The Sage of Six Paths Comes Calling

As night deepened, Konoha sank into a deep darkness. In a room Hyuga Clan the second floor of the Hyuga's old residence, Neji lay on a simple bedding, his breathing steady. Moonlight streamed in through the half-open window, spreading a silvery frost across the floor.

Suddenly, his brows furrowed slightly.

It wasn't a sudden awakening, but rather a perception being drawn by some force beyond reality, sinking into a realm that was neither real nor illusory—

All around was boundless darkness, but not the kind of darkness that inspires fear. This darkness was warm and profound, like the deep sea yet to be penetrated by light, or the chaos before the birth of all things. Neji felt himself suspended in it, weightless, without substance, with only pure consciousness existing there.

"..."

Ahead, the darkness began to flow and swirl, gradually coalescing into a human figure.

The figure gradually came into focus, as if slowly emerging from the depths of time. He had an aged face, two horns on his forehead, and white hair that cascaded down to his waist. He wore an ancient white robe and held a black tin staff. Most striking were his eyes—ripples shimmered in his pupils. They were the Rinnegan, but they were deeper than those of Nagato and Obito, as if they held the birth and death of stars.

Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki of Sage of Six Paths.

He didn't speak, but simply stared at Neji. His gaze was tangible, piercing through the surface of Neji's consciousness and reaching the deepest part of his soul. Neji felt a transparent sense of being completely "read," but he didn't flinch. The power of the Tenseigan flowed quietly within his consciousness, and a thin shield of pale blue light formed around his "body."

The silence lasted for an unknown amount of time. In this realm where the concept of time is absent, it could be a moment, or it could be eternity.

Finally, Hagoromo spoke first. His voice didn't travel through the air; it resonated directly within Neji's consciousness, aged and deep, each syllable carrying the echo of history.

"Your soul form... is a bit strange."

Neji felt a slight chill in his heart, but remained outwardly calm.

"The two consciousnesses merged and devoured each other, and the later consciousness has now completely taken the initiative," Hagoromo said slowly, a hint of inquiry flashing in his Rinnegan. "This isn't possession, it's more like... a rebirth after fusion. But the dominant power has indeed changed hands."

Neji silently assessed the legendary figure before him. The Sage of Six Paths' strength was unfathomable. Even though he had already reached the Six Paths Tier, the other party was the founder of this path, and his application and understanding of power were probably far superior to his own. However, he was not afraid— the Tenseigan had given him not only power, but also a transcendent confidence.

He spoke, his voice clear and calm in this space of consciousness. "I came from the Shinobi World of another parallel universe. In that universe, I was struck by the Ten-Tails' attack during the Fourth Shinobi World War and died. Before I died, I was filled with resentment and bitterness at the injustice of fate... Then, under the influence of some mysterious force, my consciousness traveled back in time and returned to my body in my childhood in this universe."

Lies flowed out like water. Neji's tone was calm, his eyes serene, even subtly incorporating a hint of world-weariness and pain—the look of someone who had truly experienced death.

This lie is almost flawless. The theory of parallel universes is not unknown in the Shinobi World; Orochimaru proposed related conjectures. While consciousness travel is inconceivable, it is not entirely impossible in a world where the Impure World Reincarnation and the Rinnegan revival technique exist. As for the "mysterious power"—the universe is so vast, who knows how many unknowns it holds?

Hagoromo's Rinnegan stared intently at Neji, seemingly judging the truth of his words. After a long while, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes. Neji knew that he believed him.

Or rather, he was willing to believe it—because it was the most reasonable explanation.

"The universe is indeed mysterious and wondrous," Hagoromo finally said, a hint of emotion in his voice. "Now that you have been reborn and have reached the Six Paths Tier, are you willing to take my place and continue to protect this Shinobi World?"

His eyes held expectation, the look of an old man who had protected the world for thousands of years, finally finding a possible successor.

Neji sneered inwardly, but his face wore a perfectly timed expression of confusion. "Old man, I was reborn only to break free of the Caged Bird Curse Mark and gain true freedom. As for the Shinobi World you mentioned... whether it's war or peace, prosperity or decline, I don't care."

He deliberately used the disrespectful term "old man," and his flippant tone perfectly matched the image of a time traveler who "suddenly gained great power, has no ambition, and only seeks freedom."

