"Ssst!"
"Sasuke-san… did he just kill his wife?"
"Sensei…"
"Tch tch tch, killing the hostage along with the enemy? As ruthless as ever!"
"Huh? That's Sasuke's wife?"
Seeing Sasuke unhesitatingly pierce Sakura and Isshiki, Kawaki, Boruto, and the others outside the barrier were stunned.
That was Sasuke's own wife, Sarada's mother! Killed just like that?
Without the slightest hesitation or doubt?
What kind of mental strength was this?
How ruthless was this?
How much pain was Sasuke enduring in his heart?
Boruto felt that if it were him, if the hostage were Sarada, he could never be so resolute as to harm her. He might truly submit to Isshiki's threat. It seemed he still had a long way to go to surpass his teacher!
Compared to Boruto and the others, the four Edo Tensei Hokages maintaining the Four Red Yang Formation weren't as shocked.
What could they do? Their memories had all been altered. Though they vaguely recognized Sakura's identity, they didn't know Otsutsuki Sasuke, who had 'replaced' Isshiki's identity. They only thought he was a talented young Konoha ninja fighting a powerful Otsutsuki enemy.
In such a battle, being forced to kill a hostage to avoid greater losses… they all understood.
Even worse, to protect the village and sacrifice a few loved ones, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hiruzen had done it too. As Hokages, they had the resolve to sacrifice the few for the many.
Meanwhile, inside the double barrier, the most shocked was Isshiki himself.
A second ago, he was elated, thinking he had controlled Sasuke. The next second, Sasuke pierced both him and his wife, Sakura, delivering a literal 'heart-chilling' blow!
Only now did Isshiki suddenly realize: he was wrong! Terribly wrong! This Sasuke was a mad ninja, utterly immeasurable, unpredictable, and unthreatenable by ninja world common sense! The emotional weaknesses humans valued didn't apply to this man at all!
Isshiki was too limited and arrogant. Had he seriously studied Sasuke's life and the Uchiha Clan, he'd have clearly understood how insane and obsessive the entire clan was.
Even without mentioning Sasuke, just his brother Itachi, standing outside the barrier, could ruthlessly slaughter his entire clan overnight…
Threatening a mad Uchiha ninja with a mere hostage? That was just asking for trouble.
Of course, Isshiki also chose the wrong target. If the hostage wasn't Sakura but the Seventh Hokage, that succubus Naruto, he might've had some control over Sasuke.
Unfortunately, it was too late. Besides, Naruto wasn't in Isshiki's hands, making it impossible to use him to threaten Sasuke.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After one strike, Sasuke dispelled the sharp blue-white Chidori Sharp Spear.
"Ugh—!"
Gravely wounded, Isshiki vomited a large amount of blood.
Note that the Chidori Sharp Spear extended from Susano'o's sword wasn't a thin line, unlike when it pierced Karin and Danzō, leaving only small holes. This time, it was about a meter wide!
Thus, the attack not only pierced Isshiki and Sakura's hearts but also cleaved most of their bodies, from left shoulder to right abdomen, nearly cutting them in two!
Even with Isshiki's powerful Kāma regeneration and healing, this was a fatal wound!
As for poor Sakura, facing such a severe injury, she died instantly, losing all signs of life.
What could be done? Isshiki wasn't old man Danzō. Against such a powerful enemy, Sasuke couldn't and wouldn't pull some 'deceive the heavens and cross the sea' trick. If his attack wasn't ruthless enough, only severely injuring Sakura without killing her, Isshiki wouldn't panic and flee like Danzō—he'd keep using Sakura to threaten Sasuke!
He might even pull out another hostage to threaten repeatedly. After all, Sasuke didn't know how many Konoha hostages Isshiki still held.
So Sasuke had to be ruthless enough, killing in one strike; only then could he maximally wound Isshiki and shatter his resolve! This was a battle of strength and a psychological gamble.
The result was as Sasuke predicted. Sakura's death was the greatest mental shock to Isshiki, convincing him Sasuke was an emotionless madman, immune to any hostage threats. Even capturing others would be useless.
This drove Isshiki into deeper despair and collapse.
