The 6th Great Ninja War
Chapter XXXVII- Heavenly Jeweled Spear
Chapter XXXVII- Heavenly Jeweled Spear
I recommend not skipping the wallies. Just a word of warning. Enjoy this rather pivotal chapter in the series. The 6th Great Ninja War reaches yet another Climax
A large cloud of thick steam surrounded Bishamon as the walls of the room completely collapsed and the ground shook, startling everyone on the large island. Nexus stared in anticipation, wondering what could possibly be awaiting him within the smokescreen of steam. As the heavy steam swirled and billowed around Bishamon, Nexus, much to his surprise, could make out several magatama of varying colors attached to something. There was an odd sensation about the room, as though some mythical ray of light had shone upon Bishamon. The jewels were now out of sight, and Nexus saw, just for a moment, the edge of a blade made entirely of a silver-colored metal. Nexus leaned forward with curiosity just as the steam began to clear and he could see a clear silhouette of Bishamon and what he was holding above his head at an angle. Though the steam was clearing around Bishamon, it did not dissipate completely but merely spread around the room. Nexus now saw Bishamon completely; he was holding a large, radiant naginata that was decorated with several jewels and seemed to be teeming with immense, unknown power. The naginata had a glowing red aura about it which seemed to extend directly to Bishamon, giving him an aura of the same color and the appearance of a celestial being, clothed in strange robes that were anything but modern. As Nexus was about to open his mouth to ask a question, Bishamon touched the holy bamboo end of the naginata to the ground, producing a screeching shockwave that struck Nexus’ feet, knocking him to the ground, and riddled the base of the walls around the circular, dome-shaped room. Nexus dragged himself up from the ground, complaining as he did.
Nexus: That was a nasty attack…I didn’t even see it coming. (Looks seriously) What was that just now?
Bishamon: …
Nexus: Very well…I suppose I’ll just figure it out on my own. You know what they say…
Nexus disappeared instantly in a burst of black mist and appeared suddenly behind Bishamon in midair with his Sword of Kusanagi aimed at Bishamon, who was still facing away from Nexus.
Nexus: A victor always strikes first!
Nexus waved his sword in attempt to decapitate his adversary, but, with timely reaction, Bishamon turned to parry the strike immediately, pushing Nexus’ sword arm back from the force of his strike; Nexus’ shock belied, however, the true grandeur of the parry. In moments, the earth seemed to tremble, and in a magnificent display, the remaining outer walls of the dome-shaped room disappeared completely, and in an even grander display, just outside of the main island of Kumogakure, several dozen rocky mountains surrounding the island were vaporized or razed completely. The stunning phenomenon evoked awe in all onlookers, causing the fighting on the main front to end for a minute—hundreds of shinobi staring in complete wonder at the event. Just as eerily as the silence came among the shinobi, there was a violent wind that resulted from the shockwave that had destroyed the surrounding mountains and swept across the entire island, causing much chaos. Nexus stepped back with uncertainty, keeping a careful eye on Bishamon with a look of confusion and astonishment on his face at the same time. Nexus’ arm had been almost entirely erased as well, and blood was dripping slowly into the pool of blood below his arm.
Nexus: What…what was that just now?
Bishamon: You’ll have to forgive me. The last time I was pressed to summon this weapon, I was fighting Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju. It’s no surprise you would be taken aback by what just happened.
Nexus took a deep breath, and upon exhaling his arm regenerated completely, moistened by body fluids on the surface. He picked up his Kusanagi longsword and took a defensive stance.
Nexus: What is that halberd?
Bishamon: *raises eyebrow* This?
Bishamon lifted the spear, allowing the sunlight to shine against the blade.
Bishamon: It’s the Heavenly Jeweled Spear, known as Ame-no-nuhoko.
Nexus: As in the naginata used by the first gods to stir the primordial landmass into existence?
Bishamon: It seems you know much, Nexus.
Nexus: Impossible. The Heavenly Jeweled Spear is a legend—a myth…I do not subscribe to fairy-tails, Bishamon Sarutobi. Do you honestly expect me to believe that a man can possess such a tool?
Bishamon: ……….Hmph…
Nexus: What?
Bishamon: Nothing…it’s just…I find it odd that you can say that, and yet…you hold the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi in your right hand.
Nexus: Kusanagi is a relic. Its existence is embedded in history, unlike the mythical halberd you claim to wield.
