On the Path to Enlightenment

Yugito couldn't wait to scratch Makoto to death with a claw.

As long as she clawed this Godaime to death now, then Kumogakure would have countless less troubles. Many of the things that had originally troubled her could also be solved.

But... she couldn't.

The more she understood the game of power, the more she could not do so.

The life of a ninja was incomparably cruel, either killing or being killed every day.

But the life of a ninja was also extremely simple.

As tools, they didn't need to think about much more than that.

But now...

Yugito had begun to get out of the ninja's predicament, but instead of decreasing, her worries were increasing.

It was like being in an endless quagmire, and the more she struggled, the more desperate she became.

"So, like me, wouldn't it be better to learn some genjutsu techniques and use them on yourself once in a while? -

"Just give up the things that bother you and go gaze at the infinite universe. This world has already seen many ecological destructions and uncountable lives die. The so-called love and hate are so small in front of the endless universe. -

"Love or hate, the sun is always the sun, and the world is always the world, without any change. -

"If you think about it like that, isn't all that we are worrying about now meaningless?"

Yugito threw two big blank stares at Makoto, who was following him around in broken conversation.

"I was only coerced... by you to come over and hang out with you! -

"I'm not going to listen to your preaching! -

"And... and..."

And if it wasn't for the fact that Kakashi and Kazehana Koyuki were also following along and didn't have to worry about the others misunderstanding. She wasn't going to walk side by side with Makoto in broad daylight!

"I've said it all, don't be so angry. -

"Seriously, I don't intend to be difficult with you. After all, it's this season, my wives' clothes are due for a seasonal change, and I don't know what to change for them. I usually don't have the heart to pay attention to that, so I still have to let the women help."

"Don't you think too much."

Yugito showed no weakness at that.

"You think I just know a lot about clothes?"

"Of course you don't - look, it's not just a matter of finding the right people, it just so happens that they don't really know how to accessorize the look either, they're plain all day. What you like, they're bound to like too."

Snort...

As Yugito's blood pressure rose like crazy, the second tail inside Yugito was on the verge of laughing.

This generation's Kumo Jinchuuriki and biju did all have a better relationship.

"You this guy... believe it or not I will kill you... you this guy, there must be some plot!"

"Discovered by you." Facing the extra cat claw in Yugito's hand, Makoto's face was frank - it wasn't a joke, but a prelude to one of her jutsu, "It's just a normal disassociation scheme."

"The point is that you and I got out, and it really doesn't matter what we did."

Yukgto's blood pressure nearly burst.

But she finally let out a long sigh, and instead came clean.

"Positive is also death, and negative is also death... You guys, you just want to tear us Kumo down before you're satisfied."

"I also want to live in a gentler world. But unfortunately, the world has already rotted into this... So, at the very least, it can make the children smile. I'm the Hokage, and I can only be responsible for Konoha and the Land of Fire... I also want to become a little stronger, so that there might be a lot less unnecessary intrigue."

"Who made me not a Rokudo Sennin."

Makoto said this and looked at Kakashi.

Kakashi tried to run at that moment.

Unfortunately, he didn't run away.

"Don't you think so, Kakashi?"

Kakashi racked his brain and chose to play dead.

"If I had known that she would come today, I wouldn't have come."

...Damn it, why don't you learn from me! Can't you learn something serious!

... ...

In any case, the five great hidden villages passed a resolution to carry out the world's first tournament.

As a matter of course, this time, it was necessary to report the matter to the major powers.

This is where etiquette lies.

Moreover, if we can get the support of the Daimyo...

Very quickly, the information reached the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

When the Daimyo of the Land of Fire received the news, he was having a renga - renga and Tea Ceremony, both of which are traditional skills that are required for the great nobles of the Naruto world - with Kazehana Sosetsu and a whole bunch of small country lords and important ministers.

T/N: 'renga' is a genre of Japanese collaborative poetry

Before hearing the news, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire was delighted.

