There was desperation in his hissing now. The initial calculation was impeccable: even if it doesn't work out to defeat Uchiha Yue, it's a feasible task to elude him. But the calculations crumbled in the face of reality.
The will to live, the desperate, dying instinct forced him to urge his rapidly stiffening body, to awaken the power of the primordial heart. In vain. No matter how fiercely his will struggled in agony, the huge, wounded carcass remained impassive, lying like a dead weight on the parched ground.
The flesh, once supple and powerful, began to cool. There was no place for microorganisms in the Sphere of Dead Silence, but the body of the White Hermit Snake, devoid of vitality, was rapidly decomposing under the influence of the void itself. It was melting away, spreading out, turning into a shapeless mountain of fetid carrion.
...
The consciousness of the White Hermit Serpent, fading away, still clung to fragments of thoughts. He knew that this outcome was natural—by swallowing the entire Ryutii Cave, he dug his own grave. But in his plan, this day was supposed to be a day of triumph: he would shed this mortal shell, capture the Uchiha's eyes and find a new, divine life.
Instead, he found himself trapped in a dungeon of his own flesh, doomed to sink into oblivion with her.
Time lost its meaning. The giant snake was losing its last signs of shape, melting into dust. The White Hermit Serpent, filled with boundless bitterness and regret, died. He put everything on the line, thought through every step, but even divine intentions succumb to inexorable fate.
Uchiha Yue, hidden by the ring of energy, did not pay attention to the dead carcass. He was about to return to studying the space-time interference when he suddenly chuckled softly and lowered his gaze.
A myriad of flickering sparks began to rise from the disintegrating body of the White Hermit Serpent. Ghostly lights. The souls of snakes. He was in the very heart of a Sphere where impenetrable darkness reigned, and as soon as they appeared, these souls immediately began to melt, like snowflakes under the scorching sun.
"...What's going on... with me?.."
Conscience... It hasn't died out yet. But the bodies... The body is gone. By all the laws of the universe, he had to go to the Pure Lands.
So what is it?..
"It's a bad sign... This monster consumes souls too! No... Where are the Pure Lands? I have to get to the Pure Lands... me... I want to live!!!"
The soul of the White Hermit Serpent darted in agony. He felt a faint but familiar pull—there was undoubtedly a way. He had to survive, even if he was a disembodied spirit.
But before he could move, the souls hovering around her let out a silent scream and rushed furiously towards him.
"What do you need?! Go away! Get away, you nobodies!"
Their response was a discordant chorus of pain and rage.:
"Revenge..."
"You promised us... Mister... promised forever!"
"Promised divinity!"
The ghost snakes bit into his soul, violently tearing it apart.
"No way! You don't dare! I am your source, your ancestor! Without me, there would be no Ryti Cave! Your sacrifice in my name is this... Ah-ah-ah!.."
"I am your progenitor!"
"Have mercy... Don't eat me!!! I don't want to die!!!"
A piercing, terrified cry of the soul echoed through the Sphere and died away. The soul of the White Hermit Serpent was consumed by those whom he himself sacrificed. And a moment later, these confused, torn souls completely disappeared into Uchiha Yue's energy.
If they were on the edge of the Sphere, they would have a chance. But they were too close. Yue silently watched this act of karmic retribution without interfering.
"So it's A Sphere... it also consumes souls," he concluded emotionlessly.
Mount Myoboku.
The Great Hermit Toad slowly opened his heavy eyelids and sighed mournfully. The fluctuations of the natural energy subsided, but its drying up from the world did not stop. It's over. The White Hermit Serpent, having thrown all the power of the Ryuti Cave on the line, lost.
There was no prophecy, but he knew he couldn't win without it.
And yet... Aren't there miracles? Don't the most desperate sometimes challenge their destiny? Wasn't it Danzo Shimura who, against all odds, managed to break the threads of fate?
What if he had the same spark?
The Great Hermit Toad cherished this illusory hope to the last. Now it's gone. Worse, because of his recklessness, the end of this world will come much sooner.
"Come to me!"
Soon, a novice toad appeared in front of him.
"The White Hermit Serpent has fallen. Go to Ryti Cave. Collect what remains of their legacy of wisdom. When you're done, pass this knowledge on to people. And turn the cave into a place for senjutsu training," he rasped.
"It will be done, sir. I will inform Sage Shijima."
The toad bowed, preparing to leave.
"And one more thing. Tell me how the systematization of our own techniques is progressing..."
New Konoha.
The village has changed location again, settling away from the original lands. The grand battle had bypassed them, leaving them completely unaware.
Jiraiya, who was almost killed by a single blow from Tsunade, was stuck in the hospital for a long time. Soon he was accompanied by Tsunade herself, who almost disappeared into the Sphere of Dead Silence. Only now have both legendary Sannin finally left the hospital rooms.
***
"Jiraiya, become Hokage."
"No way, Tsunade. You're a much better candidate. I'm not qualified for this position. My place is on the battlefield or in a hot spring, but not in this chair."
They were sitting in the office, deciding the fate of a post that had been empty for too long. There wasn't even an acting ninja in New Konoha—while two of the village's strongest ninjas teetered on the brink of life and death, Shikaku Nara and the rest of the Jonin held the reins of power.
And, of course, the two elder councilors. After the death of Hiruzen Sarutobi, they showed rare prudence and retreated with the main forces. But how else? They are a precious asset of the village! Their wisdom, their experience! Their lives are the key to preserving the Will of Fire.
And isn't that what it's all about—for the young leaves to burn to the ground, lighting the way for those who follow? Why should old people go to the battlefield when there are young, full of strength Shinobi who are ready to gladly give their lives for the village? Do you even understand what the Will of Fire is?