The Sky Screen kept playing. Voices rose and fell across the Shinobi World, while the story on the screen continued to unfold.
The Sage of Six Paths sent all nine tailed beasts away, finally settling the last great task of his life.
With that done, the last of his strength was almost spent. His body had aged to its limit, his life was all but burned out, and he could not hold on much longer.
He gathered himself and dragged his frail, aged body onward, slowly making his way toward Ninshu, step by step.
He wanted one last look at the Ninshu he had founded with his own hands, at the land Asura protected, at the human world he had devoted his entire life to restoring, redeeming, and protecting.
But as he walked along a forest path in the mountains, not far from Ninshu, a familiar yet distant figure stood quietly in the middle of the trail ahead.
The man stood tall and straight. He, too, had long since lost his youthful appearance, yet he was in far better shape than the Sage of Six Paths.
At the sight of him, the Sage of Six Paths paused in surprise, then slowly broke into a broad, relieved smile.
"Hamura, it's you. You've come."
The visitor was none other than the Sage of Six Paths' younger brother, Hamura Otsutsuki.
Hamura's gaze settled on his aged, weakened brother, who was barely clinging to life. Deep sorrow and regret stirred in his eyes, and his voice was low and gentle.
"Brother."
After years apart, the brothers who had gazed toward each other across the stars and moon reunited across the gulf of time.
After the great battle ended all those years ago, Hamura had taken responsibility for watching over Kaguya's seal and traveled to