After all, in theory, these minor lords were on the same level as him. Now it couldn't be said that it was the coming of ten thousand nations, but the fact that they all came to visit him made the Daimyo of the Land of Fire very honorable.

So for a while, he was in a very pleasant mood.

-Though he was slightly confused as to why Kazehana Sosetsu had stayed in the capital of the Land of Fire for so long, and had never gone to pick up his own daughter, let alone mentioning anything about returning to his country. Obviously the five great men of the Land of Fire, the five bongos, he visited all of them... Perhaps it is because he feels that the country is not safe for the time being?

The Daimyo is actually not very concerned about these details.

But after seeing the letter delivered by Konoha...

"Why no head, just suddenly want to do this kind of thing... also not what the New Year's Eve..."

The daimyo of the Land of Fire loved glory and face, but he hated trouble.

Especially large events that were not in the yellow calendar but others had to hold.

Seeing the displeasure appear on the Daimyo's face, certain chamberlains who had been at odds with Konoha immediately chimed in.

"Your Highness, this is a great opportunity to highlight Konoha's martial prowess! It is also an honor for our Land of Fire!"

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire's face grew more and more unpleasant.

Luckily, just at this time, the old center stood up and cursed - at this time, the old center had retired, but because of his own excessive seniority and status, he was able to go in and out of the forbidden center even without his position, and was more than trusted by the daimyo.

"Konoha lately, it's really getting over the top! Constantly messing with the east and the west, it's not like a hidden village at all! -

"Konoha is like a fish in a pond to the Land of Fire. A pond can be without fish and shrimp, but fish and shrimp can't be without a pond! -

"As soon as we economically blockade Konoha, Konoha will soon be finished!"

After Roju spoke up, Kazehana Sosetsu also rushed to help out.

"Konoha has indeed gone too far lately, becoming more and more unseemly! Even if my brother is at fault, it's still my brother."

"Even if he is to be executed, it should be my decision, and they... have really gone too far! They made him not have the slightest bit of decency as a man of the temple!"

The daimyo's face immediately looked better.

"Your Excellencies!"

"Not to so... not to so... Godaime Hokage, in my opinion is also a very good young man, I also met before... "

"When I think about it, many years ago, there used to be an event known as the Imperial Trial Combination, designed to select the strongest samurai. Now that time has changed... it just so happens that the five great nations are now at peace, so how about reviving the old event?"

... ...

Falling leaves, bringing information through wind.

When all sorts of information is circulating everywhere in the world, naturally it also reaches the Akatsuki organization here.

Rightfully so, Nagato once again met to discuss the matter with the people.

"Don't pay any attention to it, they fight them."

But unlike in the past, the meeting had only just begun when Nagato made his attitude clear straight away - the Akatsuki organization was not involved in this matter.

Sasori, Kakuzu, and Orochimaru had no problem with this.

Only Kazehana Doto, who was a substitute member, was beyond dissatisfied.

"Leader... why?"

"This time, Konoha made such a big deal out of it, it's the best opportunity for us! And as I mentioned to you before, that man called Hiruko can also be used for us..."

Ever since he was defeated by Konoha, Kazehana Doto had been sharpening his desire for revenge.

Aside from spending his days pondering on strengthening his set of chakra armor, he had just been recruiting hard for Akatsuki.

Just a short time ago, he met a man named Hiruko.

It was a very dangerous man.

-Not that this group of snake charmers inside of Akatsuki weren't dangerous.

As soon as Kazehana Doto approached him, his nerves straight away tightened and he instinctively tried to run away.

Luckily, he resisted.

His hatred for his brother made him resist his fear.

And in the conversation that followed, he knew that Hiruko was also originally a Konoha ninja and was banished... by the three ninja together He was also filled with hatred for Konoha.

Now it is not easy to have a chance, Hiruko naturally want to take revenge!

According to him, he could end up becoming an immortal perfect ninja by devouring the blood succession of others.

He only needed to devour five and that would be enough... And now... once the conference started, there were bound to be countless ninjas coming, so he didn't even have to take the time and trouble to go out and look for them...

Kazehana Doto was on the fence about the idea that he could just become invincible by devouring five kekkei genkai, but to him, as long as they were Konoha's enemies, they were his friends.

He wanted to mess with Konoha, and so did Hiruko, weren't they together?

Hiruko has been convinced by him.

But I didn't expect that when it came to Nagato...

"Leader, Konoha's barrier team is too powerful, if we don't take advantage of this opportunity..."

"No, you don't know Konoha, nor do you know Godaime. I can say with certainty that right now Konoha has been transformed into a Jedi by him. Any of you who are not afraid to die, just go."

"...Hey? Do you have other information?"

"No, I've just seen his real stance after he got rid of his genjutsu. That's a real madman!"

"Getting rid of a genjutsu? Who could use a genjutsu on Godaime Hokage?"

"Himself."

At this point in the conversation, Nagato was unwilling to say any more, no matter how much Kazehana Doto asked.

However, Orochimaru and Kakuzu quietly changed their attitudes.

"Hmm? It seems interesting, so let me go and take a look. Maybe even harvest brand new experiments!"

"There might be a lot of guys whose heads are worth a lot of money... Leader, don't mind if I go and take a look too?"

Nagato also knew what a bunch of goods his men were, and considering that they were a bunch of ninja veterans, he just let them be.

"Don't do anything extra, and don't even go into the tournament venue, there's definitely something wrong there! -

"When the time comes and you can't escape, don't blame me for not reminding you!"

... ...

With the help of Roju and Kazehana Sosetsy, the original World's No. 1 Tournament had turned into an Imperial Trial Combination.

Not only is the Land of Fire Daimyo himself coming, but the Daimyo of the other four major countries will also come along at that time... no one know what the Land of Fire Daimyo told them.

However, it was whatever they wanted.

Although it is essentially a fight, with the gimmick of the daimyo's "imperial trial match", it will still have some effect - almost like adding the title of royalty to the front of the card?

Never mind, it's all good.

Because the matter had already been decided, in addition to various channels of publicity, Konoha had also begun to build a large outdoor ring.

It couldn't be helped, even though spectacle was a misnomer, you couldn't let a bunch of strange ninjas into Konoha's hinterland, could you?

Makoto wouldn't dare to do such a thing even if his sincerity was great.

Recently, Konoha has been opening up, never short of workers of various professions.

Konoha, because of the perennial wars, there was no lack of experience in doing large-scale projects. So after just roughly mentioning the key, Makoto left the matter to his subordinates.

He had more important things to do.

He called Gai into his office.

After all, it wasn't the era when the plot started, and right now Gai's strength was still far from his peak.

However, in the previous Blackhawk battle, Gai had already displayed the strength of the Six Gates.

It goes without saying that the Eight Gate Gai is a one-for-one exchange under the Six Gates if you're not prepared beforehand.

A Seven Gate Gai can defeat most Kages in a head-to-head battle.

Six Gates then... Makoto felt that he could put a slight burden on him.

"Gai, sit down."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

The watermelon-skinned teenager sat straight down.

Given Gai's level of paranoia... well, IQ level, there was no point in talking to him in too complicated a way.

In his head, there were always only two options, youthful and not youthful, anyway.

So...

After waiting for Gai to sit down, Makoto started to go straight to the point.

"Gai, do you know the significance of this World's First ... No, it's the Imperial Trial Combination?"

"Hokage-sama, it's to screen out the most powerful ninja!"

As expected, Gai didn't find the meaning behind this battle at all.

But it's just as well.

"No, Gai, this is not an Imperial Trial Combination, but a war."

"...War?"

Gai cocked his head, clearly unable to comprehend.

"Well... you should know that ever since our five major Shinobi villages signed the Do Nothing Order together, we great hidden villages can no longer just raise a war between us. But we have really accumulated endless grudges from killing each other before..."

Makoto said this and stood up, turning his back to Gai.

"That year of the great war, at that time I saw Yondaime sitting on a chair and sobbing uncontrollably, at that moment I was thinking that if I could become a Kage, I would win it all."

"Now that the opportunity is right in front of me, I have to consider if this will be my only chance in this life. But I'm already a Shadow, I can't just go down..."

"Gai, out of all the top shinobi, you're the one I'm most optimistic about - have the confidence to win this championship for you, for me, and for Konoha!"

Makoto knew that Gai would definitely not understand.

But Makoto just needed to make Gai get those few most crucial words.

This life's only chance to become a champion for Konoha...

Sure enough, when Makoto turned around, Gai had already turned into a hot watermelon rind.

...This look is really exactly the same as Lee, you really are not his real father?

"Woo... Hokage-sama... I understand... -

"I won't lose... Konoha won't lose... This time, I will definitely do my best!"

Although it was indeed a bit of an exaggeration to say so, at the very least at this moment, Makoto did feel Gai's dominating thoughts.

That absolute ambition to fight to the best of his ability, to make Konoha rise to the top no matter how many times he was knocked down.

If he was Super Saiyan, he would probably have already started to change his hair color.

...Seems to be slightly over-encouraging.

But he couldn't swallow back the words when they were spoken.

"I have understood your overbearing thoughts, I have understood your ambitions... Go on, go train and prepare well!"

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Gai replied so, his body overflowing with hot blood and almost bursting, and exited Hokage's office upside down.

He decided to run 100,000 laps around Konoha upside down today.

... ...

Makoto's fervor makes him happy, after all, after seeing too much of the nastiness of the world, and then seeing such a pure and natural person, it always feels a little...

But the world is not only pure and beautiful.

So Makoto called for Uchiha Shisui again.

"Hokage-sama."

As before, Shisui was very respectful, and did not change just because his own strength was getting stronger and stronger, as well as becoming a big star.

"Shisui, among the younger generation of upper ninjas, I am most optimistic about you."

"Thank you for your trust!"

There was a slight excitement in Shisui's eyes, but he still suppressed his feelings and was very calm.

"Well... the matter of the Imperial Trial Combination, you know about it as well, don't you? Do you know what that means?"

"This is not as simple as a battle! I have no intention of questioning your strategy, but with things having evolved to this point, the Imperial Trial Combine has de facto turned into a battle for the national body! No matter what the reason, we cannot lose!"

Shisui was then much smarter than Gai, and although he was similarly young, he had clearly realized the importance of this battle.

...It did feel a bit like when Nie Lao participated in the Go Tournament back in the day.

T/N: Nie Lao, also known as Nie Weiqing, is a professional Go player that started playing Go at the age of 9, currently 71 years old

This is a great opportunity for Konoha, Konoha cannot lose.

Defeating all the strong enemies in a bright and honorable manner would not only greatly boost the sales of TV sets, but would also add to Konoha's war record, and even directly dismantle the enemy's will to resist.

At the same time, this was also the last possible chance for the other four major ninja villages to turn the tide, and they couldn't afford to lose - more or less, they had all already experienced the economic gap with Konoha.

Konoha was just rich, and the longer they dragged on, the economy difference would only get bigger, and their chances of winning would get slimmer...

"Very well, I really didn't look at the wrong person. Then... proceed!"

Makoto threw an Imperial Coin to Uchiha Shisui.

Uchiha Shisui could feel that there was a faint chakra fluctuation on it, and it seemed to be part of some large jutsu.

However, he couldn't guess exactly what it was used for.

"This is..."

"It's part of Konoha's self-destruct mechanism."

"Self-destruct... why?!"

Uchiha Shisui's face was shocked, he truly did not understand why such an important thing was given to him.

No matter how you look at it, Konoha hadn't reached that stage where they were going to die with the enemy through self-destruction ah.

"Don't worry, it's not the Konoha headquarters, nor is it the Konoha business district... After all, it is the Imperial Trial Combination, and surely a huge ring will have to be rebuilt outside of Konoha. And it, is the self-destruct mechanism of the ring. -

"If the worst case scenario occurs... then you will have to activate it without hesitation, destroying me, the contestants in Konoha, those with ulterior motives, together."

Considering the danger of ninja wars, it was definitely impossible for the audience to observe it up close.

Even if the Reibi's main body was hidden under the ring, constantly absorbing the discrete chakra, it couldn't be done with one hundred percent safety.

When the time came, hitting just anyone would make Makoto cry to death - after all, those who could grab the front row were either people close to Konoha or dignitaries from any country.

So according to Makoto's arrangement, this battle is definitely TV plus close up big screen form.

The ninja world actually has a long time ago similar screen casting technology, such as the Nagato family's one. It's just that it consumes too much blue, and the average person can't support it for long. However, if Reibi's main body also comes over, there is no need to worry about this problem...

T/N: 'blue' = mana, in this case, chakra

The audience, even if they are a little farther away, should not have any problems as long as they can see clearly.

...By sending the audience a little farther away, Makoto had fewer worries about cleaning up certain villains who came to the door on their own.

There was bound to be someone to mess up.

One hundred percent.

Ordinary troublemakers, Konoha could easily clean up. And those who are strong words...

If the worst comes to the worst, let them taste the Reverse Four Symbols Seal and the formation of the Flying Thunder God.

-Makoto resolved to construct a super-sized Reverse Four Symbols Seal and Flying Thunder God's Formation with Reibi as the centerpiece at the observation site.

The Reverse Four Symbols Seal was really LOW in the hands of the original Danzo, and with a little more effort it's almost as good as the zero win rate beast next door. But no matter what, it's still a genuine S-rank fuinjutsu.

S-class jutsu, there is no weak one.

With one person unfolding it, Danzo had already realized that kind of power. What if... Reibi was the centerpiece, providing a massive amount of chakra, and was used by multiple sealing jutsu masters together?

After finding this jutsu from Danzo's kennel, Makoto had been having the masters work on improving it.

As the builder, Makoto could easily nest the jutsu into the venue.

Konoha wasn't short of money anyway.

And the Flying Thunder God's Formation was specifically designed to deal with certain guys who relied on their ability to do space-time ninjutsu as well as reverse psychic chaos waves.

T/N: I have zero information about what 'reverse psychic chaos waves' is other it's something a chuuni would scream out

The Flying Thunder God's Formation was a jutsu that the Yondaime had taught to the Genma Squad, and it had the same instantaneous movement effect as the Flying Thunder God's Jutsu.

It required three people to use it together to accomplish it, though - three people forming a formation that could move objects or humans within the formation to other places.

Makoto, on the other hand, deliberately did the opposite.

What he wanted was not for the teleportation to succeed, but for it to fail.

Even if there were really strong people who could kill the Ri Four Elephant Seal, they would still be facing a Flying Thunder God's Formation teleportation that was destined to fail.

Where they would be teleported to, no one knew. However, Makoto had hoped from the beginning that it would fail to be used, so the greatest probability was that those strong people would be thrown into some spatial crevice and die without a burial place, right?...

After all, compared to the vast and endless universe, the Naruto world was just too small and tiny.

Of course, as Naruto, as well as the primary target of the enemy, once these jutsu are opened, the probability is that Makoto will not survive.

"This is a... key that will destroy everyone!"

"Yes, just as you thought."

"But, but... why me?"

"Shisui, because I trust you the most. Only you, can do it."

As one of the members of Naruto's immediate guard, Shisui had always been deeply entrusted with Makoto's integrity. He was even clear that if he did his job peacefully, he would at the very least be able to get an Elder position.

But suddenly... like this...

"Such a heavy burden, I really... shouldn't you give it to Kakashi?"

"Kakashi can't press on. He has already experienced the feeling of losing almost all of his seniors and loved ones... He definitely can't press on."

"But I... I'm also... sorry, I can't..."

"Shisui, I'm not asking for your opinion, this is an order from Godaime Hokage! You, as a subordinate, must carry it out!"

Makoto terminated Shisui's question with a harsh tone.

Shisui's face was extremely ugly, but in the end, he could only helplessly retreat.

Makoto knew that this would cause this teenager great pain. If he really did that, he would probably live in the shadows for the rest of his life.

"But if things really turn out that way..."

"At the very least, I have to leave a pair of mangekyo for Konoha."

The Uchiha clan is more or less a bit of a topsy-turvy tendency, and if the worst really happens, then Shisui, who will kill some members of the clan, including even the Hokage, will definitely have mangekyo.

Shisui until now did not open the mangekyo... is too slow.

Don't look at just a pair of mangekyo, the day of the tournament is certainly the five great hidden village experts gathered. After these experts were collectively reunited, Konoha was hit hard while the four great hidden villages would basically be paralyzed.

Because of the advance planning, Konoha's damage would definitely be smaller than the other ninja villages.

At that time... it was actually the best opportunity to forcefully unify the five great hidden villages.

There was no need to even wait nine years later.

"But by that time, whether it's victory or defeat, I won't be able to see... ah, it's always right to be a little more prepared than underestimating the enemy."

After seeing Shisui leave, Makoto touched out another identical imperial coin.

This Imperial Coin was also one of the array's cores - in fact, the Imperial Coin in Makoto's hand could only function after this Imperial Coin, which was in tune with Makoto's life, was destroyed.

But Shisui would never realize this.

Because before Makoto's death, with his character, he would never try to activate the imperial coin.

And if Makoto is really unlucky enough to pounce... on his death dragging a few cushions, it is nothing.

... ...

The last person Makoto saw was Kakashi.

"Kakashi, among the younger generation of Jonin..."

When Kakashi heard this, he bounced to the door of Hokage's office and made a gesture to run.

"...What are you running for, come back!"

"It's not the first time you've said this to me, and the last time you said this..."

The last time Makoto said this, he was asking Kakashi to help him go start a harem.

But this Birdman got him back a mother and daughter.

"The last time, I haven't even settled the score with you... Not to mention those, I think you said before that your eyes weren't too comfortable, and even inexplicably drained most of your chakra, right?"

During the Black Eagle operation, Kakashi's chakra suddenly and inexplicably disappeared a large portion of his chakra, causing him to almost get blasted and hammered by Kazehana Doto.

He himself hadn't taken it too much to heart, and after confirming with Tsunade that there was nothing wrong with it, he'd put it aside - after all, his Sharingan came from Obito, and what would happen with this kind of kekkei genkai transplant was anyone's guess.

The organ rejection thing was real.

It's the hot swapping that Uchiha Madara got up to that's really outrageous...

Suddenly eating a large amount of his chakra might be part of the organ rejection... Anyway, Kakashi wouldn't have gouged out Obito's Sharingan eye.

In his mind, it was already the last relic left for him by his dear friend.

Makoto, however, knew that he had unintentionally activated Kamui.

Kamui was truly an overbearing to the point of being unreasonable skill, and even Kaguya didn't have too much to offer.

But now then...

The current Kakashi was too young.

And judging by Kiri's reaction, Obito might be coming over as well.

Does Kakashi have the sense to face his blackened best friend?

...Better not.

The world was already very jinxed pro-mom to him.

"I have a mission here, I'm not sure about the others, you have to go there yourself."

Speaking of business, Kakashi immediately got serious.

"Go where?"

"The Land of Demons."

"That's so far away... There are so many things going on in the village lately. I'm afraid if I make a trip out here..."

"I know, but this mission is really important. You must go in person, and you are not allowed to open the scroll to see the mission until you reach the Land of Demons."

"...Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Makoto's request this time was really strange, but as a ninja, Kakashi was used to accepting all kinds of messy missions.

Since he said so... anyway, just do it.

It can't be that he's afraid that Konoha will be broken, so he's transferring him out in advance.

The last time the Kyuubi incident... ah, the Kyuubi... Speaking of which, it was just more than a year ago... How do you have a very bad feeling about this?...

... ...

Hanayama had come to the Land of Iron and become an apprentice in the dojo.

Ever since he had been saved by that Yo-Kyūseishu man a few months ago, the admiration in his heart was beyond words.

T/N: (from chapter 76) 'Yo-Kyūseishu', word by word translation is 'world saver', the raw translate to 'world walker', both refers to people who wander in the world

That Yo-Kyūseishu did not accept any repayment from him, but simply drifted away. But it was for this reason that Hanayama decided to become as great as that Yo-Kyūseishu.

He wanted to become a samurai.

His parents, who were originally from the powerful family of the Land of Rice, had made a fortune creating factories in the Land of Fire, and did not want him, the only child, to do these dangerous things - ninjas worked hard to earn so little money, so wouldn't they be happy to follow in their parent's footsteps and be a young master?

If you really like ninjas, you can also marry a few kunoichis from small villages.

It's delicious and fun.

The world is not only the five great hidden villages, there are down-and-out hidden villages and ninjas.

And... samurai are not as good as ninjas.

This era is long past the era of the samurai.

But Hanayama still insisted on it.

When his parents did not allow it, he knelt long and hard.

In desperation, his parents had to compromise and fixed him a good marriage, and chose a lot of girls with big asses, requiring him to come back at least once every six months.

Thus, Hanayama was able to embark on his journey as a warrior.

Before he started, he already knew that the path would be full of conviction. But... he also wanted to become like that man... He also wanted to reach out to other weak people, to extend his hand!

The life of a samurai was quite hard, in addition to the mandatory daily practice of chopping waves, he also needed to repair the idols left behind by those samurai who had gone before him - there was a time when the world was a samurai's world, and the idols of famous samurai could be said to be scattered all over the world. But nowadays...

It was a very hard job, but Hanayama was willing to do it.

On this day, Hanayama came with his master to an idol that was in a state of disrepair.

This idol was so old that even the faces of the warriors enshrined in it were blurred. The only thing that Hanayama could barely distinguish was that this warrior was holding an oar in both hands in a strange stance.

Hanayana's gaze fell around the idol, only to see a few lines of small ancient characters on it.

Namo Amitabha.

T/N: 'Namo Amitabha' the body of Amitabha Buddha, filled with boundless kindness and compassion, perfect and complete wisdom, and splendid merits and virtues (I ctrl+c & ctrl+v from google; source: Buddhist Door)

Heaven is full of great self-importance.

Both opposite, both beyond. In the included can be viewed.

Sifting through many choices, narrowing down the limited scope, finally reaching the only conclusion.

There is no room for any other correct subject.

The heavenly element of zero, is the answer of our sword and heart.

Empty of good and evil, the wise have it.

There is reason, there is the way, and there is emptiness in the heart.

The ultimate sword is not an art.

The sword of great enlightenment can only be contained in this uninhabited hall.

Hanayama could read the ancient writing, but could not understand what it was saying.

Thus, he looked at his master who was always silently watching him behind him.

"Master... what does it say?"

"It's enlightenment."

"...Enlightenment?"

"Yes, it's enlightenment."

The master came forward and prayed silently before continuing.

"Divine flesh is encountered once in a thousand years, if it is not obtained at birth, then I'm afraid that there is no way to obtain it in this life. But... skill and awareness is something above that. -

"If one upholds that kind of enlightenment to wield a sword, even the Gods and Buddhas would not be able to resist coming to their aid, right?"

"Then how can one reach that realm?"

"I don't know."

"...Don't know?"

"Silly boy, if I knew, I would have revived the glory of our samurai long ago, hahahahahahahaha."

The master was laughing, but Hanayama could feel the infinite helplessness contained in the laughter.

"Well, let's not talk about that."

"The ninjas seem to be doing some kind of imperial trial merge lately... Anyway, it's not too late, let's go check it out too."