I Declare, Super Shadow Level Shall Be Renamed Six Paths Level!

I announce that the Super Kage Level shall henceforth be named the Six Paths Level! In the courtyard of the Ninja Sect headquarters, cherry blossom petals drifted down with the breeze.

They floated through the open paper door and landed upon the tatami mats.

"Teacher!"

The scroll in Hagoromo's hand hung suspended in mid-air as he looked back in surprise.

It was Manji!

Hagoromo gazed at the figure before him, clad in green robes and carrying a sword on his back. His features remained exactly as they were in his memories from a century ago; it was as if time had left no mark on Manji at all.

Only the aura surrounding him felt more profound and distant than it had back then.

"Teacher!"

Hagoromo rose almost instinctively, his movements as respectful as when he had received instruction at Mount Myōboku, and he bowed deeply.

He was a powerhouse in his own right now, his chakra as vast as the sea and his sensory perception capable of covering a massive area.

Yet, he had not sensed Manji's arrival in the slightest. That unfathomable stealth technique remained a realm far beyond his reach.

Manji nodded slightly, looking at Hagoromo with a hint of appreciation.

Hagoromo was not arrogant; even though his strength now surpassed his teacher's, he remained humble.

Watching him bow, a faint smile touched the corners of Manji's lips as he waved a hand. "No need for such formalities."

Manji walked slowly to the tatami mat opposite and sat down, the hem of his green robes swaying with the movement, his Six Paths Sword leaning against his side.

"I came to ask about this 'Sage of Six Paths' business."

"To have every Manji Temple in the world change its plaques and honor me as the Sage of Six Paths—looking across the world, only you could have pulled that off."

Manji went straight to the point.

Hearing this, Hagoromo straightened up, a clear look of apology on his face. He placed his hands on his knees, his posture becoming even more deferential.

"Teacher, this matter was indeed my own decision. I hope you will forgive me."

"Your given name is Manji. When the Ninja Sect was first established, I discussed it with my followers. We all felt that addressing our founder by his name was too disrespectful, so we thought to bestow a title upon you."

"The words 'Six Paths' were something I kept in my heart from when you named your sword the 'Six Paths Sword'."

Hagoromo looked up, his eyes filled with reminiscence.

He paused, his tone earnest.

"I searched everywhere for you back then, but I could never find a trace. I dared not disturb you, and without a way to seek an audience, I could only announce the title to the world."

"I intended to explain and ask for your forgiveness in person once you appeared, but I never expected that a hundred years would pass in the blink of an eye."

As Hagoromo spoke, he bowed slightly once more, his face full of guilt.

"I did not mean to offend. I am simply so grateful for your teachings and protection. I wanted the world to remember your kindness forever, and I hoped to use your name to unite people, allowing the Ninja Sect to carry on your will and guard the peace of this world."

"If you dislike this title, I shall issue an order immediately to restore the name 'Sage Manji'."

"So that's how it is..."

Manji listened quietly, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of the tatami mat. He truly found the situation both laughable and frustrating.

He had never imagined that a name he had given his sword on a whim would lead to him being bestowed with a title that had spread across the entire world a century later.

Even less did he expect that, through a twist of fate, he would end up replacing the Sage of Six Paths.

Thinking of this, Manji couldn't hold it together.

This is absurd...

When he named the Six Paths Sword, he had wanted to break through to the Six Paths Level himself.

Yet, he never expected the title of Sage of Six Paths to fall upon his own head.

So, I am the Sage of Six Paths?!

I've reached the Six Paths Level, but not quite...

The thought of a Super Kage Level Sage of Six Paths was, any way you looked at it, quite ridiculous.

Wait! I have an idea!

Manji suddenly thought of a brilliant plan!

A brilliant plan to break through to the Six Paths Level!

The system said:

I can never reach the Six Paths Level.

But what if I name the Super Kage Level the Six Paths Level...

Wouldn't that mean I have reached the Six Paths Level?!

Manji looked up at Hagoromo, and seeing him still bowing with his eyes lowered in respect, he shook his head lightly.

"Forget it. A hundred years have already passed, and the world has long grown accustomed to the title of 'Sage of Six Paths'. There is no need to change it."

Manji spoke softly.

"Very well, as you say, Master."

Hearing this, Hagoromo nodded with a smile.

Hagoromo personally handed Manji a cup of hot tea.

The two began to chat about the years that had passed.

Hagoromo was in high spirits, telling Manji many things, explaining how he would act in the future and how he would make the human world better and better.

At this moment, Hagoromo seemed immersed in a dream of salvation.

He fantasized that he could change the world and create an ideal with his own strength.

"Hehehe... good... very good..."

Manji smiled without a word; he could only say that Hagoromo was still too young.

Was human society really that easy to change?

Besides, Hagoromo would also have a day when he would die.

"Hagoromo, when will you take a wife?"

Manji asked with a faint smile.

Hearing this, Hagoromo was stunned, scratching his head in embarrassment as he replied, "I don't have that thought for the time being."

Hagoromo was not a blockhead; judging by his feelings for Haori, he was a man of deep emotion.

"Master, speaking of which, how long can you actually live? I feel like you haven't changed at all; it's as if I'm looking back at yesterday, as if it were just yesterday."

Hagoromo looked at Manji's face and couldn't help but ask.

"Heh..."

Manji still just smiled and did not answer.

Seeing that his master did not want to answer, and having lived for so many years with high emotional intelligence, Hagoromo simply did not ask again.

In any case, Hagoromo was confident he would outlive his master.

After all, his master was merely a native of this planet, and even if he practiced Sage Arts, it did not mean he could live longer than him.

Perhaps by the time he reached middle age, his master would already be dead.

What's more, a hundred years had passed, and he still felt he hadn't changed much.

"Alright, it is time for me to go."

Manji finished the last of the tea, strapped the Six Paths Sword to his back, and stood up to leave.

"Master, won't you meet the members of the Ninja Sect?" Hagoromo asked.

After all, the Ninja Sect was founded in Manji's name.

As the founder, Manji should at least make an appearance.

"No, your Ninja Sect is quite good; I hope it continues to develop well."

Manji stood up and said.

Although the whole world worshipped him as a god, Manji himself was rather indifferent to fame and fortune.

They were just empty titles; he practiced Sage Arts, not the path of incense and worship...

Just then, a follower of Hagoromo walked in.

"Report, Lord Hagoromo, today we have helped... ah, heavens! The Founder!?"

The follower began to report, but upon seeing Manji beside Hagoromo, he let out a sudden exclamation!

"Disciple of the Ninja Sect pays respects to the Founder!"

The follower bowed in excitement.

It was his first time seeing the Founder! The living Founder!

It was as if the Taishang Laojun one had always worshipped had suddenly appeared in one's own home.

"Mm, rise, there is no need for such formalities."

Manji smiled slightly, unable to help but chuckle as he remembered the scene where everyone knelt before him the moment his face appeared in the temples.

Hagoromo smiled awkwardly.

"I am leaving, no need to see me off."

Manji raised his hand slightly, then activated his Sage Arts, and accompanied by a light mist, he vanished...

After leaving the Ninja Sect, Manji traveled to several other places in the human world.

He took the opportunity to check on those Tailed Beasts.

These Tailed Beasts were living quite freely; since ninjas had not yet appeared on a large scale, those with power were all in the Ninja Sect.

Ordinary mortals without strength dared not approach the Nine-Tails.

Furthermore, the systems were backward, and nations had not yet been established.

The Tailed Beasts were very much at ease.