Previously, even the brightest pillar of light could only pierce a small portion of the grayish-black mist. But now, the sky not far ahead was completely white, without a trace of that grayish fog.
Moreover, two small, pristine white suns hung in the sky like bright moons in the night, dazzling within the dim, murky Pure Land.
The souls resting here must be extraordinary.
After a brief hesitation, Uchiha Gen boldly flew toward the light.
Even if danger awaited, at worst, he would lose only a fragment of his soul.
With the power of the Soul-Soul Fruit, repairing it wouldn't be difficult, nor would it affect his cultivation.
With that confidence, how could he not dare to venture forward?
When he reached the boundary between light and darkness, Uchiha Gen cautiously extended a phantom finger.
The finger passed from darkness into light without any sign of disturbance. Only then did Uchiha Gen continue moving forward.
As soon as he stepped into the bright zone, his eyes widened.
"Holy crap, this guy is actually lying here…"
Inside a coffin seemingly made of transparent profound ice, a figure rested with a serene, peaceful expression. His hair was as spiky as a hedgehog's, his features sharp as if carved by a blade, dressed in a tight black combat suit with red layered armor over it.
Who else could it be but Uchiha Madara himself?
After staring at Madara for a while, Uchiha Gen continued forward. At regular intervals, identical coffins appeared, each containing a different figure.
Before long, he saw another familiar face.
This one had messy brown hair, equally sharp features, and a calm expression. He wore a white robe with six black magatama embroidered symmetrically along the collar and a dark blue sash tied at the waist.
This soul was none other than Indra, eldest son of the Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo.
Uchiha Gen immediately pieced together the pattern from what he had seen along the way.
From the outer edge inward, each coffin held reincarnations carrying Indra's chakra, from Uchiha Madara to Indra himself.
If his assumption was correct, then on the opposite side, from outermost to innermost, it would be Senju Hashirama, then the reincarnations carrying Asura's chakra, and finally Asura himself.
To verify his theory, Uchiha Gen kept flying forward but soon came to an abrupt stop, his face full of shock.
On the flat plain ahead stood one or two houses, shielded by a transparent barrier. They weren't luxurious, just modest two-story buildings—but their style was unlike anything in the current ninja world, filled with an ancient, weathered charm.
In front of and behind the buildings were wells, waterwheels, cultivated fields, fruit trees, and small rivers—an idyllic, pastoral scene.
Some fields were lush with crops, others empty. Some fruit trees bore fruit, others didn't. The entire setting looked like a tranquil countryside home.
Once he came to his senses, Uchiha Gen immediately wanted to turn back and leave.
To recreate a scene nearly identical to the living world within the Pure Land, who else could accomplish that? Was there even a need to guess?
"I didn't expect such a unique soul to appear in the Pure Land."
"A guest has come. If you don't mind my humble dwelling, why not come down for a chat?"
Uchiha Gen, who had been preparing to slip away, froze in place. It seemed he couldn't leave.
If he ran, who knew what might happen? At worst, he'd lose a fragment of his soul that was nothing.
Moreover, that voice didn't sound like that person's. If anything, based on the original anime, it resembled the other one.
"Then I shall respectfully accept your invitation."
Uchiha Gen raised his voice and descended, landing outside the light barrier.
The barrier automatically opened an entrance. Uchiha Gen, having made up his mind, stepped inside without hesitation.
"The feeling here is almost like the living world…"
Inside the barrier, he followed a dirt path leading toward the two-story house. Rice paddies lined the path, the fields glimmering with water and young green shoots, lush and full of vitality.
Out of respect, Uchiha Gen chose to walk rather than fly.
After passing the fields and a small orchard, he saw a figure standing by the gate of the courtyard on the right.
The man was tall and well-built, with long silver-blue hair and a refined, handsome face. He wore a white robe adorned with six black magatama below the collar.
But what stood out most were the six black Truth-Seeking Orbs floating behind him, his pale eyes, and the two short horns protruding from his forehead.
The moment Uchiha Gen saw him, he knew exactly who he was.
The ancestor of the Hyuga Clan and the Ōtsutsuki branch on the moon, the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hamura.
Hamura was different from the other souls Uchiha Gen had encountered here. At first glance, it was almost impossible to tell whether he was a real person or a spirit.
Indeed, if the Sage of Six Paths' soul could endure eternally, how could Hamura, whose strength was nearly equal, simply vanish?
Hagoromo had been stronger after becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, but after dividing the Ten-Tails, he likely perished before Hamura.
Though Hamura lacked the full longevity of the pure-blooded Ōtsutsuki, his lifespan still far exceeded that of ordinary humans.
While these thoughts raced through Uchiha Gen's mind, he quickly bowed.
"Greetings, Senior. May I ask your name?"
"My name is Ōtsutsuki Hamura. And you are?"
Hamura smiled slightly, stepping forward.
"This name sounds familiar…" Uchiha Gen murmured, then his eyes brightened. "I remember now! May I ask, Senior, what relation you have to the legendary Sage of Six Paths? I once read that he too bore the surname Ōtsutsuki."
He spoke naturally, feigning realization, his changing expressions seamless and believable.
Although he was prepared to lose this fragment of his soul if things went wrong, it was still best to avoid suspicion. Most importantly, he couldn't afford to alert either of the Ōtsutsuki brothers.
"That is my elder brother," Hamura said calmly. "My elder brother's name is Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo."
"It's been a long time since I've seen any living being other than my brother. Come—join me in the courtyard for a cup of tea."
Hamura's tone was kind, his expression gentle as he turned sideways to invite him.
"It would be rude to refuse," Uchiha Gen said, though his face still showed traces of shock. "But… can souls still drink tea?"
"The tea and food here are special," Hamura replied with a faint smile. "They combine the essence of both the living world and the Pure Land, allowing souls to taste them as well."
"To think such wondrous things exist! Then I must certainly have a taste."
"No need to be polite, help yourself."
Uchiha Gen followed Hamura into the courtyard beneath an osmanthus tree.
Under the tree stood a green stone table and two stone stools. Golden osmanthus petals were scattered over the surface, their sweet fragrance lingering in the air, remarkable, considering even souls could smell it.
"Oh, by the way," Hamura said, turning slightly, "you haven't told me your name yet."
"My apologies, Senior, that was careless of me. I was truly too shocked just now."
"This junior is Uchiha Gen, current head of the Uchiha Clan."
"Uchiha Clan?" Hamura mused. "After returning to the Pure Land and reuniting with my brother, I believe I heard him mention that name…"
As he spoke, Hamura waved his white sleeve, and a soft gust blew the fallen osmanthus petals off one of the stools. He then sat gracefully, leaving the cleaned seat for his guest.
Uchiha Gen, though a soul himself, respectfully took the offered seat.
Hamura gestured, and a tea set—complete with teapot, cups, and grayish-black water—floated out from the house.
"I remember now," Hamura said as he began to brew tea, his movements fluid and elegant. "My brother once told me that the Uchiha Clan are descendants of his eldest son, Indra."
"Although Indra's accomplishments were limited, he is still my grandnephew. You are his descendant, and though I don't know how many generations separate us, there is indeed a connection between us."
A hint of warmth appeared in Hamura's expression, his tone softening as he spoke.
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Gen immediately stood and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Uncle-Grandfather."