"Sage of Six Paths"

Senju Shinji was deeply envious of Senju Genichi—envious of his talent, his connections, and his "younger brother," who would one day become clan head.

"Senju Genichi, you really are lucky."

Shinji let out a soft sigh. He had spent his whole life striving just to barely keep up with Genichi. Still, deep down, he didn't think he was all that inferior. All he lacked was a qualified teacher.

He closed his eyes to rest. Soon, snores began to fill the air. Who knew how much time had passed when a blob of black liquid seeped out through a crack in the ground. A smiling face appeared on its surface as it crawled onto his body.

In his dream, Senju Shinji felt a chill. A burst of golden light erupted in the darkness.

Senju Shinji raised a hand to shield himself from some of the light, but he still couldn't make out the figure's features. All he could just barely see was a pair of eyes with purple ripples.

"Who are you?"

The figure spoke in a dignified voice. "The world calls me the Sage of Six Paths. Child, I can feel your resolve to gain power and change everything. Now I will teach you my ninjutsu, so you can carry out my will in this world..."

"The Sage of Six Paths?"

Senji was dubious. He was sure he was dreaming. Even someone like that had appeared.

"Child, I know this is hard for you to accept. I'll teach you your first technique. You can try it..."

At dawn, a deafening explosion jolted all the Senju shinobi awake. Hiugo instantly activated his Three-Tomoe, donned Wood Armor, and rushed outside.

Everyone hurried to the source of the noise. The area was flooded with water, and Senju Shinji knelt on the ground, drenched and panting, his face full of disbelief.

That morning, he had inexplicably tried the ninjutsu from his dream. He hadn't expected to cause such a commotion.

"Our clan doesn't have a Water Release that can make an explosion like that, Shinji. Did you create a new technique?"

At Senju Genichi's question, Shinji had wanted to tell the truth. But it would be impossible to explain how he'd learned a technique in a dream. And with a little vanity stirring in him, he nodded, though he didn't actually say yes.

The Senju shinobi around them began speaking up.

"Shinji, I told you you were a genius, but you wouldn't believe me!"

"You can be a role model for Tobirama. Though, thinking of Tobirama growing up to look like this makes me feel a lot better. At least I'm still the handsome one."

"Have you picked a name for the technique? What is it?"

Shinji blushed slightly. Being praised for an achievement that wasn't his felt a little strange. But he was in a good enough frame of mind to get over it quickly.

"This technique is called Water Release: Dance of Mizuhanome."

At that, Hiugo couldn't help taking another look at Senju Shinji. Naming a ninjutsu was usually no big deal, but certain techniques had their own conventions.

Above S-rank ninjutsu was the secret art tier. Most techniques of this level had been passed down from ancient times, and their power was considered among the greatest. People called them the power of the "gods," and the names of deities were incorporated into their titles.

For example, the Uchiha's strongest single-target Fire Release, Sword of the Flame God Kagutsuchi, and its counterpart, the strongest large-scale Fire Release, Wrath of the Flame God Kagutsuchi, both took their names from another name for the fire deity Kagutsuchi.

By incorporating the water goddess Mizuhanome into the technique's name, Senju Shinji was declaring it one of the most powerful S-rank techniques.

"That was quite a spectacle. I wonder how powerful it is. And the way it works is strange, too. Why did it hit the caster as well..."

Hiugo frowned. When developing ninjutsu as a means of defeating enemies, control was the first thing to focus on, so the technique wouldn't miss the target and injure its user instead.

Besides, developing a technique should be a gradual process. As its creator, Shinji should have had a general idea of its power. He couldn't possibly have come up with a finished technique all at once and caused such a huge disturbance.

Could the people on the Western Battlefield just be reckless? Unlike his own steady approach?

"What are you thinking about?"

A man's voice sounded beside him.

Hiugo looked up and saw his nominal "older brother," Senju Genichi.

"Nothing. I'm a little sleepy."

"Mm. It's still early, and you must be tired from yesterday's journey. Go back and get some more rest."

Hiugo gave a quiet acknowledgment and went back to read. After awakening Wood Style, his recovery had improved, and a short rest was usually all he needed.

Genichi watched Hiugo leave, then turned to Senju Shinji.

"Shinji, come see me in a bit."

Shinji's expression stiffened, but he nodded. He and Genichi got along very well. They usually studied battle plans and ninjutsu together.

Creating a ninjutsu was a long process. Why had he managed to do it? Why was he hiding it? These were all things he needed to consider.

Once you told one lie, you needed countless more to cover it up.

An hour later, the two met in the room where they often held discussions.

"Tell me what happened. Have you been developing this technique every night?"

Senju Genichi looked calmly at his old friend.

"Yes. I developed it in secret."

Shinji gritted his teeth. Lying to his friend made him feel uneasy.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Senju Genichi sighed softly.

"Genichi, I trust your character. If I were developing a ninjutsu, you'd never covet the credit and claim it as your own."

"But others wouldn't see it that way. You're Lord Genma's adopted son. You're still young, yet you've already reached the peak of elite jonin and are still improving. I'm the same age as you, but I've only managed to reach the level of an elite jonin."

"If we researched it together, they'd think all the credit belonged to you and overlook my contribution."

Senju Shinji's expression had grown somewhat twisted as he let his feelings get the better of him.

Genichi lowered his gaze. His voice sounded a little despondent.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Don't take it to heart. This is my problem. If there's nothing else, I'd like to go back and get some more rest."

"Okay."

Senju Shinji left the room and returned to where he was staying. Sitting on the bed, he suddenly slapped himself hard and muttered,

"Am I... really that vain?"

He didn't notice the shadow beneath the bed creeping up his foot.

The chill from his dream mingled with his drowsiness. Since he'd used the technique, Senju Shinji was beginning to believe in the "Sage of Six Paths" from his dream. He stopped resisting and fell asleep.

Golden light appeared once more, and a solemn voice echoed all around him. "Child, do you believe me now?"

Senju Shinji hesitated, then nodded.

"I believe you. But I'm sorry I claimed that technique was my own invention."

"It's all right, child. As I said, you are my will walking through the world. What belongs to me belongs to you. I will lead you to the top."

Senju Shinji said guiltily, "But I lied to a friend who's always helped me..."

"Sometimes, lies are a necessary part of moving forward. Now, I'll tell you something about the Hyuga Clan. All you need to do is..."

In the outside world, the black liquid slid off Senju Shinji. A look of disdain appeared on its face.

"What a hypocritical kid. Still, that makes him easier to control."

Over the years, it had figured out how its possession ability worked. The weaker the target's resistance, the shorter the time it could possess and control them.

For years, it had used this method to earn "shinobi" trust, allowing it to take control of their bodies in an instant. It didn't mind giving these "bodies" a little boost, either.