Returning to his small courtyard, Senju Makoto slipped into the house and locked the wooden door with a sharp click. Pressing his back firmly against the door, his heart pounded so hard it nearly leaped from his chest. The smile on his face was etched deep, impossible to suppress.
Only when his surging emotions had somewhat calmed did he take a deep breath and concentrate, awakening the unique "cheat" deep within his mind.
A pale gold halo rippled silently before his eyes, quickly outlining an interface composed of pure, flowing light. The lines were simple yet profound, stabilizing as he focused his gaze.
[Honkai Ninja World—]
[.....]
[Became a disciple of the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama. The original story line has been disrupted. You may now enter the Sealing Space to claim the Otsutsuki Bloodline Power.]
Seeing the content on the panel, Senju Makoto's breathing became rapid once again. The light in his eyes was strikingly bright. These past few days of planning had yielded a massive return. Not only had he become the only disciple of the First Hokage with a powerful background, but he also had the bloodline power of the Sage of Six Paths to claim. He was set for life!
He listened closely, confirming the silence outside the courtyard. Even the lights of Senju Hashirama's distant mansion had been extinguished. Without further hesitation, Senju Makoto took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and allowed his consciousness to sink into the Sealing Space along that invisible connection.
The Sage of Six Paths—Otsutsuki Hagoromo—was floating cross-legged in the void. His features were filled with the majesty and indifference of a superior being, a far cry from the state he was in when Senju Makoto had provoked him into a rage during their last meeting.
During these past few days, he had thought a lot.
The boy from before was clearly a descendant of Asura, yet the coldness and calculation in his bones were things even Indra could not hope to match. Things that a normal person in the Ninja World would sacrifice their life for—righteousness, bonds, peace—were likely worth no more than a pebble on the side of the road to this kid.
"A typical pragmatist, perhaps... an extreme egoist."
Otsutsuki Hagoromo made an initial judgment in his heart. Expecting to convince this boy to help him escape using the grand name of "saving the Ninja World" would be like playing a lute to a cow.
Fortunately, people always have desires. This boy's desire was as blunt as it was naked: power. And it wasn't the strength ordinary ninjas sought, but a more primitive, more tyrannical craving: an absolute power that could overturn all rules, break all shackles, and allow him to "do as he pleased."
Thinking of this, the Sage of Six Paths' lips curled up slightly. Although he had been forcibly trapped here for all these years, he was not entirely passive. The uncontrolled Six Paths Chakra that had leaked out had continuously nourished the boy's body, laying a foundation far beyond that of ordinary humans—this was undoubtedly a heavy "gift."
However, all gifts in this world already have a price tag attached to them.
While absorbing this power, a minute yet incredibly stubborn interference had followed like a shadow, coiling around his chakra meridians and taking root silently. The effect was significant. According to his previous observations, the boy possessed chakra far exceeding his peers and extreme self-healing abilities, but his fine control of chakra was an absolute mess. He likely struggled with even the most basic ninjutsu. For someone craving power, what could be more agonizing than having a mountain of treasure but no door to enter?
"The pain of wanting but not being able to have—that is the best bait!"
With this in mind, the Sage of Six Paths had a plan. He would pretend to reluctantly compromise, using guidance in chakra control and the teaching of high-level ninjutsu as bait. He would lead the boy step by step, ensuring that while the boy gained power, he also helped the Sage find a way back to the Ninja World.
At that moment, the familiar, unhurried footsteps once again entered the silent Sealing Space.
Following his plan, the Sage of Six Paths slowly opened his eyes. His Rinnegan were as calm as a deep well, perfectly maintaining the pride and indifference belonging to the creator who looks down upon the living beings of the Ninja World.
This time, he did not speak first. He simply watched Senju Makoto approach, a hint of certainty hidden deep in his gaze. He was waiting—waiting for this power-hungry boy to lower his head and beg him.
Senju Makoto walked to the front of the "prison gate." Looking up, he saw the old man striking a pose of "sitting firmly on the fishing terrace." He couldn't help but click his tongue internally.
This old man, what thousand-year plan for the Ninja World is he cooking up in his head now? Last time he was red with rage, and now he's acting deep again? He's definitely not up to any good.
However, he had no intention of engaging in a pointless psychological game with this thousand-year-old fox. With a thought, he took direct action.
The pale gold panel that only he could see unfolded silently before him, radiant and carrying a cold texture that transcended this world.
[Claim Otsutsuki Hagoromo's Bloodline Power?]
The text on the panel was simple and direct, with no unnecessary descriptions.
Senju Makoto had been curious about how the claim would work, but looking at the arrogant Sage of Six Paths, he didn't hesitate and directly clicked "Claim" with his mind.
The moment the thought fell, a sudden change occurred.
"BOOM—!"
The invisible pale gold virtual panel transformed into a tangible golden hand. As if teleporting, it gave the Sage of Six Paths no time to react. The fingers curled, and like a hawk catching a chick, it firmly gripped his entire being in its palm.
"What!?"
The Sage's pupils constricted sharply. Boundless bewilderment and shock replaced all his composure. He had lived for over a thousand years, overseeing the rise and fall of the entire Ninja World. He transcended everything—when had he ever been treated with such crude disrespect? The vast Power of Six Paths instantly erupted from his body, attempting to shake off the giant hand.
"BOOM!"
The entire Sealing Space fluctuated violently due to the Sage's struggle. However, the golden palm remained motionless, not even a ripple appearing. Instead, his struggle seemed to enrage the giant hand.
The next moment, another slightly smaller golden palm branched out. It cut through the air like a golden afterimage, aiming directly at the Sage's face, which was filled with shock and anger—
"SLAP!!"
A crisp, loud, and long-echoing slap landed squarely on the Sage's noble cheek.
The sound vibrated through the silent Sealing Space, exceptionally clear. The Sage's head was knocked violently to the side by this irresistible force. Time seemed to stop completely in that instant.
On his left cheek, the burning sting was so clear and so real. A faintly glowing golden palm print slowly emerged, like a brand of humiliation.
"....."
A deathly silence followed. The Sage of Six Paths maintained his head-turned position, his Rinnegan widening little by little. First, they were a blank void of confusion, then they were completely submerged by a boundless crimson rage and an unbelievable sense of humiliation.
A slap to the face!?
He, Otsutsuki Hagoromo, the founder of the Ninja Creed, the Sage of Six Paths in the eyes of all living beings... had actually been slapped? Not by a person, but by a hand from who-knows-where!? Even back then, his mother—Otsutsuki Kaguya—had never slapped his face.
"YOU—DARE—!!!"
Extreme rage caused him to nearly lose his mind. The Power of Six Paths around him rioted, frantically bashing against the restraint of the golden palm.
However, the response to his all-out struggle was the golden palm suddenly tightening its fingers.
"CRACK...!"
A tooth-grinding sound of compression rang out. The Sage of Six Paths grunted as all the rampaging Six Paths Chakra was forcibly suppressed back into his body. Those five fingers were like five divine mountains closing in, squeezing his "body" almost to the point of deformation, and even his consciousness began to blur.
But compared to the physical pain, what happened next truly made him feel a chill from his soul.
A cold, tyrannical, and completely irresistible stripping force drilled crudely into the depths of his body through the contact surface of the golden palm. That power ignored all defenses, pierced through the barrier of the Power of Six Paths, bypassed the obstruction of consciousness, and directly touched the most core and essential part of his existence...