Half a minute later.
The battle was over. Without his Divine Technique Reflect, Daemon was utterly defeated by Six Paths Sasuke.
Sasuke dispelled Susano'o, letting his clone carry Sakura's body. He walked toward Daemon, the sea of black Amaterasu flames still blazing but automatically parting to form a clear, extinguished path for him to pass through.
*BUZZ!*
Sasuke dissolved the Six Red Yang Formation, allowing the four Gudōdama within to revert to four black rods, falling from the sky and piercing Daemon's limbs and body with precision, completely restraining and locking him down.
Though Daemon was already on the brink of death from Amaterasu, who could guarantee he had no strength left to resist?
Was he just pretending? But once pinned by the Gudōdama, even Isshiki would be finished, let alone Daemon.
In short, Sasuke wouldn't let his guard down or underestimate his enemy, to avoid failure at the last moment.
Finally, Sasuke reached the dying Daemon's side.
Daemon's condition was far worse than before. The charred epidermis and dermis across his body had been completely burned away by Amaterasu, now exposing vast areas of subcutaneous tissue and raw red flesh, with faint glimpses of gray-black bones in some spots…
His entire body was as if he'd jumped into lava, his skin blistered all over, then pulled out drenched in blood. If Sasuke didn't stop the flames soon, Daemon would be reduced to ashes in moments.
Honestly, surviving in such a state, Daemon was truly remarkable. It showed how strong his vitality was; if it were a ninja, they'd have died long ago.
"Still alive?" Sasuke stopped in front of Daemon, asking coldly.
Daemon didn't respond, lying motionless on the ground.
Of course, Sasuke knew the other was only pretending, and he gave him no chance. He drew his Kusanagi sword and stabbed it into Daemon's blood-soaked thigh.
"Ugh!"
A faint groan escaped Daemon's mouth, proving he was still alive and conscious. But his throat and airways were burned, so he could no longer speak normally.
At that moment, Daemon had never felt such pain and fear of approaching death. His childish nature instinctively sparked fear and submission toward Sasuke. He knew if he kept pretending to be dead, Sasuke would truly kill him!
Compared to this terrifying demon named Sasuke, that bastard Code seemed like an innocent lamb.
"I don't have time to waste words with you. I'll give you two choices."
"Die, or follow my every word!"
Sasuke didn't want to waste time, directly offering two options. If Daemon chose to resist, Sasuke wouldn't mind killing another artificial human.
"Ugh—!" Daemon groaned again.
Clearly, what he considered his advantage of youth meant nothing to Sasuke. Sasuke wouldn't spare him just because he wasn't fully mature.
"I'll give you three seconds to think." Sasuke stepped on Daemon's back, raising his Kusanagi sword, aiming at the back of Daemon's head. His eyes were cold and expressionless.
Though Daemon couldn't see, he could clearly feel the bone-chilling killing intent. This was no joke.
He didn't want to die! Especially not before saving his sister!
"Ugh ugh, ugh—!" Daemon hurriedly groaned, struggling to move his shattered neck, nodding slightly to show he was willing to submit.
Seeing this, Sasuke was somewhat satisfied and sheathed his Kusanagi sword.
As expected, to deal with an insolent bear cub like this, a thorough beating was necessary. Sasuke didn't need a grateful Daemon; he only needed an obedient, high-quality fighter. So he had no need to play the gratitude narrative like Naruto did with Kawaki.
Pain and fear could also effectively tame certain enemies.
Of course, having used the stick, a bit of sweet honey was still needed occasionally.
"I'll spare you this time. Next time, you might not be so lucky."
"My target is also Code and Isshiki. I'll definitely kill that bastard."
"You want to save your sister, right? Then obey me."
"Otherwise, you don't want to harm your sister by rushing in recklessly, do you?"
After saying this, Sasuke turned and left.
Though Daemon was young, his mind wasn't impaired; after this, he'd understand the best choice to make. If he insisted on disobeying and going off alone to confront Code, thus destroying Konoha, Sasuke wouldn't mind killing him again!
Of course, some necessary precautions were still needed. Trust that Orochimaru and Amado would help handle this later.
