Apocalypse: This world cannot be saved...

The dead, lifeless desert, scorched by the bright rays of the sun, stretched for hundreds, even thousands of kilometers. Sand, and that’s all… Not a single living soul, except for the seven lying unconscious. Heat was the first thing Obito felt when he woke up. Again… Again he wakes up and finds himself alive. But where is he? The Uchiha opened his eyelids and the first thing he saw was the clear blue sky. There were practically no clouds. Rising up on his elbows, Obito looked around. Desert. Did he end up in Sunagakure? How? The air was heated to an unbearable temperature. The hot sand mercilessly transferred its warmth to the man. “It’s time to get out of here,” he thought, getting to his feet. Obito looked around again. He didn’t die here. He became ashes in Kaguya’s dimension. -Why am I here? He asked himself almost in a whisper. There were dunes of sand around him. “Edo Tensei?” — flashed through his head — “Most likely…” He could not find any other explanation for this. The Uchiha climbed up to him. Endless desert for hundreds of kilometers. And somewhere there must be a village. He rarely visited Kaze no Kuni, but he knew its location. -What the hell? Obito tried to activate Kamui, but it didn’t work. He tried again and again, but to no avail. “We’ll have to walk…” he stated, looking at the clear blue sky, “In this heat it will be problematic.” Cursing everything and everyone, he moved forward. Hot sand got into the sandals, burning the skin. Why was he brought back to life? Why can’t he use chakra? Who needed to mock him like that? “Stop!” — it finally dawned on him — “The resurrected don’t feel anything, then why am I… I’m really alive.” — He lowered his gaze to his hands. He took off his gloves and took a handful of sand in his hand to check and immediately felt a burning sensation. The temperature made him incredibly hot. -If this is not Kinjutsu, then what? The question was asked into the void. Only a weak hot wind silently answered him. How long will he have to wander in search of answers? …For about an hour, Obito walked under the scorching sun. His clothes stuck unpleasantly to his body. It was so hot that he decided to take off his black turtleneck, leaving only a kimono. Thirst took its toll, but there was no water anywhere for kilometers here. Even though his body was half made of Zetsu’s flesh, his advantages clearly did not work here. “As he said, he doesn’t need to eat? Then why is it the other way around in this place? Where the hell was I?” A weak wind blew the hems of the kimono. It did not provide any cooling at all, but only added fuel to the fire. The Uchiha wandered for a long time. Obito climbed another sandy hill. “When will this fucking desert end?” — the strength is already running out, but it never ends. Obito spun 360° and was immediately taken aback. The gaze of onyx eyes came across an unconscious man. -Well, at least one… Obito suddenly jumped out of his seat. Along the way, he somersaulted twice due to his feet getting stuck in the sand, causing him to slide. Having sniffed the sand twice with his nose, he approached the unconscious body of the man. He lay with his back to the mercilessly beating rays of the sun. Obito carefully turned it over and was horrified. “Itachi?!” — he exclaimed mentally. -You’re dead… He said quietly, not believing what he saw. It is unknown how he ended up here, and alive to boot, and so did Itachi! What happened to them? Is this really Heaven… or Hell? “It was not…” Obito thought. The only person in the entire area who tried to set him on fire with Amaterasu through the eyes of his brother. And now in front of him will be the one who used him as a pawn… The meeting of old “friends” promises to be unforgettable! Obito dropped to the courts in front of him, patting him on the face to bring him back to his senses. - Rise, sleeping beauty! The former Akatsuki member winced, which was a sign — he was alive. Now he won’t be left to rot in the desert alone. -Okay… If you don’t want to, then we’ll use another method… Obito approached his right ear — “This will definitely work.” — and shouted. -Itachi! Sasuke is dying! Need your help! Itachi suddenly jumped up from his seat, taking a semi-sitting position. Blood rushed to his brain overnight. His heart was beating like mad in his chest. The Uchiha glanced around quickly. Nothing… Nothing but sand… Itachi turned his gaze to the grinning stranger. He doesn’t know him. -Good morning, Itachi. The Uchiha greeted his clanmate, supporting the whole part of his face with his hand. -Who are you? -You know me… I would even say that you know me very well. “Madara?!” — this name flashed through his head. Itachi suddenly attacked him, knocking him onto the hot sand. Obito was ready for such a reaction, so he didn’t even resist, because he deserved it. Itachi incinerated him with his gaze. Is hatred the curse of the Uchiha? If so, then now he can get rid of both her and the source of this problem… -What will be your last words, Madara? -Well… Not Madara, but Obito, to be honest. This is firstly… And secondly, we haven’t seen each other for a long time. Itachi grabbed him by the breasts of his kimono. Anger? No, rage was boiling inside him. This bastard used him, used