Summary
The Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, is a legendary figure whose legacy profoundly shapes the world ofNaruto. As the progenitor of Chakra and the founder of Ninshu (Ninja Creed), Hagoromo’s teachings and actions laid the groundwork for the entire shinobi system, thereby influencing the lives of countless generations. His efforts to promote peace through chakra−spiritual connection− were the foundation of the series' most powerful abilities and techniques. However, the misinterpretation of his teachings led to a cycle of conflict that permeated the shinobi world. The Sage of the Six Path’s legacy permeates theNarutoseries as his ideals and actions continue through the struggles and rivalries of the characters. Hence, the Sage of Six Paths remains a pivotal figure whose influence is felt throughout the entire narrative, shaping the destiny of the shinobi and their quest for peace.
The Origin Of The Sage Of The Six Paths
The Birth Of Hagoromo And Hamura
Kaguya Otsutsukiwas Hagoromo’s mother, and he had a twin brother named Hamura. Their mother, Kaguya, consumed the fruit of the God Tree and gained immense power, becoming the firstwielder of Chakraon Earth. Meanwhile, Hagoromo and his brother inherited extraordinary abilities from their mother, who is revered as a deity by people on Earth. Kaguya’s power abuse led to her being feared and eventually reviled as a tyrant. Kaguya’s actions sowed the seeds of conflict, and her two sons decided to stop her reign of terror.
Subsequently, Kaguya summonedthe ten-tailed beasts, but the two brothers' combined strengths overwhelmed Kaguya, and she was defeated. Hagoromo and Hamura succeed in sealing Kaguya’s body within the moon. Afterward, Hagoromo obtained the power of the Ten-Tails and became the first jinchūriki, a human host of a tailed beast. This immense power earned him the Sage of the Six Paths title, as he had awakenedthe Rinnegan, a powerful dōjutsuthat gave him control over life and death, creation, and destruction. Sealing the ten tails within himself prevented the beast from wreaking havoc on the world, but this also means Hagoromo has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.
Sage Of The Six Paths Legacy: The Creation Of The Tailed Beasts
The Birth Of The Cycle Of Hatred And The Inception Of Chakra
Hagoromo’s most significant contribution to the world was the introduction of Chakra, an energy source that became the foundation of all Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu. His mother hoarded the power source and made it unavailable to people, but Hagoromo believed Chakra must be accessible in all forms. Hagoromo recognized that Chakra has the potential to connect people, reduce the likelihood of conflict, and promote peace. In the series, there are several instances where Chakra connects people meaningfully. One notable example is duringthe Fourth Great Ninja Warwhen Naruto shared his Chakra with his fellow shinobis, and they could experience and feel Naruto’s emotions. Sharing Chakra can create a powerful bond between individuals, allowing them to support each other in times of need. However, over time, chakras were transformed into a more combat-oriented use of Chakra that becamethe foundation of the shinobi system. This unintended shift led to the weaponization of Chakra and the proliferation of violence, something Hagoromo had sought to prevent.
Another crucial aspect of Hagoromo’s legacy was his role in creating the tailed beasts. After defeating his mother and sealing the Ten-Tails within himself, Hagoromo realized that the immense power of the Ten-Tails was too dangerous. In this vein, he divided the Ten-Tails' Chakra into nine distinct forms, creatingthe tailed beasts: Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, Son Gokū, Kokuō, Saiken, Chōmei, Gyūki, and Kurama. Hagoromo did not treat these tailed beasts as mere weapons or tools but as beings with feelings, each with unique personalities and powers. Before his death, he reassured the tailed beasts that they would one day find someone to understand them and treat them with respect—a prophecy that Uzumaki Naruto later fulfilled.
However, with all the good aspects that permeatethe Sage of the Six Path’s legacy, one of the most tragic aspects of the legacy is the cycle of hatred that emerged. The rivalry between his sons, Indra and Asura, emanated into a cycle that transcended Hagoromo’s teachings. Indra, the elder son, inherited their father’s powerful Chakra. However, he believed peace could only be achieved through power and control. On the other hand, Asura was not as naturally gifted but embodied the principles of love, cooperation, and perseverance.
Hagoromo recognized Asura’s virtues and chose him as his successor to carry on his teachings.
This decision sparked a deep resentment in Indra, who harbored hatred toward his brother. This rivalry between Indra and Asura transcended their lifetimes, with their souls being reincarnated in successive generations, which birth the cycle of hatred and conflict in the Shinobi world. This cycle manifested in the enmity betweenthe Uchiha and Senju clans(Madara vs Hashirama), descendants of Indra and Asura. The conflict between these clans eventually culminated in the rivalry betweenSasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki, who are significant characters in the series. This recurring struggle highlighted the difficulty of breaking free from the cycle of hatred and achieving true peace inNaruto.
Hagoromo’s Teachings To The Shinobi World
The Sage’s Continued Influence For All Shinobi
Even after his death, Hagoromo’s influence continued to resonate throughout the shinobi world. Even though his teachings were distorted over the years, they still formedthe basis of ninjutsu. The belief in peace and balance was at the heart of Hagoromo’s teachings. He believed the world could achieve harmony if people understood one another’s feelings and intentions. He used Chakra to achieve this, in his view, allowing them to share their experiences and cultivate empathy. Hagoromo also believed power should be used responsibly and that the power imbalance could lead to conflict and suffering. This belief was evident in his decision to split the Ten-Tails' Chakra into nine-tailed beasts, distributing its power to prevent any individual from becoming too powerful or dominant.
Hagoromo’s teachings emphasize the importance of love and cooperation over the pursuit of power. He believed that true peace could only be achieved when people worked together and cared for one another rather than seeking to dominate others through strength. In the Fourth Great Ninja War, Hagoromo played a direct role in aiding Naruto and Sasuke. When the conflict betweenthe Allied Shinobi Forcesand the resurrected Ten-Tails reached its climax, Hagoromo appears before Naruto and Sasuke in a spiritual form, revealing their true identities as the reincarnations of Asura and Indra. Hence, Hagoromo entrusted them with his power—granting them each half of his Chakra and the ability to wield the Rinnegan andSix Paths Sage Mode. This power was instrumental in their final battle against Kaguya, whoBlack Zetsuhad resurrected. His appearance during this critical moment highlighted the enduring relevance of his teachings and the importance of his vision for the shinobi world.
