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Two days have passed since I performed the Dojutsu surgery and I have gotten accustomed to the eyes, though I decided to wear a blindfold like a certain someone for different reasons.
I wear mine to prevent others from noticing the changes in my eyes. I wouldn't want unnecessary interests focused on me during this time.
Though the blindfold is eye-catching, it can be explained as my trying to train myself to feel the surrounding area without the need for eyes.
I walked towards Hagoromo's hall to find out what he had prepared for me.
I stopped thinking about what I would receive as I can't fathom what will be going on in his head.
Entering the room, I notice both Indra and Ashura, prostrated in a half-kneeling position. They are likely going to be receiving their tasks today as well.
I stood in a corner and watched all these go on till Hagoromo pulled out two scrolls from his sleeve and handed them to Indra and Ashura.
I guess I was right.
They will both be leaving after now to go and complete their tasks
I know that Ashura would likely think of staying out for a long period before coming back so that the leadership position would fall on Indra as he doesn't want conflicts to arise between him and Indra.
After they received the scrolls, they were briefed shortly before they were asked to leave.
When they stood up and prepared to leave the hall, they both noticed me. They both looked shocked as I was blindfolded and they didn't know if I could see them.
I had to take the initiative to nod at them in greeting while smiling at them.
That reassured them somewhat as it seems I wasn't injured. I guess I would have to explain it to them as soon as I am done here.
After they left, I came from where I was standing and stood at the spot Indra and Ashura had been a while ago.
"So you're prepared to leave?" Hagoromo asked before I could even say my greetings
"Yes. I came to bid farewell. I didn't expect to see Indra and Ashura here, I will be sure to say my farewells to them properly."
"Hmmm. I did say I would give you a gift before you leave. Here take this" saying this he pulled out a box from under the desk and kept it on it.
Approaching the desk, I sat down in front of him and casually opened the box. What was inside was a slender, gently curved longsword around 1 meter long. Its black hilt was covered in white handle wrapping. The guard was beautifully adorned with various patterns.
I continued staring at the blade in awe. Its scabbard was of what seemed to be lacquered wood, also in black color.
I didn't realize that I had been starting for a long time.
What made me a little bit stunned was the design of the sword hilt, the guard, and the scabbard. I didn't know Fantine had a sense of fashion during this era.
I was pulled out of my thoughts by his next words
"I noticed that you were always practicing with a wooden sword whenever you were practicing your breathing exercises, so I commissioned a sword from a friend of mine. How is it? Is it to your liking? Why don't you find and feel it up"
After getting the go-ahead, I unsheathed the sword and felt it up. It felt light, and its overall length was 101 cm / 40 Inches, blade length of 70 cm / 27 inches, blade width of 3.2 cm / 1.25 Inches, and a blade thickness of 0.7 cm / 0.28 Inches.
It felt right in my hands and I could feel that it was highly conducive to chakra without waste.
"This is a perfect sword, old man. With this, I don't need to worry about going to find a way to get a good weapon. It was actually on my list of things to do. But this sword is perfect. Thanks, old man"
"Haha don't mind it Young Shun, I did make you a promise after all. I couldn't give you something worthless now could I? Anyways, it's good you like it. I added a little bit during the refining process so I know it is perfect. It can also allow natural energy so you don't have to worry about breaking it"
Somehow this sword became too overpowered. I wonder why he made this if he knew it could do all these things. Doesn't he want peace and all? Why go this far for a weapon of mass destruction? I was curious but I didn't ask.
I sheathed the sword and dropped it in the box and bowed deeply to Hagoromo. "Thank you, old man." I was sincerely grateful for what he did, whatever his reasons were.
He waved his hands dismissively and said "Don't mind it. It is the least I could do, but I've been meaning to ask, why are you suddenly blindfolded? Is there an issue with your eyes?"
"No, I just tried out a seal on my eyes and am now healing back up. I can't open my eyes carelessly so I decided to use a blindfold to prevent me from opening my eyes carelessly"
I answered honestly. I didn't have a reason to lie. He has the Rinnengan and can also see energy don't doubt he can't see my ninjutsu chakra being poured into my eyes.
"Hmm. I see. I hope it's not too dangerous, but if you say so, then it must be okay, just be careful" He advised.
I knew the man was chill. Me telling him about my eyes won't be dangerous as I know he couldn't care less.
I nodded at his words before he continued "I gave Indra and Ashura a task each to complete as their inheritance quest, just as you said before, from this, I would know how they both will handle it and proceed from there"
I know he was asking for my opinion on the issue so I said.
"If it continues like this, Indra would complete his task first, that's for sure while Ashura would either take his time and perform his task patiently or not come back at all, directly relinquishing his right to the inheritance"
"Why do you think so?" he asked
"I don't know the task they will be performing, but I'm sure whatever it is, Indra would like to complete the task as fast and efficiently as possible, while Ashura would most likely take his time"
"Hmm. you're probably right about that but it's the process I want to see. There is a unique character I seek to find in my successor and this task will be the determinant factor. By the way, I sent them to villages plagued by the aftermath of the God tree. Do you know what that is?"
"No, not really but I've heard different stories about it from the adults" I answered.
I could have said I know everything about it from the older villagers but I wanted to hear the full detail from one of the horse's mouths
without filters. That doesn't mean I would also take his version as the truth. There is no absolute truth in this world.
"Sigh. The God tree is the incarnation of the chakra. It was a beast that sought chaos and left destruction in its wake. Wherever it passed, landscapes changed, and mountains and rivers were destroyed. It took the efforts of my brother and me to defeat this beast, and even then the beast couldn't be defeated. We had to seal it till this day. That's why it is necessary to take care of the damages it caused that I couldn't resolve. The branches of the God tree can make a desert flourish but there will be repercussions. That is the reason I went around dealing with it. Now, there are still traces of it around the world. I intend for Indra and Ashura to deal with this in their own way. The result will speak for itself."
He said. At first, I could notice the sadness in him when he mentioned the God tree but that was it. I guess he felt that what they did was the right thing. I already know the story. He's telling it to me in this manner, either because he doesn't want me to know more than I am supposed to or he is ashamed to say it for what it truly is.
Meh. Who am I to judge? Maybe I will meet Hamura later on and he will tell me another version and then I meet Kaguya and she tells me her own version.
I guess it all depends on what you think is right.
Shaking off these thoughts, I answered "I see, I would have loved to see this God tree remnant once. To think such a creature existed. It must have been a terrifying existence"
I was truly shocked. Remembering the enormous amount of chakra I once felt from him and the image of the 1000-meter tall beast possessing such an amount of energy truly scared me for a bit but reminding myself that I am strong now and still getting stronger made me relax.
I still need to see a God tree remnant. Maybe try sealing it into a True Clone and see how it will develop from there.
"Yes. It truly was a terrifying existence"
Hagoromo said, looking melancholic.
Seeing my cue to leave I stood up and picked up the wooden box, after a bow, I said. "I will take my leave now. I still need to say my farewells to Indra and Ashura before they leave"
He nodded. I turned around and left the hall. What was left now was to say my farewells to Indra and Ashura and then my journey would finally begin.
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