The Six Paths Sage is surrounded by numerous legends, and one of the most well-known is the creation myth, where it is said the Ninja World was created by the Six Paths Sage.
Compared to ordinary people, a ninja could be considered superhuman, but ninja powers have their limits. Even the terrifying destructive power of a Tailed Beast Ball can at most destroy a mountain.
And creating is even more difficult than destroying, which is why he believes the Six Paths Sage is merely a fictional mythological figure.
"Of course not, I once lived for a period with the Six Paths Sage," the Four-tails shook his head and said.
To the Four-tails, with its long lifespan, the time spent with the Six Paths Sage was brief, but the memory was so beautiful that the Four-tails still cherishes it.
For him, that memory is more important than hundreds or even thousands of years living alone.
Seeing the Four-tails displaying an unprecedented expression, Roshi realized something; the Four-tails understood him well, but he didn't understand the Four-tails as well.
This was a given because before the great battle, he was even reluctant to utter the name of the Four-tails.
"Who are you, and what is your purpose in coming to the Land of Rain? Why are you eavesdropping on my conversation with the Hidden Rock Ninja?" Nagato questioned while staring intently at Roshi.
Although he hadn't yet fought with Roshi, judging solely from his chakra, Nagato knew Roshi wasn't a simple character.
Plus, being a time of war, Nagato instinctively associated Roshi with the activities of the Hidden Rock in the Land of Rain.
"Could he be a strong figure from some Great Ninja Village and those villages want to turn the Land of Rain into a battleground?" Nagato's expression grew more serious.
If things had escalated to that point, it would be bad news both for the Ninja Sect and the Land of Rain.
Nagato's words interrupted Roshi's thoughts about the Four-tails, prompting him to think for a moment before replying:
"You are Nagato? That disciple of Sosuke."
Roshi only knew three ninja from the Ninja Sect. The first, naturally, was the Ninja Master Sosuke he wanted to meet.
The second was Kakuzu, and the third was Nagato.
The youth martial arts tournament had made Nagato famous across the Ninja World, and even though Roshi wasn't particularly interested, he had heard some news.
"I am,"
Nagato quietly adjusted his breathing technique, bringing himself to peak condition.
"You don't need to know my name; you only need to know I mean no harm and am here in the Land of Rain solely to meet your teacher, Sosuke," Roshi opted to keep his identity secret.
Based on what he had encountered along the way, the Ninja Sect was a rather promising ninja force.
However, this wasn't enough for Roshi to entirely lower his guard, especially since he had just learned that the Ninja Sect was cooperating with Hidden Rock.
If Hidden Rock and the Ninja Sect teamed up to ensnare him, Roshi would be in trouble.
"You wish to meet Teacher Sosuke?" Nagato looked skeptically at Roshi.
He suspected this was a plan by a Great Ninja Village to assassinate Mokgetsu as a means to dismantle the Ninja Sect.
"Exactly. If Sosuke wants to meet, then I'll have a meeting. If not, just let me know early on, and I'll go elsewhere," Roshi continued.
He knew his request was a bit much, especially without revealing his identity.
Nevertheless, Roshi wasn't willing to take the risk his identity entailed.
"Since you're unwilling to share your name, at least tell me which ninja village or force you belong to," Nagato sought to pry information.
"I don't belong to any ninja force," Roshi responded.
Nagato scrutinized Roshi, hoping to deduce from his expression whether Roshi was telling the truth.
"Impossible to discern…" Nagato sighed internally.
Unsurprisingly, he failed; this wasn't his forte.
"Regardless of whether you agree or refuse, just come to this village to find me once you've decided," Roshi said.
He intended to leave a shadow clone in the village for contact purposes.
Nagato nodded and eventually departed with Sasori.
Roshi wasn't inclined to fight, and Nagato couldn't resort to violence based purely on suspicion.
"Sasori, do you think he's lying?" Nagato turned to Sasori and asked.
"Which answer scores higher?" Sasori didn't respond directly.
"The correct one."
"Then I don't know."
Nagato, at least, had the experience of wandering with Yahiko. Sasori, on the other hand, had spent much time alone after his parents' departure; he wasn't adept at reading people.
"Your teacher is so strong; let him go. Maybe that person is even an admirer of your teacher who, upon meeting, might join your Ninja Sect," Sasori casually speculated.
Sasori rather hoped Sosuke would have an accident; many Fuinjutsu lose efficacy once the caster dies.
If Sosuke were assassinated, Sasori needn't wait a year and could seize the opportunity to reclaim the puppets to seek revenge.
"Though my teacher is powerful, enemies might not opt for single combat; there's a chance they'll send an elite team to ambush." Nagato shook his head; too many strong figures in the Ninja World had fallen to such attacks.
Ninja strength is rooted in chakra, and even if Mokgetsu is extremely powerful, if he doesn't eliminate the enemy before exhausts his chakra, the danger is on Mokgetsu.
Ultimately, Nagato offered no opinions and simply returned to the Ninja Sect to inform Mokgetsu, leaving the decision up to him.
Mokgetsu consistently encouraged him to think proactively, but Nagato understood that, at this moment, his capabilities were insufficient; he couldn't interfere with Mokgetsu's judgment in matters of such import.
"Someone wants to meet me, possessing abundant chakra, and the unknown actions of Hidden Rock…"
Mokgetsu connected all the dots, and an answer began to surface in his mind.
"Describe his appearance," Mokgetsu said to Nagato.
"Hair is reddish, tied in a high ponytail, beard is thick, looks about thirty years old," recalled Nagato.
Mokgetsu could now be certain of who Nagato encountered.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, do you want to meet him?"
PS:
Since my schedule is already messed up, with the weekend, I stayed up till past four to write a thousand. This chapter is 5k.
Tomorrow I should be able to write more, but can't say how much, since work starts the day after tomorrow and I can't stay up too late.
Also, please vote with your monthly ticket, it's the last day ()