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With the village's future finally secured, I made my way toward the last remnant of the God Tree.
The roots stretched beneath the earth like a massive web, black veins pulsing faintly as they continued draining the surrounding land.
"Time to end this..."
I placed my hand against one of the roots.
Even now, I could feel it greedily siphoning chakra from the earth itself.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment.
The shadows beneath my feet surged outward.
Thick tendrils wrapped around the enormous roots, binding them tightly before digging deep into the soil.
I willed my shadow to pull it...
The shadow tentacles strained.
The ground trembled violently.
RUMBLE!
Cracks spread across the barren landscape as the roots were ripped from the earth one after another. Massive chunks of soil were thrown into the air while decades-old roots twisted and writhed like dying serpents.
With one final roar, I clenched my fist.
"AHHH...."
BOOOOOOM!
The last remnant of the God Tree split apart, dissolving into lifeless fragments.
For several seconds... Nothing happened. Then a gentle breeze swept across the land. The oppressive feeling that had lingered over the village disappeared. The dry soil seemed to breathe again. Tiny blades of green grass began poking through the cracked earth where the roots had once been.
The villagers watched in stunned silence.
Then everyone jumped in joy.
"YAAY....
"IT'S FINALLY GONE."
"EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE OK NOW."
An elderly woman fell to her knees, weeping openly.
"I will live long enough to see my grandkids."
I smiled quietly before turning away.
"Let's head back."
Shiraku adjusted the pack on his shoulder.
"Really? Man, that was such a drag; let's leave already."
Shirai laughed softly.
"I was wondering when you would start complaining, aniki."
The three of us had barely taken a few steps before voices called out behind us.
"Wait!"
I turned around; nearly the entire village had gathered behind us. The village elder stepped forward before lowering himself onto one knee, one after another...
I blinked.
"What is it?"
The elder raised his head.
"Danava-sama..."
"Please allow us to follow you."
"Huh?" I was stunned and had a dumfounded expression on my face.
The words stunned even Shiraku and Shirai.
"We wish to learn under the teachings of ninshu, especially you, Danava sama..."
Dozens of voices rose together.
"Please accept us!"
"We simply ask... let us walk behind you."
I stood there in silence, genuinely caught off guard.
I mean, I didn't expect I would pull the hashirama or ashura charisma move on these villagers
A smile slowly spread across my face.
"Heh..."
I scratched the back of my head before shrugging casually.
"Well..."
"...who am I to deny people from doing what they want?"
The villagers looked at one another hopefully.
I spread my hands with an easygoing smile.
"If you've truly made up your minds..."
"...then I won't stop you."
For a heartbeat, the entire village stood frozen.
Then—
A wave of cheers erupted through the crowd.
"Yaayyyy...!"
"Thank you, Danava-sama!"
"We won't disappoint you!"
Children laughed and jumped with excitement while the adults bowed deeply, relief and joy written across their faces.
Shirai blinked twice before turning toward me.
"Danava, are you sure we should take so many people with us?"
I tilted my head innocently.
"Don't worry, Shirai-chan; besides, Father wanted to spread ninshu far and wide. What's better than the entire village following us, right?"
She just stared for a moment before grinning at me
I grinned back.
Shiraku, as always, let out a long, exhausted sigh.
"...What a drag."
He looked at the celebrating villagers before glancing back at me.
Danava, can we hurry back already? I'm tired of all this; the sooner we reach home, the faster I can laze around.
Both Shirai and I burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"That's our shiraku..." I laughed
The villagers continued celebrating, already speaking excitedly about packing their belongings and starting a new life.
Watching them, I folded my arms with a satisfied smile.
"Well then... if all of you are done celebrating, shall we leave?"
A deafening cheer answered my words, echoing across the valley that, only hours earlier, had been a land of despair. Now, for the first time in years, it was filled with hope.
Back in Hagoromo's village, the atmosphere was peaceful.
The Sage of Six Paths sat quietly on the wooden veranda of his home, gazing out across the settlement. Beside him rested a large orange toad with ancient, wise eyes—Gamamaru, the Great Toad Sage, long before the world would come to know him as the Old Toad Sage.
The toad let out a slow croak.
"Hagoromo..."
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Why don't you simply choose Indra as your heir?"
"He is unquestionably the most gifted of your three sons."
"The fastest learner."
"The most talented."
"The most accomplished."
He paused before continuing.
"Compared to him... Ashura doesn't seem anywhere close. Though Danava has some promise."
Hagoromo remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable.
Finally, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"...Perhaps."
He folded his hands calmly.
"But talent alone has never been the only quality I seek."
His eyes drifted toward the village entrance.
"Let us wait until my other sons return. Only then will I make my judgment."
Gamamaru studied him for a long moment before giving a slow nod.
"...Very well."
Just then—
Rapid footsteps echoed through the village.
A disciple came sprinting toward them, panting heavily.
"Master Hagoromo!"
The young disciple stopped to catch his breath before blurting out,
"Master Danava and Master Ashura have returned!"
Hagoromo smiled softly.
"So they've come back."
"...They didn't return alone."
The disciple continued
Hagoromo raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
The disciple pointed toward the village gate.
"...Please... see for yourself."
Moments later, Hagoromo and Gamamaru turned their gaze toward the entrance.
Two familiar figures walked through the gates.
Ashura.
Danava.
Behind them...
Not one.
Not ten.
But an entire procession of villagers followed in orderly lines, carrying their belongings, livestock, tools, and children.
The sight caused murmurs throughout the settlement.
"So many people..."
"Who are they?"
"They're following Master Danava and Master Ashura?"
I looked at the scene ahead of me and couldn't help smiling to myself.
Just like in the original story... Ashura came back surrounded by villagers.
Hmph... the kid really does have ridiculous charisma.
I glanced at the long line walking behind me before chuckling inwardly.
Looks like... so do I.
Ashura spotted me the moment our eyes met.
His face lit up with the same warm smile he always wore.
"Elder brother!"
Without waiting another second, he jogged over.
I met him halfway and pulled him into a firm hug.
"So..." I said with a grin, patting him on the back.
"You succeeded as well, huh?"
Ashura laughed sheepishly.
"Hehe... somehow."
We stepped back from the embrace.
I glanced over his shoulder at the crowd following him.
"...Looks like you brought half a village with you."
Ashura rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"They... insisted on coming."
I laughed.
"Sounds familiar."
Ashura blinked.
"...Wait."
His eyes drifted past me toward the equally large group standing behind me.
His mouth slowly fell open.
"...E-Elder brother..."
"You too?!"
I spread my arms dramatically and said with a smirk.
"What can I say? I have a really charming personality."
Ashura couldn't help laughing.
"Haha!"
Shiraku, standing nearby, sighed deeply.
"...What a drag."
Shirai simply rolled her eyes.
"Narcissist"
I shrugged innocently.
"Hey, I can't help it if I have charisma."
"Can you stop hyping yourself up?" Shiraku muttered under his breath.
I pretended not to hear him.
Together, Ashura and I turned toward Hagoromo, who had been quietly observing everything from the veranda.
Behind us stood two grateful villages.
The heir of ninshu is about to be chosen.