The night felt extraordinarily long.
Especially for all the residents of Kumogakure, whose village had been destroyed, they spent nearly the entire night in anxiety and sleeplessness.
No one knew what fate awaited them tomorrow.
After all, the ones who invaded the entire village were Otsutsuki Sasuke and the Kara Organization—hardly human. Who knew if they would treat humans as humans?
Fortunately, Sasuke had no interest in the ordinary residents of Kumogakure.
The next morning.
As the sun illuminated the mist-shrouded village, it signaled the end of the night of fear.
Edo Itachi carried a sleeping Boruto out of the room and found Edo Shisui, who had been eavesdropping outside the door all night.
Kawaki, who stayed up all night with panda eyes, also emerged from his room, but his face radiated a satisfied smile.
The two exchanged glances, and Itachi handed Boruto to Kawaki.
The latter happily caught Boruto, then slowly snapped out of the genjutsu.
Boruto gradually woke up.
"What's going on?"
"Bro, you're awake? Your sleeping position last night was wild! By the way, hungry? Wanna grab some food?"
"Huh?"
Kawaki's enthusiasm left Boruto confused. Didn't he talk with Uncle Itachi until midnight and then fall asleep?
Why did Kawaki's words make it sound like he slept with him last night?
Was he swapped out in the middle of the night?
Or…?
Before Boruto could figure it out, the call to assemble rang out from the Raikage Building.
Kashin Koji brought a large bag of breakfast, distributing it while leading a few people into the Raikage's office.
Inside the Raikage's office.
Orochimaru and Amado had already arrived, bringing Daimon, whose body was wrapped in bandages.
After a night of intensive treatment, Daimon had mostly recovered, though his newly grown skin was too soft, so the shy Daimon deliberately wrapped himself in bandages.
Daimon, now recovered, initially planned to escape, but under the combined persuasion of Orochimaru and Amado, he reluctantly agreed to temporarily join Sasuke's team to save his sister.
In some ways, Daimon also submitted to Sasuke after being beaten, fearing another thrashing.
This bone-deep fear wouldn't fully vanish unless he defeated Six Paths Sasuke once, which wasn't likely anytime soon.
However, Daimon hadn't completely given up. Deep down, he was still slightly dissatisfied and planned to challenge Sasuke again after saving his sister Eida!
"Alright, everyone's here."
"Let's discuss the situation in Iwagakure first."
"According to intelligence reports, Iwagakure's main force arrived at the Land of Lightning's border last night and is still stationed at the border. They've likely received news of Kumogakure's defeat and destruction and are deliberating their next move."
No wonder Iwagakure was slow.
They had sent troops as quickly as possible after receiving the Fifth Raikage's request for aid.
Unfortunately, Sasuke was too powerful, seizing all of Kumogakure in just half a day.
Upon learning this, Iwagakure's forces and the Fourth Tsuchikage were at a loss, caught between advancing to aid Kumogakure or retreating.
They could only temporarily camp at the Land of Lightning's border, waiting to assess the situation before deciding.
"What are they waiting for?" Boruto asked directly.
"Probably waiting for Sunagakure's forces."
"Sunagakure's forces?"
"Sunagakure's main force has reached the Land of Hot Water. In half a day, they could arrive at the Land of Lightning's border. Iwagakure's forces are likely waiting to join them."
Sunagakure was the farthest from the Land of Lightning, almost from the southwest corner to the northeast.
Though the Fifth Kazekage Gaara had led his forces as quickly as possible, they had only covered three-quarters of the journey, just reaching the Land of Hot Water.
To reach the Land of Lightning, they needed at least another half day; to reach Kumogakure, over a day.
Sasuke knew these ninjas well—when faced with an unbeatable enemy, they'd consider forming an alliance.
But in the face of absolute power, no amount of numbers would matter.
"Sensei, what should we do?"
"From Kumogakure to the Land of Lightning's border, it's only half a day. Once both sides gather, we'll crush them all at once!"
Sasuke wasn't patient and had no interest in hunting them down one by one. Better to wait for them to assemble and kill them all!
While Naruto hadn't been saved, kill as many as possible!
To reduce obstacles for Naruto to unify the ninja world in the future.
His hands were already stained with blood; Sasuke didn't mind adding more.
"Let's assign tasks."
"Kawaki, prepare all of Kara's forces."
