Sage of Six Paths took a deep look at Naruto. The look in his eyes seemed to contain a thousand words, and finally turned into a sigh, "If you lose... then after your death, I will take over Pure Land's place to guard Shinobi World."
As soon as this statement came out, not only Naruto, but also Kaguya and Hamura showed surprised expressions.
After losing, Pure Land replaces Sage of Six Paths?
What does this mean?
This means that Naruto will become the new "Pure Land manager", who will be responsible for maintaining the order of life and death, guiding the reincarnation of the dead, and may even "interfere" with Shinobi World when necessary like the current Sage of Six Paths.
This sounds like a punishment or a restraint, but it seems to contain some kind of inheritance and trust.
Sage of Six Paths looked at Naruto's shocked and thoughtful expression, and slowly added, revealing the deeper reason. "I have come into contact with a higher dimension.
My mission in this world is about to be completed, and my power and consciousness are gradually moving towards a higher level...
In other words, sublimating in the direction of leaving this world. I can't stay here for long."
That's it!
Sage of Six Paths's own state of existence has changed and is about to leave this world like the soul of God of Ōtsutsuki.
He needs to find a "successor" to take over the balance of Pure Land and Shinobi World that he has guarded for thousands of years.
And Naruto Uzumaki, the reincarnation of Asura, this young man with strong strength, independent will, and challenge to the existing order, entered his field of vision.
Regardless of whether Sage of Six Paths loses or wins, Pure Land will be taken over by Naruto.
How cunning, Sage of Six Paths.
Naruto was silent.
He didn't expect that Sage of Six Paths would actually propose such a bet.
But if he can win, he will gain unprecedented autonomy and completely get rid of the potential constraints from Pure Land.
Kaguya listened quietly on the side, while Black Zetsu in his sleeve frantically sent a message to Kaguya: "Mother! Opportunity! This is an opportunity! Let them fight! No matter who loses or wins, we have a chance!"
"Okay, I promise you."
Naruto Uzumaki's voice is calm and powerful, echoing in the empty Lunar Core Space, with a sense of determination to move forward.
No matter what hidden meaning behind Sage of Six Paths's bet, he has already made his choice.
This "Life-and-Death Shogi" is about ideas, power and future dominance. He cannot avoid it, and he doesn't want to escape it.
Far away in Shinobi World, Konoha, Shikamaru Nara, who was lying on the corridor of Courtyard at home, leisurely basking in the sun and thinking about how to "be lazy more efficiently" during this rare long vacation, suddenly jumped up from the floor without any warning!
"Hiss--!
"He took a breath, covering his heart with one hand and holding his forehead with the other, his face full of surprise and uncertainty.
At that moment, an extremely strong and sudden chill, like an icy poisonous snake, suddenly shot up along his spine.
It was not a physical cold, but a premonition originating from the depths of the soul, as if being stared at by something extremely terrifying, extremely troublesome, and closely related to oneself.
This feeling is even worse than when he was a child and was tortured to pieces by his father Shikaku using shogi and was forced to review and analyze the game!
Even... it's ten times stronger than when I first heard Naruto and became Sixth Hokage, and had a premonition that there would be so many troubles in the future!
"What's going on?"
Shikamaru murmured to himself, and even a drop of cold sweat broke out on his forehead, "Is it an illusion? Or have you been too busy recently and hallucinated?"
He tried to use rational analysis to dispel this inexplicable uneasiness.
Shinobi World has been generally peaceful recently. Although Naruto has used tough methods, he has indeed suppressed the changes of major countries. As a military advisor, he has rarely enjoyed a month-long vacation.
Logically speaking, it should be the most relaxed and least stressful time.
"No, something must be wrong with me."
Shikamaru shook his head vigorously, trying to get rid of the uncomfortable premonition.
"Let's go play two games of shogi with Mr. Asuma to stretch your brain and relax."
He decided to calm down by playing shogi, his best game, and playing chess with his teacher.
However, he never expected that the source of this ominous premonition would soon come to him in the most direct and troublesome way.
Konoha, Hokage's Office.
Naruto Uzumaki, who had just returned from the moon, directly called Shikamaru Nara, who was about to go out to play chess.
"Shikamaru, there is something very important that I need your help with."
Naruto Gate of Opening came to the point, and his tone was unprecedentedly serious.
Shikamaru felt a thump in his heart, and the ominous premonition that had just been suppressed surged up again.
Something that can make Naruto show such an expression is definitely a big trouble!
"What's the matter? Let's talk about it first. I don't want to deal with it because it's too much trouble. I haven't finished my vacation this month yet."
Shikamaru habitually gets vaccinated first, although he knows that it is usually of no use.
