Starting as a Ninja in the Naruto World

In the previous moment...

Within the boundary between life and death.

This place exists as the rift between the Pure Land and the living world.

When Hashirama Senju's soul left his body, his death caught the attention of the Sage of Six Paths. The Sage noticed the unique chakra radiating from Hashirama.

"It's happening again…"

The remnants of the Sage's chakra gazed at the chakra within Hashirama, as though seeing a promise once made by his second son in a bygone era. "Asura's chakra… once again returning to the Pure Land, to await the next cycle of reincarnation alongside his elder brother?"

This cycle of reincarnation had been witnessed countless times over the past millennia by the Sage of Six Paths. It was a tale he had grown accustomed to, though he still held faint hope that the chakras of his two sons might someday reconcile.

But this time, something was different.

Hashirama Senju's soul, carrying the seed of Asura's chakra, did not return to the Pure Land. Instead, it remained in the boundary between life and death, bound by an unresolved obsession.

This…

This was an anomaly in the cycle of Asura's chakra reincarnation.

The Sage immediately recognized the gravity of the situation. Such a thing had never happened before. Asura's chakra had always reincarnated continuously, seeking to resolve the conflict brought by Indra's chakra reincarnation. Why would it now stop, choosing to linger in the boundary?

"Could it be…"

The Sage of Six Paths frowned deeply, pondering the only explanation that came to mind. "Is it because the current vessel of Indra's chakra has not yet died?"

Even so…

That wouldn't solve the problem.

A soul trapped in the boundary of life and death, consumed by obsession, would not easily find peace. To be freed, it would require another soul willing to respond to its obsession.

Even if the vessel of Indra's chakra died...

There was no guarantee that soul would answer the call of Asura's.

If anything, Indra's prideful chakra might simply return to the Pure Land without a second thought, leaving Asura's trapped in isolation, awaiting the next cycle.

"While this isn't a true crisis for the ninja world…"

The Sage of Six Paths let out a soft sigh. His chakra residue descended toward the area. "Thankfully, this isn't the living world, but rather the boundary. My remaining chakra can manifest here without a medium…"

Within the boundary of life and death.

Hashirama Senju's soul sat motionless beside a flickering fire.

As his spirit wandered the endless darkness, unease gripped him. He could see nothing but an unending void, and a creeping sense of loneliness began to rise in his heart.

This isolating darkness…

Would be unbearable for most.

Fortunately, Hashirama was no ordinary person. His will remained steadfast, and his mind fixated on the thought that consumed him: When will I see Madara?

No, that wasn't it…

I'm here to seek an audience with the Sage of Six Paths.

Yet Hashirama's obsession with seeing Madara clouded his spirit, pushing thoughts of the Sage out of his mind. All he wanted was to meet Madara here.

The thought was somewhat disrespectful.

To die and immediately wish to see Madara felt improper, even selfish.

But this desire refused to be suppressed.

Hashirama realized that, within this desolate realm, all he truly wanted was to see Madara again, to talk with him, friend to friend, as they once had.

Here, time did not exist.

He might meet Madara in the next moment.

Or perhaps it would take a thousand years.

As this conflicting hope churned in his heart, an old monk emerged from the darkness. He appeared like a wandering traveler, pausing to rest. The monk's face was lined with age and kindness as he approached Hashirama.

"Newcomer."

"May I rest here for a while?"

"Of course."

Hashirama's soul, ever kind, shifted slightly to make room by the fire, gesturing for the monk to sit.

But as the monk took his place, Hashirama suddenly felt something amiss.

This...

This wasn't right.

Didn't Emiya Shigen say that loneliness was absolute here?

How could there be a traveling monk in this place?

"Would you mind chatting with an old monk like me?"

The elder carried a staff and spoke slowly, his tone calm and unhurried. "Why have you lingered here?"

"Who are you, exactly?"

Hashirama's soul showed a trace of wariness. Remembering Shigen's warnings, he cautiously asked, "In this place, shouldn't a soul encounter only its own obsessions?"