Bishamon: Myths don’t ravage the landscape before your very eyes, Nexus…I had you figured for someone who would appreciate something like this. I guess I was wrong.
Nexus: Don’t you hate how that happens?
Nexus lifted his arm in the same manner he had just before obliterating Bishamon’s apprentices; following the gesture was the same powerful invisible force that had wasted the apprentices before, but this time, Bishamon stood utterly unfazed as the force ravaged the ground around him violently, shattering and even pulverizing entire shards and chunks of rock from the ground. Nexus was taken aback, befuddled as to how Bishamon could have endured such a powerful attack as though it had completely passed over him. Nexus thought to himself, contemplating the issue.
Nexus: …(Impossible…and yet, my attack had absolutely no effect on him. Mortal flesh isn’t capable of withstanding my ability to this degree. Something is off… Either way, I will find out)
Nexus lunged forward, skating across the ground with great speed as he maneuvered himself about Bishamon; when he reached the latter’s back, he spun, gaining momentum, to deliver a kick which was subsequently blocked with little effort. Nexus then threw his left arm around Bishamon’s neck in an attempt to suffocate him, but Bishamon promptly stoped his arm and captured it in his grip. With both of Bishamon’s arms preoccupied, however, Nexus took full advantage of the opportunity and, with his remaining hand, coiled his arm around the heavenly naginata and pulled it away from Bishamon, much to the latter’s chagrin. As soon as the spear was in Nexus’ possession, he retreated with haste, slithering across the ground like a great snake fleeing from a predator. He had gained some distance but was immediately stopped when a wall of earth suddenly sprang up before him; though as quickly as the obstacle rose, Nexus continued by crawling up the wall with great speed before stopping, still attached to the wall, to face Bishamon from a distance.
Nexus: Let’s see if I can get this thing to work.
Bishamon: It’s no use. Only those who have extensively trained can control the Amenonuhoko.
Nexus: I’ll buy myself some time, then.
Nexus pointed his hand at Bishamon, striking him with the invisible force. Again, he had zero success; Bishamon was not even staggered, but Nexus did not relent. He continued to assault Bishamon with the same attack, striking every few seconds that passed. At last, Bishamon was staggered by one blast, and Nexus grinned with reassurance, eyebrows raised and amusement setting in. He struck again, this time with greater success; Bishamon was forced to take a step back. He was still uninjured, but he could no longer resist the sheer force of the blasts any longer. At last, with Nexus’ next strike, almost two minutes after his assault began, Bishamon was brought to his knees and Nexus was brimming with elation.
Nexus: So that’s it…how about another one, then…
Bishamon raised his head, forming a single, simple handseal with one hand as he did, and immediately, the wall of earth on which Nexus was hanging erupted as lava spewed from the sides and directly onto Nexus from behind and above. The wall collapsed into a mess of lava and solid and semi-molten rock, and Nexus fell to the ground flat on his face in an almost comical fashion. Bishamon quickly appeared near Nexus, grabbing the spear from his hold and frowning as he became more serious. Nexus spoke nonchalantly, in an almost petulant manner, his face still planted in the ground.
Nexus: Could you give a guy a warning first, next time…
When Nexus attempted to rise, Bishamon swiped his weapon across his waist, slicing him in half, leaving Nexus only a moment to scream as his eyes widened into a look of bewilderment. Bishamon turned his back to Nexus, leaving him for dead, but Nexus’ life had not yet been exhausted. As he had done before, a new body of his forced itself out of the mouth of his old body (or shell) and went for the attack, but before anything could be done, Bishamon anticipated the counterattack and pressed his foot against Nexus’ upper back, crushing him to the ground. Bishamon spun his naginata rapidly with a vertical orientation and, upon gripping it at the proper angle, Bishamon thrust the blade of the spear into Nexus’ throat. A look of terror shown on Nexus’ face, plastered almost permanently. As Nexus’ form seemed to decay, the mouth of his body stretched wide open once again and a new, slimy body proceeded, landing on the ground uneasily, leaving the old body to quickly decay as a mass of skin. Nexus panted heavily and frequently, his hair covering his eyes as he looked to Bishamon in exhaustion.
Nexus: Curse you…*pant* Never *pant* have I been so humiliated…*pant*
Bishamon raised the Amenonuhoko above his head, and, at the tip, wind seemed to spiral about it. Water condensed from the vapor in the air and a bolt of lightning from the sky galvanized the tip of the spear with a surge of electricity.