Sasuke… It’s the least he ever did in his life! Obito didn’t do anything. He didn’t try to resist or fight back. Even then, thanks to Naruto, he realized everything. And only before his death at the hands of the damn Kaguya, Obito was able to atone for his guilt for hundreds, no, thousands of innocent victims… But this does not apply to the dead, even after death… Itachi barely restrained himself from killing him right away. His hands were really itching, but only his brain stopped him from such an obsessive decision. He briefly looked around the area, but tried not to take his eyes off this scum for a long time. You never know what else will come out… -What am I doing here? He asked, holding back his anger. -I would like to know this myself… He answered, to which the Uchiha squinted, “he’s obviously getting dark.” -Are you using Edo Tensei again? Itachi tightened his grip. Obito didn’t even move, he only glanced briefly at his onyx eyes at his hands, which could have grabbed him by the throat at any moment. “At first I thought so myself, but only alive, like you, Itachi.” The Uchiha arched an eyebrow questioningly, but only he felt everything — the blow of the hot wind, the heat from the sun’s rays, everything! He is truly alive, not resurrected. He backed away from Madara, rising to his feet. Obito watched his movements, who knows what he will do. Itachi scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. So what now? As you can see, he is near Sunagakure — three days and he will return home, to his native village, to Sasuke. -If you think that your life is everything, then try using the Sharingan. -For what? -Or some other technique… Try it and you will understand what I mean, Itachi. Itachi glanced at him incredulously. What are these riddles for? Why not say it directly? “Well, okay…” he thought and exhaled, sooner or later he’ll have to. Itachi tried to activate the sharingan, but only fell into bewilderment. The doujutsu did not activate. He tried the same thing, but only created a fireball, and here he failed. -You see? Chakra doesn’t work. -Is this your job? — I myself have had the same thing since I woke up. Obito looked at the sky, the sun began to slant toward sunset. Soon this fucking heat will subside and the long-awaited coolness of the night will come. -And for quite a long time… Itachi looked at him with an unreadable gaze. He would have asked a couple more questions, but a rather familiar voice prevented him from doing so. -Long time no see, Itachi-kun. The man’s heart skipped a beat. “That voice…” flashed through his head. The Uchiha slowly turned towards the source. His eyes widened in surprise. “Can’t be!” — he exclaimed mentally, because in front of them stood the one who died before his eyes several years ago. -Shisui?! *** As soon as Shisui came to his senses, he opened his eyes and immediately squinted, covering them with his hand. The sun was shining straight on him, blinding him. Taking a sitting position, he waited until the sunbeams stopped jumping in front of him. Blinking, the Uchiha looked around. The endless expanses of the desert stretched for hundreds of kilometers. “Is this really Heaven?” He was torn from his thoughts by a painful groan, which usually happened after a hangover. Shisui turned around. There was another person behind him. From the sign on his kimono, I saw that this man was also from Uchiha Ichizoku. Shisui quickly rolled to his feet and ran up to him. -Hey! How are you? He asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. Taking a closer look, Shisui noticed his resemblance to Sasuke. Striking resemblance! The man was holding his head. It felt like he had been hit with a fairly heavy blow… from a hammer. There was clearly nothing less here. Once the pain subsided, he gestured that everything was fine. Shisui pulled away from him, helping him to his feet. -I noticed that you are also from the Uchiha clan, however, I have never seen you. What is your name? -Izuna… The Uchiha looked around — sand. “Kaze no Kuni? How did I get here?” -Why are we in the desert? Where is everyone? “I don’t know this… I just woke up myself.” Izuna, staggering slightly, walked straight to the top of the dune — the view from here opened up to the entire horizon. “Returning to Hi no Kuni will be quite difficult. I wonder how Madara is doing? Surely he was able to take revenge on these Senju for me, brothers and many other Uchiha…” Shisui joined him. Walking in the sun will be very difficult, especially without water… —Sunagakure should be nearby. If we go now, we will be there by evening. - Sunagakure? What else is this? Izuna asked in confusion. This was the first time he had heard about this place. Shisui turned his onyx eyes to his clanmate in bewilderment. “Don’t know what Suna is? How did he hit his head like that?” —Sunagakure no Sato is a shinobi village in Kaze no Kuni. You do not remember? -No. I have never heard of such a village… Shisui raised an eyebrow questioningly. “Never heard of Sand? There’s clearly something wrong here… And there’s only one way to find out.” -What is the last thing you remember? Izuna began to remember his last day — the battle against the damn Senju. -We fought against the Senju. The younger brother of their clan