Faced with their pleas, the Sage of Six Paths did not look at them.
He raised his head and asked Xuandou with a questioning air:
"To conserve energy, my soul has spent these years slumbering in the Pure Land. I only awaken when I sense major changes in the Seal or the Shinobi World."
"So, before I answer your question, could you show me the Shinobi World as it is today?"
Behind him, Hamura's descendants breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that the Sage of Six Paths had not immediately agreed.
Xuandou hesitated briefly, but still nodded and said:
"Of course."
"Let's go."
The Sage of Six Paths' spectral form floated over to Xuandou's side, and Mirai jogged over to follow them.
They passed through the space-time passage, and the view suddenly opened up before them.
Sunshine, blue skies, white clouds, rolling mountains, and green plains stood in stark contrast to the gray, desolate landscape of the moon.
The Sage of Six Paths' spectral form took a deep breath.
Though he no longer had lungs with which to breathe, the gesture seemed to let him feel the air of the Shinobi World.
Xuandou then used Flying Thunder God to return to Hidden Xuan Village.
Hidden Xuan Village was no longer what it had once been.
Azure Tide Port had already been the second-most prosperous port city in the Land of Hot Water.
After Hidden Xuan Village was established there and developed it over the years, Azure Tide Port had become far more prosperous than before.
On top of that, Xuandou was now the Daimyō of the Land of Hot Water.
Azure Tide Port had long since surpassed the former Daimyo's Residence, becoming a city whose prosperity ranked among the finest in the entire Shinobi World.
The Sage of