Hagoromo's brows furrowed. His white robes fluttered without wind, and the surrounding darkness began to fluctuate, as if his emotions were influencing this space of consciousness.

"Since you are unwilling to Guardian Ninja world," Hagoromo's voice deepened, tinged with obvious displeasure, "Why are you helping Indra Ōtsutsuki fight Asura Ōtsutsuki?"

They've arrived. Neji knew it in his heart, but he continued to play dumb, "What Luo or Bu Luo? I don't know him at all. And the old man—"

He deliberately straightened his "body," the light of his Tenseigan intensifying, confronting Hagoromo's Rinnegan: "Although your strength is formidable and your aura unfathomable, I am now also at the Six Paths Tier. If it really comes down to a fight, I am not afraid of you."

This statement is half true and half false. He is indeed not afraid, but whether he can win is another matter. Neji is gambling—gambling that Hagoromo won't actually attack him, gambling that this legendary sage would rather resolve the issue with words.

As expected, Hagoromo's aura slowly subsided. He sighed, a sigh filled with the weariness accumulated over a thousand years.

"It seems you really don't know." Hagoromo's tone softened. "Well then, let me introduce myself. My name is Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, and I am known to the world as the Sage of Six Paths."

He paused, then began to recount that long-forgotten history—from Kaguya Ōtsutsuki consuming the God Tree Fruit and descending to Earth, to the birth of him and his younger brother Hamura Ōtsutsuki; from Kaguya creating the White Zetsu army to fight against the Ōtsutsuki Main Family, to him and Hamura Ōtsutsuki joining forces to seal their mother; from his and his brother's descendants establishing the Ninja Sect and the Moon Surveillance respectively, to him having two sons: Indra Ōtsutsuki and Asura Ōtsutsuki.

"Indra Ōtsutsuki was exceptionally gifted, firmly believing that only power could bring order; Asura Ōtsutsuki was of mediocre talent, yet believed that love and understanding were the cornerstones of peace." Hagoromo's voice echoed in the darkness, tinged with deep regret. "I chose Asura Ōtsutsuki as my successor, which caused Indra Ōtsutsuki to harbor resentment. This resentment did not dissipate with their deaths; instead, it transformed into a curse, causing their Chakra to be reincarnated endlessly, stirring up a thousand years of conflict in the Shinobi World."

He looked at Neji, a complex light reflected in his Rinnegan: "The Uchiha Clan inherited Indra Ōtsutsuki's Chakra and destiny, the Senju Clan, the Uzumaki Clan, and even the current Uzumaki Naruto, inherited Asura Ōtsutsuki's Chakra and mission. For thousands of years, their reincarnations have fought endlessly, each time bringing immense trauma to the Shinobi World."

"And in this life," Hagoromo's tone became solemn, "Sasuke Uchiha and Uzumaki Naruto will be the final reincarnations of Indra Ōtsutsuki and Asura Ōtsutsuki. Their duel will end this thousand-year-long destiny. Therefore—"

His gaze, heavy as a physical object, pressed down on Neji: "I hope you won't interfere. Let fate proceed according to its proper course, and let this thousand-year-old feud end completely in their generation."

Neji listened quietly, his mind racing.

Of course he knew all of this. Not only did he know, he also knew exactly what would happen next— Obito would revive Madara Uchiha, Madara would unleash the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki would be resurrected through Black Zetsu's scheme, and Naruto Sasuke would obtain the Yin-Yang Power through the gift of the Sage of Six Paths, ultimately sealing Kaguya and ending this conspiracy that spanned a thousand years.

But he cannot show that he knows. On the contrary, he must show that he is indifferent to all of this.

"So," Neji tilted his head, feigning thought, "That Sasuke Uchiha is the reincarnation of your son Indra Ōtsutsuki? And Uzumaki Naruto is the reincarnation of Asura Ōtsutsuki? They are destined to fight to decide the future of the Shinobi World?"

"It's not just a fight," Hagoromo corrected. "It's the ultimate clash of ideologies, the final reckoning of a thousand-year-old feud. No matter the outcome, this destiny will come to an end here."

"That sounds like a lot of trouble." Neji shrugged. "But since you put it that way... fine, I promise you, I won't directly help Sasuke fight Naruto. Let your two sons' reincarnations handle the peace of the Shinobi World."

