At this moment, Sasuke instantly understood Kaguya, Isshiki, and the others' plan.
They lacked the courage to fight him to the death, but with the entire moon's fall, they had immense confidence to destroy the entire ninja world!
Previously, Kaguya went to capture other Bijuu and absorbed the chakra of Sunagakure's ninja forces—not to revive the Ten-Tails.
Instead, it was to restore her power, enabling her to activate Six Paths: Banshō Ten'in to move the entire moon, controlling it to crash into Earth!
Back when Toneri caused chaos, mere small meteors falling were enough to destroy the five great villages and many nations.
Now, if the entire moon collided with Earth, it's estimated the entire ninja world's landscape would be completely reshaped.
All nations and life on the surface would be obliterated instantly.
The massive impact would also melt most of the surface into magma, boiling the entire planet, even tearing apart the atmosphere, depleting over ninety percent of the oxygen.
Such a high-temperature, oxygen-scarce environment would persist for centuries, and no terrestrial life could survive in such extreme conditions.
The entire history of humans and ninjas would be completely erased!
At that point, even if Sasuke ultimately defeated Isshiki and Kaguya, he couldn't possibly revive everyone on a magma-filled, apocalyptic planet!
Even Sasuke himself, without an oxygenated environment, would struggle to survive long-term.
The moon absolutely must not crash into Earth!
Everything Naruto and he had protected until now would be annihilated!
Sasuke gritted his teeth and made a decision, opening a space portal again, heading directly thousands of kilometers into Earth's outer atmosphere, near the midpoint of the Earth-Moon distance.
Kaguya was also exerting her Dōjutsu with full force there!
Sasuke's portal opened tens of thousands of meters from Kaguya's real body.
Upon emerging, he could feel a vast, terrifying gravitational force pulling and tearing at his body, as if it wanted to rip him apart.
And this was still outside the range of Kaguya's gravitational pull.
If he were in front of Kaguya, within the gravitational field she used to pull the moon, the tearing force would likely be exponentially greater!
Thus, Sasuke couldn't open a portal closer to Kaguya.
Though not combined with sealing jutsu, in terms of gravitational strength and intensity, the Six Paths: Banshō Ten'in Kaguya activated now was not inferior to the Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei used by the Sage of the Six Paths long ago.
The massive gravitational field spanning thousands of kilometers was like a giant net capturing the moon, connected by tens of millions of threads, gradually pulling it toward Earth.
The moon's mass was terrifying.
Equivalent to the weight of thousands of Mount Everests stacked together, it was as if Kaguya alone was pulling an entire continent!
This extraordinary power made even Six Paths Sasuke raise an eyebrow, silently shocked.
(There's still a chance!)
Sasuke didn't panic, instead calmly observing for gaps and opportunities.
The moon had just begun moving, with both its speed and kinetic energy still low, so there was still a chance to stop it.
But if Six Paths: Banshō Ten'in continued pulling, accelerating the moon's speed toward Earth and increasing its kinetic energy, once it passed a critical threshold, it would be unstoppable.
At that point, the moon would inevitably crash into Earth, colliding and destroying the entire ninja world!
In short, interrupting or defeating Kaguya before that could stop this apocalyptic Earth-Moon collision disaster!
Six Paths Sasuke was resolute, instantly erupting with full power, activating Six Paths: Raijin Susano'o.
Flapping its wings, he flew at high speed toward Kaguya, tens of thousands of meters away.
Facing Kaguya, Sasuke wouldn't hold back.
Though his remaining Six Paths chakra was limited, when needed, he had to use it!
Most importantly, without activating Susano'o, he couldn't survive even a few minutes in the airless space…
Raijin Susano'o's size was already massive, and its speed was astonishing.
In the blink of an eye, it covered tens of thousands of meters, arriving not far from Kaguya.
*SWOOSH!*
A black light shot out instantly, crashing hard into Raijin Susano'o.
This time, there was no resounding roar or shocking blast wave due to the vacuum environment, but the terrifying force still caused subtle ripples in the surrounding space.
Raijin Susano'o was thrown back, its outer chakra armor showing cracks.
This attack was pure Six Paths-level taijutsu.
