Clearly, Eida had made her decision, resolute to fully betray Isshiki and side with Sasuke.
Honestly, she didn't have many options.
Following Isshiki to the end was out of the question. If she did, she and her brother Daimon would surely meet a grim fate—she was certain of that!
The only ones with any hope of opposing Isshiki in the entire world were Sasuke and his group.
So, she could only choose to abandon the darkness and embrace the light.
However, Eida wasn't foolish. She didn't need to wait until one side emerged victorious to join them.
That would be meaningless.
Only by acting now, when the opposing side still needed her information, and investing early, could she earn some favor.
There was definitely risk in leaking information like this, but Eida also understood the value of aid in times of need.
"My sister needs to be saved!"
Hearing that his sister was asking for help, Daimon grew even more excited, eager to storm Konoha to rescue her from the demon's lair.
Daimon leapt off Amado's back, ready to charge toward Konoha alone.
At that moment, he even forgot his fear of Sasuke, showing just how much he valued Eida.
"Daimon, wait a moment!"
Amado tried to hold Daimon back, but the latter was in no mood to listen. A ten-year-old android—how could he have the restraint of seasoned adults?
*BOOM!*
Daimon stomped, shattering half the gold dust platform. With a powerful recoil, he shot out, creating a massive gust of wind, demonstrating the terrifying strength of this individual.
But Daimon had barely leapt far when he suddenly trembled and fell from the air.
Orochimaru squinted and smiled, discreetly stopping the remote control in his hand.
A dozen seconds later.
A summoned snake coiled around Daimon, bringing him back to the gold dust platform.
At this point, Daimon looked utterly disheveled.
Not only was his entire body flushed and feverish, but his eyes were dazed, his breathing hot, and his body hunched as if hiding something.
It could be said that Orochimaru's drug was too aggressive. Daimon's strength caused Orochimaru to misjudge the standard adult dose, which, for a ten-year-old child, was indeed excessive.
"Ah!"
"What's happening to me…?"
"What did you do to me?!"
Daimon was frantic, completely unaware of why his body was acting abnormally. He hadn't even attended the ninja academy, let alone understood basic biology.
If he had known and experienced this kind of positive physical sensation, he might have unleashed even greater power.
Unfortunately, Daimon was entirely unaccustomed to it and even a bit frightened.
It's normal for anyone to feel confused and helpless the first time.
"Calm down. Your body's reaction is normal; it won't endanger your life."
"But if you keep shouting, don't blame me if I strip your clothes and bandages!"
Orochimaru flashed a very friendly smile to soothe him.
Hearing this, Daimon, already embarrassed, trembled even more, unable to imagine that horrifying scene.
Demon!
This Orochimaru was truly more demonic than Sasuke!
Daimon cursed and slandered inwardly, but due to his body's abnormality, he could only curl up further and give up resisting.
If he struggled again, he felt as if something that shouldn't come out would actually come out!
"Orochimaru, he's just a kid."
"He's only overly worried about his sister's safety. No need to be too harsh on him."
"Give him the antidote."
"I think he'll understand that his own strength won't save Eida!"
Amado played the good cop to Orochimaru's bad cop, persuading Daimon together.
"Fine. For Amado's sake, I'll let you off this time."
Orochimaru smiled, pulling out a bottle of suppressant and handing it to Amado to inject into Daimon to calm him.
Poor Daimon was completely at the mercy of these two abnormal scientists.
After dealing with the impulsive Daimon, Orochimaru returned to Sasuke's side.
"What did you do to him?"
"Just added a little enhancement drug, harmless."
"…"
Sasuke fell silent, then gave a wordless smile.
He trusted Orochimaru's methods, having experienced them firsthand.
No matter how difficult Daimon was, as long as he was a test subject in Orochimaru's hands, there was always a way to control him.
Besides, even if Orochimaru couldn't control Daimon, with Sasuke there, Daimon, who lacked space-time abilities, had no chance of escaping!
"What about you? Have you thought about what to do?"
"One Isshiki is already tough, and adding that Rabbit Goddess makes it even harder…"
"But since they're rushing to capture the Bijuu, they must have a goal. Should we stop them?"
Orochimaru couldn't think of a way to defeat Six Paths-level abnormals, but he was keenly aware of how dire the situation was.
In times like these, they couldn't let the enemy's plans succeed.