After the Six Red Yang Formation was dissolved, Edo Tensei Hashirama and the others realized the battle was over and dispelled the Four Red Yang Formation. Orochimaru, Boruto, and the others rushed over from a distance.
"Sensei, are you okay?" Boruto asked with great concern.
"I'm fine."
"Orochimaru, give him some treatment. I need him alive." Sasuke looked at Orochimaru, ordering smoothly.
"Alright!" Orochimaru instinctively agreed, very smoothly.
(Huh? Why did I agree so quickly? Since when am I so easy to talk to?)
(It feels a bit familiar, yet also a bit off…)
Though his memories hadn't recovered, some habits etched in his subconscious and bones couldn't be erased by Omnipotence.
No need to overthink… Facing Six Paths Sasuke, Orochimaru had no right to refuse. Besides, he was very interested in Daemon, the strongest artificial human. A living Daemon was far more valuable for research than a corpse.
Orochimaru eagerly pounced on Daemon. With the advanced biotech he'd accumulated, as long as there was still breath, Daemon was guaranteed not to die.
Poor, dying Daemon couldn't see Orochimaru at all, but he could sense a living being with burning emotions pouncing on him joyfully, so enthusiastic it seemed they wanted to devour him.
The hairs on Daemon's neck stood up; he even felt the hibernation capsule that once put him to sleep was far warmer and safer than the outside world.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Sasuke-san, Code… did Isshiki really escape?" Kawaki was clearly more concerned about his enemy's whereabouts.
"Yes, he managed to escape."
"Such a pity! We were so close to killing that bastard…" Kawaki gritted his teeth regretfully, truly wanting to kill Isshiki.
"No need to rush; there'll be another chance." Sasuke reassured confidently.
No other reason—just that he was now the strongest in the ninja world!
Curious, Boruto asked, "Sensei, did you already suspect he'd attack us?"
"I only suspected he might. But seeing this, it seems Orochimaru's provocation forced Isshiki to act personally." Sasuke answered frankly.
Hearing this, Boruto and Kawaki felt relieved, not blaming Sasuke for not revealing the full plan. After all, they knew Isshiki had the Divine Technique Senrigan, which could monitor the entire world.
Even if he'd told them via Genjutsu, there was no guarantee they wouldn't show flaws while capturing the Jinchūriki.
Who could blame them for being too young, their acting still needing improvement? Besides, as long as they could kill the enemy and save Naruto, Boruto and Kawaki were willing to do anything!
"Orochimaru? He really helped a lot. Without him, we might've lost to Uncle Killer Bee…"
This time, Boruto genuinely conceded and admired. He'd seen the cunning and tricks of these previous-generation ninjas.
Without Orochimaru's intervention, they might've been minced by the Hachibi or become Isshiki's captives.
How could they be standing here safely talking?
As for the Edo Tensei ninjas, each was more extraordinary than the last. Even the weakest, the Third Kazekage, Boruto and Kawaki weren't sure they could defeat.
It seemed the history lessons taught in class were too shallow. Who knew how many hardships the previous Hokages endured to become so remarkable?
"Orochimaru is indeed special. Mitsuki's your friend; you should understand his uniqueness."
"As for you, Kawaki, the Curse Mark's power is remarkable. Though I don't know if it has side effects, try not to use it recklessly."
Sasuke looked at Kawaki, covered in Curse Mark patterns. He'd guessed who gave it to him and couldn't help but sigh.
It was like seeing his younger self, also unhesitant in pursuing power, with an enemy he wanted to devour alive.
But Kawaki was also lucky; at least the current Sasuke and Orochimaru wouldn't try to take his body with the Curse Mark. Hmm… he'd need to personally check Kawaki's Curse Mark later.
Kawaki nodded obediently. What could he do? Uncle Sasuke was now the second person he respected most.
The first? Of course, his adoptive father, Naruto.
Then, Sasuke finally turned his gaze to Edo Tensei Itachi.
The two brothers, entangled in love and hate, met again after 15 years.
"Sasuke…"
"Big brother…"
"Sasuke, you've grown up…"
"Brother, you haven't changed at all…"
They looked at each other.
Edo Tensei Itachi was just as Sasuke remembered, unchanged; but Sasuke was no longer the youth he once was. Rumor had it he was married and had a child, naturally different. He'd matured, appeared more seasoned, but the arrogant and crazed expression rooted in his bones hadn't changed.