Bishamon: You know…I was wrong about you, Nexus. You are no demon. You’re just a snake—a venomous snake whose fangs are bare more than its bite. I thought I had found someone whose strength could rival my own, but I was gravely mistaken. You disappoint me, Nexus, and so you will fade into history like all the other would-be villains.
Bishamon thrust the spear down, and following the motion of the spear, the wind, water, and lightning combination that had formed at its tip was released in the form of a rising column which moved forward with increasing velocity. Nexus was caught in the blast and was carried with the column as the torrent ravaged the buildings across the capital and even managed to capture several soldiers in its grasp, killing them. The column traveled to the edge of the mountain, at last blasting off the side well past the base of the mountain and into the vast seas surrounding the village. Once the immediate effects of the torrent had cleared, Bishamon looked on at the damage, beholding the large line of fire that had been completely destroyed by the attack. A rather large portion of rock in the line of fire had been completely pulverized.
Bishamon: Well…that’s that.
As Bishamon turned, preparing to go off to Kirabi’s chambers, Nexus rose into the sky, flying above the dome. Bishamon had not yet taken notice of him. Nexus’ eyes focused intensely on Bishamon; his demeanor had become far more serious and focused. Nexus suddenly thrust both hands forward, each hand in the form of the tiger in martial art style, but inverted of one another so that the bases of each palm touched. Bishamon took notice, and as he quickly turned to face Nexus, he spun the naginata with increasing speed. Nexus’ attack was incoming; it was difficult to see, but Bishamon could make out a large, transparent circular blast visible only by its distortion of the air. As the blast reached Bishamon, Bishamon swung the spear, absorbing the blast at the tip of the naginata, and he brought the weapon around 180 degrees, arching it over his head and thereby redirecting the blast away from the island. The blast continued to a nearby island, and once it hit, the entire island was vaporized until nothing left remained but small pieces of rock that floated on the surface of the water. Bishamon again faced Nexus and smirked. Nexus’ glare only further focused, his eyebrows lowering in response to Bishamon’s grin.
Bishamon: Now that’s more like it.
Nexus rushed toward Bishamon, flying as low as he could before drawing his Kusanagi longsword. He swiped at Bishamon, who quickly dodged with a single sidestep and retaliated with a downward thrust of the spear; Nexus managed to avoid the strike, but the resulting force of the weapon in the ground shattered the earth beneath the two fighters, leaving a huge crater covered entirely with jagged rocks. Nexus was sent flying, but he caught himself on the edge of one rock and managed to anchor himself to it. He looked around, unable to find Bishamon. Nexus shut his eyes to focus, but the moment he did, the Amenonuhoko lodged itself in Nexus’ gut and Bishamon appeared, controlling it telekinetically from afar. Nexus spit blood and clenched his teeth angrily.
Bishamon: Sorry, Nexus, but this is the end. No amount of Oral Rebirth will save you from this next assault, I assure you. Farewell.
Bishamon raised both hands triumphantly, as though her were conducting a symphony, and the Amenonuhoko followed his direction and rose higher into the air, carrying Nexus with it. Bishamon thrust one hand forward, launching Nexus and the Amenonuhoko well into the distance until they landed in the sea, surrounded by several small islands in the distance. The water began to swirl and out of it was churned a large island, much larger than the surroundings ones, and several mountains and forests. Nexus and the Amenonuhoko lay at the center of the island, completely immobile until Bishamon raised his hand again. Now, huge chunks of rock began to rise from the surface of the island and a great wind came upon the island. The wind swirled in a counterclockwise fashion and a violent gale razed the island, cutting the forests down. The wind began to form a vortex around the island, and as the wind took hold over the island, large, beastly tendrils of water rose from the sea and surrounded the island from seven different angles, and seven large chunks of rock twirled violently in a circle around the island. From above, seven massive, continuous bolts of lightning struck the center of the island from seven different angles, and the surge created a blinding pillar of light at the center of the chaos. At last, the skies above the island, now dark with moisture, opened up, and from them came forth seven sentient, dragon-shaped flame formations that grasped the island’s base at the seven points where the tendrils of water had formed. The seven dragons then breathed fire onto the zenith of the island’s highest mountain, resulting in a stunningly beautiful array of colors that caused the armies of Kirabi and the Sages to watch in awe at the spectacle. Time seemed to stop in this moment, but as the intensity set in, Bishamon opened his eyes widely and exhaled; his pupils had turned white and the earth around him began to shake. On the island, the formations of Wind, Water, Earth, Fire, and Lightning—the Five Principle Elements—came together to form a most glorious fusion of energy; everything compressed to the center of the island, and the result was a ferocious and extreme explosion of raw elemental force that ravaged not only the island but the sea as well, creating a maelstrom into which the island began to sink as it was slowly but surely pulverized and vaporized. The heavens seemed to be unleashing their wrath, as the clouds above the island spread to the main battlefield and the intense heat from the explosion caused precipitation in the immediate area. This continued for nearly five minutes without end; the unceasing destruction was the ultimate testament to Nexus’ fate and, more importantly, Bishamon’s power. In that moment, he had been given authority over the skies and the seas, and he commanded the force of the elements to do his work, and the soldiers on the main battlefield were baffled by his might.
