The energy he absorbed was not just compressed in his body, turning it into a kind of super-powerful battery. The essence of the process was deeper: it triggered evolution at a fundamental level. The strength of his skin, the density of his muscles, the durability of his cells, the complexity of his genes, the very nature of his soul, all underwent irreversible changes. He was reborn, turning from a mere mortal into a true super-being.
With each passing second of this transformation, his lifespan also increased. However, aging itself has long ceased to be a problem for him. As soon as the body began to wither, his dojutsu "renewed" it, returning it to its peak state, but retaining all the accumulated experience and strength. This process erased any traces of time.
boom!
A blinding flash, comparable to the explosion of a nuclear bomb, pierced the chilling darkness for a moment. Streams of colossal energy poured into Uchiha Yue's body as he indifferently looked down at the world from above.
—H-how… How is this possible…
In the brief glow, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others finally saw the truth. The one they were calling out to, Uchiha Yue, never showed up. Instead, they saw a gigantic, incredibly huge Susanoo. His titanic feet almost touched the ground — only a measly ten meters separated them from the surface, proving that this giant still soars in the sky.
— How so… HOW COME?! Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was strained, and his face was distorted by a mask of horror. How, being at such a distance, to convey the Will of Fire to Yue's heart?
They looked like insignificant ants against the background of this colossus. Yue probably hadn't even seen them.
Moreover, the sound did not spread in this cursed place. Their voices were drowned in silence, not reaching his ears. That meant one thing: they had failed.
"Damn it!" Damn Uchiha! Shimura Danzo cursed before the light finally faded.
They could not imagine that all this time Yue was just relaxing in the cockpit of his Susanoo, completely isolated from the outside world.
—Third-sama, what now?" Sasuke… Sasuke can't take it anymore! Uchiha Itachi's voice trembled with despair.
Behind him, the younger brother's body was covered in frost. Sasuke's face was deathly pale, and his chest was barely heaving. The chakra in his body was burning up like fuel in a fire and was running low.
"What should I do...— whispered Sarutobi. He raised his hand: the skin on it cracked, crumbling to dust and exposing bones. The energy of their sacrificial bodies, the colossal senjutsu chakra, ten times the power of the Nine-Tails, was also running out.
There was no hope left. All that remained was to die. Fortunately, they are already dead, and this bitter experience will be useful next time.
The only problem is Sasuke. It seems that there is no way to save him. He was going to die here, and he was their trump card.
Well, that's their miscalculation. In the end, it's just another Uchiha that's going to die. The error is not that big. Next time, you can just make Itachi bow harder and speak more convincingly.…
Suddenly, the giant in the sky indifferently lowered his gaze. It was at this moment, exactly six seconds later, that the light from their attack finally went out. The world was once again plunged into absolute darkness, silence and cold.
— Hurry up! Sarutobi managed to shout, and his voice was drowned in silence. This is their last chance.
Shimura Danzo hesitated for only a fraction of a second before collapsing to his knees.
— Uchiha Yue, I was wrong! His voice was rising to a scream. "I shouldn't have pursued your clan! I admit my guilt! It's all in the past, you've had your revenge! You killed me, destroyed the Root— you should be happy! Forgive me, I beg you, spare Konoha! No matter what happens, this is the village that raised you! The common people are not to blame for anything!
Danzo was tearing his throat out, his face contorted into a grimace of unbearable agony. That damned bastard Uchiha Yue! If it weren't for those eyes... if it weren't for those eyes…
In his own mind, these apologies were more than sincere. Some insignificant commoner, having been honored by his repentance, should have died with gratitude and presented his eyes to him!
Humiliation! What an unheard-of humiliation! Wait, Yue, when you die, I'll take your body for research! — he roared in his soul, burning with rage, but his tone became more and more humble, and his head beat more and more fiercely on the frozen ground.
At the same time, Uchiha Itachi also knelt down.
"Yue, do you remember me?" I'm your brother, Itachi! Forgive me… I was wrong! I shouldn't have raised my hand against the clan, and even more so against you! I beg you, for the sake of our common blood, tame your power!
"Then... for the sake of the village, for the sake of the clan's future, I had no choice!" Everything I did was for our kind, for Konoha, and for Sasuke! Do you understand?
"Do you know how calmly my father accepted death from my blade?" He asked me to take care of the village and Sasuke. He said that the pain of the clan members was temporary, and I would have to bear it for the rest of my life.… I'm so sorry! Yue, I'm begging you!
"Stop it!" At least do it for Sasuke's sake! He almost died to see you! He is the Uchiha clan's last hope.… Big brother... I know how much you're hurting. As a member of the village, as the one who realized everything... I…