Yang: Crystal Release activated. Having evolved into a Kekkei Mōra, Crystal Release now crystallizes everything—chakra, matter, all of it without exception.
"What?"
"Impossible!"
Susanoo was crystallizing. Muren Uchiha's pupils trembled violently. This was his complete-body Susanoo.
How could something like that be crystallized?
He had dealt with Kazuyama for years and was well aware of the power of Crystal Release. By all logic, a Susanoo formed from highly concentrated chakra should have been beyond crystallization.
But the scene unfolding before him proved reality didn't care for logic.
"Muren Uchiha, it's been many years since we've met—or rather, we've met plenty of times, I just didn't know it was you."
"I kept wondering who hated me so much. Ah… was it because I threw you into the bathhouse back then?"
"No, wait. I remember there was someone else with you. Ao Uchiha, wasn't it? Where is he?"
Kazuyama's figure remained unseen. Muren could only listen to his voice while watching Susanoo turn to crystal piece by piece.
Even as he frantically gathered chakra to resist, it was meaningless. Against Yang Release, his Susanoo wasn't even in the same league. There was no stopping the inevitable. He could only watch helplessly as the crystallization spread.
"Damn it! Don't you dare say Ao's name!"
"You bastard!"
"Come out if you've got the guts! I'll kill you!"
Even with Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Muren Uchiha couldn't locate Kazuyama.
Once the Transparent Escape activated, he couldn't see him at all. And without sight of his target, his dōjutsu was useless.
Kazuyama ignored his rage completely and continued speaking leisurely:
"Oh? Mention Ao Uchiha and you start barking immediately?"
"Looks like he didn't survive the war? Dead?"
"Holy shit—you didn't transplant his eyes, did you? You actually fused Mangekyō with someone who isn't blood-related? Now that's impressive."
Kazuyama wasn't exaggerating. Mangekyō eye fusion was probabilistic—not guaranteed even between close relatives. Blood ties only increased the odds.
Muren Uchiha and Ao Uchiha weren't even family. And yet, the fusion succeeded?
Tsk, tsk. The Uchiha really were a clan capable of miracles.
"DIE!!"
He was gone—Muren Uchiha's sanity snapped completely.
Ao Uchiha was an untouchable taboo in his heart. No one was allowed to speak about him.
Though much of Susanoo had crystallized, it wasn't fully immobilized yet. He could still force it to move.
Driven by madness, the pitch-black Susanoo flickered with a faint glow—before erupting.
Both spears swung wildly in indiscriminate attacks, the explosive power forcing everyone else to retreat immediately.
"Tsk tsk, what are you panicking for?"
"You realize… you're the only one left on this battlefield, right?"
"Black Zetsu? Dead. Madara Uchiha? Dead. Kabuto? Dead."
"The future you wanted no longer exists. Pretty hopeless, isn't it?"
Susanoo froze for an instant—but then resumed its rampage.
Muren Uchiha's pupils shook uncontrollably. Black Zetsu dead? Madara dead?
As for Kabuto… he wasn't worth caring about.
Kabuto: I'm in hell, thanks for the mention! I'll wait for you down here!
Muren Uchiha: AAAAAHHHH!! That bastard! I'll kill him!
Kazuyama: Tsk tsk… no, you won't.
Everyone below had withdrawn at this point. Ever since Kazuyama arrived, Muren had fallen into total madness.
Even the shockwaves from Susanoo's rampage made their hearts tighten.
"Can he take him on alone?"
"Kushina, relax. Trust me—right now, he's the one in control."
Minato and Kushina had already settled into spectator mode, Minato especially calm.
He'd known Kazuyama for years. That bastard never fought battles he wasn't prepared for. If he made a move, it meant he was entirely confident he could end it.
This wasn't the first or second time this had happened.
"Didn't think he could kill Madara Uchiha… ah, I'm getting old."
"That man once suppressed the entire Shinobi World."
Everyone had heard Kazuyama's earlier statement. The moment they heard Madara was killed, Ōnoki immediately shut up.
No one present understood Madara better than he did.
Back then, even with his teacher—the Second Tsuchikage—with him, the two of them couldn't stand against Madara. They were crushed outright.
That overwhelming power remained etched in his memory.
And someone like that… was killed by Kazuyama.
How could he not be shaken?
"I don't think it's surprising. Like Chiyama said before—'The waves of the Yangtze push the waves before them.'"
"Every generation is stronger than the last. It's normal for us to surpass old relics. And our successors will surpass us. That's progress."
Yahiko had already withdrawn his chakra—because once Kazuyama acted, none of them would have a chance to intervene.
Konan and Terumi followed suit.
Rasa glanced at the three, frowned slightly… but then his expression abruptly changed. Shock washed over his face.
He muttered softly:
"Amegakure… Takigakure… the Seven-Tails…"
"No wonder… so that's how it is."
Among those present, Rasa had the highest analytical ability. As someone who researched tailed beasts, his mind immediately pieced together a conclusion so shocking he struggled to put it into words.
Above, the rampage was reaching its end. Susanoo had been crystallized to the point of losing all movement.
Muren Uchiha was panting hard. Forcing Susanoo with such unstable chakra had exhausted him completely—even with Eternal Mangekyō.
Crystal Release's interference was brutal. Maintaining Susanoo now required immense chakra he no longer had.
"What's wrong? Out of breath?"
"This won't do. You've got Eternal Mangekyō and you're still this weak?"
"Compared to Madara Uchiha, you really fall short."
In that instant, Muren felt something lightly touch his body.
That single touch detonated every danger signal in his brain.
"Damn it!"
He instantly leapt back—
But the entire area had already been sealed with Crystal Release. An invisible barrier stopped him dead in his tracks.