"Hyuga Tianyi, everything in this world is governed by cause and effect."
The Sage of Six Paths' projection hovered above the bottom of the crater. His voice was steady, yet carried a weariness that seemed to have endured through the ages.
"The cause was planted a thousand years ago, and its effect must inevitably follow. If you forcibly intervene, you will suffer karmic retribution."
Tianyi's lips curled in disdain. His gaze swept over the Sage of Six Paths' projection, and he snorted.
"Hmph. Your Ōtsutsuki Clan has spent ages plundering other planets. How many worlds' inhabitants have you killed? And you dare lecture me about karmic retribution?
You created Ninshū, escalating warfare across this entire continent from clashes between villages involving a few hundred people to battles involving tens of thousands of shinobi today.
How many people across this continent have died or been injured over the past thousand years because of that!"
Tianyi pointed at the Sage of Six Paths.
"If this world has karmic retribution, where is the retribution for your Ōtsutsuki Clan? Where is yours, you who call yourself the Sage of Six Paths?
Save that nonsense for fools like Jiraiya. Forget it. There's no point talking when we have nothing in common. If you weren't just a projection right now, I would have killed you already.
The dead should stay dead. This world is no longer yours. It's a whole new world!"
Tianyi did not wait for the Sage of Six Paths to answer. Light flashed, and he vanished.
The Sage of Six Paths' projection hovered above the space filled with meteorites.
His gaze settled on the spot where Tianyi had just stood. After a moment of silence, he let out a barely audible sigh.
"Ah..."
His projection began to fade at the edges, like ink