Simultaneously, Sasuke wouldn't give Isshiki a chance to breathe. The next second, Six Paths Susano'o drew its bow again, aiming at Isshiki, and began gathering power for Indra's Arrow.
"AAAHHHH!!!" Isshiki nearly broke down, immediately discarding Sakura's body in his hands and frantically fleeing backward.
At this point, he'd abandoned his last shred of courage to fight Sasuke to the death, wanting only to escape this psychopathic ninja.
Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!
Amenotejikara!
While gathering power for Indra's Arrow, Sasuke activated a Jutsu. He used his Six Paths-level Kage Bunshin to activate Amenotejikara, swapping Sakura's body, hundreds of meters away, to his side, within the protection of Six Paths Susano'o.
Sasuke couldn't save Sakura while she was Isshiki's hostage. But he had to retrieve his wife's body. As long as it was intact, the difficulty and chakra cost of reviving her later would be greatly reduced.
Besides, having ruthlessly killed his wife, blowing her to ashes with another Indra's Arrow would be too much.
Sasuke was obsessive, mad; but not a psychopath, with no hobby of desecrating corpses.
As for the mastermind behind this tragedy, the hatred in Sasuke's eyes as he glared at Isshiki nearly solidified into reality. The last person who made him hate so much, wanting to devour their flesh, was that old beast Danzō!
"Damn beast, I'll send you to hell to join old man Danzō!" Sasuke aimed at Isshiki, releasing Indra's Arrow from Susano'o's hand!
*SWOOSH!*
Unfortunately, Isshiki's Taijutsu was too strong. Despite severe injuries, his threat remained great; otherwise, Sasuke would've loved to take this Otsutsuki grandpa for a leisurely stroll in the air.
*WHOOSH!*
On the other side, the frantically fleeing Isshiki flew thousands of meters, his chest's horrific wound not even regenerating. He crashed into the Six Red Yang Formation barrier. The expected shattering didn't happen.
Isshiki's crazed strike was like hitting a thin, highly elastic membrane. Though it stretched the barrier far outward, it didn't break.
This was the strongest barrier, capable of withstanding even a Juubi Bijuudama!
Gravely wounded, Isshiki's strength was no longer at its peak. Even at full power, breaking the Six Red Yang Formation in one strike was absurd.
"Damn it!"
In that brief delay, a powerful fatal crisis exploded in Isshiki's mind. He looked back, and sure enough, he saw Indra's Arrow, carrying world-destroying power, hurtling toward him!
Isshiki was horrified, his eyes wide with fear.
With no choice, he hurriedly pulled out his sealing cauldron, attempting to hide inside to survive.
Though the cauldron might not withstand the arrow, it should absorb much of the explosion's force, giving him a moment to breathe.
Unfortunately, his idea was great but still within Sasuke's calculations.
As Isshiki pulled out the sealing cauldron, the next second, the pitch-black cauldron vanished from his hand, replaced by a Sasuke clone staring at him with disdain and disgust!
Clearly, Sasuke's clone had activated Amenotejikara again, snatching Isshiki's sealing cauldron!
Leaving only a confused and shocked Isshiki, face-to-face with the clone.
"You—!"
*BOOOOMMMM!*
Indra's Arrow arrived and exploded, giving Isshiki no chance to react or escape.
A brilliant white light swallowed everything within the barrier!
Including Isshiki, the Sasuke clone, and the robust Six Paths Susano'o…
Everything shattered and vanished, nearly becoming nothingness…
Under this unmatched, terrifying explosion, even Jinton's power paled. Even if Ōnoki were drained dry, he couldn't unleash Jinton with such range.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Did it work? Sasuke-san won?" Kawaki was thrilled.
"Sensei's inside the barrier too—is he okay?"
Compared to victory, Boruto was more worried about Sasuke's safety.
Itachi narrowed his eyes with satisfaction, sighing: (Sasuke, you've grown this far? Indeed, entrusting the future to you and Naruto was the right choice…)
Shisui was silent, stuttering: (Is this still the ninja world I know? Even legendary god wars might not compare to this?)