His tone was relaxed and casual, as if he were agreeing to a trivial favor.

Hagoromo gave him a deep look, her Rinnegan seemingly trying to find some flaw in his face. But Neji's expression was too natural—it was a kind of indifference, a carefree attitude of "I only care about freedom, nothing else matters."

Finally, Hagoromo nodded. "That's good then."

He didn't say "thank you," nor did he say "I believe you." This immortal who had lived for a thousand years knew that the value of a promise lay in keeping it, not in the words themselves.

"Remember your words," Hagoromo said finally, her figure beginning to fade into nothingness. "The trajectory of fate has already been determined; external interference will only bring greater chaos. You'd better watch yourself."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished like smoke. The surrounding darkness also began to recede, like the tide flowing away.

Neji suddenly opened his eyes.

Outside the window, the moonlight remained unchanged. Konoha was immersed in the tranquility of the deep night, with only the occasional barking of Ninja Dog and the footsteps of patrolling ninjas in the distance. He lay on his bedding, his forehead beaded with cold sweat—not from fear, but a natural reaction to extreme tension.

He sat up, his Tenseigan glowing faintly blue in the darkness. He was fully conscious, the dream he had just had vividly replaying in his mind, every detail crystal clear.

That wasn't a dream. It was a projection of the Sage of Six Paths' consciousness, a direct dialogue that transcended life and death.

"Old fox..." Neji muttered to himself, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Hagoromo believed his lie, which was fine. But more importantly, Hagoromo's only request of him was "not to directly help Sasuke fight Naruto"—this limitation was very significant.

"Direct assistance"... that is to say, indirect assistance is acceptable. Covert support is acceptable. Providing information, resources, training, and even intervening as a "third party" at certain critical moments are all acceptable.

As long as he doesn't openly take sides, and as long as he doesn't change the ending of "Sasuke and Naruto's final showdown," Hagoromo probably won't interfere too much.

After all, that sage's goal was simply to end the karmic cycle between Indra Ōtsutsuki and Asura Ōtsutsuki. As for what changes might occur in the Chunin world during this process, as long as it didn't affect the final showdown, he should be able to accept it.

Neji walked to the window and opened it. The night wind rushed in, carrying the unique scent of Konoha —earth, trees, cooking smoke, and a faint smell of blood. The war had just ended, and the lingering scent of death had not yet completely dissipated.

He gazed at the bright moon in the night sky, his Tenseigan seemingly able to pierce through vast distances, seeing the enormous Tenseigan inside the moon, and seeing Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, sealed within it, sleeping soundly.

"Now that I've taken my place in this game of the Shinobi World..." Neji said softly, a sly glint in his eyes, "I need to make some changes to keep things interesting."

You won't let me openly support Sasuke? No problem.

I can train him to become stronger than he was destined to be—not through the Sage of Sage of Six Paths' gifts, but through his own efforts to reach new heights.

I can provide him with intelligence, letting him know in advance about Obito's plan to revive Madara, Black Zetsu's conspiracy, and Kaguya's resurrection—knowledge is power, and foresight is an advantage. Although the original plot has undergone many changes, the ending where the protagonist defeats the villain will not change.

I can even secretly eliminate obstacles—those who would otherwise cause trouble on Sasuke's revolutionary path, those corrupt, stubborn, and obstructive old forces...

As long as Sasuke and Naruto ultimately have a showdown, a showdown that will determine the future of the Shinobi World, what does it matter how the process changes?

Hagoromo desires is the end of her destiny.

The Neji is the change of the times.

These two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

"A revolutionary Shinobi World..." Neji murmured, repeating Sasuke's words, his smile deepening. "Interesting. Then let me see, Indra Ōtsutsuki, what kind of world you can turn into."

He will keep his promise to Hagoromo —not to directly help Sasuke fight Naruto.

But he will also fulfill his promise to Sasuke —to help him with the revolution and change this corrupt Shinobi World.

As for how to balance these two...

Neji closed the window, returned to his bedding, sat down, and closed his eyes.

His consciousness sank deep, and the power of the Tenseigan began to operate. This time, he wasn't sleeping, but thinking—thinking about each step to come, thinking about how to forge a new path in this world bound by fate.

Outside the window, the moon moved slowly.

The Konoha are asleep, but the seeds of change have already taken root in the shadows.

The player holding the pieces has already begun to strategize.