The instant the two touched it, they met exactly the same fate as Tsunade!
The smile vanished from Naruto's face. His pupils contracted, and every hair on his body stood on end. A chill and sorrow that pierced his soul enveloped him, as though he had plunged into a hell of blood where ten thousand people wailed.
Beneath his mask, Kakashi's expression turned utterly grave, his eyes filled with shock. Countless chaotic, grief-stricken, furious thoughts flooded his mind, violently shaking his spirit.
Almost simultaneously, they withdrew their hands, their bodies slightly tense. It took them a long time to recover.
Only everyone's heavy breathing remained in the conference room.
A moment later, Sasuke, who had touched the blade last, spoke softly, testing his conclusion with a tone of certainty. "It's souls, isn't it?"
"The true substance of this blade is the power of countless souls condensed together."
At those words, a clear flicker of surprise crossed the Uzumaki Elder's eyes, and he gave Sasuke a long look.
He seemed not to have expected Sasuke to uncover the heart of the matter through perception alone.
"You sensed it?" the elder asked calmly. "Did the power of the Rinnegan help you see into the souls?"
"Yes." Sasuke gave a slight nod.
"Souls?!"
Tsunade, Naruto, and Kakashi cried out in shock again. The revelations piled upon one another, overturning everything they had learned about ninjutsu throughout their lives.
Naruto's eyes widened. Pointing at the Ancient Longsword in disbelief, he asked in utter confusion, "Souls are intangible! You can't see them or touch them! How could they condense and turn into a physical blade?!"
It defied every principle they had always taken for granted!
Seeing their disbelieving faces, the Uzumaki Elder gently shook his head, his voice carrying the weight of years.
"Nothing is