leader, Tobirama, stabbed me with a katana. The wound was fatal. My brother gave the order to retreat. Then I was already dying and bequeathed my eyes to my brother. And he died… Shisui was surprised. No! Shocked by what I heard! “War with the Senju?!” This was about a hundred years ago!” -As far as I know… What you just said happened during the time of the First Hokage. -Hokage? Who is this? -Let’s get on the road and I’ll tell you the whole story along the way. …They walked for a long time, just as Shisui’s story lasted. He told his distant relative about everything that had happened. He talked about how the Senju and the Uchiha made peace. How Madara and Hashirama fought to the death in which the Legendary Uchiha died. Two experiences after the war. And how he wanted to stop the coup… “…I was about to head to Fugaku-sama, but the ANBU did NOT catch me first.” After our little battle, Danzo took my right eye. I was able to run away from him, but not far — there was a tail behind me. A little later, Itachi-kun saved me. I could no longer save the clan from the coup. I gave my remaining eye to him, in the hope that it would not be used. My plan with Kotoamatsuki didn’t work… I don’t know what happened next — I jumped off the cliff — but it’s possible that the massacre of the clan could not be avoided. -That’s it… Izuna listened to him without interrupting. Didn’t even ask a single question. He just listened… He listened about how his brother did not listen to him, how the clan was isolated, how all the members of his clan died. All the blood shed in these endless wars, the blood of brothers, was all in vain… “Madara didn’t listen to me… If he hadn’t made peace with them, then everything could have been different.” “I wouldn’t say so, Izuna-san.” The conclusion of peace made it possible to end the clan war. This is rather something else… -In a different? And what is it, Shisui? He asked incomprehensibly. In some ways this boy was right, but he did not live in those times. Shisui lived in a calm time when he was almost untouched by the war. And he survived the death of three brothers, parents… This cannot be compared with what they had. Shisui thought about it. And really, “What?” He only knows from the words of others what happened in those days. And in front of him was the one who lived then. Although not in that period of time… “I don’t know what your brother was like, but from the words of others I heard that he was a tyrant. I think if he had been, let’s say, milder, it might not have come to this… -Or if the Senju had not imposed restrictions on our clan. Interrupted the clan member’s thoughts. —The clan did not deserve such treatment. Even if we were labeled as murderers, we are not so terrible. We treat them the same way they treat us. It was the appeals of your Hokage that led to this outcome… Shisui had nothing to say to him. Izuna is basically right. If it were not for isolation, then the coup would not have come to pass. Itachi wouldn’t have to bear this burden… They walked the rest of the way in deathly silence. They both had something to think about… They were both dead, so they had nowhere to rush. After passing another sandy hill, Shisui saw his best friend. “Mirage?” — he thought. They have been walking for a long time under the scorching sun. -Who are these two? “But no. Not a mirage…” Izuna saw them too. And this means… “I don’t know the man sitting, but I know him very well.” Shisui rushed towards them. Izuna glanced at him in confusion, but a little later rushed after him. There’s nowhere to go anyway. Shisui stopped about ten meters from them. -Long time no see, Itachi-kun. Itachi turned to him. Shisui was glad, it was him. The Uchiha was glad to meet his old friend, even though he died… *** -Shisui?! Itachi couldn’t believe his eyes. His friend is standing in front of him — ALIVE!!! He rushed towards him, scooping him up in his arms. Itachi couldn’t remember how many years had passed since then, and it didn’t matter now. He’s alive. Standing alive in front of him. Shisui was slightly taken aback by Itachi’s outburst. Yes, they haven’t seen each other for a long time, but their friend hasn’t changed much since then. It’s like nothing happened… “Itachi, you’ll strangle me.” Itachi pulled away from him, allowing him to breathe deeply again. -Sorry, Shisui… -Nothing. I’m glad to meet you again too. Obito watched from the sidelines the reunion of old friends. “Kiss again for the full picture,” he thought, rising from the sand, “Lovebird friends…” Then his gaze caught on a stranger who vaguely resembled Itachi’s younger brother. -Who else is this? Obito interrupted the cute cooing couple. Shisui looked down at first, but then remembered that he had not come alone. -Oh yes! Sorry… You two will be a little surprised by what I’m about to tell you. Meet Uchiha Izuna. He is… the younger brother of Uchiha Madara himself. Obito choked on air. “Did I hear right?! How did he end up here?! If only…” - Madara?! This scum that is also here?! He exclaimed, which attracted puzzled looks. They certainly did not expect such a reaction. Izuna glanced at him ominously. Why would they suddenly talk about his brother like that? Moreover, he is a clan member. “I hope you have good reasons for talking about my brother