That alone proved the purity of Sasuke's Uchiha blood.
As an adult, Sasuke's way of expressing emotions was more refined; recalling his wild laughter earlier, he felt a bit embarrassed.
"Sasuke, you seem to have far surpassed me now!"
Edo Tensei Itachi saw the Gudōdama floating behind Six Paths Sasuke, genuinely moved and proud.
"Isn't it natural for a younger brother to surpass his older brother?"
Meeting his brother again, Sasuke felt a bit more relaxed than usual.
The loneliness and pressure he'd endured for years alone outside were no lighter than Naruto's.
But he had no one to rely on or confide in; as an adult, it was time for him to be a pillar for others.
"You…" Itachi smiled sincerely.
Indeed, this desire to show off was truly his little brother's!
"By the way, I heard you're married and have a child?"
"Yes, I have a very sweet daughter named Uchiha Sarada."
Talking about Sarada, even the cold Sasuke couldn't help but soften.
"As for my wife, Sakura, she was my former teammate. You must've seen her…"
Mentioning his wife, Sasuke grew a bit somber.
His clone brought Sakura's body to his side. Seeing Sakura, once alive, now a corpse, everyone present fell silent, the atmosphere heavy with grief.
"Sorry, Sasuke, if I could've found a way to defeat the enemy…" Itachi felt even more heartache.
In his eyes, Sakura was the last daughter-in-law of the Uchiha Clan. He'd even hoped she could have ten or a dozen more children with Sasuke to revive the Uchiha Clan! Yet she died so tragically. Who would Sasuke find to have many children with now?
Wait… he remembered a red-haired girl who used to follow Sasuke around? Was she still alive?
Hearing this, Sasuke quickly stopped his brother's brainstorming.
"It's okay, it's no one's fault."
"I killed Sakura with my own hands. I'll take responsibility for this."
"I'm prepared. After everything's over, I'll find a way to revive her. This is my debt to her…" Sasuke said resolutely.
Saving Naruto, killing Isshiki, uniting the ninja world, reviving all the victims…
This was the future Sasuke had planned for himself.
Since receiving the gift from the Tenshou Sennin and truly walking this dead-end path, Sasuke had resolved to lose everything.
His ruthlessness toward Sakura didn't mean he completely ignored these feelings, but because he knew hesitation and delay would only bring a higher cost. Sasuke didn't want to lose more.
Of course, earlier, Sasuke could've sacrificed one Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan to activate Izanagi and revive Sakura. But that would've been meaningless.
A revived Sakura couldn't undo Omnipotence's changes; she'd only be a burden to their side, either imprisoned or controlled by Genjutsu. If the enemy knew Sakura was alive and discovered this weakness, they'd use the same hostage tactic to threaten Sasuke again, causing more trouble.
Moreover, losing an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan would greatly reduce his vision and weaken his power. Killing himself before killing the enemy—that would be foolish!
It was better to preserve Sakura's body and revive her with Rinne Tensei after everything was over…
"Sasuke…" Itachi saw the pain and resolve in his brother's heart, just like when he decided to annihilate their clan.
Of course, Itachi's actions back then were forced by Danzō, with no chance for redemption.
Even now, Itachi deeply regretted it. But Sasuke was different; he acted on his own rational judgment and had the Rinnegan to redeem everything. They weren't comparable. Yet the pain of killing a loved one and the guilt borne—Itachi deeply understood.
Thus, Itachi didn't say much more; every word of comfort felt hollow to those experiencing it.
Just like Boruto, who lost his mother, Hinata. He didn't survive on anyone's comfort but through strong hatred and resolve, transforming and maturing.
"Sensei, Auntie Sakura… what about Sarada?" Boruto was very worried.
Now he and Sarada had both lost their mothers; he deeply felt that pain. If Sarada learned her father killed her mother, he feared she'd collapse instantly! Just like he once fell into the hell of despair.
"For now, don't tell her. She's still in the village; she shouldn't know about this."
Sasuke sidestepped the question, clearly unwilling to discuss it further; because an Uchiha's heart was often not as cold as their exterior. Naruto knew this best. Sasuke might be cold outside, but inside, he was warm!