Clearly, the assailant was Isshiki, erupting with full power, activating Stage Two Kama!
Isshiki wasn't hiding in his dimensional space, though he desperately wanted to. Unfortunately, the plan didn't allow him to escape.
While Kaguya exerted Six Paths: Banshō Ten'in to pull the entire moon, she had virtually no strength left to defend herself.
If undetected, that would be ideal. If detected, Isshiki had to block the enemy to buy Kaguya time.
This was agreed upon from the start.
Through Black Zetsu's calculations and estimates, in just about three minutes, Kaguya could accelerate the moon to an unstoppable speed, ensuring it crashed into Earth.
As long as Isshiki could hold off Sasuke and the others for three minutes, it would all be over!
At that point, neither Sasuke nor the strongest android, Daimon…
Could survive the catastrophic destruction of the Earth-Moon collision. Even if they temporarily escaped Earth via space-time abilities, they couldn't survive long in space!
Who told them to be fragile humans, androids, lifeforms dependent on a terrestrial environment?
Unlike them, high-level Otsutsuki who could survive in the universe!
This was Black Zetsu's venomous plan: one to keep his mother out of danger, avoiding another fight with Sasuke; one to fully exploit Kaguya's advantage, cutting off all retreat paths for the ninjas—a perfect plan!
After all, with Isshiki holding the front line this time, Kaguya couldn't possibly be sealed again.
If Isshiki truly couldn't hold, Kaguya could decisively stop her Dōjutsu and retreat immediately.
Win: destroy the ninjas, killing them all.
Lose: use the ninjas' hands to kill Isshiki.
Either way, no loss.
Black Zetsu, having failed once before, was clearly more cautious, cunning, and ruthless!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Isshiki and Sasuke locked eyes, both sides fully understanding each other's goals.
One aimed to protect Kaguya controlling the moon; the other to stop Kaguya from destroying the ninja world.
There was no possibility of reconciliation between them.
Especially since they already had deep enmity.
"Uchiha Sasuke, you, all humans, and the entire ninja world—be destroyed!"
The vacuum couldn't transmit sound, but Isshiki used chakra waves to roar at Sasuke.
Sasuke didn't speak, too lazy to waste words with such a person.
He continued controlling Six Paths: Raijin Susano'o, charging toward Kaguya.
"You won't pass!"
Isshiki turned into a black light again, striking Susano'o, and both sides began an all-out battle.
This time, Isshiki wasn't suddenly bold enough to fight Sasuke to the death.
He simply had no way out.
Originally, Isshiki planned to complete the second phase of the plan—Kaguya helping him reclaim Kawaki as a revival vessel.
Only then would he execute the third phase: the Earth-Moon collision.
That way, he could fight Sasuke without worry, even if Code's body died in battle. He could revive using Kawaki's vessel, which is why he dared take the dangerous "three-minute punching bag" role.
But the plan didn't go as hoped.
Tricked by Orochimaru, Kakashi, and others, and losing his ace, Eida, Isshiki's rage made him lose most of his reason. To kill all ninjas, he proactively forced Kaguya to start the third phase early.
Without Kawaki as a revival vessel, the threat to Isshiki's life was exponentially greater.
Having chosen to skip the second phase, the risks of fighting Six Paths Sasuke would fall solely on Isshiki.
Fortunately, Isshiki wasn't without a backup plan.
Before coming, he returned to his dimensional space once and consumed the Ten-Tails, which had absorbed the Gedo Statue and passed its juvenile phase!
Originally, he intended to use this Ten-Tails to plant a God Tree, but having failed to capture Kawaki and lacking a revival vessel, how could he, feeling insecure, dare fight Six Paths Sasuke one-on-one?
He was forced to "consume" the Ten-Tails, becoming an incomplete Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, before rushing to Kaguya's side.
Though the Ten-Tails was still growing, it provided Isshiki with immense vitality and regenerative abilities.
Instantly, Isshiki's depleted life force surged dramatically.
This way, even if hit by another Six Paths: Indra's Arrow, Isshiki was confident he could withstand it with the Ten-Tails' robust vitality.
This was the basis for his daring to face Six Paths Sasuke one-on-one now!
