The airship, long as a dragon and pulled by giant beetles, descended toward the already completed skyport. Its immense body blanketed the sky, and its eye-catching banners drew the attention of tourists.
The establishment of a cultivation ground for shinobi had long since become the talk of the entire Shinobi World. The opening act that bore everyone's hopes had finally begun.
The crowd flowing down the streets resembled surging white waves washing over reefs, sweeping mightily past Rikusei and Otsutsuki Hagoromo.
"No matter the era, people will always pursue hope of their own accord."
"Now that this era has its own sage, Senju Hagoromo should formally begin his journey as well."
The Sage of Six Paths, having straightened his clothes and looking considerably more capable, gave Rikusei one final look. His silver hair swayed slightly as he moved upstream through the crowd like a fish swimming against the current, off to witness all that belonged to this world.
Rikusei watched the sage until his figure was finally swallowed by the vast sea of people. He wondered whether the tide called the Shinobi World would return to the sea or leap through the Dragon Gate—whether it could allow a sage from a thousand years ago to transform into a dragon once more.
Standing alone where he was, Rikusei reined in his turbulent thoughts and suddenly recalled that the departing Sage of Six Paths did not seem to have brought much money with him.
Still, such trivial matters probably would not trouble him.
Before long, the Shinobi World would likely hear tales of an old monk skilled in medical ninjutsu who wandered the land.
The lone youth's final bit of persistence vanished completely from his senses along with the Sage of Six Paths' presence, and he drifted with the tide toward the