like that.” - Yes, what’s your name… -Izuna. - Yes, Izuna, just as it is! Your brother ruined my life! Because of him, I deceived Akatsuki! Because of him, I betrayed all my friends, the village! Because of him, I declared World War IV and wreaked havoc on the world! Due to not… Obito stopped mid-sentence. He pinched the bridge of his nose. So much has accumulated inside over the years. -If it weren’t for Madara, she wouldn’t have died… A silent pause hung over them. This is the small part that he was able to express. The rest he would like to tell this creature personally. And not only verbally, but also physically. Izuna didn’t say anything about this. The emotional outburst of a clan member spoke volumes. Who did his brother become? From everyone’s words, he already understood that Madara became a monster after his death. “But you were different, brother…” Obito stood with his back to them, closing his eyes. He has already given up his feelings. Now we need to get them under control again, just like the previous eighteen years. Izuna walked up to him, placing his hand on his left shoulder. Obito turned his gaze to him, turning his head. The elder Uchiha looked away from him. “I don’t know what happened after my death, but what you are saying about my brother at first seemed like complete nonsense to me. I won’t say that “I’m sorry”… Izuna squeezed his shoulder, turning his onyx eyes to his face. “But what happened to him is more my fault than anyone else’s.” I understand your pain. Madara and I ourselves lost three brothers when we were just children. Patting the Uchiha on the shoulder, Izuna moved away from him. -Don’t be angry with him. Otherwise you will continue to live in hatred… Obito stood there, thinking about his words. “Don’t hold a grudge against Madara… Easier said than done.” Shaking his head, he returned to the others. They have other worries now. “We need to get to the village by evening, or at least by night.” We won’t last long in this desert… Standing at the top of the dune, Izuna began to reason. “If we came from there, then they most likely,” looking in the opposite direction, “from there.” So, go either west or east…” -This is not how I imagined Paradise… Shisui said, which attracted the attention of Obito and Itachi. “These two clearly weren’t trying to use chakra…” they thought at the same time. -Isn’t it possible to use chakra in Paradise? -A? Shisui looked questioningly at his new acquaintance. -What are you talking about? -Try to use chakra and you will understand. Itachi answered mysteriously, which made him fall into a slight stupor. Shisui looked first at one and then at the other, but still decided to fulfill the request. Izuna heard out of the corner of his ear what they were talking about and, interested, turned his head towards them. Shisui quickly formed the seals of the Koton: Gokakyu no Jutsu technique and took a deep breath. He tried to release a fireball, but nothing happened. -What? Shisui asked in complete confusion. Izuna raised an eyebrow questioningly as he looked at them. To be unable to perform the simplest clan technique is nonsense! - So we don’t understand. Or… Obito chuckled at his assumption. -Either there is no place for chakra in Paradise, or we are in a completely different world… -Another world? Shisui asked. Once again he falls into confusion, and at most thirty minutes have passed! Obito and Itachi nodded in unison, which completely finished him off. “I think these few hours will last me a long time…” he thought, rubbing his forehead with his hand. Although the sun was heading towards sunset, the heat still did not go away. “Another world means…” Izuna thought. “Time in this place promises to be eventful.” The Uchiha scanned the sandy horizon. Without chakra it will be much more difficult for them, but it will be even worse if they do not find a settlement. Then it is not chakra, but heat and hunger that will be their main problems that can kill them a second time… -Let’s go east. We had already been to the north and south and there was nothing there, since we met here… “Let’s go again…” Obito thought with a heavy sigh. “I’ve already lost seven sweats while I was walking here…” Because of the heat, Izuna took off his kimono, throwing it over his shoulder. It burned quite well. … Without further ado, the Uchiha group walked along the sandy valley. Izuna led the others while Itachi and Shisui talked among themselves. They had something to talk about after so many years. But Obito trailed behind them like a thundercloud, from which, alas, the rain would not come. In his head he replayed moments from his worthless life. Would he like to turn back time? Obito would happily answer yes. If he had not accepted Madara’s offer, he would not have lived as a ghost of the past. If this damn cobblestone had not crushed him, he would not have met him. If only… What if? He won’t change anything. He died and was resurrected in an unknown place where chakra does not work. There is one more life left to survive… Why was he given this chance? Why did he become alive again? Izuna walked without looking back, although he felt the negativity trailing behind them with his back, and he even knows its bearer. “I wish I could find you soon, brother. We have something