For ordinary mortals, even a glance could be fatal.
That was no exaggerated figure of speech, but the brutal reality unfolding across this scorched earth.
The allied forces of the Five Great Nations had retreated over ten kilometers, but that did not mean they were safe. Even from that distance, the two chakra surges colliding furiously at the battlefield's center still made their hearts pound. Several sensory ninja with weaker constitutions tried to investigate the battle with Sensory Ninjutsu, only to bleed from both eyes and collapse unconscious with screams.
When gods fought, mortals suffered.
Those words weighed like a mountain on everyone's heart.
At the battlefield's center.
Madara Uchiha stood atop the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, his red armor clattering in the gale. He watched the young descendant hovering opposite him, the excitement in his eyes growing ever stronger, even taking on a hint of madness.
"Hahahaha! Good! Very good!"
Madara laughed and slammed his palms together. His blue Susanoo instantly formed three intricate hand signs.
"Your taijutsu is impressive, and so is your fire release. Even your presence can rival mine."
"Chiya Uchiha, you truly deserve to see me use that technique."
"I originally saved this move for Hashirama, but since that blockhead isn't here, you can savor it in his place!"
As Madara finished speaking, the surrounding air suddenly became unbearably oppressive.
The sky, already obscured by smoke and storm clouds, went completely dark.
It was not the darkness of night.
Something far larger, far more despair-inducing, was breaking through the clouds and blocking every ray of light.
"What... is that?"
In the distant allied camp, Ōnoki craned his neck. His cloudy old eyes widened, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints.
He knew this oppressive feeling all too well.
In his youth, he had been like