The domineering Uchiha drove the Third Hokage mad!

Chapter 486 An Important Bond

The night was as dark as ink. Uchiha Sanfeng stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering in the wind.

He slightly raised his eyes, his deep gaze reflecting the trajectory of the Milky Way, his gaze seemingly able to penetrate layers of nebula barriers, resonating with the rhythm of the universe.

Fragments of past memories suddenly surged up, and the memory of being forcibly dragged into the river of time by Otsutsuki Shibakai still made me feel lingering fear.

As one of the few powerful individuals capable of manipulating the rules of time, he had already mastered several divine time arts to a high level.

For example, time acceleration, time pause, time reversal, time deceleration, and time travel are all the reasons why he stands at the top.

But now, remembering the terror of the River of Time, he dared not let his guard down for a moment.

The more he understood the essence of time, the deeper his reverence became.

The river of time is never a plaything to be manipulated; it is a special vessel that exists independently of reality, yet carries the trajectories of all living beings and the causes and effects of all history.

The river of time flows ceaselessly, concealing endless unknowns and dangers.

Here, any ability to predict the future or peek into the trajectory is completely blocked, and every choice is fraught with unknown variables.

No one could predict the outcome of the battle. Even he, who controlled time, could only grope his way forward in the chaos. A single misstep would result in being swallowed up by the power of time and completely dissipating into the world.

This ultimate showdown with Otsutsuki Shibai was never a simple clash of power or a contest of chakra. It was a battle of wills, a struggle against the influence of the real world, a steadfast adherence to each other's spiritual anchors, and, most importantly, an ultimate contest for control over the rules of time.

The river of time is closely connected to the real world, like roots and branches.

A single drop of water in a river may contain the essence of a person's entire life. From the first cry at birth to the sighs of old age, every frown, every smile, every breath is captured within it.

Every ripple in the river can influence the trajectory of reality; every wave can rewrite established history. Let things that already exist disappear, and let things that never happened be imprinted in time.

Therefore, this decisive battle will inevitably unleash a tremendous wave of time.

At that time, countless people may be erased from existence, as if they never existed; countless historical events may be distorted and become unrecognizable; countless bonds may be washed away without a trace, leaving only blurry afterimages.

This is why he previously shared the light of his soul with the queen and his children.

Those were fragments of his soul, a bond that transcends time and space. Even if they are swept away by the tides of time and forgotten by history in the future, they can still anchor themselves to each other with this light. They can repair distorted memories, preserve their warm past, and avoid losing themselves in the passage of time.

"Perhaps it's time for us to get together."

At this moment, Uchiha Mitsunori wanted to say a proper goodbye to his old friends with whom he had fought side by side.

With a thought, he made everyone who received the invitation instantly understand that it was his call.

In less than half an incense stick's time, a group of people had gathered in the royal palace hall.

Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju leaned against the pillars, sharing an unspoken understanding between old friends.

Orochimaru, dressed in white, had a hint of curiosity in his eyes. He seemed to be speculating about the purpose of this gathering, his expression revealing a strange fervor.

Minato Namikaze held Kushina Uzumaki's hand, and the two looked at the three peaks of Uchiha with concern.

Naruto stood beside his parents, his golden hair shining brightly in the candlelight, his hands unconsciously clenched, and his eyes resolute.

Hiashi Hyuga's eyes were slightly closed, his Byakugan subtly activated as he silently sensed the surrounding atmosphere, his expression solemn.

Rasa... Onoki... Fourth Raikage A... Might Guy... Kakashi... Anko Mitarashi... Kabuto Yakushi... Konan...

"Sanfeng, is there something you want to announce that you've suddenly summoned us?"

Minato Namikaze spoke first, breaking the silence in the hall.

Uchiha Mitsunori slightly raised his hand, and wisps of shimmering white soul light overflowed from his forehead. They precisely drifted towards each person present, gently merging into their brows.

The moment the spiritual light entered their bodies, everyone instinctively closed their eyes, and a strange sense of connection instantly swept over them.

It was as if his soul was closely connected with that of Uchiha Mitsuru, and he could clearly sense the tenderness hidden in his resoluteness, as well as his deep concern for everyone.

And that unwavering determination to face fate head-on touched everyone present.

Uchiha Mitsunori slowly withdrew his hand, speaking gently yet solemnly, "This is the light of my soul. It can help you anchor yourselves, so that even if the tides of time wash over you in the future, you can preserve your memories and existence. You won't lose your way in the vastness of time and forget the bonds you share with each other."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell into a deathly silence; even the crackling of the burning candles could be clearly heard.

The warmth in the air gradually faded, replaced by a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. Everyone's expressions became serious, their brows furrowed with solemnity.