"Boruto, inform Kirigakure's forces to send half their ninjas to attack, while the rest stay to guard Kumogakure."
"Orochimaru, control Edo Fifth Raikage, take all adult Kumogakure ninjas, and add them to the assault force."
"In half an hour, prepare the troops and attack!"
Sasuke issued orders, and the nearly collapsing Kumogakure operated like a machine, moving swiftly.
"Sensei, leaving only Kirigakure's people to guard Kumogakure—isn't that unsafe?"
"They've been given a chance. If they still want to die, there's no point in their existence. I'll flatten all of Kumogakure!"
Sasuke's eyes flashed coldly, his expression sharp.
Initially, leaving some lineage and population for Kumogakure and Kirigakure was for Naruto's sake. If they were foolish enough to cause trouble behind his back while he attacked, then the entire city, along with all residents of Kumogakure and Kirigakure, would cease to exist!
In fact, Sasuke hoped they'd do something stupid again.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Half an hour later, the forces were assembled.
A ten-thousand-strong army, combining ninjas from Kara, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure, was ready and departed Kumogakure with grandeur.
They headed straight for Iwagakure's main force to the west.
Meanwhile, the Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei and Edo Fifth Raikage Darui were left in Kumogakure.
Both Kages watched Otsutsuki Sasuke and his army vanish at the horizon, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Mizukage, they're gone…"
"I see."
"Can Iwagakure hold?"
"It'll definitely fall!"
"For some reason, I don't even hope Iwagakure holds…"
"Me neither…"
"Thoughts like this aren't good, but only our villages being destroyed is too painful."
"Same…"
"Do you think we'll have to wait for Konoha to save the world again?"
"Save with what? The Seventh Hokage is dead. Are we hoping for his son, Uzumaki Kawaki? The world can't be saved; humanity is finished…"
"Otsutsuki Sasuke, how can there be an enemy that strong…"
"Exactly!"
"Just hope not too many die…"
"Now only our people remain in Kumogakure. Don't you have any ideas?"
"What ideas? I'm already dead, only revived by Orochimaru. Even Konoha's Legendary Sannin has sided with Otsutsuki Sasuke. What can I do?"
"No ideas at all?"
"Mizukage, if you want to die, go ahead, but don't drag me into it. I just want to leave some lineage for Kumogakure…"
Edo Fifth Raikage Darui shook his head in refusal.
Did she think Orochimaru's Edo Tensei was just for show?
He'd likely be forcibly controlled the moment he showed resistance.
Resistance with a chance of winning could be called a desperate struggle, but resistance with no chance was just seeking death.
Besides, Darui was never the passionate type—don't forget his motto was 'dull.'
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
One hour later.
Kara's massive army had left Kumogakure.
Orochimaru controlled Edo Fourth Kazekage, using a gold dust platform to carry a few people above the army.
Why would the ninja world's greatest scientist run himself? With free Edo Tensei, of course, he'd exploit it to the fullest!
On the gold dust platform were only Sasuke, Orochimaru, Amado, Daimon, Itachi, Shisui, and Rasa.
Boruto, Kawaki, and the others were still panting below, part of their training.
"Sasuke-kun, I have a question."
Orochimaru asked with a smile.
"Ask."
"With your current power, you alone are enough to destroy Iwagakure, right?"
"My power is running low…"
Hearing that, Daimon, lying on Amado's back, had his eyes light up and suddenly stared at Sasuke.
"You can try."
Sasuke glared at Daimon, instantly quashing his reckless impulse.
Sasuke alone was indeed enough to wipe out the combined Iwagakure and Sunagakure forces.
But to conserve some Six Paths chakra, guard against a sudden attack from Otsutsuki Isshiki, and completely destroy Iwagakure, he chose to lead a large army.
Back when Six Paths Sasuke was full of energy, he squandered it recklessly. Now, weakened, he knew to value it.
"Then I could send an Edo Tensei force or act in a smaller group…"
"Isshiki is very strong. I don't want any more accidents!"
Sasuke replied coldly.
Don't be fooled by Isshiki's two losses to Six Paths Sasuke.
Against others, Isshiki could easily crush them!
Previously, the Edo Hokage F4, plus Edo Itachi and others working together, were all brutally beaten by Isshiki, nearly wiped out.
Thus, Sasuke wouldn't proactively split his forces, giving the enemy a chance to defeat them one by one.
