"No one's ever been inside?"
Gin asked curiously. A flashy artifact like that, surely the descendants of Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo must have coveted it at some point?
"According to the records, shortly after the Sage of Six Paths passed away, a descendant named Indra once entered, but failed to pass the test and came back empty-handed."
???
Ah, my charming ancestor…
"Later on, as time passed, the blood of the Six Paths' descendants grew thinner, and fewer and fewer people came to challenge it.
Eventually, our Hagoromo clan ancestors grew tired of guarding that frigid place, so they chose to migrate."
Kinkaku explained to Gin. Their ancestors figured no one could get in, and even if they did, they wouldn't pass the trial. So why waste away guarding it, when they could go enjoy life in the wider world?
"So... you're telling me the location of this sealed artifact?"
Gin scratched his messy curls, his tone conflicted.
Even the direct son of the Sage couldn't take it. How would he?
"That's right! Rather than let this secret vanish with us, we'd rather entrust it to you, Gin-san."
Kinkaku nodded earnestly.
"I believe you should give it a try. The Sage's test is said to challenge the heart. Pure people like you are far too rare these days—you might just succeed."
"Me? Pure?"
Gin was speechless. A pure slacker was still pure, right?
"The location of the seal is written here. I wish you great fortune!"
Kinkaku pulled out a worn scroll and handed it to Gin. The moldy scent showed just how old it was.
"Gin-san, we part ways here. I hope the next time we meet, I'll be someone worthy of shocking you."
He bowed deeply, dragging his brother along, eyes firm with resolve. He wouldn't return until he made something of himself!
…
In the end, the surviving members of the Hagoromo clan were escorted by Lightning Country ninja into Iron Country. Watching the brothers disappear into the distance, Gin sighed, silently hoping their fates wouldn't repeat the tragedy of canon.
"Let's go. Our mission's done," he said to Hikari and Chiri, who had waited beside him.
"Gin, aren't we forgetting something?"
Hikari tilted her head, frowning cutely as she tried to recall.
"Forget something? Impossible. I've got a flawless memory. Let's go explore a bit before heading home."
Gin was confident in his memory. There's no way he forgot anything.
"Big bro, didn't we have a promise we haven't fulfilled yet?"
Among the departing caravan, Ginkaku finally couldn't stay silent, his pride unwilling to let this slip by.
"What do you mean?" Kinkaku turned with an odd expression. "Didn't Gin-san say it himself?"
"Huh? Say what?"
Ginkaku was confused. He'd been there—did he miss something?
"Well, didn't Gin-san say, 'You two better not embarrass me in Lightning Country. At least become leaders. Otherwise, don't say you know me'?"
Kinkaku repeated it word for word, confused by his brother's blank face.
"…Right. That is our mission."
Ginkaku: …
…
In a city within the Land of Fire.
"Gin! Where are we heading next?"
Hikari, arms full of snacks, looked thrilled as she turned to the sluggish Gin.
"How about the Land of Hot Water? I heard the onsens there are amazing. Great for skin and beauty~"
"Hmm… Chiri, what about you?"
Gin didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned to ask the quiet girl who clung to him like a shadow.
"Eh? I'm fine with anything. I'll follow whatever Gin-san decides."
Chiri, nibbling on a taiyaki, was startled by the question. The molten red bean filling burned her lips a little. Blushing, she answered obediently.
"Alright then~ Hot Water Country it is. It's close by anyway."
Gin was indulgent with Hikari. After all, the childhood friend had been sealed away for so long—it was time to let her enjoy life again.
The three of them set off at once, and since the Hot Water Country was nearby, the trip wasn't difficult. Before long, they arrived.
"No wonder it's called the land forgotten by war… life here is so peaceful."
Gin's eyes lit up at the scene. Unlike the Fire Country, where war was everywhere, here it was all music and laughter.
Hot Water Country was protected by geography and lacked valuable resources, so no big nation ever coveted it. Between it and Lightning Country were several buffer nations, while Water Country was across the ocean. Earth and Wind were too far to bother.
Without threats or riches, it was a peaceful paradise. Onsen inns were everywhere, and everyone wore smiles. Gin, who hadn't known true peace since transmigrating, was genuinely amazed.
Maybe I'll retire here someday…
"Gin~ Hurry up~!"
Hikari, excited by the scent of sulfur in the air, took off toward the largest onsen nearby, dragging Gin along.
"Welcome~"
A beautiful woman in a traditional kimono greeted them as they stepped inside. She knelt at the entrance and bowed politely as they arrived.
"We're here for the onsen!"
Hikari couldn't wait. She'd dreamed of this hot spring for years—Gin's old promise was finally being fulfilled!
"Right this way, all three of you!"
The woman led them in. After purchasing three yukata, Gin headed into the "men's" side while the girls entered the "women's."
As he passed, Gin glanced at the "mixed" bath in the center, and his lips curled slightly.
Hehehe… finally!
"Ah! Here I come~!"
Completely naked, Hikari leapt into the water—
Splash!!
A massive wave of hot water erupted.
"Ahh~ So good~"
With a towel on her head, Hikari floated blissfully in the steaming pool, a sigh of deep comfort escaping her lips.
"Chiri, how's the temperature?"
She looked over at Chiri, who stood timidly on the edge, dipping her toes.
Wrapped in a bath towel, Chiri bit her lip nervously. It was clearly her first time in an onsen.
Eventually, she mustered the courage to enter. Her pale skin flushed a bright red from the steam, and a delicate blush colored her usually cool face, creating a striking contrast.
"Haa~ Hikari-senpai really is amazing~"
Now fully immersed and a bit dizzy from the heat, Chiri looked at Hikari with genuine admiration.
"In every way."
She'd guessed from the start that Hikari was strong—but witnessing her clash of titans with that red-haired woman, she realized she'd vastly underestimated her.
That kind of power… can humans even reach it?
As a proud kunoichi, Chiri began to question everything she knew about ninja battles—jutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu. But those overwhelming giants changed her whole perspective.
"Hikari-senpai, how did you become so strong?"
Dizzy from the heat, Chiri accidentally spoke her thoughts aloud. Realizing her slip, she quickly added:
"Sorry! That was rude of me."
"It's fine. You're Gin's student, which makes you my student too. I don't mind sharing."
Still soaking comfortably, Hikari smiled as she drifted over.
"Do you know how many stages the Sharingan has?"
"Of course. Three stages, each marked by the number of tomoe. Three tomoe is the strongest."
Chiri, already at the two-tomoe level, had studied the clan's dojutsu well.
"That's only the surface. While three tomoe lets us handle most threats, it's not the final form."
Hikari's eyes glimmered in the steam as she began to speak of secrets rarely shared.
"There's a higher evolution beyond the third tomoe."
"There is?!"
That was news to Chiri. Clan records never mentioned anything stronger.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan… the cursed eyes."
Hikari's voice turned cold. As she drifted past, her eyes flashed—a crimson glow and a sinister flower-like pattern.
"If I could… I'd rather never have awakened them. They cost me too much."
So much pain… unbearable pain…
(End of Chapter)
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