Orochimaru finally showed his true colors, reverting to his old instincts, unable to resist licking his lips, muttering regretfully: "Such a waste! Don't let that guy's body explode into ashes—at least leave some cell tissue for me!"
Compared to Orochimaru, the four Edo Tensei Hokages were more shocked. They all marveled at Sasuke's terrifying power.
This strength, far beyond Kage-level, exceeded their imagination. Especially the Third Hokage, once called the 'Strongest Hokage,' couldn't help but break into a cold sweat, silently sighing that he'd been left far behind by the times!
Even Hashirama himself unconsciously praised and admired, giving accolades to the new God of Shinobi.
Of course, the four Edo Tensei Hokages weren't slacking, striving to maintain the Four Red Yang Formation's stability to prevent any surprises.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The terrifying explosion inside the barrier lasted over ten seconds before slowly fading…
Soon after, the silhouette of Sasuke's Six Paths Demon God Susano'o appeared.
Under the horrific explosion's impact, though not at the blast's center, and despite Six Paths Susano'o's incredible durability, its outer armor and skin were still obliterated, revealing the flesh and bone within!
This showed how terrifying Indra's Arrow was, especially in a sealed barrier, where the explosion's force was compressed and amplified…
But Susano'o had its strengths. As long as it wasn't destroyed in one strike, and chakra and Dōjutsu were sufficient, no matter how many times its outer defense broke, it could quickly recover.
Sure enough, in a few seconds, with Sasuke's additional Six Paths chakra, the robust Demon God Susano'o restored all its wounds and armor, returning to normal.
But the focus wasn't on Sasuke, but the opponent.
As the white light faded and the explosion ended, Isshiki's horrific true form appeared. Over eighty percent of his flesh and bones were utterly destroyed, leaving only his head and a small portion of his chest, struggling to survive…
Even the signature horns on his forehead were shattered. Isshiki's face was charred and torn, leaving only a barely recognizable demonic visage, worse than the last time he took an Indra's Arrow, when at least half his body remained.
Simultaneously, three broken giant black cubes, Daikokuten, still surrounded Isshiki. He'd pulled them from the Daikokuten dimension to shield himself, absorbing some of the explosion's force. Otherwise, he might not even have kept his head.
Since Sasuke's Indra's Arrow didn't use Gudōdama this time, and the infused chakra was less than before, it wasn't as powerful as the previous full-strength Six Paths: Indra's Arrow, or Isshiki wouldn't have survived.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Sasuke confirmed Isshiki was still alive, his eyes full of disgust.
"Still not dead?"
"As tenacious and disgusting as a cockroach!"
"Then I'll give you another!"
Without hesitation, Sasuke drew the bow and gathered power, another Indra's Arrow forming.
Judging by its glow and size, it wasn't as large as the previous one, showing Sasuke's remaining Six Paths chakra was low. But in terms of power, it was still true Six Paths-level, no less than a Juubi's giant Bijuudama explosion, certainly enough to bury the dying Isshiki!
"U-Uchiha Sasuke!—"
Isshiki roared while vomiting blood, even speaking seeming incredibly difficult.
Seeing Sasuke still intent on killing him, giving no way out, the dying Isshiki grew madder.
At this point, facing the cold, ruthless, and determined Six Paths Sasuke, trapped in the barrier with only his head left, Isshiki felt utterly hopeless. Unless he was willing to sacrifice his final trump card!
But once that trump card was used, his chances of defeating Sasuke would only shrink…
(No matter, only by surviving is there a future.)
(I, the great Otsutsuki Isshiki, must not die here!)
*RUMBLE!*
Sasuke had gathered power for another Indra's Arrow, aiming at Isshiki, and fired it fiercely, like a death summons from hell's reaper.
At the same moment, Isshiki activated Daikokuten again. From that forbidden dimension, he pulled another figure and instantly threw it.
"Code, I'll kill you!…"
"Huh? That? Aaaah!!!—"
The short-statured artificial human Daemon was freed again, screaming to kill Code for imprisoning him. But before he could lock onto Code's position, his vision was swallowed by the blinding light of Indra's Arrow!