Of course, the cost was steep.
Consuming the only Ten-Tails meant he and Kaguya were truly at odds.
Without the Ten-Tails, no God Tree could be planted, and no Chakra Fruit could be produced, meaning no return to the main clan with the fruit to complete the mission and atone for sins.
The initial cooperation agreement between Isshiki and Kaguya would completely collapse.
Either Isshiki killed Kaguya, took all the Bijuu, revived a perfect Ten-Tails, and continued planting the tree, or Kaguya killed Isshiki, preventing his return to the main clan while biding her time to fight them.
In short: since Isshiki consumed the mature Ten-Tails, he and Kaguya were in a state of total enmity.
He couldn't use Six Paths: Ten-Tails Sealing Jutsu; "consuming" meant he truly devoured the Ten-Tails, which couldn't be easily extracted.
This was also why Isshiki deliberately sent Kaguya away earlier and secretly returned to his dimension to swallow the Ten-Tails.
He didn't dare let Kaguya know.
If she found out now, she'd immediately break their cooperation, join Sasuke's side, and gang up on Isshiki!
Of course, Isshiki couldn't think that far now.
He only wanted to hold off Sasuke, waiting for Kaguya to destroy the ninja world with the moon, then find a way to kill Kaguya!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The battle between Six Paths Sasuke and Isshiki continued.
Neither side held back, each clash like a mini sun exploding in space, emitting blinding light and terrifying energy waves!
If on Earth, the shockwaves alone would have destroyed the Fire Daimyo's residence multiple times.
However, no matter how Sasuke attacked, Isshiki firmly blocked him.
What could he do? Isshiki's super-speed advantage in open space was glaring.
As time passed, Six Paths: Raijin Susano'o's defensive strength and recovery speed visibly declined.
Clearly, Sasuke's Six Paths chakra was running low.
In contrast, under the mature Ten-Tails' influence, Isshiki remained vigorous, fearless of consumption or damage, almost rivaling his peak after revival.
(Something's wrong! Isshiki's condition is very wrong!)
Six Paths Sasuke sensed something off.
Last time, Isshiki was nearly killed by him, with almost no regenerative ability left.
But now, he was suddenly so strong—it wasn't normal!
(Did he absorb the Bijuu captured earlier?)
(Then how did Otsutsuki Kaguya restore her condition?)
(This can't drag on—everything will be over!)
Sasuke's remaining Six Paths chakra was limited; he couldn't afford to waste it as before.
Otherwise, firing dozens of Indra's Arrows in succession would turn Isshiki and Kaguya into minced meat!
The battle had lasted over two minutes, and the moon pulled by Kaguya was accelerating, nearing the unstoppable critical limit.
Sasuke's time and options were running out.
(No choice—I have to go all in!)
Sasuke gritted his teeth and decided to fight with everything he had.
He immediately controlled the six Gudōdama behind him to fly out.
Three transformed into pure Six Paths chakra, injected into Raijin Susano'o, instantly restoring its dim glow to peak condition.
*BOOM!*
Six Paths: Raijin Susano'o began drawing its bow and sword, retreating at extreme speed while charging Indra's Arrow.
The remaining three Gudōdama were also injected into the arrow to boost its power.
These Gudōdama were one-time use but undoubtedly contained potent Six Paths chakra. If fully used, they'd allow Sasuke to fire another immensely powerful Six Paths: Indra's Arrow!
Of course, after this attack, Sasuke might deplete all his Six Paths chakra, reverting to a "weak kidney" state.
But now, he could only gamble.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the other side, seeing Susano'o charging Indra's Arrow again, Isshiki couldn't help but feel a chill, his scalp tingling.
He couldn't help recalling the fear of being repeatedly crushed by Indra's Arrow.
If possible, he certainly didn't want to take an Indra's Arrow head-on.
Good news: Sasuke's Indra's Arrow was aimed at Kaguya in the distance, not Isshiki; and in vast space, Sasuke likely couldn't hit Isshiki.
Bad news: Isshiki had to block this arrow for Kaguya. Otherwise, her Six Paths: Banshō Ten'in would be interrupted, affecting the plan to destroy the ninja world.
"Black Zetsu! