Chapter 90: The Sage of Six Paths

In an endless white space, Sasuke narrowed his eyes, taking in the formidable aura of the figure before him. 

Could this be the legendary Sage of Six Paths, with his Rinnegan and otherworldly appearance?

The Sage of Six Paths spoke, "You have arrived, the reincarnations of Indra and Asura."

Naruto, ever the skeptic, interjected, "Hey, old man, you've got the wrong people. I'm Uzumaki Naruto, and he's Uchiha Sasuke..."

Sasuke cut him off, "Naruto, there's no need to explain. More importantly," he turned to the Sage, "who are you, and what is this great disaster in the ninja world you mentioned?"

The Sage of Six Paths studied Sasuke, astonished. The Rinnegan? How could this be? Uchiha Madara was supposed to be the only one to awaken it. What was happening?

Typically, the evolution of the Sharingan into the Rinnegan would create unique fluctuations, which is how the Sage had detected Madara's awakening. 

But Sasuke's situation was different, thanks to his entry system. The Sage hadn't anticipated Sasuke possessing the Rinnegan, nor that Sasuke had already defeated the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki.

Sasuke stepped forward, demanding, "Answer my question!"

The Sage of Six Paths collected himself, stroking his beard. "Very well. I am Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, the founder of the Ninja Sect, known as the Sage of Six Paths."

Sasuke remained expressionless.

Naruto muttered, "Sage of Six Paths, the pervy sage... Could this old man know Jiraiya?"

The Sage of Six Paths was momentarily confused. This reincarnation of Asura seemed less than sharp...

He cleared his throat, "To be brief, my mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, came from another world..."

"Later, she used Yin-Yang Release to create me and my brother, Hamura Ōtsutsuki..."

Sasuke's interest piqued. If true, Kaguya, who could create life with Yin-Yang Release, must have possessed astonishing power.

Naruto, however, looked skeptical.

The Sage continued, ignoring Naruto's disbelief, "My mother became obsessed with power and enslaved humanity. In the end, Hamura and I sealed her away."

Sasuke frowned. The Sage's recounting of the past wasn't aimless. Could the crisis in the ninja world be related to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki?

Naruto was starting to nod off.

Swoosh—

The Sage sent a gentle shockwave, jolting Naruto awake.

"Ouch!" Naruto yelped, rubbing his head.

Sasuke, impatient, said coldly, "Get to the point. I didn't come here for a history lesson."

The Sage shook his head, noting Indra's reincarnation was as arrogant as ever. "I had two sons..."

"The elder inherited my eyes and was named Indra, the ancestor of the Uchiha."

Sasuke nodded, understanding the origins of his clan.

The Sage continued, "The younger, Asura, inherited my body and later founded the Senju clan."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. The Uchiha's mortal enemies, the Senju, were actually descended from the same lineage?

The Sage sighed, "Indra was dissatisfied with my decision to pass the Ninja Sect to Asura, vowing to battle him in every lifetime..."

Sasuke interrupted, "Enough stories. Get to the point!"

The Sage chuckled, "Ah, people do tend to ramble as they age. Very well, the truth is this: the Ten-Tails and the Rinnegan are keys to unlocking my mother's seal."

"To prevent disaster, I summoned you—the reincarnations of Indra and Asura. Only together can you save the ninja world once more."

Naruto's eyes sparkled at the mention of saving the world, his fatigue forgotten.

Sasuke asked, "So the crisis is that Kaguya might break free?"

The Sage nodded.

Sasuke smirked, "I've already defeated the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, and the Ten-Tails has been split back into the nine tailed beasts."

The Sage was taken aback. He hadn't foreseen Sasuke's actions!

Naruto's enthusiasm waned. He was ready to save the world, but it seemed the crisis was already averted.

The Sage's expression brightened, "Excellent. As long as the Rinnegan is recovered, the chance of my mother breaking free is nearly zero."

Suddenly, Sasuke sensed a powerful fluctuation from the ninja world.

The Sage's eyes widened. "What? This power... it's the Divine Tree!"

Swish!

The Sage waved his staff, conjuring a mirror that displayed the ninja world.

Naruto was intrigued, imagining how thrilled Jiraiya would be with such a technique.

Sasuke's gaze hardened, "Uchiha Madara!"

Madara was making seals, "Arise, Divine Tree!"

The Divine Tree erupted from the ground, growing rapidly until it towered thousands of meters high.

The Sage's face darkened, "Madara intends to use the Infinite Tsukuyomi, the final step to unseal my mother!"

Suddenly, Might Guy leaped into action against Madara, "Now is the time for Konoha's Blue Beast to become the Red Beast!"

He pointed to the eighth gate in his heart—the Gate of Death.

"Eight Gates Released Formation, open!"

Boom!

Blood-red steam surged like a tsunami.

Sasuke nodded, acknowledging Guy's strength, which rivaled Madara's. It was a pity that using this technique would cost Guy his life, unless...

Bang, bang, bang—

"Death Gate Guy" clashed fiercely with Madara.

The sky darkened, and the earth trembled.

The Sage turned to Sasuke and Naruto, "The Divine Tree has appeared, and the crisis is upon us. I am prepared to grant you my remaining power, but first, answer me this..."

Naruto eagerly asked, "What's the question?"

The Sage inquired, "After receiving this power, what will you do? What do you envision for the future of the ninja world?"

Naruto answered without hesitation, "I want to protect my friends and live happily with them!"

He turned to Sasuke, "And that includes you, Sasuke. You can't be missing!"

Sasuke's lips curled slightly at Naruto's words.

The Sage nodded, impressed by Naruto's kindness, a hallmark of Asura's reincarnation.

His gaze shifted to Sasuke, "And you, what is your answer?"

Naruto watched curiously.

Sasuke replied, "Sage, I have no interest in your power, nor do I need to answer your question..."

The Sage frowned.

Sasuke's tone shifted, "However, out of respect for the savior of humanity, I will answer. After gaining power, I will unify the ninja world and sever the chains of hatred with my own hands."

The Sage's frown deepened. Was Sasuke consumed by power?

Sasuke's gaze was distant, "As for the future of the ninja world..."