to talk about…” What have they come to? The clans declared peace, creating a village — Konoha, as Madara called it. Then only three Uchiha remained alive, and now there is only one… He was brought out of his thoughts by the sight of some building in the distance. Izuna ran up the hill, which attracted everyone’s attention. Having climbed up, he took a closer look, covering his eyes with his hand from the sun’s rays. “Not a mirage.” — he thought, peering at the large building, on both sides of which there was a black road. - We’ll spend the night there. He replied, pointing forward as the others approached him. Almost simultaneously they all looked in that direction. Quite a strange building, but for a start this is the best they could find… …Having arrived in a couple of minutes, they began to examine the strange building. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.” — was spinning in everyone’s head. A long abandoned building, of which there was only something… The canopy was much larger than itself. -It looks strange… Shisui voiced their thoughts, with which the others agreed. Unfamiliar inscriptions only confirmed that they were not in their own world. None of them understood this language at all. There was practically nothing to see outside — a wasteland with only one unexplored place. “Shisui and I will look from the back, and you will enter from here.” It’s clear? Everyone nodded in agreement. Izuna and Shisui disappeared behind the wall, and Obito and Itachi went inside. The room was practically no different from any other place they were born in. An ordinary store near the road, but abandoned for quite some time. It is unlikely that they will find anything here… Obito walked around all the counters and stands that were there. It is not known how long this place has been empty, but for the four of them, there may be enough for a week — until they find a populated area. Itachi examined the distant shelves. He came across a switch a couple of times, but none of them worked. There hasn’t been any light here for a long time… -Did you find anything? Obito asked, leaning against a column that stood in the middle of the room, serving as a support for the ceiling. Itachi shook his head. -Clear… -And you? He asked, taking a shovel from the utility room. Obito ran his hand through his hair and glanced around quickly. -Yes, practically nothing… Maybe it will be enough for us for a week, or even less. Itachi nodded understandingly and turned his gaze back to the utility room. Shovels, sledgehammers, tools and all sorts of things. If there is anything to dig graves with… I just want to bury one for what he did to his brother, although he himself is to blame for it. It was he who led him down the path of hatred. —At first I thought I heard it. Now I see that it’s still you, Obito… “That voice…” flashed through his head. Again he hears that hateful voice. The Uchiha turned to the new source of the voice. If Itachi, with his mask of indifference, as always, looked at the stranger, then Obito was ready to pounce on him and strangle him. -You… Clenching his fist until he crunched, the Uchiha looked at this very scum that had deceived him. Madara just grinned. -I’m glad to see you too. -Do you know him? Itachi cut in, looking at the two. Gritting his teeth and barely restraining himself, Obito glanced at him and answered. - As far as I know… With a jerk, he snatched the shovel from the hands of the intoxicated Itachi and in one step approached his distant relative. - It would be better if you stayed in your grave! Obito shouted to him, swinging a shovel to break his head in half. However, Madara intercepted the cold weapon flying at him by the shaft, which made the Uchiha growl angrily. Nothing has passed, but again they don’t let him kill him… Although Zetsu did it last time, using his body, he pierced the heart of this creature with his own hands. “You haven’t changed at all, Obito.” - And even more so, Madara… He muttered through his teeth, tightening his grip. The tip of the shovel was about fifteen centimeters from the Uchiha’s face. Dara sharply loosened his grip and jerked the approaching shovel aside, which put Obito into a state of confusion. The shovel hit the wall with a clang. The elder Uchiha closed the distance between them in one step. Obito didn’t have time to react before they pressed him against the wall, grabbed him by the neck, and began to squeeze his throat, cutting off access to oxygen. Itachi did not interfere in their squabble. He himself wanted to do the same, but something inside was holding him back. Sympathy? Maybe… That emotional outburst of his clanmate made him doubt him a little, but this does not mean that he began to trust him. Madara burned him with his Rinnegan gaze. Obito tried to break free, but he held him in a death grip. Almost no oxygen entered his lungs. A little more and they will bury him with this very shovel… Madara glared at him a little more with an unreadable gaze. And when the life was already beginning to leave the boy, he loosened his grip, allowing him to finally breathe in the saving air. Obito began to greedily inhale oxygen, coughing periodically. He looked blankly at the ghost of the past, which had become the worst nightmare of his life. He