Asura, standing on the Gold General square on the other side of the Great Toad Sage, tilted his head slightly. His gaze passed over the empty King General square in the middle to Hashirama Senju, who stood on the Silver General square beside the other Gold General square.
Asura cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound calm and philosophical as he attempted to break the awkward atmosphere left by their earlier "sparring":
"All things have their destined course; the seven calamities and eight sufferings are all part of cultivation."
His words were slow and clear, carrying the insight of someone who had weathered life's hardships. Combined with his old-fashioned clothes, he actually looked rather like an enlightened hermit who had seen through worldly concerns.
Hashirama had been gazing up at the Sage of Six Paths, who hovered high above like a god, with a complicated expression.
At Asura's words, he slowly turned his head. His eyes, usually full of sunshine and hearty laughter, now held an indescribable trace of scrutiny, resignation, and even a little disdain.
He did not answer immediately, merely watching Asura in silence-the being who was theoretically his "previous incarnation," or rather, the "source of his chakra."
The empty King General square and the Great Toad Sage stood between them, yet it felt as though an invisible gulf separated them.
The Great Toad Sage, positioned between the two, tactfully shifted his enormous body backward without a sound, giving them more room to communicate. His toad eyes narrowed with interest, as though he were anticipating an entertaining show.
Their eyes met.
Hashirama's gaze was calm, while Asura struggled to keep his own kindly and open-minded.
After a brief silence, Hashirama was the first to look away.
He said nothing, simply folding his arms across his chest