Choices Determine Destiny

A sense of dread washed over him; the waters of this world were far too deep.

Was it some action of his that had triggered the world's self-correction mechanism?

Back when he first left Konoha, the soul of Senju Hashirama—the reincarnation of Asura—residing within his necklace had attempted to stop him.

The role that necklace played was to protect the Child of Prophecy, Uzumaki Naruto, at the most critical of moments.

Now, the Great Toad Sage had sent Jiraiya to obstruct his path as well.

If he refused to comply, would the Sage of Six Paths himself, that ultimate boss, descend to eradicate him?

Did this entire world revolve solely around the Child of Prophecy?

Senju Nawaki found it difficult to see the truth of this world clearly.

"Konoha has indeed failed you, and failed the Senju Clan, but for the sake of peace in the Ninja World, you must make a sacrifice. Once you return to Konoha, I will do my utmost to ensure the safety of both you and the Senju Clan. I am merely accepting the guidance of fate to lead you onto the righteous path."

Jiraiya saw a flicker of fear in Senju Nawaki's eyes.

He became incredibly solemn, holding himself with a lofty air as if reciting some divine decree, attempting to persuade Senju Nawaki.

He had already made the choice for Senju Nawaki long ago.

He firmly believed this was the best possible outcome.

Only by sacrificing Senju Nawaki and the Senju Clan could the world be set back on the right track, waiting for the savior who could rescue it.

"How arrogant. What are you to dare speak of fate? If everything is destined, how could you possibly know the outcome? By what right do you stand so high above?"

Senju Tojian erupted with a powerful aura and stomped his foot into the ground, sending a fissure racing toward Jiraiya.

For a fleeting moment, Senju Tojian had been shaken, momentarily drawn in by such sophistry.

But in an instant, his own Ninja Way washed it away.

Everything Jiraiya said was rooted in his own perspective and the intelligence he possessed; it was all for the sake of what he held dear.

Jiraiya accepted the Great Toad Sage's guidance to protect his own Ninja Way, pursuing the ethereal Child of Prophecy.

This conflicted with Senju Tojian's Ninja Way of protecting the Senju Clan and Senju Nawaki.

Their two Ninja Ways were colliding.

Ultimately, it would be decided by strength.

Jiraiya's body swayed, and with a Body Flicker, he retreated over ten meters, avoiding Senju Tojian's attack.

Senju Nawaki was jolted awake, breaking into a cold sweat, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light.

Jiraiya's words, combined with what Senju Nawaki already knew, had indeed intimidated him.

But upon reflection, if everything were truly destined, he shouldn't be alive at this moment.

Various paradoxes intertwined in Senju Nawaki's mind, exploding into a tangled mess as he struggled to clear his thoughts.

Finally, he settled on his own simple desire, which was also his Ninja Way—a sense of justice he believed in.

He gained a clear understanding of the world's so-called fate.

As far as the early stages of Shippuden were concerned, everything was under the control of the Sage of Six Paths.

The struggle between Indra and Asura was the main theme of this world.

They had reincarnated hundreds of times, and the end result was always the same: Indra failed, and Asura triumphed.

Once is a coincidence, twice is an accident, three times is the norm—but hundreds of times? That is destiny, or rather, artificial control.

There must be a mastermind behind it all: the powerful Sage of Six Paths!

Because Asura represented his will, he wanted Asura to win, so Asura would always hold the upper hand.

The Sage of Six Paths possessed the strength to influence and control the entire Ninja World.

So-called fate was merely a powerful individual imposing their own perception upon those who refused to submit.

A story from his past life surfaced in Senju Nawaki's mind.

[In Snow Goddess Dragon, the injustice felt in one's heart! The users of the Dragon Soul Blade and the Phoenix Blood Sword were destined to be together; that was their fate. Yet, behind it all was a contest between two martial arts masters. How was that any different from poisoning someone to strip the Goddess Dragon of her purity? It was merely a different method, all using immense power to dictate the fates of others.]

The trajectory of this world was manipulated by so-called gods.

The Sage of Six Paths used the power of chakra to enforce his will across the entire world.

He had tried hundreds of times to prove his philosophy was the correct path through the reincarnations of Asura, yet there were always those who refused to yield.

It wasn't about right or wrong; it was a collision of philosophies, and it all depended on who wielded the greater power.

At this moment, the Sage of Six Paths held the greater power, so he held the upper hand.

The actions of the Sage of Six Paths had inflicted massive, irreparable wounds upon this world.

To submit once more, to die innocently once again—Senju Nawaki could not accept this outcome; he had to resist.

Senju Nawaki would put his own philosophy into practice.

Boom...

A powerful aura erupted from his body, and the chakra within him underwent a sudden transformation. The aura that had once been incredibly filthy now turned somewhat clear.

He purged the original imprints from his chakra, branding it instead with his own mark, his own Ninja Way.

Senju Tojian and Jiraiya sensed the change in Senju Nawaki at the same time.

He has found his own Ninja Way!

Both of them arrived at the same conclusion.

A ninja who possesses their own Ninja Way cannot have their perceptions easily altered.

The reason Senju Tojian had been able to destroy the chakra Senju Hashirama had left behind in the necklace was precisely because he possessed his own Ninja Way.

The function of a Ninja Way is to ensure one is not defeated by "Talk no Jutsu."

Only when one's own Ninja Way is sufficiently firm can one remain unaffected by the rhetoric of others.

The words Jiraiya had spoken became nothing more than a pile of useless remarks.

Senju Nawaki felt the changes within himself, and a realization dawned upon him.

I have broken free from the control of chakra! Within chakra lies the imprint of the Sage of Six Paths, acting like subconscious hypnosis, constantly influencing how others behave. Only by awakening one's own Ninja Way can one remain unaffected.

A wave of lingering fear washed over him; his former self had been nothing more than a puppet of the Sage of Six Paths. Only now had he truly broken free from the Sage's control.

So this was what it meant to be Beyond Kage: to be unaffected—unaffected by the Sage of Six Paths, unaffected by the words of others. This was Senju Nawaki's new understanding.

Combined with the forbidden technique of Impure World Reincarnation, Senju Nawaki gained a new perspective on the Ninja Way.

Any ninja brought back by Impure World Reincarnation could return to the Pure Land once they awakened their own Ninja Way and broke free from control.

Was this not, in itself, a form of transcending influence?

As long as my strength surpasses the Sage of Six Paths, I will not be affected by the destiny he has laid out.

Whoever dares to interfere with my fate, I shall surpass them, ensuring that all things are destined by my own control.

If Indra's strength had been greater than that of the Sage of Six Paths, would he have failed time and time again?

No!

Indra would have been the victor.

Senju Nawaki found his answer, discovering the path for his future.

Surpass the Sage of Six Paths, and ensure that my own fate remains free from interference.