noticed that he was looking in a completely different direction. The Uchiha could hardly turn his head to where he was looking with his damn Rinnegan. “Izuna…” he noticed him in the passage from the side of the storage room, as he realized, “How did you come on time…” Madara looked at his brother without blinking. He didn’t want it to disappear as soon as he closed his eyes. To say that he was in shock is to say nothing… The brother who was dying in his arms now in front of him is alive! -Izuna… The only thing he could get out of himself was a half-whisper. -Hello to you too, brother. Izuna looked at Madara with an unreadable gaze. Why did the older brother’s soul feel somehow… heavy? After almost a century of separation, they met again. Only, there was no joy in this meeting… The brothers looked at each other, the others were just a background to them. Obito was able to carefully wriggle out of the weakened grip and, in two large steps, stand opposite the unnoticed Itachi, whom Shisui had already approached. -I understand that this is Madara, Izuna-san’s brother? He asked in a whisper, after which he received two affirmative nods. -Let’s go away for a couple of minutes. Let them talk to each other. Shisui put his hands on their shoulders and, hugging them lightly, led them outside. - After all, they haven’t seen each other for a hundred years… *** -Izuna… Hearing Madara, he put his palm forward, asking him to be silent. -Do not say anything. I have a couple of questions for you that I want to ask you… Izuna walked past his drunken brother. The elder had never seen him like this before. This was the first time he had seen Izuna like this, and he didn’t like it at all… The younger stopped three steps away, standing with his back to Madara. -Remember that time when we fought the Senju? Then Tobirama pierced me with his Hiraishin technique… - I remember. He answered, to which Izuna chuckled faintly. “Then I told you not to trust the “false” promises of the Senju… And now I learn that you have united with them and built a village that you called Konoha. A joyless smile appeared on his face, but his brother did not see it. -However, you managed to stop the war between us… But… But you yourself betrayed your clan. At this statement, Madara’s face changed dramatically. Did he hear it? Did his brother call him a traitor? Brother?! The Uchiha wanted to take a step in his direction, but immediately met the outstretched hand of the younger one. Izuna shook his head. He refused to believe it until the very end, but alas… It turned out to be true. -Izuna… - Shut up. He besieged his brother. -Our brothers died in this war, I died in this war for our clan. You were able to stop the bloodshed… And you yourself betrayed us — your clan. Because of you, we were isolated and because of you, only one descendant of the once great clan remained alive… Izuna turned half a turn to his brother. He saw misunderstanding in his gaze. “Are you blaming me?” — he read. -I don’t want to accuse you of anything. You know, they don’t take offense at the truth… He turned around and went outside, leaving the eldest alone. Madara stared into the void in front of him for a long time. His brother called him a traitor. The one because of whom the entire clan died. To those who made the death of the family in vain… *** Dusk has long fallen on the desert, bringing with it the long-awaited chill. Suddenly, the revived members of the Uchiha clan were under one roof. Of course, not everyone was happy about such a neighborhood… Shisui and Itachi were talking about something with Izuna. Madara sat with his back turned to everyone at the other end of the building. A frank conversation with his brother awakened in him… guilt? Because by his actions he essentially exterminated his own clan. But he just wanted these senseless wars to finally stop in the world… And they stopped as soon as the Tsuki-no-Me Plan failed. Obito scorched the back of the ghost of the past with a destroying gaze. He, of course, remembered Izuna’s words not to be angry with him, but it’s difficult… Especially when because of him, tens of thousands of innocent victims are on your hands… And he just wanted to be that boy who dreamed of becoming Hokage and for Her to say that loves him. And in the end, he became the one who ruined the lives of hundreds of thousands of people… …It was quite cool at night, which was good news. After the sizzling heat, this was the best reward, although there was a small chance of getting sick… Obito accidentally discovered that the generator was working, which everyone was both happy and surprised at. But no one expected what this light would turn out to be in the darkness of the night… “So we’re heading out tomorrow evening?” Shisui asked looking at their leader Izuna. Everyone unquestioningly agreed with his candidacy. “This is better than Madara…” Obito thought when he found out about this. The elder did not say anything on this topic. He only nodded dismissively in agreement. He has already managed to break a lot of wood… -Then why not now? Obito intervened. And really, why? Although they walked here for a long time, they rested quite normally. - This fryer is not there, why do we have to wait until tomorrow? “Because if we go out now, we’ll find