Fortunately, Eida chose to betray, revealing Kaguya's unsealing and the critical information that the enemy was capturing Bijuu, delivered just in time.
Otherwise, their side would've been clueless and might've been crushed outright!
Sasuke fell silent.
A few seconds later, he made a firm decision.
"No!"
"Let them capture them. We don't need to stop them!"
Sasuke was clear: Isshiki and Kaguya had space-time abilities, able to open teleportation portals and arrive anywhere in the ninja world instantly.
With Senrigan, they'd locked onto the locations of the other Bijuu, almost certainly able to capture them.
Meanwhile, their side didn't even know the other Bijuu's locations—how could they stop them?
Even if they could, with Six Paths Sasuke nearly out of chakra and just one Daimon, there was no guarantee of defeating Isshiki and Kaguya…
This option was immediately ruled out.
However, Sasuke wouldn't let Isshiki and Kaguya proceed with their plans unchecked.
The Hachibi Jinchūriki had already fallen into enemy hands, Naruto's Kurama seemed to be with Isshiki, and the Gedo Statue was with Kaguya.
This meant they only needed to capture the other seven Bijuu to revive the Juubi!
At that point, whether Isshiki or Kaguya gained the Juubi's power and chakra, they'd receive a massive power boost.
This had to be stopped!
"We'll split the forces!"
"Hmm?"
Sasuke decisively said: "Orochimaru, take Kawaki, Daimon, Itachi, and Shisui back to Konoha first. Find a chance to save Eida."
"I and the others will continue destroying Iwagakure!"
Orochimaru frowned slightly.
"Splitting forces? Now that Eida with Senrigan has betrayed, a proper division is acceptable."
"But why are you still obsessed with Iwagakure? Shouldn't seizing Eida be the top priority?"
"Once we have her, we can quickly locate all the Bijuu, maybe capture one or two, disrupting the enemy's plan."
Orochimaru's suggestion was very reasonable.
Since Eida was no longer fully aiding Isshiki, their side didn't need to worry about being picked off one by one after splitting forces.
Instead, seizing Eida should be the primary goal, indirectly disrupting Isshiki and the others' Bijuu capture operation.
"Information delivery has delays. It's not certain Eida is still in Konoha."
"If I enter Konoha and fight Isshiki and the others, the entire village will be destroyed."
"Besides, as long as Iwagakure is destroyed, it can also disrupt the enemy's plan to gather the Bijuu…"
Sasuke explained.
Orochimaru didn't know Sasuke and Lux had an agreement, so he naturally didn't understand why Sasuke was fixated on destroying Iwagakure.
Once Iwagakure was destroyed, Lux would save Naruto and Kurama, making it impossible for Kaguya and Isshiki to gather all nine Bijuu…
"Alright, I'll follow your lead!"
Orochimaru didn't probe further.
This was the mature Sasuke, whose strategy and intelligence were no less than Orochimaru's.
Since Sasuke chose this, he must have his reasons.
As a golden team player, Orochimaru didn't care how they won; he just needed to play his supporting role well.
"Brother, bring Boruto and Kawaki here."
"Alright."
Edo Itachi moved, bringing Boruto and Kawaki from the forces below.
When Boruto and Kawaki learned of the new task division, they were shocked.
"Sensei, isn't this too dangerous? What if Kawaki and the others sneak into Konoha and encounter Isshiki…"
"There's that risk, but it's not certain they'll be exposed. As long as Eida doesn't reveal their presence, Isshiki might not notice Kawaki and the others' infiltration. Don't forget, Kawaki no longer has Isshiki's Kama."
"Then I'll go too!"
"You can't. Kawaki and the others, even if discovered, have the ability to retreat. If you go, you don't."
"Huh?"
Kawaki was shocked. Since when was I that strong?
I can escape from Isshiki and Kaguya?
In truth, Kawaki alone couldn't, but with Daimon, it was different.
Sasuke had carefully considered this infiltration team as the best combination.
Kawaki: Now Uzumaki Kawaki, the Seventh Hokage's son in everyone's eyes. Even if discovered, Konoha ninjas wouldn't attack him.
Daimon: Most Konoha ninjas don't know him and wouldn't attack immediately.
Orochimaru: Though he betrayed Konoha, Code hasn't announced it, so other Konoha ninjas still see him as an ally.
