama that Urashiki and the Six Paths Sageâs mother were of the same clan, which meant the man had at least half alien blood.
Hashirama frowned, trying to understand the Six Paths Sageâs words, but he felt the claim was far too inconceivable.
He thought for a moment and decided to ignore this riddle-like statement for now, instead making his stance clear:
"I donât quite understand what you mean."
Hashirama spoke frankly, his tone then becoming firm.
"But that kid Naruto is an excellent junior. He possesses great power, and even more so, the determination and drive to change the world.
He is fighting for true peace in the Ninja World. This is something I have seen with my own eyes, and I am willing to believe in him."
"So, even if he really is some âlonely Soul from beyondâ, so what?
As long as his heart is set on peace and protecting Hidden Leaf Village and the Ninja World, his origins donât matter to me."
Hashiramaâs words were powerful and resonant, filled with trust and tolerance for his junior.
He wasnât being blind; this was a judgment reached after contact and observation.
The vision, power, and persistent pursuit of peace Naruto displayed made even him, the former âGod of Shinobiâ, feel admiration.
As if to strengthen his argument or change the subject, Hashirama added:
"By the way, I heard your mother is Ćtsutsuki Kaguya, right? You sealed her.
And not long ago, Naruto personally killed an invader also from beyond the heavens named Otsutsuki Urashiki.
This shows that he is at least on our side, fighting against external threats that could harm the Ninja World."
The Six Paths Sage listened to Hashiramaâs words without a ripple of emotion on his face, only nodding slowly.
"I know about the matter regarding Otsutsuki Urashiki."
He spoke calmly, as if all things in the world were under his gaze.
"However, I did not summon you here to discuss Narutoâs achievements against the Otsutsuki, nor to investigate the legitimacy of his powerâs source."
His gaze became deeper, as if piercing through Hashiramaâs Soul to see somewhere further away:
"What I want to tell you is that although you have been âresurrectedâ again by a forbidden technique and have briefly returned to the world of the living..."
The Six Paths Sageâs tone took on a hint of warning:
"The dead are ultimately dead. It is better for Souls who have found rest and Karma that has already concluded not to interfere too much in the conflicts and changes of the living world."
"The tracks of the present world should be pushed and decided by the people currently living in it.
Excessive intervention, whether out of goodwill or otherwise, could trigger new, unpredictable variables, and even interfere with... certain established âprocessesâ."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
"I donât. I have already come back to life; I am one of the living. Do you think just because you say Iâm dead, Iâm dead?"
Hashirama thought of his promise to his wife; he wanted to travel the peaceful Ninja World with Uzumaki Mito and enjoy the companionship they lacked in life.
He was inherently a stubborn person; he would never feign compliance with words he did not agree with.
The Six Paths Sage shook his head gently.
"Your mastery of Yang Release is indeed very strong. Even among the successive Reincarnations of Asura, you are considered a standout; your understanding and application of life force is nearly instinctive."
"But... currently, you still lack a true Physical Body.
In your Soul form, the power you can mobilize is limited, and your strength is much weaker than when you were alive."
He paused, his calm gaze meeting Hashiramaâs gaze which was filled with Battle Intent.
"If you are looking to cross swords with me here... youâd better forget it.
It is meaningless and can change nothing."
The Six Paths Sageâs words were like stating an objective fact, showing neither contempt nor fear, merely pointing out the difference in their states.
However, these words seemed to further ignite a certain rebellious fire in Hashiramaâs heart.
Instead of restraining his Battle Intent, he took aâstepâ forward, his voice becoming even louder and carrying a questioning tone:
"If you insist that the âdeadâ should not interfere with the world of the âlivingâ..."
Hashiramaâs eyes became sharp as blades. He raised his hand, pointing straight at the seated Six Paths Sage opposite him.
"I think you are the one who has been interfering with the world of the âlivingâ all along!"
This accusation caused the Six Paths Sageâs placid eyes to flicker slightly.