Naruto didn't care about Shikamaru's complaints. He walked to the window and looked at Konoha who was gradually returning to life below. He was silent for a moment, then turned around and looked directly at Shikamaru with his superb Blue Eyes eyes that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, and said word by word:
"In one month, I will play a game of shogi with Sage of Six Paths..."
"..."
Office fell into ten seconds of dead silence.
The expression on Shikamaru's face changed from initial vigilance, to confusion, to disbelief, and finally settled into a kind of astonishment as if he had heard a fantasy.
He even wondered if he was hearing hallucinations because of the severe cold just now.
He blinked his eyes, picked his ears, pointed to his nose, and asked in a voice that was an octave higher:
"Hey! Do you want me to talk to Sage of Six Paths Shogi? What are you talking about?"
Shikamaru completely misunderstood the point.
He thought Naruto was letting him, as a "chess player", play against the legendary Sage of Six Paths.
Playing chess with that kind of old monster who has lived for who knows how many years and is as wise as the sea?
It would be better to just admit defeat!
Naruto looked at Shikamaru's exaggerated "please spare me" expression. The corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch, but he quickly returned to seriousness.
He shook his head and corrected:
"It's not you playing against Sage of Six Paths, it's me going to play 'shogi' against Sage of Six Paths."
He deliberately emphasized the word "I".
Shikamaru was slightly relieved, but then more doubts came to his mind. "You? Shogi?"
He looked Naruto up and down, his eyes full of undisguised suspicion, "Naruto, I'm not talking about you. If it were a fight, even a hundred of me would not be your opponent."
But are you good at shogi...
With your shogi skills... are you sure you're not going to kill someone?"
Shikamaru has seen Naruto Shogi with his own eyes. That level... is simply terrible. Basically, it is the type that Shikamaru can easily crush all nine of them.
Let him play chess with Sage of Six Paths.
How is this different from letting a Monkey compete with a chess master?
Naruto coughed in embarrassment. He also knew that his shogi skills were flawed.
But he did not flinch, but looked at Shikamaru seriously:
"That's why I need your help, Shikamaru."
"This shogi game is no ordinary game."
Naruto's voice deepened, and he told Shikamaru concisely what happened on the moon, Sage of Six Paths's bet, and the huge bet behind this chess game related to Shinobi World's future, Pure Land's ownership, and even his personal destiny.
"... So, this is not just a competition of chess skills."
Naruto concluded, "I need a top 'strategist' to help me analyze the situation, formulate strategies, interpret the rules, and even direct the 'chess pieces' in the chess game."
He looked at Shikamaru with burning eyes. "Shinobi World, in terms of resourcefulness, layout, and chess skills, there is no one more suitable than you except uncle Shikaku who needs to stay in the village, Shikamaru."
Shikamaru was completely stunned after listening to the whole thing.
The amount of information was too large and the impact was too strong, making it difficult for his brain, known as Konoha's smartest mind, to process it.
Play chess with Sage of Six Paths?
The stakes are Pure Land's control and Naruto's "job" after his death?
One month later?
"Wait a minute..." Shikamaru covered his forehead, feeling that his head was beginning to hurt, "You let me figure it out first... In other words, in one month, you and Sage of Six Paths will use some kind of 'Treasured Tool' to connect the two sides, and the next game will determine the future direction of Shinobi World's 'Life-and-Death Shogi'?
And you need me... to be your 'chess player'? Or 'general staff'?"
"That's right."
Naruto nodded. "The details of the rules are not clear yet, but Sage of Six Paths said that he would 'arrange everything'.
We need to improve our strength as much as possible within this month, integrate our forces, analyze possible rules, and formulate strategies to deal with various situations."
Shikamaru slumped in the chair with a look of despair on his face. "I knew... I knew it would be no good to suddenly fall for you during the holidays.
This is not a shogi duel. This is clearly a proxy war involving the entire Shinobi World.
And I still have to be your commander-in-chief?"
He is only fourteen years old!
He lamented. "It's so troublesome...
This is definitely the most troublesome, outrageous, and stressful 'chess game' I have ever encountered in my life..."
Having said that, Shikamaru's eyes gradually became sharper and more focused after the initial shock and complaint.
It is the light that ignites the instinct of a genius counselor when faced with extremely difficult challenges.
The opponent is the legendary Sage of Six Paths, and the bet is the future of Shinobi World... Is there any "Chessboard" that is more exciting than this and can better prove the value of his Shikamaru Nara?
"Okay..."
Shikamaru took a long breath, as if accepting his fate, but the corners of his mouth curved up with a hint of fighting spirit.
"Since Lord Hokage has said so, I will take over this 'General Staff' post."
"However," he changed the subject and stared at Naruto, "before that, you have to tell me all the information you know about Sage of Six Paths, about Pure Land, and about the possible rules of this chess game, down to the last detail.
Also, what 'chess pieces' are available on our side? One month... Tsk, it's so urgent that it gives me a headache."