With a deep sigh, the spectacle ended, the naginata gone, and Bishamon’s holy aura faded rapidly. He looked into the distance and smiled briefly, for Nexus’ existence was no more. The markings of blood on Bishamon’s body dripped to the ground. Bishamon bowed his head in relief and ran his hand through his hair.
Bishamon: *sigh* It’s finally over.
Bishamon felt the drawbacks of the Amenonuhoko taking its effect on his body. He became short of breath, and he soon felt a searing pain in his chest. He looked down at his chest as he touched it gently with his left hand, but to his surprise, he saw a silver protrusion of a blade coming out of his chest. Bishamon, in disbelief, froze, and he followed by spitting out blood. In utter disbelief, he spoke.
Bishamon: I…Impossible
Bishamon turned his head slowly, not believing that this could be a reality, but once he turned, he saw Nexus to his back, pushing the Kusanagi long sword through his torso. Nexus was battle-damaged, but he did not look extensively deformed, as though Bishamon’s attack had barely connected.
Nexus: Did you miss me?
Bishamon: How did you? *grunts in pain*
Nexus pulled the blade from Bishamon’s chest and took several steps back, allowing the great sage to turn to face him.
Nexus: You let your guard down…you would have been wise to have kept that Amenonuhoko. Now, you’ve no hope of killing me.
Bishamon: Was it the Edo Tensei?
Nexus: No…as I said before, my chakra is particularly special. Because of this, there are still a great many things about me which you do not know, Bishamon Sarutobi.
As Nexus said this, his left eye began to shut ominously, and once it did, Bishamon felt a drop in Nexus’ chakra.
Bishamon: *eyes widen* Izanagi? Impossible!! You are not of the Uchiha!
Nexus: No, I’m not. And I’m glad, too. My eyes…are far more special that those of any Uchiha…
Bishamon: ………
Nexus: Never…have I been so humiliated. I can’t even make a joke about it *pant* But here’s what I will do…
Nexus clapped his hands together, and once he did, he began to rise into the air, higher and higher until he was over a hundred meters above the capital city. His hands made an inverted heart shape, and from them came forth a three-dimensional formation of chakra of the two-dimensional shape made by Nexus’ hands. It was a dust release technique, as Bishamon quickly noticed, and at spotting it Bishamon bame distressed.
Nexus: I’M GOING TO BLOW YOU AND THIS ENTIRE ISLAND SKY HIGH!!!!
Bishamon: STOP, NEXUS!!!
Nexus: Dust Release: Beckon to the New World Technique
Bishamon: Dammit! If that hits, the entire island and village will be erased. I must rid the world of the secrets of Dust Release in this moment. No matter what, I cannot allow him to survive.
Bishamon performed a string of handseals just as Nexus fired the Dust Release attack. The moment was surreal, and time seemed to slow as Nexus’ attack approached Bishamon, who gripped his right wrist with his left hand while positioning his palm in the direction of Nexus’ attack. As he did this, streams of chakra from the technique as it approached began to flow into the center of Bishamon’s palm.
Bishamon: Forbidden Jutsu: Tōta Seal!
