Ryosuke set out on his journey.
Starting from the Land of Water, passing through countries both large and small, he planned to make a full circle and return to the capital of the Land of Water, ending this trip.
"You plan to travel on foot?" Isshiki asked in surprise.
"Of course. If you want to see how other people live, you naturally have to see things from their perspective."
If you're always flying in the sky, all you can see are lush forests and brightly lit cities. You can't see the darkness in cramped corners, nor can you hear people's sorrowful sighs.
Otsutsuki Isshiki thought for a moment, then slowly nodded, agreeing with Ryosuke's view.
This time, it was Ryosuke who was surprised.
"I thought you'd argue with me."
Isshiki snorted coldly. "Do you think I'm some lunatic who has to argue about everything?"
"Even the most fastidious shepherd has to regularly inspect the sheep pen, squeeze the sheep droppings, and check for parasites."
"Now that you're the ruler of this world, if you want the entire world to work for you, you naturally have to put in some effort."
It had to be said, after a thousand years living in the ninja world, Otsutsuki Isshiki really had learned quite a lot.
But… a shepherd?
Ryosuke chuckled softly, shook his head, didn't explain further, and stepped forward into the vast forest.
The Land of Water was the first country Ryosuke had taken part in managing, and it had gone through the chaotic April, during that time, major nations' financial groups had done everything they could to "support" unrest within the Land of Water. Large and small opposition forces all surfaced, and the newly formed Extermination Army fought almost nonstop.
Because of this, the various financial groups, clans, and deeply entrenched power organizations within the Land of Water were cleaned out most thoroughly.
The only remaining problem was… poverty.
First, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, had squandered funds extravagantly to obtain a group of diehard loyalists and had long provided financial support to the Akatsuki.
Later, when financial groups and clans withdrew from the Land of Water, they took or hid away enormous amounts of wealth.
Although things had gradually improved in recent years, overall, many remote villages and towns were still living very tight lives.
Ryosuke recorded what he saw and heard, until he arrived at a village.
Snowfall Village.
Mayuri and Haku's hometown.
A small village where snow fell year-round.
Because there were no longer officials exploiting or collecting taxes, the village population had grown.
As dawn just began to break, you could already see many people stepping out of their homes and starting their day's labor.
When Ryosuke saw Sword Grandpa, he was washing his face with icy water. He looked up and met Ryosuke's gaze head-on.
Sword Grandpa froze for half a second, then vigorously rubbed his face before confirming it wasn't a groggy hallucination.
"A rare guest. What brings you here?"
Sword Grandpa warmly invited Ryosuke inside.
Since the establishment of the research institute, there had been a dedicated weapons department maintaining the Ruin Greatsword, so there was no need to trouble Sword Grandpa every time.
Of course, when Ryosuke had free time, he would still come over to play chess and chat with Sword Grandpa, but…
To be honest, Ryosuke rarely had any free time at all.
The last time he saw Sword Grandpa was half a year ago. In just those six months, Sword Grandpa had aged a great deal. His once tall, sturdy frame had lost muscle, and even his back was slightly hunched.
Only his eyes remained as bright as a blazing furnace.
Sword Grandpa saw what Ryosuke was thinking and said with a smile, "That's how people are. You don't grow old slowly, you suddenly grow old in a certain year, on a certain day, all at once."
"Caught off guard, yet somehow inevitable."
Ryosuke frowned slightly. "You should have told me. At the very least… you should have contacted the institute."
Luckily, Ryosuke had come this time. Sword Grandpa's life fluctuations were flickering like a candle flame. No one knew when it would go out.
Ryosuke didn't want to watch Sword Grandpa die helplessly when there was clearly a way to save him.
Ryosuke spread his palm, revealing a ripple crystal emitting a golden glow.
With his control over the body and ripple energy, this single crystal was enough to extend Sword Grandpa's life by ten years.
Sword Grandpa refused.
"I'm willing to accept the process of aging."
Sword Grandpa smiled. "A so-called bladesmith needs a famous blade that will be remembered through history. From the day I met you, I had already achieved that."
"After that, I've just been enjoying life."
"Childhood, youth, adulthood, old age, up to death. I've already experienced the earlier stages. If you make me experience them again… what meaning would that have?"
"I've forged blades my entire life, and the blades have forged me as well. I'm very much looking forward to the final quenching, sizzle, life frozen in place."
"Just thinking about it is interesting, don't you think?"
Listening to Sword Grandpa's words, Ryosuke pondered for a long time. Then he waved his hand, dispersing the ripple crystal, and smiled as well.
"Yeah, just thinking about it is interesting… then is there anything I can help with?"
Sword Grandpa thought for a moment.
"Lend me a hand and help move the newly bought coal to the backyard."
Ryosuke had already seen it when he arrived, three or four tons of coal were just piled outside, not yet sorted.
"Alright."
After that, under the incomprehending gaze of Otsutsuki Isshiki, Ryosuke rolled up his sleeves and, together with Sword Grandpa, used a small cart to move load after load of coal inside.
Ryosuke didn't stay for lunch. He had only been passing by and came to take a look.
He still had to keep moving.
Sword Grandpa didn't insist on keeping him. He took down two strips of freshly made cured meat and tossed them to Ryosuke.
"Eat it on the road. It goes well with meals."
Ryosuke smiled and took them.
"See you."
"See you."
After leaving Snowfall Village, Isshiki let out a soft sigh. "Humans with self-awareness like him are already very rare."
Seeing Ryosuke say nothing, Isshiki frowned. "Aren't you supposed to ask me 'why'?"
Ryosuke's expression turned a little strange.
Did Isshiki think they were elementary school kids out on a spring picnic?
Chatting nonstop along the way, should they also share snacks?
After a moment of silence, Ryosuke decided he did want to hear the alien's perspective.
"Why?"
Isshiki said, "As a mere mortal, after experiencing a brief moment of dazzling brilliance, dying like a shooting star is the best ending and the greatest respect for life."
"There are far too many useless humans in this world, drifting meaninglessly like space junk, occupying vast amounts of resources."
Ryosuke chuckled.
"Shooting stars, space junk… then what are you?"
"Me?"
Otsutsuki Isshiki's gaze was arrogant.
"Naturally, I am the blazing sun in the sky, an eternal god that spans all ages."
Ryosuke smiled, "You're a piece of shit."
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