Edo Itachi and Edo Shisui: Orochimaru's Edo Tensei ninjas, not enemies.
Thus, this team, upon entering Konoha, wouldn't be immediately surrounded unless they directly faced Isshiki.
But Boruto joining wouldn't work. Boruto was now 'Otsutsuki Boruto'—his appearance would trigger an immediate siege, unsuitable for infiltration.
Besides, even if this team encountered Isshiki, it wasn't a big issue.
Daimon, riding Kawaki, could continuously activate Killing Intent Reflection, unafraid of Isshiki's attacks, at least buying time to escape.
Orochimaru? Even if killed, it didn't matter—he wouldn't truly die.
Edo Itachi and Shisui? As Edo Tensei, what attacks did they fear? Even if caught, Orochimaru could instantly release their Edo Tensei.
With Uchiha genjutsu, Orochimaru's knowledge of Konoha, and Daimon's close bond with Eida, this team was the best choice for infiltrating Konoha to gather information and rescue hostages.
"I understand. I'm indeed not suited to join."
Boruto maturely and rationally agreed, though worried about Kawaki, his sensei's task division was indeed safer.
Who would've thought Konoha, his own home, would now disqualify him from infiltrating? How ironic!
"Bro, don't worry. Leave Konoha to me. I'll definitely bring all the targets out!"
"Kawaki, be careful!"
"Relax, but you have to promise me you'll save the Seventh Hokage!"
"Deal!"
The two friends fist-bumped, their eyes full of determination.
"Kawaki, confirm the targets again."
"Primary target: rescue Eida. Secondary target: obtain Isshiki's other dimension coordinates. Final target: bring out Sarada, Sumire, and Himawari."
"Correct. Remember the target order and don't push it. If you face Isshiki, retreat immediately!"
Sasuke reminded again.
Rescuing Eida would be ideal.
If there's no chance to rescue, try to secretly approach Eida and obtain Isshiki's new dimension coordinates.
If Eida can be rescued, bring Sarada and the others along. After Eida leaves, those immune to Omnipotence no longer need to stay in Konoha to gather information.
Soon after, Kawaki and the others were ready.
Daimon, now fully recovered and learning he'd save his sister, was excited and immediately climbed onto Kawaki's back.
Though he didn't like Kawaki, for his sister's sake, anything was tolerable.
Besides, with Orochimaru, the demon among demons, joining them, Daimon didn't dare act out.
"Time's limited. I'll open a teleportation portal for you!"
"Orochimaru, Big Brother, and Brother Shisui, be careful!"
Six Paths Sasuke was straightforward, activating his Rinnegan to open a space portal directly to outside Konoha.
No one knew how long it would take Isshiki and Kaguya to capture the other seven Bijuu, but it would surely be quick.
So, their side had no time to waste on travel—they had to seize the opportunity and rescue Eida immediately!
"Sasuke-kun, we're off."
"Little brother, don't worry. I won't let anything happen to Sarada!"
Orochimaru, Itachi, Shisui, Kawaki, and Daimon set out.
They quickly passed through the space portal, arriving at Konoha, thousands of kilometers away, in an instant.
Watching Kawaki and the others leave, Boruto felt a bit worried.
"Sensei, will Kawaki and the others succeed?"
"They will!"
"But what if Eida was deceiving Sarada and the others from the start, sending false information?"
"Then I'll make those siblings and the entire village die with me!"
Sasuke's current plan hinged on the premise that Eida's information was true.
This was, of course, a huge gamble.
But facing the combined force of Isshiki and Kaguya, he could only choose to bet.
What if he bet wrong?
Then so be it.
Sasuke had already lost too much and didn't mind killing a few more!
At that point, he might not win, but he still had enough power to drag others down with him!
"Alright, don't overthink."
"We need to speed up and complete our goal."
"Amado, I'm entrusting the command of this army to you and Kashin Koji. The army's destination is straight to Iwagakure."
"As for Iwagakure's main force, leave them to me!"
With limited time, Sasuke no longer cared about conserving chakra.
After giving orders, he opened another space portal.
Taking Boruto, he crossed hundreds of kilometers in one step, arriving directly at the Land of Lightning's border!
The very area where Iwagakure's main force was camped.
He prepared to destroy this army at the fastest speed, completing the final objective of annihilating Iwagakure!