ourselves in the midst of a real inferno, Obito.” Their leader answered, to which Itachi silently agreed. -You have never been in such situations. Therefore, we will spend tomorrow morning in preparations and in the evening we will leave for the south. -Why there? Obito asked his next question. Izuna picked up the card and motioned for him to come over. The Uchiha did not say anything and silently approached. —Judging by the inscriptions, we are not far from this place. He pointed to the name “Indian Springs” and translated it to the closest name to it, apparently in the village, “Las Vegas.” -And this is the closest place from him. -Clear. “In theory, we should get there by morning, or at least by the time the sun is at its zenith. He said, putting the card aside. She just happened to catch his eye. Although not a single word on it is clear, but by comparing all the inscriptions in this place, he was able to understand it a little. Madara did not even interfere in their conversation, but only listened to them out of the corner of his ear, looking at the street. The desert is much nicer to look at at night than during the day. He was convinced of this when he walked here, along the road. I was lucky that I woke up a few kilometers from here, even when the sun was just approaching its zenith. He had to catch the heat already in the last hundred meters, but that was enough for him… Suddenly, a strange sound was heard, similar to the hum of the very generator that Obito, the third most senior Uchiha, had found. Everyone became visibly tense. -What is this? Shisui asked as he walked out of the warehouse. -Don’t know… Itachi answered quietly. The hum repeated and this time it was much louder. Obito picked up a shovel just in case, because it’s always looming before his eyes? And he approached, reluctantly, to Madara. He didn’t even pay attention to him, but just continued to peer into the darkness. Obito, squinting, tried to peer into the horizon of the night desert, but he couldn’t see a damn thing. -Can you even see anything with your Rinnegan or without chakra? Reluctantly I turned to him. Madara didn’t even spare him a glance. Obito just spat on such a “cordial” attitude towards himself — in the figurative sense of the word. About a minute passed and the roar was heard again, only now it was more like… a roar? If you could call it that. Madara noticed strange lights on the right side. Squinting, he was able to at least slightly notice the outlines of this strange thing. From what he saw, he realized that her size was quite large. —Turn off the light. In a commanding tone, he turned and addressed Itachi and Shisui. They looked at each other, complied with his request and, just in case, they took shovels and a sledgehammer, otherwise you never know… As soon as the lights in the room went out, a powerful roar was heard, comparable to the roar of the Bijuu. And the earth shook overnight. The Uchiha took a fighting stance. If they stumble upon the Bijuu now, they will be finished. Without chakra they are capable of little. Ahead, they noticed how the sand began to rise up. No one even dared to move, everyone watched as this… something appeared from under the sand. As soon as it came out, a bright light hit them right in the eyes and immediately spread to the sides. -Your mother… He said out loud Obito’s phrase that was in everyone’s head. Now they are definitely completely fucked… *** A few minutes before the attack… Coming to his senses, the guy opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was darkness. “Night,” flashed through his head. Trying to rise on his elbows, he felt that he was lying on his back on something… soft… -Ashura, get off me. A familiar voice instantly brought him to his senses. Taking a quick look at who was lying underneath him, Ashura jumped to his feet. -Sorry, Indra! I didn’t do it on purpose. He stammered quickly, helping his brother get up. Puffing with dissatisfaction, Indra glared angrily at his narrow-minded brother, which caused him to smile stupidly and guilty. “I was an idiot, I will remain an idiot…” he thought looking at him. Ashura, after such embarrassment, looked around. Desert… It was also lucky that it was night and not day. Then it would have been much worse, but it was light. None of them knew what they were doing here. Why they ended up in the desert is unknown… Indra quickly climbed the dune and, noticing a light on the horizon, went in that direction, leaving his brother alone. As soon as Ashura turned to Indra, he noticed that he was already at a decent distance from him. -Wait, Indra! Wait for me! I shouted after him, catching up with him. Indra didn’t even turn to look at him. As soon as Ashura caught up with him, he looked ahead. Light in the darkness, which means they are even luckier! With burning eyes, the younger one turned to Indra, who didn’t even change his face, just as gloomy and serious as always… -Are you still offended by me? Asked Ashura, clasping his hands behind his head. After almost a minute, Indra only looked at him briefly, but did not answer anything. -Indra, I’m sorry! I didn’t do it on purpose! I don’t even know what happened, why I… Shouting and gesturing wildly, Ashura asked his brother for forgiveness. Indra just exhaled. “Over