Chapter 336: The Origins of the "New Ninshu"
As Toneri followed the five figures out of the dimensional space, he couldn't calm the turmoil in his heart.
From the conversation between Tōrira and the others, he knew this mysterious faction was the legendary Ninshu. However, their methods didn't align with historical records. And hadn't the Ninshu supposedly disbanded long ago?
After hesitating for a long time, Toneri finally voiced his question.
Hearing him, the five exchanged smiles. The gentle-looking woman then explained the origins of the New Ninshu.
Years ago, the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, passed the leadership of Ninshu to his second son, Asura. However, his eldest son, Indra, who believed that "power is the only way to resolve conflict," could not accept his father's decision.
During his travels, Indra had a son. After imparting all his strength and ideals to his child, Indra resolutely challenged his brother, Asura. The winner would lead Ninshu; the loser would die.
The brothers fought a cataclysmic battle. In the end, Indra was defeated by Asura, who had grown immensely in power, falling to the earth-shattering technique: "Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands."
After Indra's death, his son followed his father's ideals. He secretly contacted those who had been loyal to Indra and quietly established the "New Ninshu."
However, given the circumstances at the time, no one would tolerate their existence. The New Ninshu had to operate in the shadows, using their own philosophy to maintain peace in the ninja world.
Many years passed. Asura died, and the Ninshu he led eventually fragmented. Seeing this, the New Ninshu, led by Indra's descendants, gradually emerged from the shadows.
The ninja world back then was even more chaotic than the Warring States Period. To quell the conflicts, the New Ninshu recruited members while using force to end wars.
The Ninshu Decree became a symbol of terror. Any faction that received it had two choices: obey the will of the Ninshu, or face annihilation.
However, absolute power corrupts absolutely. This adage held true even for the New Ninshu.
Gradually, many within the organization grew dissatisfied with merely being enforcers, tirelessly suppressing conflicts everywhere. Possessing absolute power, they wanted to step onto the stage themselves and dominate the ninja world.
Many members shared this sentiment. Behind their leader's back, they secretly allied with various factions, planning to unify the entire ninja world under their rule.
The world, already plagued by constant warfare, fell into even greater chaos with the intervention of this powerful faction.
One day, their leader discovered their actions. After failing to persuade them to stop, he decided to purge the traitors who had betrayed the ideals of Ninshu.
A war erupted, using the entire ninja world as its battlefield—a conflict even larger in scale than the Great Ninja Wars. In the end, the traitors were wiped out, but the loyal members of Ninshu were decimated. Even Indra's descendant was gravely wounded.
The Ninshu lost its terrifying power. To preserve the spark of their order, the leader decided to go into seclusion, leaving only a few members to walk the world. They were tasked with monitoring the ninja world and searching for talent to replenish their ranks.
The "Mr. Mon" mentioned earlier, along with two others, had joined the Ninshu in this manner.
Unfortunately, fate is unpredictable. The members walking the world died one after another, and the secluded Ninshu, unaware of the situation outside, slept in their dimension for a hundred years.
It could be said that the only ones who knew of their existence and had the ability to find them were the Otsutsuki clan on the Moon, who constantly observed the ninja world.
If Kyosuke hadn't accidentally wiped out the Moon's branch family, perhaps even if Masaki Otsutsuki had been defeated by the branch family, he wouldn't have awakened the sleeping Ninshu.
They would have slept in that dimension forever until their lifespans ran out.
After listening to the woman's explanation, Toneri had a sudden realization. "Then... the descendant of Lord Indra... is the one just now..."
"That is correct," the woman nodded without hesitation. "Lord Tōrira is indeed the descendant of Lord Indra. We, too, follow Lord Indra's will and teachings, fighting to this day."
"Oh." Toneri nodded blankly, indicating he understood.
Seeing this, the woman turned to her four companions. "Now, let us discuss how to complete the mission."
Hearing her, the man radiating a violent aura suddenly spoke up. "I won't be participating in demanding the person. I plan to head east across the sea."
The others didn't question him. Knowing him well, they understood he wanted to check on his descendants. They understood completely.
In fact, besides this gloomy man, two others also had descendants remaining in the world, including the woman herself.
seeing the gloomy man preparing to head east, the woman hesitated before deciding to accompany him. Since they knew nothing of the current state of the ninja world, it was better to explore a bit before taking action.
Moreover, the leader had said the target was backed by the strongest faction in the ninja world. Relying solely on the Ninshu Decree, which hadn't appeared in years, might not be enough to make them hand the person over.
To be safe, it was better to send people to "negotiate" with the various factions while sending one person to attempt communication with the strongest faction.
Thus, the original group of five decided to split up.
The gloomy man and the woman headed toward the Land of Water, intending to find their descendants and pay a visit to the country's strongest faction.
A dark-skinned giant headed straight for the Land of Lightning without a word; a clan inheriting his secret techniques resided there.
As they departed one by one, only Toneri remained, along with a man with a reserved aura and an old man in a kimono who was gazing into the distance.
"I will handle the matters in the Land of Fire. I can check on those unfilial descendants while I'm at it," the old man in the kimono said before walking away.
"...What is this? Everyone just leaving like that?" Toneri looked helplessly at the last remaining man. Just as he was about to speak, the man started walking silently toward the Land of Earth.
"Mr. Mon won't die so easily. He is likely in the Land of Wind, as his puppet techniques are preserved there," the reserved man explained briefly before disappearing instantly.
"So... so fast... Wait, that's not the point right now." Toneri looked around blankly, finding the situation strangely familiar.
"I hope this time... I can succeed in my revenge..."