Chapter 313: Ōtsutsuki Hamura
"You're wrong. The world my brother created wasn't a mistake—love has always existed within chakra."
As the four confronted one another, a distant, ethereal voice suddenly echoed.
Along with it, nine Truth-Seeking Orbs floated up from the ground.
An elderly man, dressed in a white robe, appeared, seated atop the orbs.
"Y-you're… our ancestor?!" The elder's trembling voice faltered as the Heaven's Marsh Spear in his hand began to crack.
Itachi and Shisui, sensing the sheer presence of the newcomer, ceased their attacks.
The nine Truth-Seeking Orbs, symbols of Six Paths-level power, confirmed the identity of the man before them.
The elder referred to him as their "ancestor," and indeed, this was none other than Ōtsutsuki Hamura—the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo.
After helping his brother seal their mother, Hamura had chosen a different path. Unlike Hagoromo, who wandered the lands to guide humanity, Hamura took to the moon, both to atone for his guilt and to guard against the possibility of his mother's return.
These were Haneda's educated guesses, but the true reasons likely lay hidden within Hamura's heart.
Hamura gave the elder a faint nod before shifting his gaze to Haneda:
"You carry the power of both Indra and my nephew Ashura within you. The force of Shinra Bansho resides in your being."
"But you are neither of them."
Haneda, recognizing Hamura as a potential "cheat-code elder" like his brother Hagoromo, maintained an expression of utmost respect.
Still, he found it mildly amusing how Hamura seemed to harbor a distinct dislike for Indra while clearly favoring Ashura, the true successor of the Sage's teachings.
Haneda thought back to Indra's infamous final visit to his dying father. Despite his harsh words, it was clear Indra's grievances were rooted in the blatant favoritism.
"Most people wouldn't even bother showing up," Haneda mused, before speaking aloud:
"The Sage of Six Paths left the Uchiha a stone tablet. It contains guidance on the Sharingan's evolution."
"By transplanting the Mangekyō Sharingan of a close relative, it evolves into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, eliminating the risk of blindness."
"Beyond that lies the union of Ashura's power with Indra's—the force of Shinra Bansho, which leads to the awakening of the Rinnegan."
Haneda continued, "The previous Ashura reincarnate, Senju Hashirama, manifested Mokuton, and his cells retained traces of this force. By grafting those cells, the missing elements of Shinra Bansho are completed."
"The last Indra reincarnate has already awakened the Rinnegan and is preparing to unleash the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
Hamura's expression darkened slightly at the mention of the Infinite Tsukuyomi. He was well aware of what that technique truly entailed—the revival of his mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
Yet the idea of Indra's reincarnate pursuing such a path felt inconceivable. Indra's pride would never have allowed him to carry out such a scheme under the manipulation of another.
Seizing the moment, Haneda pressed on:
"There has always been a shadow pulling strings, orchestrating Kaguya's resurrection."
"As a leader, I've tried to stand against it. But my power has been insufficient."
"I've had no choice but to steadily grow stronger—step by step—so I can fulfill the will of the ancestors!"
"To unite the world with love, and to create a peaceful, prosperous new era for the shinobi!"
Hamura's perception of Haneda shifted. Indra's descendant, seeking to fulfill Hagoromo's ideals? This was unprecedented.
"You're quite remarkable," Hamura said, his tone softening. "Not like Indra..."
"Your ancestor, Indra, strayed from my brother's vision of uniting the world through love. Yet, as a child, his heart overflowed with kindness."
"He created hand signs to simplify ninjutsu, helping many within the Ninshū. But as time passed, his obsession with power led him astray."
"Consumed by arrogance and unwilling to accept help, he drove others away. In the end, it was his downfall—defeated by Ashura."
Hamura's words carried a cautionary tone, filled with regret and wisdom, as though addressing a pupil.
Though Haneda didn't fully believe in the ideal of resolving all conflicts with love, he feigned an earnest demeanor, nodding at intervals and offering agreement when appropriate.
As Hamura finished, the elder interjected with indignation:
"Ancestor! Don't be fooled by his façade! He's a deceitful, dishonorable shinobi!"
"He's slaughtered countless of your descendants and even kidnapped our clan's last hope!"
Hamura remained composed, though a shadow crossed his features.
Sensing movement from deep within the moon, Hamura turned his focus to the Giant Tenseigan, which pulsed faintly with golden light.
Kaguya's seal was weakening.
Without hesitation, Hamura channeled the Tenseigan's power and performed a sealing technique specifically prepared for this moment.
Golden light flooded the moon, illuminating its entire surface.
As the light reached the fissures caused by the elder's Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion, the cracks began to mend.
In the depths of the moon, an anguished, resentful voice echoed faintly.
Hamura's expression grew somber.
"The cycle of vengeance must end," he said.
Turning back to the elder, he added, "After the branch family offered their Byakugan to the Tenseigan and won the war, the entire main family perished. Their Byakugan were absorbed into the Tenseigan, leaving the branch family with their curse."
"Now, every time someone uses the Tenseigan's power, they must offer their Byakugan to it, preventing the continuation of their bloodline."
"This curse could have been avoided. But your clan clung too tightly to the Tenseigan's power."
"The result? The gradual extinction of the branch family, leading to the brink of annihilation."
The elder protested, "Ancestor! Everything we did was for your will!"
Hamura sighed deeply. "I've been watching."
The elder fell silent, though frustration lingered in his eyes.
Why hadn't Hamura intervened sooner?
Seemingly sensing the elder's thoughts, Hamura explained, "My brother and I made a pact: after death, the dead should remain as such. We vowed not to interfere with the world unless absolutely necessary."
Hamura then turned to Haneda.
"You came here for the Tenseigan, didn't you? Do you intend to take it to Earth and bring more strife to the shinobi world?"
Haneda realized it was time to deploy his most persuasive rhetoric.
He had hoped Hamura, like Hagoromo, would refrain from interfering. But the elder's reckless attack had brought him here.
Haneda replied, "Power itself isn't inherently good or evil. It's the wielder's intent that defines it."
"Good people use power to help others, like Ashura and the Sage of Six Paths."
"But evil people wage wars and oppress others for personal gain."
"When that happens, good people must wield their power to cut down the wicked. Just as Ashura and the Sage once did."
"I'm willing to lead Indra's descendants back to the light, to inherit the Sage's will!"
"And I vow to reconcile the reincarnations of Indra and Ashura, fulfilling the Sage's dream!"