Without waiting for a response, Hashirama continued in a low voice, his tone carrying suppressed anger and long-held doubts:
"Previously, the Souls of us deceased were trapped within the âPure Landâ, muddled and with blurred memories, as if bound by invisible shackles, unable to find peace, and unable to think or perceive clearly!
That state must have been your doing!"
Hashirama stared intently at the Six Paths Sage, his questioning like thunder:
"It was you, or rather, some âabilityâ of yours that imprisoned the Souls of us dead in a world without consciousness, stripping us of the ability to think clearly and perceive freely!
Before, you didnât place any restrictions on the ways the living summoned the dead.
Yet now, you step in to block us.
Is it because Hidden Leaf Village wants to unify the Ninja World, and that has disrupted your plans?"
"That is not the case. I simply wish to tell you that those who have been resurrected should not participate in the wars of the Ninja World."
After saying this, the Six Paths Sage seemed to feel that words alone were not persuasive enough, or perhaps he decided to handle this âunrestfulâ Reincarnation of Asura in another way.
His sitting posture remained unchanged, but he lightly waved his right hand toward the void beside him.
Space rippled like water, and another figure appeared abruptly in this yellowish land, standing not far from Hashirama with a look of bewilderment and caution.
The newcomer wore ancient Sengoku-era armor bearing the Uchiha clan crest. His long black hair was loose, his face cold and majestic, with several signature bangs falling over his forehead, and his eyes were as sharp as a hawkâsâit was Uchiha Madara!
As soon as Madara appeared, he instinctively took a defensive stance, his Sharingan instantly activating as he scanned the unfamiliar surroundings.
When his gaze fell upon Hashirama, he was clearly stunned for a moment.
"Madara!"
Hashirama was also stunned, blurting out Madaraâs name.
"Hashirama?"
Madara responded subconsciously, but his brow immediately furrowed deeper.
He looked at Hashirama, then at this strange yellowish space, and finally at the white-robed old man sitting in mid-air with an unfathomable aura, his heart filled with doubt.
This didnât seem like the real world.
Madara could clearly feel that his state was very peculiar; he wasnât a complete physical entity, but closer to a... Soul or spiritual projection?
Moreover, he hadnât been resurrected through the âRinna Rebirthâ technique?
Just as Madara and Hashirama were staring at each other in confusion, the Six Paths Sageâs calm voice rang out again, this time addressed to both of them:
"Before the war ends..." His gaze swept over the two rivals and old friends.
"If you feel âidleâ or bored and want toâstretch your limbsâ..."
The Six Paths Sageâs tone seemed to carry a very faint, almost mischievous hint.
"Then catch up properly with your old friend... here."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Six Paths Sage finally stopped sitting.
Holding that black tin staff, he slowly stood up.
He held the staff in his right hand and lightly tapped the tip against the empty âgroundâ below.
"Buzzâ"
The originally yellowish, void, and viscous Chaos space changed drastically, like a water surface with a stone thrown into it.
The yellowish colors quickly faded and reorganized.
In the blink of an eye, the âgroundâ beneath them turned into a smooth and level wooden floor covered with clean tatami mats.
Ancient and elegant wooden pillars and railings âroseâ around them, along with exquisite carved window frames and blue-gray tiled roofs... They were inside a quiet viewing pavilion built on a mountainside!
Outside the pavilion, the original darkness and void transformed into breathtakingly realistic natural scenery:
In the distance were rolling, lush green mountains, with mist swirling around their waists.
Nearby, a crystal-clear stream gurgled past, hitting rounded pebbles and making a pleasant splashing sound.
Ancient pines were gnarled and strong, green bamboo swayed, and unknown wildflowers trembled slightly in the wind, emitting a faint fragrance mixed with earth and vegetation.
The chirping of birds was crisp, and warm sunlight from an unknown source cast mottled shadows on the floor through the pavilionâs window lattices.
With beautiful mountains and clear waters, and range upon range of peaks, it was a scene of a vibrant, peaceful, and secluded paradise!
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