Nexus’ technique quickly disappeared, leaving only a shred of the whole shape left, as Bishamon absorbed the vast majority of the chakra, sealing it into his arm. The remaining shards of the technique scattered into the air, and upon landing, they decimated several large buildings around the capital and killed several by standing soldiers as the war raged on. On the waterfront, Liliana halted to examine the situation above. Elsewhere, in Kirabi’s throne room, Caliburn stopped in his tracks to inquire about the severe tremors that had occurred throughout the battle. As Bishamon finished sealing the technique, his arm turned charcoal black. Nexus landed quietly, stepping slowly toward Bishamon. Bishamon panted heavily, and as he looked up at Nexus, his eyes widened in shock as Nexus formed another Dust Release cube in his hands. In a moment of desperation, Bishamon tossed a kunai into his mouth and charged at Nexus with full speed. Nexus sidestepped him as he approached, but in one swell motion, Bishamon turned to face Nexus and threw his right arm at him. Nexus instinctively blocked the strike with the back of his own right arm, holding off Bishamon with ease. Nexus took one heavy breath and, pushing his arm with great force, he shattered Bishamon’s entire right arm, causing it to scatter in pieces across the floor, much to his own surprise. Bishamon wasted no time in reacting; he immediately gripped Nexus’ arm with his other hand, gripping it so tightly that Nexus’ skin was pierced and he bled. Oddly enough, when Bishamon’s arm had shattered, thin streams of orange-red chakra flowed into Bishamon’s left arm and then into Nexus’ arm and into his chest. Bishamon smiled, and Nexus suddenly felt a spike in his chest that caused him to cough up blood on Bishamon’s cheek. The two faced one another, each almost an inch from the other.
Nexus: You think this is enough to kill me? Hurry up and die!
Nexus drew his Kusanagi sword and sliced Bishamon across the chest, staggering him backward and causing him to nearly fall to his knees. Nexus smiled, at last facing the defeated Bishamon. Bishamon looked up at Nexus again, panting heavily and unable to formulate a strategy for battle now. He seemed to be acquiescent to Nexus’ notion that the battle had ended and he had lost. Bishamon did not speak, now, for he knew that his situation was one that he could do little now to change. Nexus sighed heavily and calmed. He took up his blade and wiped it with his hand.
Bishamon: ……
Nexus: …look at you. Sarutobi, Bishamon. The Grandmaster Sage…reduced to nothing. How pathetic.
Bishamon: You talk too much, Nexus…………before you do what you must do…I have to ask………why do you follow Kirabi. Why follow a tyrant?
Nexus: ……are you stupid, or something? I wish to see the Shinobi world made new.
Bishamon: Then you are a fool to follow him……men like him…they have no reasonable ideal…only a lust for power and control…and that all amounts to nothing in the end…you’re nothing more than a blind sheep.
Nexus: Oh? Really now? Allow me to disillusion you, oh Grand Master Sage. I dream of a world made new; a shinobi world that returns us to the roots of our very being. This world is abhorrent. It is filled with false peace and sentiments of understanding and compassion. These are the qualities of basic men and women, not shinobi.
Bishamon: Hmm?
Nexus: I dream of a world rooted in deception. Kirabi is merely an avenue to that goal. A way for me to take the establishment and rent asunder its columns of truth and justice. The shinobi world was once a place lacking order—a beautiful harmony of chaos, debauchery, deception, and plots. A place of countless wars that never ceased because of the strife in men’s hearts—that undying strife. It was a marvel of time, but all of that ended with the petty establishments of old like the Sages, and more importantly, Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. They instead shaped the shinobi world into a place of peace and love—things which are characteristic of the meek and naïve. That is not the way of shinobi. See, I do not wish to rule, a tyrant. No. I wish to be an overseer of shinobi corruption. I wish to reinstitute the chaos of the first world in order to return all shinobi to their true natures. We are not messengers of peace; we are agents of deception. The shinobi order has become a place for well-standing individuals and nepotism. It has become a generational tradition of one big lie—that shinobi can be bigger than their fates dictate. We are not heroes, Bishamon Sarutobi. Such is our great curse. That even the lowest of farmers may take up the kunai to overthrow corruption. And out of that corruption is born greater corruption. In that, we shinobi reach a balance of life and death in which every waking moment is a struggle for survival. You see, therein lies the beauty of the word “shinobi.” Not that we strive for prestige and fame, but that the greatest among us make the shadows our ally. Not that the best among us is the most well-known, but that the greatest among us is the least-known. The candid versus the covert. Espionage…Sabotage…Assassination…Deception…where have these things gone? Look around you. This Great Shinobi War we have; organized and clear cut in cause and principle. It is evident who is good and who is evil. I tell you, Bishamon Sarutobi…this is not the Way of Shinobi.
