23 Succesor

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On a very warm morning, the sky was clear, the wind was as gentle as it can be. On a mound, sat a young man, sporting a pure white garment. He has waist-length black hair, sharp eyebrows, and deep red eyes looking into the distance.

This is our MC, Shun.

1st POV

I'm currently sixteen years old. The same with Indra and Ashura. I am already aware that soon they will be called to go out on a quest regarding the inheritance of Ninshu.

The whole village seems to believe that Indra will be the successor. Even under himself thinks so. Although I am a prodigy rivaling him, nobody seems to be rooting for me.

I was always polite to the villagers and although I seemed to be more privileged than most children by living with Hagoromo, everyone still knows I was brought in by Ashura.

I'm still treated with respect in the village but not to the point of even assuming that I would be a prospective successor.

Ashura doesn't even care about it. I asked once about it and his answer was "hmm?.... why would I be the successor? Big brother is a better successor than me"

Indra is now a full-blown 'Uchiha' with his ever-stoic face. He lacks the emotions that someone his age is supposed to have. it's been some years now since I saw him smile last. Four or five years now.

He doesn't ignore me though. He knows I couldn't care less how he behaves and will still treat him the same way.

I usually keep him company even when he's out brooding. Talk some psychological bullshit I could remember to make him less broody.

Black Zetsu sure did a lot of damage to my little big brother.

There are some die-hard followers of Indra in this village that grew up with us but I could be bothered to remember their names. They always follow Indra around like lackeys and that annoys me beyond measure.

Indra knows I find them uncomfortable so he always chases them away whenever he sees me coming toward him, and they also give me due respect since they know I'm strong.

Recently there was an issue concerning one of our friends who did something that was against the rules of the village and was caught by Indra and put in prison. He was later released by Ashura and while escaping, he was killed by Indra... Or so everyone thought.

Hagoromo was watching all these happening and didn't interfere. Same as me. I knew that this was the incident that happened before Hagoromo sent both of them out.

The incident died down after a while and currently, I am on my way to Hagoromo's chamber. I was summoned by him. I guess it's also time for me to leave as well, though I wonder what he wants to tell me.

Reaching the chamber, I knocked and announced myself before entering the room.

As I entered, I noticed three figures present. Hagoromo, Gamamaru, and Itami, Hagoromo's first student. Yes, you're right. That thief who wanted to prevent Hagoromo from building that bridge when he first started his journey.

Greeting them properly with a bow, I stood and looked curiously at them, wanting to know why I was summoned. The first to talk was Gamamaru

"Shun boy, how have you been? It's been a while since we met huh"

"Yes, Gamamaru-Sama, It's been a while, since you've been well" I answered

"Haha, I've been quite alright young Shun, and I see you've been developing properly," he said.

"Yes I have, thanks to your guidance previously" I answer modestly

Before we could continue, Hagoromo interrupted with a slight cough, drawing our attention to him.

"I see you've grown up quite splendidly Shun, please sit"

"Excuse me"

I sat down in a seiza position and paid attention to what he had to say, cause he wouldn't ask me to sit down if it wasn't a serious issue.

"Shun, I called tou here to ask you your opinion concerning Indra and Ashura. Who do you feel Is more suitable to be my successor? You've grown up with them for quite some time, studied with them, eaten with them, trained with them, and even fought with them. So tell me your honest opinion"

I wasn't startled by the question as I have already expected it, but it still put me on the spot. What should I say now, anime point of view apart, I actually grew up with them. We've been together for some time as Hagoromo sited. They were both lovable in their own way.

I looked at the three of them for a while before smiling wryly and saying

"I don't know. As you've said I've been living with them for a while and I know them well enough as they are my brothers. That is why if I want to be fair I wouldn't choose and I would also recommend you don't choose"

''They both have their good sides and bad sides, Indra has always been filled with love for others and knows how to lead effectively though the downside is that he doesn't consider others' feelings"

"Ashura on the other hand is filled with love for everyone and I reckon he knows the name of everyone in this village"

I chuckled as I said that. Hagoromo and Itami also chuckled a bit before I continued.

"But he doesn't have the qualifications to actually take command and lead. They're like both sides of the same coin. What one is good at, the other isn't, and what one is bad at, the other isn't"

"If you ask me who should be the leader, I would say I don't know"

"Ninshu as you've always taught us is love, understanding, peace, and everything that is spiritual. If I am to say, I would say you should ask the villagers or send them on an errand and determine your successor from the result of the errand''

After saying all this, I released a huge breath I didn't know I was holding.

There was a moment of silence in the room as they were all contemplating what I'd just said.

Itami was the first to speak as he said, " That's quite a lot you've given us to take in at once and I think there is a sense in what you've said. But as you've said, logically Indra should be the leader right?"

Gamamaru followed up and said, "Yes, he should, and, both the evaluation of the boys and the way to determine a successor to Ninshu are correct. The question is, who is more suitable for the development of the village"

I knew both from the anime and observation that Itami values Indra highly. I didn't bother speaking as if the original plot should still be in play, Hagoromo will still give them their original task.

Hagoromo was still I'm his thoughts for some time as Gamamaru and Itami were commenting on what I said. After a while, he said

"If it should be done as you've said, there would surely be a quarrel between them"

"Yes, but it's left for them brothers to settle. Should it get out of hand I would stop any unsavory violence" I said.

He looks at me for a while and then smiles and says

"I will leave it to you then, I can't be bothered to meddle in my children's scuffles. You're all grown-ups and should handle your problems as such"

As the matter seem to have come to an end, I took the opportunity to say

"I plan on going out to travel for some time"

I have already mentioned this to Hagoromo before and it doesn't concern Gamamaru and Itami, I looked directly at Hagoromo as I said it.

He nodded, acknowledging it.

"When are you leaving and when are you coming back?" he asks

"I am not sure yet, but it'll be no longer than two weeks from now. I just thought to let you know ahead of time as you said" I answer

"Hmm... I did say I would give you something for your journey. Come to me before you leave. It will be ready by then" he said.

I nodded and stood up, preparing to leave.

I didn't have a lot to gather for the journey, My space ring contains all my belongings and still has enough space to spare. These two weeks are an added vacation to rest properly from all the rigorous training I've been subjecting myself to.

Before I could turn around, Gamamaru said, "Ah Shun boy, why don't you visit our home and learn from us? Maybe it'll be useful for your training. It seems your body still has ways to go"

I stop for a moment to think about what he said properly, I don't hate his place I just have this natural dislike for his prophecy bullshit. Guess it wouldn't hurt to go there for a bit. I turn around and before saying

"Thank you Gamamaru-sama, I'll be sure to come around, though I don't know the exact location"

I answered, requesting a way to get there.

He seem to understand my point as he pulled out a scroll from his mouth and handed it to me. Opening it, I notice a very complex seal which I recognize as a summoning seal, though different from my algorithm.

"This is a seal I asked Hagoromo to make, it summons me from my place over to him. With this, I will know when you're ready and reverse summon you"

"Thank you"

I put the scroll away and bowed before turning to leave. This time I wasn't interrupted and I left the room to them old geezers.

I don't know why but whenever I'm in front of any of those three, I will always be respectful.

I guess it comes with their aura, experience, and age. It's like their aura makes anyone who looks at them feel respect.

It will take an equal amount of aura to stand in front of them and not be respectful.

And if I am to be compared with those three, I'm still short of experience and age

Maybe this trip will make up for my experiences.

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