The scene on the Sky Screen slowly advanced, clearly displaying the Ninshu courtyard before the entire Shinobi World.
Indra returned to Ninshu with Asura on his back.
"Father! Come quickly! Asura is hurt!"
The Sage of Six Paths, who was at Ninshu, rose instantly at the cry and appeared in a flash.
When he saw his youngest son unconscious and barely breathing, his usually gentle, composed expression changed completely for the first time. His eyes filled with shock, lingering fear, and anger.
Gentle natural energy instantly enveloped Asura's body, rapidly healing the injuries within.
Nourished by the power of Senjutsu, Asura's tense body gradually relaxed, and his faint breathing slowly steadied.
Only after confirming that his son's life was no longer in danger, and that he was merely unconscious from severe injuries, did the Sage of Six Paths let out a long breath of relief. The fear gripping his heart finally eased.
He turned toward his eldest son, who stood nearby panting, his gaze cold and resolute.
"Indra, what happened? How did Asura get hurt so badly?"
Indra stood quietly in place, his small body still exhausted from his desperate sprint. Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead, but his expression did not relax in the slightest.
The terrifying encounter with the black bear, the sight of his brother on the brink of death, was seared into his heart and would not leave him.
Indra raised his head. The youthful liveliness once present in his eyes was gone, leaving only a composure and coldness far beyond his years.
Indra recounted what had happened, then said with some guilt, "If I hadn't run so fast, if I'd waited for Asura, he wouldn't have gotten hurt."
The Sage of Six Paths trembled slightly at those words.
His son had nearly died in