The sage mark shaped like a pair of lips, still carrying lingering warmth, was clearly imprinted on Rikusei's cheek.
Feeling the residual warmth on his cheek, Rikusei found it hard to refuse the Alliance's order. After all, building a sacred cultivation site was a crucial part of developing the Shinobi World's overall strength.
Incomplete Sage Jutsu might seem useless.
Yet this power, rooted in the Shinobi World itself and distinct from chakra, could have unexpected effects on the Otsutsuki Clan and the God Tree.
After all, you couldn't put all your eggs in one basket. Sage Mode also needed to be studied.
The Otsutsuki Clan had set their sights on this planet a thousand years ago. Even though Kaguya had ambushed Isshiki and cut off contact with the Otsutsuki main family, the late-arriving wind would sooner or later catch up to the departing figure.
The gloom weighing on his heart had always hung over Rikusei. Even after obtaining the Rinnegan, the sense of urgency still followed him like a shadow.
Because
above the peaceful Shinobi World still lingered a resentful ghost—an Otsutsuki whose body had been half-devoured by the Ten-Tails a thousand years ago.
Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
At this very moment, he had become Jigen and was living somewhere within the Shinobi World.
He had managed to evade the Sage of Six Paths during the era of the Ninjutsu Sect, let alone hide within today's fragmented Shinobi World.
The Kage-level experts of the various Ninja Nations?
Even relying on Jigen's body, Isshiki was no minor figure who could be handled at will.
It seemed that
the Sage of Six Paths, now walking the mortal world once more, would miss his Mother's superior again, just as he had a thousand years ago.
Rikusei had his eye on the Ten-Tails possessed by Isshiki.