Indra

"About your request to change positions..."

"But first, write a ten-thousand-word self-criticism."

"If you do a good job, I'll transfer you to the Historian Department. There are plenty of books there, and studying history should be nice."

Manji rose to his feet.

"Thank you, Sage! Praise be to you!"

Black Zetsu's face lit up, and he hurriedly knelt to thank him.

The History Department was a little dull too, but at least he could read about history and look through books. When he had some free time, he could even slack off with the toad workers.

He could experience the life of a wage slave.

At least it was better than guarding a tomb.

A life like this... I'd be content with just this...

Manji nodded. Black Zetsu seemed to have accepted his reform.

Of course, it was also possible Black Zetsu was cosplaying as him, learning Manji's patience and ability to take things in stride.

But that didn't matter. Once Black Zetsu realized he couldn't resurrect his mother, he would naturally start to truly settle into life on Mount Myōboku.

Several years later

The morning mist had yet to clear.

Sunlight slanted through the window lattice, falling across the bamboo slips in front of Hagoromo.

Hagoromo sat upright, teaching two four- or five-year-old children beside him to read.

Indra sat on the left. His features were refined, and even at such a young age, he had a quiet air about him. His fingertips gently traced the markings on the bamboo slips.

Asura, on the right, was more lively. His round face still held a childish innocence, and he kept sneaking glances at the birds outside the window. He looked quite playful.

"Father."

"Why don't we have power like you?"

Indra suddenly looked up and asked, his gaze clear.

Hagoromo's hand paused as he held the bamboo slips. He raised his eyes to his eldest son and answered calmly, "I believe you only need sound minds and healthy bodies. You don't need power."

"I see..."

Indra knitted his brows slightly. A trace of confusion flashed through his eyes, but he didn't ask anything more.

His gaze slowly turned to the portrait on the front wall of the classroom. The figure in the painting wore black and red robes and had an indifferent expression. It was none other than the founder of the Ninja Sect—the Sage of Six Paths, Manji.

"Father, is that our founder, the Sage of Six Paths?" Indra asked softly.

Asura looked over too.

Hagoromo followed his gaze and nodded slowly. "That's right. He's my master, and the root of our Ninja Sect."

"Did you learn your power from the Sage of Six Paths?"

There was a note of urgency in Indra's voice.

Hagoromo nodded. "Yes."

"Then can I go learn from him?"

Indra abruptly straightened up, his eyes shining with longing.

Hagoromo raised his brows slightly, his tone turning more serious. "Indra, why are you so fixated on power today?"

Indra lowered his lashes, sounding a little frustrated. "Yesterday, Asura and I went out to gather herbs and ran into a wild wolf. If our senior from the Ninja Sect hadn't arrived in time, we might have been hurt.

"I thought that if I had power, I could protect myself and Asura too."

"Exactly!"

Asura immediately chimed in, patting his chest with lingering fear. "That wolf's eyes were so scary. My legs went weak!"

Hagoromo fell silent for a moment, then slowly rose to his feet. His gaze settled on the two children, and he spoke earnestly. "You don't need power. True strength lies in a resilient and kind heart, in knowing how to connect with others and rely on one another."

He had never planned to teach his two children the power of Chakra. Even though they had inherited his bloodline, they still didn't understand the true meaning of power.

Hagoromo had admitted from the beginning that the Ninja Sect was originally just a religious sect.

In the end, all Hagoromo wanted was for people to form heartfelt bonds.

They only needed healthy bodies; there was no need to pursue power too much.

Hagoromo didn't think there was any need to train to gain even greater power.

Hagoromo turned and walked out of the classroom with steady steps, leaving the two boys looking at each other in confusion.

Indra watched his father's retreating back and pressed his lips together. He didn't insist any further.

He was precocious and knew how to read people. If his father didn't want to teach him, he wouldn't pester him. But the longing in his heart was like a seed, quietly taking root.

"Haah~"

Asura yawned widely, rubbed his eyes, and looked at Indra.

"Brother, it's getting late. Let's go to sleep."

With that, he flopped onto the tatami beside him, pulled a blanket over himself, and soon began breathing evenly.

Indra, however, wasn't sleepy. He continued gazing at Manji's portrait on the wall, his fingers curling into a fist.

If his father wouldn't teach him, then he would go to his father's master—the legendary Sage of Six Paths.

Books said that the Sage was friends with the toads of Mount Myōboku. Those toads could speak, so perhaps they could help him find the Sage.

Once the thought took root, it could no longer be uprooted. Indra slowly closed his eyes, already set on what he would do.

Over the next few days, Indra could often be seen in the forests of the Ninja Sect.

He avoided everyone else and made his way through the dense woods, searching every nook and cranny for the talking toad.

He searched the streams, tree hollows, and piles of rocks near the Ninja Sect, from dawn until dusk, but never found a talking toad.

The sun sank in the west, and golden rays spilled over the bamboo forest. Indra slumped wearily onto a large rock and gazed up at the setting sun, letting out a long sigh.

"Ah! I've been searching for so many days. Could it really be that you can only find one by chance?"

His voice held a trace of disappointment, but he showed no sign of giving up. He simply stared at the sky, longing for power still burning in his eyes.

Inside the Sage Hall on Mount Myōboku

Manji sat on a stone seat, looking over a scroll spread out in front of him. It was covered in densely packed writing.

It was the ten-thousand-word self-criticism Black Zetsu had spent several sleepless nights writing.

Black Zetsu huddled in a corner of the hall, sneaking glances at Manji every so often. He feared the Sage might be dissatisfied and give him even more tasks.

"Wonderful, wonderful! Black Zetsu, this self-criticism of yours is excellent! What's so good about it is that you advocate kindness toward others! What's so good about it is that you understand Kaguya's mistakes and know to reflect on them!"

Manji nodded in praise.

Black Zetsu immediately beamed. "You flatter me, Sage!"

Just then, Fukasaku the toad hurried into the hall with quick little steps!

"Great Sage, news has come from the Ninja Sect. Hagoromo's eldest son, Indra, has been searching the forests near the Ninja Sect for the past few days. It seems he's looking for a talking toad. I assume he wants to find you."

Fukasaku the toad bowed respectfully.

"Oh?"

Manji's fingers paused as he held the bamboo slips. He looked up at Fukasaku, a trace of surprise in his eyes. "Indra is looking for me?"

He hadn't expected Hagoromo's eldest son to seek him out of his own accord.

"Heh, Black Zetsu, the power you need to resurrect Kaguya has come looking for me on its own."

Manji smiled at Black Zetsu and teased him.

"Uh, Sage, you're joking. I've been yours for a long time now. I, Black Zetsu, have actually been a resident of Mount Myōboku for ages."

Black Zetsu gave an awkward smile.

Manji chuckled. "Haha..."

"Great Sage, should I send some toads to lead him away with an illusion, or just send him back?"

Sage Fukasaku asked for instructions. Mount Myōboku rarely interfered in the affairs of the Ninja Sect, especially when Hagoromo's children were involved.

Manji waved his hand, casually set the bamboo slips aside, and said, "No need."

"Fukasaku, take Black Zetsu to start work at the Mount Myōboku History Department."

Manji pointed at Black Zetsu.

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished from the hall, leaving behind only a faint trace of Senjutsu Chakra.

Black Zetsu's face lit up. He respectfully approached Fukasaku the toad. "Sage Fukasaku, please take good care of me!"

Fukasaku the toad nodded slightly.