The Sage of Six Paths was sincere.
He even arranged for Hashirama Senju to return to the human world to apologize.
In the Sage's view, Shihara Emiya's status and character were worthy of his serious attention.
Shihara Emiya's actions had encouraged him to intervene to save Hashirama Senju's life—something he was forced to refuse for the sake of the safety of the ninja world. Hence, the Sage's apology.
> "The Sage of Six Paths told me…"
"This world truly faces a crisis far more terrifying than Madara."
Hashirama believed the Sage's words, unconcerned that he hadn't been saved. "It's just that the Sage couldn't descend into the world, so to apologize to Lord Emiya, he allowed me to remain in the mortal realm for a moment…"
> "So…"
"The Sage of Six Paths truly exists…"
"We're truly insignificant to him…"
Tobirama looked at his vibrant brother, then at Emiya Shihara, who was holding little Tsunade. His expression darkened again. "If it weren't for Lord Emiya, perhaps even knowing he existed wouldn't be a luxury…"
This thought made Tobirama feel particularly uneasy.
Although he already believed Emiya Shihara wouldn't lie about this, his brother's resurrection—and bringing back news of the Sage of Six Paths—still shook Tobirama deeply. Gods truly did exist in this world…
but…
they couldn't descend into the world.
Even they weren't omnipotent.
What troubled Senju Tobirama even more was that there was a greater danger in the ninja world than Uchiha Madara.
> "What is more troublesome than Madara?" Tobirama couldn't help but ask.
> "It's an unspeakable secret."
Senju Hashirama shook his head solemnly. "As the Sage said, we will only know when the crisis truly strikes…"
> "So, big brother will still die…"
Senju Tobirama remembered the reason for his brother's resurrection and said solemnly, "Is it only in lieu of an apology to Lord Emiya that the Sage is willing to give big brother a little more time?"
"Indeed," Senju Hashirama nodded slowly.
Even the Sage respected Emiya Shihara.
People always assumed that the legendary deity was aloof, but they never imagined that the Sage was approachable—friendly even—and respected a great man like them, his juniors.
"Tobirama, don't let this secret out."
Hashirama glanced at his brother, then at Shihara Emiya. "The Sage also hopes that Lord Emiya will keep the secret about him and the underworld…"
"I've made a note of that," Shihara said, his brow furrowed. "I've learned to conceal things in this age. Don't worry…"
"That really puts us to shame, hahahaha…"
Hashirama laughed sheepishly.
This kind of thing was truly embarrassing.
The Sage had also told him a few stories about Shihara Emiya, including their dispute over chakra and how Shihara Emiya ultimately chose to trust Ashura, the heir of the Ninja Clan, which ultimately led to a disastrous outcome for the Ninja World.
Speaking of this, Hashirama remembered how the Sage seemed to linger on him for a considerable amount of time when he mentioned these things, but he couldn't understand why.
That Ashura had indeed wronged Shihara Emiya…
and perhaps he should feel a little sorry for Shihara Emiya too?
After all, his younger brother, Tobirama Senju, had disturbed the peace of Emiya Shihara's soul, and as the elder brother, he should bear the responsibility for this mistake.
"Tobirama," Hashirama Senju extended his hand and placed it on Tobirama's shoulder, earnestly admonishing him, "You must return Emiya-sama's soul to the underworld. You are not allowed to disturb his peace again with such evil forbidden techniques…"
"Yes, big brother…"
Tobirama Senju nodded grimly.
Although he hadn't truly unearthed the treasure within Emiya Shihara, Konoha had benefited greatly from his medical skills.
After all, the Impure World Reincarnation of Emiya Shihara was simply for him to treat his elder brother.
"It's okay."
Emiya Shihara didn't care. His palm gently supported little Tsunade's head, making the little one's sleeping position more comfortable. "If I wanted to return to the underworld, I could have lifted this spell myself long ago. It's just that…"
Emiya Shihara's eyes turned to the round-cheeked little Tsunade in front of him. "I've now found a hope for the inheritance of medical ninjas in the ninja world…"
"Tsunade…"
A smile played at the corner of Senju Hashirama's mouth, and he couldn't help but laugh too. "It seems that Tsunade's luck is really enviable…"
"Okay. I'm leaving."