They were all insightful individuals, and instantly grasped the deeper meaning. For the Uchiha Sanfeng to so solemnly leave behind their souls, they must be facing a perilous situation with a slim chance of survival. They might even never return, never to stand shoulder to shoulder with them again.

Kakashi broke the silence first, putting down the wall he was leaning against, his brow furrowed, his voice tinged with urgency and worry: "Lord Mimine... are you going to have a final battle with that Otsutsuki Shibai?"

His chakra was slightly agitated, clearly indicating that he was ready to fight at any moment.

Uchiha Mitsunori nodded calmly, his eyes showing no fear, but rather full of confident composure.

"Yes. My ultimate showdown with him will unfold in the river of time. This is our destiny, and a responsibility I must bear alone, unrelated to anyone else."

He paused, then explained the special rules of the River of Time and the dangers of the battle.

He also explained in detail the potential distorting effects of the confrontation on the real world. With each sentence, the solemn atmosphere in the hall grew heavier, and everyone's expressions became increasingly serious; the oppressive feeling in the air almost seemed to engulf them.

The atmosphere inside the hall became extremely oppressive when they heard the words, "Conventional combat power is ineffective... History may be distorted... Some people will be forgotten!"

Naruto had long regarded the Uchiha Sanfeng as his seniors and role models, so how could he just stand by and watch them die alone?

He could no longer contain himself and strode forward, shouting, "Senior Sanfeng, can't we help you? Let's fight side by side, even if we can only hold you back for a moment. We can't let you face such a dangerous battle alone!"

Uchiha Mitsunaga raised his hand and patted Naruto on the shoulder, seemingly wanting to convey his confidence to him as well.

His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation: "No. The rules of the River of Time are special. If you step into it, not only will you not be able to help me, but you will also be devoured by the raging power of time, and may even become a tool for him to blackmail me, becoming a burden to each other. This battle can only be faced by me alone."

Madara Uchiha patted Mitsumine Uchiha heavily on the shoulder, conveying the concern and trust between comrades.

"Since we can't interfere, then you'd better come back alive. Don't keep us old folks waiting in vain, and don't disappoint those who care about you." His crimson Sharingan eyes were filled with an undeniable expectation.

Orochimaru licked his lips, a fanatical glint in his eyes, his tone tinged with anticipation and approval: "A duel on the river of time, truly something to look forward to. Please don't die, I want to wait for you to return so we can thoroughly study the ultimate mysteries of the time rules. Let's see just how far a master of time can reach."

Looking at the various expressions on everyone's faces, Uchiha Mitsunori felt a warmth in his heart, and the tension around him gradually eased.

It has Madara Uchiha's stubbornness but soft heart, Hashirama Senju's gentle concern, and Naruto's passionate eagerness.

There was also Orochimaru's unconventional expectation; these complex emotions intertwined and became the strongest force in his heart.

These people are his bonds across time and space, and his strongest support in this universe.

He raised his hand to signal the palace servants to bring out the banquet. The servants filed in and gently served the fine wines and delicacies to the table one by one.

The rich aroma of fine wine permeated the hall, slightly dispelling the solemnity and easing the atmosphere.

There were no excessive sentimental admonitions, nor any heavy farewells.

Everyone raised their glasses, quietly suppressing their worries and reluctance, and talked freely about the past.

As they reminisced about the battles and glories they had fought side by side, and joked about each other's embarrassing moments and growth, the atmosphere in the hall gradually warmed up. It was as if they had returned to that passionate and fearless time.

Uchiha Mitsunori picked up his wine glass and took a small sip. The mellow wine spread on his tongue, but he couldn't hide the lingering affection and reluctance in his heart.

He imprinted every face and every laugh deeply in his heart, engraving them into the depths of his soul, making them his most precious memories.

This meal was a pre-battle gathering, a final farewell, and the source of his courage to go to the battlefield.

Battles fought across the river of time are bound to be extremely dangerous; history may be rewritten, and bonds may be broken.

But this warmth and bond hidden deep in his heart will become his strongest spiritual anchor, supporting him to stay true to himself and overcome powerful enemies in the chaotic river of time.

Halfway through the banquet, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Before leaving, everyone bid farewell to the three peaks of the Uchiha clan in their own way, offering words of advice, blessings, or leaving behind contingency plans, all filled with concern.

Uchiha Sanfeng remained alone in the main hall, slowly walking to the window and gazing at the dazzling starry sky outside.

The candlelight inside the hall gradually went out, leaving only the starlight streaming in through the window, casting his lonely yet towering figure.

The time patterns deep within his pupils flowed once more, echoing the trajectory of the galaxy, quietly awaiting the arrival of the decisive moment.