the old days again…” he thought, listening to his excuses. Ashura chattered on for about a minute when he suddenly tripped over some stone. The younger Ōtsutsuki would have already fallen nose-first into the sand, but his brother prevented the fall. Ashura was ready to fall, so he closed his eyes, but as soon as the fall did not happen, he opened his eyes and looked at Indra in bewilderment. “So you don’t offend me?” He asked, to which he only snorted and let him go. The brother nevertheless met face to face with the sand. Indra looked at his feet; it turned out that he had tripped over an iron stake. Having spat out a good portion of the sand, Ashura stood up and turned around. -We should remove it. Otherwise someone else will stumble… -Are you serious? Indra asked, looking at him questioningly. The stake sticks out in the DESERT and doesn’t bother anyone! Ashura ignored his question. And taking the piece of iron, he began to pull it up, but it just didn’t go anywhere… Ootsutsuki was already trying to pull him out from all angles, but he was “frozen” tightly into the sand. Indra had already slapped himself three times in the face with an invisible hand. What an idiot his brother is… Not noticing the sidelong glance of his older brother, Ashura continued his attempts — he was stubborn. Or stupidity, as Indra thought. The eldest already wanted to leave him alone and go himself, but some feeling did not allow him to leave him alone… Brotherly bond? Ashura has already walked around this ill-fated iron pin from all sides. Well, he can’t get him out, even if he kills him! In the end, he just rested his hand on it, causing the pin to sink slightly into the sand, causing Ashura to almost fall onto the sand, again… There was a roar right below them. The brothers looked at each other. Indra closed his eyes, cursing his foolish brother for such an adventure… “You should have touched that piece of iron…” he howled mentally. Suddenly, the sand beneath them began to rise up. Indra quickly managed to retreat and leave from there, but Ashura tightly clung to this ill-fated piece of iron. The younger one rose to a height of about fifteen meters. Indra could only watch as this incomprehensible thing rose in front of him. As soon as the movement stopped, a bright light illuminated everything that was in front of him. Indra had to cover his eyes with his hand so as not to go blind from him. Suddenly, the lanterns appeared on either side of him, opening up a view of this… something. The light sources turned out to be almost on par with Ashura, even higher than him. Indra’s gaze was caught by many lights located almost at the same point. Here he realized that he was looking at this thing straight in the eye… Ashura was standing right on the head of this… creature made of metal. Looking around, he noticed two huge legs and… Indra jumped sharply to the side when he was almost hit by a blade and… a claw? As soon as the light began to fall on these parts of the iron creature, he noticed that it was indeed a claw. Ashura stood still, or at least tried to. The sole of the sandals slid against the steel armor. She had to hold on to this pin that was sticking straight out of her, as he understood, head. Looking back, he noticed the second one. Ōtsutsuki pressed himself closer to the iron. He somehow didn’t want to run into the second one. Suddenly the creature suddenly twitched, causing him to almost fly backwards. The creature looked at Indra, who was standing in front. It let out a roar and swung its blade at it. At the last second, Indra managed to fall on the sand, dodging the blow, but then he had to do a somersault, dodging a direct blow from the claw. -Indra! He shouted, trying to stay in place, which was quite problematic. -Don’t you dare touch my brother! He shouted to this thing and was about to form Amenomihashira, but immediately realized that he could not do this. -What? That was all he could say, but then he had to quickly push his thoughts aside. The creature jerked from its place, almost letting it fall down. Indra made the seals of Ushi — U — Saru for one of his raitonjutsu techniques, but as soon as he did this, he noticed that the chakra did not obey him. Not only did she not obey, she… simply wasn’t there! Momentarily taken aback by this, he did not notice the claw. The blow landed directly on the right side, throwing him several meters away. -Indra! Ashura shouted, seeing his brother fly away from the blow. -I told you… He began kicking the creature’s armor, trying to distract it. -…Do not dare. His. Touch! The creature began to shake its head, trying to shake this little thing off of itself. Ashura continued to hit, leaving dents. He almost fell a couple of times, but ultimately held on. Ashura fell head over heels, but Indra was able to catch him immediately. And, just like that time, Ashura crushed him again. -Sorry. He asked for forgiveness, but immediately the roar of this very creature was heard, which forced them to retreat at that moment. It has become much more aggressive than it was — but where else? Who likes it when someone tugs on your antenna and then hits you on the head! Out of the corner of their eye, they noticed another one appear in the distance. - Ashura, if we survive, I will kill you…