Chapter 284

The Pure Land is an incomplete cycle of reincarnation, where the souls of the dead can only enter but cannot leave.

Although it's incomplete, it isn't without its advantages. For example, the Pure Land can be used as a strategic reserve—a place to store backup troops.

Kyomu could figure this out, and he didn't believe that Hagoromo, who had been hiding in the Pure Land for nearly a thousand years, couldn't.

Kyomu remembered how in the original story, during the battle between Naruto, Sasuke, and Kaguya, the souls in the Pure Land contributed significantly.

Not only that, but when powerful ninjas die, their chakra dissipates and merges with the world of the ninja. However, when their souls enter the Pure Land, they carry a considerable amount of their chakra with them.

This wasn't just speculation; it was something Kyomu had experienced firsthand.

When he first entered the Pure Land, Kyomu encountered the souls of the Konoha F4 and could clearly sense the chakra emanating from them.

Although the chakra in their souls wasn't as abundant as in life, the fact that there was chakra at all was undeniable.

Additionally, the chakra levels in the Pure Land were not lower than those in the ninja world. In fact, due to environmental factors, the chakra concentration in the Pure Land was even higher.

Perhaps when the Pure Land first came into existence, its chakra levels weren't that high. But after a millennium of accumulation, and with it being a one-way street, it naturally surpassed the ninja world.

"Hagoromo, now I understand why you've been clinging to the Pure Land all these years," Kyomu said casually. "If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't want to leave either."

He gestured around him. "I didn't know until I came here, and it was quite a surprise. The total amount of chakra in the Pure Land might even exceed that of the ninja world."

With a smirk, Kyomu glanced at Hagoromo. "Tell me, what are you planning to do with this treasure trove that is the Pure Land? Are you using its unique environment and incomplete rules to achieve some secret goal?"

"Kyomu!" Hagoromo's brother, Hamura, snapped before Hagoromo could respond. "Don't project your narrow-minded thoughts onto my brother! Just because you've had some achievements doesn't mean you can—"

"Hamura, do you think I'm afraid of you?" Kyomu interrupted. "It's not about how I say or think; isn't it what you two are actually doing?"

"Kyomu, you...!"

"Enough!" Hagoromo shot a glare at his brother before turning back to Kyomu. "Kyomu, we were never meant to interfere with each other. You have absolute power over the living world now, so why bother with the affairs of the dead?"

"All under the heavens is the emperor's domain. Since the Pure Land is part of the ninja world, as the emperor of the living world, why shouldn't I govern it?" Kyomu's eyes glinted with dominance as he fixed his gaze on Hagoromo. "The matters of the Pure Land are mine to control. What can you do about it?"

Hagoromo clenched his fists, then slowly relaxed them. He stared at Kyomu for a couple of seconds before exhaling deeply.

"Kyomu, I know what you're really after. Let's be honest and have a proper discussion, just between the three of us."

Hagoromo knew why Kyomu was acting this way, but he had no choice but to go along with it given the circumstances.

"Brother!" Hamura protested, clearly upset. "If only you had listened to me back then…"

"There's no going back to those days," Hagoromo shook his head, his gaze never leaving Kyomu's face. "You must have had your eye on the Pure Land for some time. Today, you must be certain of your victory."

"There's no such thing as absolute certainty, but I'd say I'm about ninety percent sure." Kyomu spoke confidently. "Hagoromo, I came to the Pure Land today to find out three things.

First, why are the rules of the Pure Land incomplete?

Second, what exactly do you plan to do with the souls here?

Third, if Indra's and Asura's souls and chakra can reincarnate, why can't the other souls?"

"Follow me." Hagoromo began to lead the way. "It's time we sat down and had a proper talk about a few things."

Kyomu nodded and quickly followed, as Hagoromo led him to his residence within the Pure Land.

It wasn't really a residence but rather a space that Hagoromo had created for himself, filled with nothing but a vast expanse of white.

Well, aside from the abundant chakra.

"Have a seat," Hagoromo said, waving his hand. A square stool appeared behind Kyomu, accompanied by a square table with a pot of tea.

"Well, this does have a bit of a sage-like feel to it." Kyomu sat down, smiling as he touched the table. "Manipulating chakra to create something so realistic—why hide away here?"

"You should know why."

"Cowardice."

Ignoring Kyomu's taunt, Hagoromo picked up the teapot and poured a cup of 'hot tea' for him.

The tea, the cups, the teapot, the table, and the stool—all were made from chakra, indistinguishable from real objects but essentially composed of chakra.

Kyomu knew he couldn't achieve such a feat.

After all, Hagoromo had been honing this art for a thousand years. As the eldest son of Kaguya, and possessing part of the divine traits of the God Tree fruit, chakra was fundamentally linked to him. It was natural for him to achieve this level of mastery.

Otherwise, the title of 'sage' would be undeserved.

"Kyomu, I've explained this to you before: don't underestimate the Otsutsuki clan from beyond this world." Hagoromo set down the teapot. "You've met Jigen, the leader of Kara, and you've noticed the Karma Seal on him.

As for that last individual, I shouldn't need to tell you. He's the same Isshiki who came to this planet with my mother."

"Yes, I know that. But what I don't understand is why, as a fellow member of the Otsutsuki clan, and someone who isn't weak, you fear them so much."

"The Otsutsuki clan mastered space travel over a thousand years ago, and possibly even earlier.

The ninja world only gained chakra when they arrived a thousand years ago, which led to the creation of ninjas.

A race that may have existed for an unknown length of time versus a race that has only developed for a thousand years—it's clear which one is stronger.

If you were in my position back then, what would you have done?

Would you have led the newly founded Ninja way to leave the ninja world and seek trouble on the Otsutsuki home planet?"

Hagoromo shook his head, troubled. "I wanted to, but back then, aside from my brother and me, and our blood relatives, no one in the ninja world could stand up to the Otsutsuki from beyond the stars.

If they had come to the ninja world then, my brother and I could have held them off for a while, but not every time.

And Kyomu, do you know about the Land of Wind… or rather, Wind Sand City as it's now known?

Do you know how that area became a barren desert?"

Kyomu fell silent, giving Hagoromo a deep look before responding slowly. "Of course, it was because of your family."

"Yes, it was because of the battle between my mother, my brother, and me." Hagoromo was blunt, unafraid of airing his family's dirty laundry. "If my mother alone caused such devastation, what would happen if more Otsutsuki arrived in the ninja world? Would there be any reason for the ninja world to exist after such a battle?

Even if the world survived, how many living beings would remain? How harsh would the post-battle environment be?"

Hagoromo downed the cup of tea in one go. "Now do you understand why my brother and I faked our deaths back then?"

Kyomu nodded. "I understood that long ago, but I also want to know about your hidden motives."

Hagoromo paused, his hand halfway to pouring more tea. He exchanged a glance with Hamura before setting the teapot back down.

"If we're being honest, then I'll tell you the whole truth."

(End of Chapter)