Senju Hashirama patted his brother's shoulder for the last time, and with a smile, he mentioned a good thing. "Speaking of which, there's no need to worry about what happens after I die. The Sage will guide my soul to the Pure Land, so that I won't be trapped between life and death because of my obsession with Madara…"
Senju Tobirama's mood immediately improved.
If his brother could find peace after his death, it would be good news for him, and it would greatly alleviate his guilt.
All along, Senju Tobirama had been using the responsibility of protecting Konoha to force his brother to make painful choices and even forced him to survive no matter what.
Later… no longer needed.
When Senju Tobirama was about to say a few more words, he felt the hand on his shoulder suddenly loosen, and his elder brother's body fell again…
Senju Tobirama reached out and supported his brother's body. At this moment… this body would never wake up again.
Their plan had clearly succeeded, and they had even successfully allowed their elder brother to see the Sage of Six Paths, but in the end, it didn't change anything…
"I'll take Tsunade away first."
Emiya Shihara's mood was also unsettled.
It seemed that his actions had successfully deceived the Sage and he had even successfully judged the Sage's condition.
That god-like being had not interfered with his thoughts of remaining in the real world…
nor did it have the power to truly interfere with the real world easily.
Perhaps, as he had guessed in his previous life, the Sage's remaining chakra was not strong enough. That gave him peace of mind.
This test had barely achieved its goal.
If the Sage didn't intend to intervene through Hashirama Senju this time, he would have to rely on the next incarnation of Ashura's and Indra's chakras…
Those two incarnations were the very targets of his millennia-long plot: Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.
Next, he would have to use this incident to influence Black Zetsu.
He could exploit the Sage's existence to lure and force Black Zetsu into giving up on becoming a sacrifice for Kaguya's resurrection.
Emiya Shihara pondered this as he carried little Tsunade away. For such a young child, experiencing the separation of life and death would be too cruel. It would be better to wait until Hashirama Senju's affairs were settled.
However, a new commission appeared on his task list:
> [S-Rank Commission: Obtain Hashirama's Cells.]
Emiya Shihara accepted it nonchalantly.
> [Uncompleted Commission (3/3)]
He looked at the little one in his arms and had no intention of desecrating Hashirama Senju's remains, as the ninja world already had another way to obtain Hashirama's cells.
Uchiha Madara also possessed Hashirama's cells.
For Emiya Shihara, obtaining them would be simple; Uchiha Madara himself was even cultivating them.
Of course, there were other possibilities for completing the mission.
For example, Konoha might not be willing to give up the power of Hashirama's cells.
At least Emiya Shihara knew that Senju Tobirama had already collected Hashirama's cells and sealed them away in a laboratory.
"Emiya-sama."
As soon as Uzumaki Mito saw Emiya Shihara leave the house with little Tsunade, she realized what had happened. Even the movements inside hadn't escaped her.
The red-haired woman possessed an extremely strong will. She didn't rush into the room to collect her husband's body. Instead, she bowed earnestly to Emiya Shihara.
"I apologize. I accept your condolences."
Emiya Shihara bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Emiya-sama, for your concern for my husband."
Uzumaki Mito slowly raised her head, her brow furrowed in a serious frown, trying not to let the grief that filled her heart overwhelm her and lead to unceremonious tears.
A rare look of apology crossed Emiya Shihara's face. "My plan still failed…"
"No. I can sense the changes in Hashirama."
Uzumaki Mito shook her head sincerely, truly grateful to Emiya Shihara. "This isn't Emiya-sama's fault. Kurama has already told me everything. It guessed Emiya-sama's plan…"
Yes.
Uzumaki Mito's perception was very strong.
This strong-willed woman sensed a strange and terrifying ray of chakra emerging from Hashirama Senju's body.
Although the Nine-Tails had once disliked Hashirama Senju, it had a good relationship with Uzumaki Mito, so it naturally told her the source of that ray of chakra.
That ray of chakra came from the legendary deity—the Sage of the Six Paths.
Even the gods couldn't save her husband.
"Tsunade…"
Uzumaki Mito looked at the little Tsunade sleeping soundly in Emiya Shihara's arms, reached out to stroke the little creature's hair, and whispered, "Please, Emiya-sama, take care of her for a few days."
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