Bishamon: The Way of Shinobi? Your idea sounds…nothing more than a nightmare…a sick dream…
Nexus: But all too real, am I correct? It is the truth. Don’t speak as though you are any more righteous than I. The Sages tried to construct peace, and there you have failed. Even the Sage of Six Paths and his descendants after him—his sons, the Senju, Uzumaki Naruto the Great—all tried to continue this ideal of perfect peace. But perfect peace is a lie in a world built on deception. True peace cannot be attained so long as men have darkness in their hearts. Not even the powers of heaven can erase that…we are no different from one another, you and I. We operate by the same means, the same tools: war, assassination, sabotage. We may have different motives, but our means are the same. Do not try to detach me from your idealistic view; you cannot cast me aside as some chaotic psychopath who knows no reason. That may be what I am, in fact, but it doesn’t make me any less than you or the rest of the Sages and great warriors. At least, unlike you all, I can see truth and embrace it fully. Don’t take it personally. I hold no grudge, after all. However, you and the Sages, who attempt to alter the course of destiny for the shinobi as a whole…you have no place in the new world.
Bishamon: ………
Nexus: For there to be a world for free men, the pillars of tradition must be brought down. The roots of the old order must die. And that is why you must die, Bishamon.
Nexus gripped his Kusanagi Longsword and approached Bishamon step by step, inching closer with every moment. Bishamon sighed and resigned his efforts to resist, and he shut his eyes and stood tall, allowing himself to breath in the air of war one last time.
Bishamon: Forgive me, Hiruzen…Goro. I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you…in the end.
As homage to the great series Cowboy Bebop, and to add to the effect of this scene, I recommend you play this theme while reading the next paragraph.
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When he opened his eyes at last, his body tensed and his eyes widened in a state of shock, but almost immediately afterward, Bishamon’s entire body relaxed and he began to smile, not out of satisfaction but of some odd form of bliss. His body slowly fell over; the moment was surreal—so much so that Nexus felt time stop to a crawl as blood gushed from Bishamon’s throat and chest where he had been cut. Bishamon saw, in his bliss, flashes of his past—images of memories once held dear to him—as he fell. His eyes started to close, as slowly as time seemed to crawl. Bishamon saw now an image of himself as a boy, in an era far gone. He saw before him, as well, a young Zanji and Hashirama Senju, all playing by a pond, and then a fade to white. Bishamon continued to fall, and as he did, still smiling and unaware of his surroundings, the ground around began to unfold. Nexus felt a tremor, and the walls of the palace began to shake. Bishamon saw, again, an image of himself, older but still quite young, standing back-to-back with Zanji as the two faced several dozen ninja on the battlefield, and a fade to white. Bishamon continued to fall. Nexus now saw the pillars of the capital city crumbling and buildings toppling over soldiers, Kumogakure and Kiyoshi alike, and there was a great earthquake that shook the island and the great mountain upon which the capital rested. The armies fell into disarray and many looked in awe as the clouds immediately above the palace parted and a great ray of light shone on Bishamon. Bishamon saw now an image of himself at a great circular table with others: Tobirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, Hashirama Senju, the First Raikage's Grandfather, and three other unknown individuals, and a fade to white. Bishamon had nearly reached the ground, still in ecstasy, utterly and blissfully unaware of his surroundings. Nexus was on the ground now, holding on for his life, as he felt parts of the great mountain around him shift and the clouds around the small parting become black. Rain fell and the winds intensified from all directions. Lighting struck everywhere, across the village, and there was natural chaos in all places but the palace, where there was serenity in spite of the chaos. Bishamon saw, once more, an image from the photographing of himself, a young Hiruzen, a young Goro, and another. Goro was smiling and holding up both hands with a sign of peace; the other child was scowling in the middle, and Hiruzen was attempting to smile but did not quite achieve the desired result. Bishamon stood behind the three, grinning big and patting Goro and Hiruzen on the head as his chin rested on the other’s head as well. Bishamon hit the ground…and he died.
There was silence, unmatched, and the forces of nature immediately calmed, and the forces of the shinobi armies did not speak. This silence persisted for more than a whole minute, and in that time, nobody took up a single arm to strike another. In the midst of the silence, however, Nexus spoke, in complete awe.
Nexus: ……………that Mother Nature herself weeps for his death. Truly…this man was the Earth Sage.
Nexus took out his headband, which was stored in one of his pouches, and he set it near Bishamon’s body before walking away.
END OF CHAPTER
