Guidance

Orochimaru was a bit stunned by Hyuga Shin's question.

"Isn't this how it's always been?"

"Does 'always been' make it right?"

The source of a ninja's power was ultimately flesh and spirit—consuming precious vitality and spirit energy could hardly lead to longevity.

Still, this made Orochimaru vaguely realize something was indeed off.

"You're a contractor of the Three Great Sage Regions, so you must have some understanding of the White Snake Sage," Hyuga Shin pressed on.

"Naturally."

"Have you ever looked into her strength?"

"She should be formidable! Even with her control, I can feel a strong pressure from her."

"Do you know how long the White Snake Sage has lived?" Hyuga Shin dug the pit step by step, luring Orochimaru in.

"From what I know, she's lived at least a thousand years!" Orochimaru had some knowledge of this.

"Then have you ever wondered why?"

"Why what?"

"Why does the White Snake Sage possess both immense power and a long lifespan?" Hyuga Shin continued to guide Orochimaru.

Orochimaru fell into the trap Hyuga Shin had set.

Through Hyuga Shin's guidance, he suddenly saw the crux of the issue.

That was true. Why?

The questions Hyuga Shin raised echoed endlessly in Orochimaru's mind.

"Also, do you think that with the Shinobi World in such chaos, no one has ever thought of unifying it?"

Hyuga Shin didn't give Orochimaru too much time to ponder; he wanted to finish his lecture and let Orochimaru mull it over himself.

"Didn't Elder Shin say that Hashirama Senju, Uchiha Madara, and you yourself have all considered it?" Orochimaru was puzzled by Hyuga Shin's question.

He had heard this from Hyuga Shin not many days ago, and the memory was still fresh.

"Then guess why someone as strong as the three of us failed?"

"To be honest, in the earliest days of one village, one country, even without Madara and Hashirama making a move, I alone could have led Konohagakure to unify the Shinobi World!"

"So why didn't it succeed?"

"Hashirama and Madara became different people overnight." Hyuga Shin gave Orochimaru a meaningful look.

Orochimaru's pupils contracted at Hyuga Shin's answer, recalling the strange feeling he'd had while treating Nawaki earlier.

He had long sensed something was off!

"Then—"

"Don't rush. Let me finish."

Orochimaru tried to press further but was cut off by Hyuga Shin.

"Do you think no one else besides us has considered unifying the Shinobi World? Even you once said you'd think about it if you had the power, and you can see the advantages of unification."

After all, that would be a good direction for the entire Shinobi World.

"Then from the early Warring States Period to the present era, has there really not been a single intelligent person?"

"Could they truly all be blind to the benefits of unifying the Shinobi World?"

"Why does the hatred in the Shinobi World cycle on and on, never ceasing?"

"Are the so-called wars really just triggered by village interests and internal conflicts?"

"And why have ninja, the embodiment of power, become dogs under the Daimyo's command? Which truly powerful person would willingly bow to mere mortals?"

"What's even more laughable is that not only ordinary ninja think this way, but even the Kage of each village consider it only natural!"

"You need to break free from the framework's constraints and then understand the true face of this world." Hyuga Shin couldn't help but intensify his persuasive force.

Orochimaru fell silent as he listened to Hyuga Shin's string of "whys."

But from his expression, it was clear he was constantly pondering the issues.

Hyuga Shin wasn't in a hurry; he quietly waited for Orochimaru to think, hoping he would surprise him.

Time ticked by, and the expressions on Orochimaru's face grew increasingly varied.

"Elder Shin, I'd like to ask—you once mentioned that after the battle at the Valley of the End, you were targeted by a powerful figure. May I know who that is?" After sorting through his thoughts, Orochimaru first asked what he considered a crucial question.

"It's not the right time to tell you directly. It's best if you discover it yourself."

"Of course, if my research can be completed soon, I could tell you then, but not now." Hyuga Shin once again became a riddle-teller.

It wasn't that he feared the Sage of Six Paths—he'd already confronted him directly, so why be scared?

Nor was it that he couldn't tell Orochimaru outright; it was mainly that what one discovers on their own is the most convincing.

Reasoning with a smart person isn't about how logical your argument sounds, but whether your reasoning has something the smart person can believe in.

"Then I'd like to ask again—was that person the same one who used a Sealing Technique as a precaution when you treated Nawaki?"

Orochimaru quickly asked the most critical question.

"You truly are exceptional, Orochimaru."

"To be able to discern the essence of the matter from mere clues—it seems I chose well." Hyuga Shin subtly affirmed Orochimaru's conjecture.

"Is that so?" Orochimaru's expression grew complicated upon receiving Hyuga Shin's confirmation.

If it was truly as he suspected, then the Shinobi World was indeed as deep as Hyuga Shin had claimed.

It was very likely that, aside from the sages of the various sacred lands, there were other immortals hidden in the shadows.

And for someone to make Hyuga Shin cautious, their strength must not be underestimated.

"Then what is his goal?"

"Why is Hyuga Shin so fixated on unifying the Shinobi World?"

"What caused Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara to change overnight?"

"What secrets are the Three Great Sage Regions hiding?"

"What is wrong with the ninja system itself?"

"What really happened during that brief moment of disorientation in the cave where Nawaki was treated?"

Orochimaru's mind was filled with questions, his thirst for knowledge insatiable.

"Orochimaru, I want to confirm with you once more—if you had the power, would you strive to achieve the unification of the Shinobi World?"

Hyuga Shin's expression was solemn, his voice aged as he questioned Orochimaru.

"I would." Orochimaru's answer was firm and resolute.

Though he didn't fully understand why Hyuga Shin was so fixated on this, the clever Orochimaru could still see the advantages of unifying the Shinobi World.

"Good! That you have such boldness brings me comfort. There is a successor." Hyuga Shin's face showed the relief of an elder.

"Looking back on my life, I have walked with caution, as if treading on thin ice. My only fear is that one day I myself might change."

"I see all living beings as mayflies, but you—I see as a mountain."

"Please, protect your ideals. In this twisted Shinobi World, you need a steadfast faith all the more."

"Orochimaru, wade through the river of this chaotic Shinobi World. I believe you can reach the shore of unification."

"You have the talent for it."

Hyuga Shin transformed into a fountain of inspiration, pouring encouragement into Orochimaru without pause.

Orochimaru, dizzy from the deluge of Hyuga Shin's motivational poison, felt a strong sense of dying for a kindred spirit.

After a brief further chat, Orochimaru left with a belly full of whys.

As the commander of an army, he had too many matters to attend to.

Over the following days, Hyuga Shin kept observing Orochimaru and Tsunade, only to find that the Will of the Six Paths within them had fallen completely silent, unlikely to stir again anytime soon.

"Just as I predicted—the Sage of Six Paths probably can't interfere with the Shinobi World too frequently."

"He must have more important matters in the Pure Land, or he's been tied up there."

"Another seed has been planted in your garden. I wonder, Sage of Six Paths, are you ready?"

"The warrior I have prepared for you has already begun his journey of growth."

"Now comes the contest between players." Hyuga Shin looked up at the sky with an expectant expression.