Good Night, White Ape King.

"I'll tell you when the time is right."

Manji took a sip of tea and spoke calmly.

Seeing this, Hagoromo didn't press him further. After living so many years, he was bound to have some tact.

Besides, Manji was his teacher.

He couldn't exactly keep asking his teacher, "Teacher, why aren't you dead yet?"

That would be far too rude.

"I'm leaving."

Manji rose to take his leave.

Hagoromo immediately bowed slightly. "Allow me to see you off, Master."

Manji nodded, then vanished in a swirl of mist, using Mist Body Flicker to leave.

After Manji was gone,

Hagoromo's gaze grew pensive.

"Honestly, my master is impossible to figure out..."

Hagoromo rubbed his chin and murmured to himself.

Elsewhere,

"Indra and Asura have both been born. Hagoromo will probably start aging rapidly soon. He doesn't have many years left."

Manji pondered calmly.

According to the original story, when Indra and Asura were around thirty or forty, Hagoromo was already near death.

Of course, he wasn't relying solely on what he knew from the story.

Manji could also tell from Hagoromo himself that he was nowhere near as strong as before.

"Hagoromo's Rinnegan..."

Manji furrowed his brow slightly.

"Even though Hagoromo and I share a bond as master and student, it would be such a waste if he died and his Rinnegan went to waste."

"In the original story, Asura burned Hagoromo's body, and the Rinnegan went up in flames too. What a terrible waste."

"Better to take them than let them burn..."

After thinking it over, Manji made up his mind.

As soon as Hagoromo died,

he would go and retrieve the Rinnegan.

"Chirp, chirp..."

Suddenly, a little monkey appeared.

"Another message monkey from the White Ape King."

Manji took the letter. When he opened it, his expression changed.

"I'm almost gone."

Those few short words left Manji stunned.

He hurriedly turned and headed for the Monkey Demon Clan.

When he arrived at White Ape Cave,

he spotted the White Ape King on the stone bed at once. His heart sank, and he approached with a complicated look.

His old friend was now frail with age.

"Manji, you're here..."

The White Ape King looked at Manji with the same smile he'd worn in the past.

"How are you feeling? I might be able to use a few techniques to extend your life. Ten more years should be possible."

Manji spoke softly.

"No need. I've lived for hundreds of years. That's more than enough. I've had my fill."

The White Ape King smiled.

Manji sighed softly. He knew the White Ape King was open-minded and wasn't the sort of monkey who craved immortality.

"Have you chosen a successor for the Monkey Demon Clan?"

Manji asked.

"I have. He's called the Black Ape King. He hasn't inherited my Indestructible Diamond Body or learned Senjutsu, but he's not bad." The White Ape King gave a bitter smile.

There was nothing he could do. His descendants hadn't lived up to expectations. None of them had inherited Senjutsu or the Indestructible Diamond Body.

Manji nodded.

The next monkey to possess the Indestructible Diamond Body would probably be Enma, Sarutobi Hiruzen's summoning beast.

Suddenly, the White Ape King's eyes widened, and he opened his mouth.

Manji was startled. It seemed the White Ape King had something to say to him.

"Go on. Whatever it is, say it quickly. I'll do my best to help."

Manji spoke softly.

"Man... Manji..."

The White Ape King gasped for breath and gripped Manji's hand tightly.

"Monkey..." The White Ape King panted heavily.

"What about the monkeys?" Manji pressed him, frowning slightly. He thought it might concern the Monkey Demon Clan.

"Monkey... Ori... Original God is awesome!"

After saying that, the White Ape King closed his eyes and stopped breathing.

"You!"

Manji's eyes widened, his pupils trembling!

The hell!? That was what you had to say to me at the end!?

"White Ape King, you're incredible!"

Manji couldn't hold it in. He looked like he was laughing and crying at the same time. Damn it, this guy had kept cracking jokes right up until he died. Why had he ever taught him so many memes?

"White Ape King, in your next life, could you please stop making jokes?"

"Especially at a serious moment like this. I really can't keep it together..."

Manji looked at the White Ape King's body, feeling grief in his heart while struggling not to laugh.

Before he could even react, the White Ape King suddenly opened his eyes. "You're crying already!"