"Newcomer."

"Then tell me this…"

"Who exactly told you about this place?"

The old monk's strange eyes lifted slightly, revealing a pair of spiral-patterned pupils that resembled ancient tree rings. Those eyes drew Hashirama into their depths, sending a chill down his spine.

"This is the boundary between the Pure Land and the living world. Even the dead should not have knowledge of it…"

"Those eyes…"

Hashirama's soul trembled, recognition dawning.

"Rinnegan…"

The Rinnegan!

The legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, said to rival the Sharingan of the Uchiha and the Byakugan of the Hyuga as one of the three great dojutsu.

"Are you… the Sage of Six Paths?"

For a moment, Hashirama regretted not asking Shigen for a clearer description of the Sage. Now he couldn't be certain.

But…

It had to be him.

Only a god could traverse this boundary between life and death.

Their plan had succeeded!

"I did not expect…"

The Sage of Six Paths closed his eyes briefly, murmuring softly. "That there are still people in the world who remember an old monk like me."

"So, you really are the Sage of Six Paths?"

Hashirama's soul brightened with relief, though his obsession quickly surfaced once more. "Forgive me, I linger here because I wish to see my old friend, Madara…"

"Hmm?"

The Sage raised a finger, as though to silence him. "Your friend is still alive."

"Ah, apologies, that's not what I meant…"

Hashirama quickly tried to suppress his obsession, but it refused to fade. Left with no choice, he began recounting the story of his and Madara's relationship.

"I met Madara many years ago…"

Hashirama spoke of their first meeting, how their families forced them apart, and how they became leaders of opposing clans.

"Even when we were enemies, I always hoped we could reconcile."

"Eventually, we built Konoha together…"

His soul lit with fond memories before sinking into regret. "But we argued and fell apart. Madara left, vowing to destroy the village we had built together."

"And so…"

"We went to war once more."

His voice wavered, heavy with pain. "To protect Konoha, I spent my final years chasing Madara. Yet even at death's door, I could not resolve the threat he posed to the village."

"This is not your fault."

The Sage shook his head gently.

He understood well the conflict between Asura and Indra. Those carrying Indra's chakra often fell into extremism.

To be honest…

This incarnation of Asura's chakra had done remarkably well.

Hashirama had brought peace to an era of chaos, earning the Sage's respect. The only regret was his inability to reconcile with Indra's successor.

"So…"

"Your old friend has become your obsession?"

The Sage let out a sigh, his gaze softening.

"Yes."

"I wish to return to the living world."

Hashirama's eyes grew firm, his tone sincere as he pleaded, "My life is nearly over. Lord Shigen told me that only you, Sage of Six Paths, could grant me this chance. That is why I've sought you here."

"Shigen…"

The Sage murmured the name, his ancient mind stirring. From the depths of his memory, he sought any recollection of that name.

"Shigen… Emiya Shigen?"

"Yes!"

Hashirama's face lit up with hope.

"Lord Shigen…"

The Sage's expression turned thoughtful, then shifted to one of surprise.

"...But I remember Lord Shigen dying long ago."

"Uh…"

Awkwardly, Hashirama explained his brother's use of the Reanimation Jutsu to revive Shigen.

"…"

The Sage's eye twitched.

These descendants of Asura are so audacious…

How dare they disturb Shigen's eternal rest?

"Your actions…"

"Are reckless beyond measure."

The Sage's tone softened into a bitter laugh, followed by a sigh. "How could you disturb his peace? He was a saint of the ancient world, revered even in the Pure Land—a man whose brilliance surpassed even mine."

"…"

Hashirama scratched his head, embarrassed.

"Thankfully…"

"Lord Shigen is kind and magnanimous, and bears no grudge for such offenses."

The Sage sighed again, his expression tinged with guilt.

"I owe him an apology."

"For I lack the strength to save this world as he once did…"

"All that remains of me…"

"Is this residual chakra…"

"And this chakra must be preserved for the true crisis—the one capable of destroying the entire ninja world."

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Powerstones?

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