With only Iwagakure left to destroy to save Naruto, Sasuke didn't want any more surprises.
"I see. One last question: where does your Six Paths chakra actually come from…?"
Orochimaru wanted to ask about the origin of Sasuke's Six Paths power.
But at that moment, he seemed to receive news and stopped his question.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Orochimaru clapped his hands, activating Kuchiyose no Jutsu, summoning a green snake from Ryūchi Cave.
The snake opened its mouth, spitting out a scroll.
"This is information from Mitsuki."
Orochimaru was very satisfied—his son was impressive!
Though his memories were manipulated, he never doubted Orochimaru, perfectly serving as a 'secret telegram machine,' delivering information.
At the same time, Orochimaru was very self-aware.
After receiving the scroll, without moving an inch, he handed it to Sasuke beside him.
Whatever was written in the scroll, he shouldn't open it carelessly. If the information was wrong, Orochimaru didn't want to bear the consequences.
Bearing too many consequences never ended well!
Orochimaru survived this long not just due to forbidden jutsu and secret techniques but also his keen judgment of situations and accurate side-picking.
Sasuke took the scroll and opened it to read.
His face couldn't help but change slightly, his brows and expression furrowing, clearly indicating bad news.
"What's wrong? Is Sarada in trouble?"
Edo Itachi was the first to ask, now almost more concerned about Sarada than Sasuke. What could he do? She was his only beloved niece.
"There's trouble!"
"Sarada and Sumire sent information: Otsutsuki Isshiki has unsealed Otsutsuki Kaguya and has reached a cooperation agreement with her!"
At those words, Orochimaru and Amado's faces paled.
Edo Itachi and Edo Shisui didn't know Kaguya's terror, but the others had seen it.
Who was Kaguya?
The ancestor of chakra, the great Rabbit Goddess!
In the Fourth Ninja World War, they only defeated and sealed Kaguya thanks to various epic aids: power from the Sage of the Six Paths, power from Six Paths Obito, Kaguya's own naivety, and Black Zetsu's repeated misguidance…
Many coincidences aligned to barely seal Kaguya.
Even if it happened again, Naruto and Sasuke had no full guarantee of defeating her…
And now, Isshiki had unsealed Kaguya! And even pulled her into the same alliance!
For Sasuke's side, this was shocking bad news…
"How could this be? Can it be confirmed?"
Orochimaru immediately asked to verify.
"It's confirmed. Sarada and Sumire saw it themselves through the monitor. Unless the enemy has controlled them and used them to send us false information. But that's highly unlikely, and there's no need to send such absurd information."
Sasuke was very rational and certain it was Sarada's handwriting.
Through deduction, the chance of Sarada and the others being controlled was low, especially given another key element in the information.
"Sss… This isn't good!"
One Kaguya was enough to make Naruto and Sasuke fight desperately; add Otsutsuki Isshiki, two Six Paths-level combat forces—just hearing it was despairing.
Fortunately, on their side, besides Six Paths Sasuke, they had Daimon, whose power rivaled Six Paths, so they weren't entirely without a chance.
However, given Kaguya's immortal nature and Sasuke's lack of Six Paths Yin-Yang power to seal her, facing her would be even harder.
The situation was still very grim.
"Sasuke-kun, did the scroll mention anything else? Any enemy movements?"
Sasuke nodded: "Yes."
"Sarada said after they learned Kaguya was unsealed, they were discovered by Eida."
"Eida proactively invited them to meet and showed goodwill."
Hearing news about his sister Eida, Daimon perked up:
"What's with Sister? Tell me quick!"
"Eida is indeed threatened by Isshiki, using her Senrigan to help him monitor and relay various information…"
Sasuke briefly explained: Eida, through Sarada and Sumire's channel, conveyed her situation to Sasuke and the others.
This included her being threatened and the fact that Isshiki proactively unsealed Kaguya.
She also reported Isshiki and Kaguya's current movements: through Eida's Senrigan, they had located all the Bijuu in the ninja world and were rushing to capture them one by one.
Why were they capturing Bijuu? Were they planning to revive the Juubi? What were their next intentions?
Eida didn't know…
At the same time, Eida, through this secret letter, requested Sasuke's help:
She hoped Sasuke could protect her brother Daimon and find a way to free her.
In return, she could use her Senrigan to gather information for Sasuke, including providing real-time coordinates of Kaguya and Isshiki's other dimensions!