Chapter 114: The Pool of Blood
"The Nekomata's Journey... What a great name!"
"Of course it is. The old man gave it to me."
Ling was no longer in a hurry to study the [Wraith Pearl]. Compared with that thing, which could be studied at any time, the information brought by the Tailed Beasts that had survived since ancient times was obviously more important. "The old man... Do you mean the Father of ancestral figure Indra, the Six Paths Sage? Since 'Sage' should be an honorific title, should that person be called Six Paths?"
"Well, indeed, some people call the old man that..." After saying the name, The Nekomata's Journey seemed to have let go of some concern. It comfortably curled up like a loaf of bread and let Ling stroke it. "However, both 'Six Paths' and 'Sage' are just titles.
'Six Paths' refers to the six paths of sentient beings - the Deva Path, Shura Path, Human Path, Animal Path, Garyō, and Naraka Path. 'Sage' refers to the old man's mastery of chakra. The old man's real name is Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki."
"Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki?!" Ling frowned. "I've heard of the Hagoromo clan. Could they be..."
"They're not the old man's descendants. They're just ordinary people who followed the old man at that time and reaped some benefits. In terms of bloodline, your Uchiha clan is much closer to him."
The Nekomata's Journey licked its paws and let out a purring sound. "Moreover, if they were really the old man's descendants, there's no way they'd be in such a state now - the old man could have easily beat the living daylights out of that little rascal Indra back then."
After that, The Nekomata's Journey talked about many things from ancient times in a haphazard way, and Ling gradually formed an image of the Six Paths Sage and others through the information revealed by The Nekomata's Journey.
Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki was a legendary figure. He founded the ninja world, which is the source of all things. He had powerful abilities and great love for the world. He was also the creator of the nine Tailed Beasts and was later respected as the Six Paths Sage - he was just too partial to his youngest son. He was a qualified leader but not a very qualified Father.
Indra Ōtsutsuki, the eldest son of the Six Paths Sage, was highly talented, self - reliant, and independent. He created Hand Seals to truly popularize ninjutsu. He was arrogant but kind - hearted, yet his personality was too awkward. He often acted arbitrarily and was estranged from others. But because of his strong strength, many people truly followed him - a genius who was excellent in every aspect except for a personality that was really hard to tolerate.
Asura ōtsutsuki, the second son of the Six Paths Sage, was not very talented but very helpful. He often got into Booby Traps because he was careless in doing things, but he had excellent physical fitness and somehow managed to grow up. There were always all kinds of fellows around him - a little rascal with almost no good points except being good at making friends.
In summary, it was a family with quite serious problems.
But Ling was extremely puzzled about one thing - if the Uchiha clan was the descendants of Indra alone, just how many children did this ancestral figure have?
One person founded a whole clan?
Come on, this phrase shouldn't be used like this, right? Or at least it shouldn't be used in this context, right?
Ling didn't hide his doubts and asked rather bluntly.
"Humph~ I told you the ninja world has declined these days..." The Nekomata's Journey yawned and said. "You know, in the old days, when the old man wanted to give someone a Kekkei Genkai, he could influence their bloodline by adjusting the chakra in their body. Indra could do the same. Your Uchiha clan and several other descendants of the ancestral figure all came about this way."
"Using chakra to influence the bloodline... It's really hard to imagine such a thing nowadays." Ling's voice was filled with emotion. "Can you tell me about the other descendants of the ancestral figure?"
"Well... Apart from your Uchiha clan, the more well - known ones should be The Pool of Blood and The Kurama. But rather than being blood descendants, The Kurama is more like a ninja clan that has received formal teachings..."
"I've actually fought against members of The Kurama. Their Illusions Affecting the Five Senses are really troublesome... But The Pool of Blood?" Ling tilted his head slightly. "I've never seen such a clan in the clan's records or on the battlefield."
The Nekomata's Journey wagged its tail. "Their clan is a bit special, and they're a little more extreme than your Uchiha clan... Well, just a little."
Ling was immediately stunned. Was there a clan in the ninja world more extreme than theirs?
"If they're more extreme than our clan, they should be quite famous, right?" Ling tilted his head even further. "And no matter how extreme they are, it should be better than the way our Uchiha clan acts. Once someone offends one of us, it means offending the whole clan, and then it's a fight to the death."
"...You're surprisingly self - aware about this."
"Thanks for the compliment. So, what exactly is going on with The Pool of Blood?"
The Nekomata's Journey's voice was full of complexity. "I'm not wrong. The Pool of Blood is more extreme than your clan. After all, no matter how extreme your Uchiha clan is, you only target outsiders. The Pool of Blood targets everyone except themselves."
"...Including relatives and friends?"
"Including relatives and friends."
Ling couldn't help but fall into silence. There must be a problem with the bloodline of the ancestral figure Indra, right? Definitely!
Both direct - line ninja clans are total nuts!
What's even more crucial is that, in contrast, The Kurama simply received teachings. They not only didn't inherit this madness but also gained extremely powerful abilities. What's this all about?
Putting all effort into teaching disciples while neglecting descendants? Isn't this exactly the same as that Six Paths Sage?
Denying someone's actions on one hand while following their way of doing things on the other... Ancestral figure, are you really sure what you want?!
Ling realized he still hated this ancestral figure, after all. However, he had to admit that this kind of blood - pressure - raising thing was indeed in the typical style of the Uchiha clan. Whether it was confusing or not, he'd reluctantly recognize this ancestral figure for now. Whether that last wish was true or not, he'd give it a try. Even though, in a sense, he really didn't want to recognize this ancestral figure.
The Nekomata's Journey watched Ling's already somewhat distorted expression and comforted him by sweeping his wrist with its tail. "Come on, kid, you don't have to be so tangled up about it."
"After all, strictly speaking, only Uchihas who can awaken the Sharingan and members of The Pool of Blood who can awaken the Blood Ryūgan can be regarded as descendants of Indra. If one can't do this, they're just in name only and don't really count."
Ling's expression became even more distorted, but he still keenly noticed the information in The Nekomata's Journey's words. "Blood Ryūgan?"
"Yeah, it's the Kekkei Genkai of The Pool of Blood, which seems to allow them to manipulate blood. Anyway, it's quite troublesome for normal creatures."
The Nekomata's Journey started licking its paws again. "It's because of this Blood - inheritance Limit that The Pool of Blood isn't well - known. All those who fought them died, and they also seem to collect corpses to boost their strength. Since no information gets out, they naturally have no reputation."
"A Kekkei Genkai for manipulating blood..." Ling raised his hand and rubbed his temple. "It seems I need to have the clan be on alert."