The White Ape King kicked out with both legs. This time, he was truly dead.

Manji: "..."

The White Ape King was gone.

Manji fell silent and said nothing.

After a long while, a voice came from behind him.

"Sage, Lord White Ape King has passed..."

The voice reminded him.

Manji turned slightly and saw a medium-sized monkey with black fur standing respectfully behind him.

"Are you the successor of the Monkey Demon Clan?"

Manji asked.

The Black Ape King lowered his head even further. "To answer the Sage of Six Paths, yes. Lord White Ape King appointed me as his successor.

"I grew up listening to stories about you, Sage. If you need me, I can sign a contract with you!"

The Black Ape King was humble and respectful.

"Ah, there's no need. I don't have any use for one anymore..."

Manji sighed softly and shook his head. With his current strength, he had no need for a summoning beast. He could tell at a glance that the Black Ape King wasn't very strong.

"Give him a proper burial. His Indestructible Diamond Body has already vanished, so cremate him."

Manji pointed at the White Ape King's body.

After the White Ape King died, his Indestructible Diamond Body disappeared with him.

Hearing this, the Black Ape King nodded.

Manji didn't stay long. He could only reflect in silence.

"Another old friend has left."

"White-Browed Toad and the White Ape King, who helped me back then, are both gone now."

"Perhaps this is the downside of immortality..."

Manji sighed, then left.

As for someone who could live forever alongside Manji, there was indeed one.

That was Black Zetsu!

Mount Myōboku, Toad Mausoleum.

Many dead toads were buried here. It was Mount Myōboku's great cemetery.

Manji arrived and saw Black Zetsu cleaning the graves.

When Black Zetsu saw Manji, he hurried over to greet him.

"Sage, you finally came! I've been guarding this cemetery for hundreds of years. I'm not asking you to let me out, but could you at least transfer me to another job?"

Black Zetsu looked ready to cry.

Manji raised an eyebrow slightly.

After he caught Black Zetsu, Manji had chosen to dump him at Mount Myōboku.

Since Mount Myōboku had a barrier and Black Zetsu couldn't escape, Manji had assigned him a job there.

Manji had also placed a seal on Black Zetsu.

Black Zetsu carried Manji's Chakra. If Manji activated it, Black Zetsu would immediately be immobilized and bound.

Looking at Black Zetsu, who had completely lost the will to live,

Manji smiled faintly.

"Black Zetsu, how have you been all these years? I never restricted your freedom. Sure, you're in charge of guarding the graves, but you can still chat with the toads and enjoy the scenery along the way!"

Manji said with a kindly smile.

Black Zetsu found it even harder to take.

"Sage, please stop teasing me..."

Black Zetsu said helplessly, holding his broom.

Manji smiled. In truth, Black Zetsu wasn't much of a threat to him.

Manji was immortal, and he was powerful.

As long as he wanted, Black Zetsu could never resurrect Kaguya.

"Do you miss your mother?"

Manji beckoned slightly, signaling Black Zetsu to sit beside him.

Black Zetsu obediently sat down beside him.

"No," Black Zetsu answered against his true feelings.

"Don't lie. You definitely miss your mother!" Manji said with certainty.

"..."

Black Zetsu was speechless.

"Ah, it's only natural to miss her. There's nothing wrong with saying so."

Manji stroked the Six Paths Sword and spoke slowly as he looked at Black Zetsu.

Black Zetsu stared at Manji, finding him impossible to deal with. The man before him seemed to know everything. He knew Black Zetsu was Kaguya's will, and he knew Black Zetsu didn't need to eat and had no power.

In Manji's hands, Black Zetsu was completely powerless.

"Black Zetsu, do you still dare to try anything? Can you even do anything?"

Manji looked at Black Zetsu meaningfully.

At once, Black Zetsu stood up and knelt on the ground. "To answer you, Sage!"

"I wouldn't dare! I can't do anything! I'll never try to resurrect my mother again."

Black Zetsu promised.

Manji nodded slightly. "Your mother's sealing was the inevitable course of history. The wheels of history can't be stopped, so don't even dream of turning them backward."

Black Zetsu nodded repeatedly.