Recaps

Indra’s growing belief in rule through strength estranged him from Hagoromo and Asura, while Black Zetsu manipulated his doubts and ambitions. After Hagoromo set the brothers a test to choose Ninshu’s successor, Indra completed his task quickly, but Black Zetsu claimed Asura was already favored and had gained followers by helping people.

• Indra invented hand seals to help Ninshu’s disciples control chakra, then rose in prestige and came to believe the strong should rule the weak.
• Indra clashed with Asura and Hagoromo over Ninshu’s role, rejecting their aim of guiding people without ruling them.
• Black Zetsu told Indra a distorted history of Kaguya and Hagoromo, convincing him that his father had betrayed him and that he deserved to rule through power.
• Black Zetsu urged Indra to seek greater strength and taught him about Hagoromo’s powers, while secretly planning to pass Indra’s obsession to his descendants.
• Indra openly claimed his place as Ninshu’s heir, recruited ambitious disciples, and defeated Asura when they argued over strength and harmony.
• Hagoromo assigned Indra and Asura separate disasters to resolve as a test of character, hoping they would learn from each other.
• Indra swiftly purified a disaster-stricken village and returned to Ninshu, while Asura helped people along his journey and gathered loyal followers.
• Black Zetsu told Indra that Hagoromo had chosen Asura as successor and revealed that Asura was still days away but had won support by helping people.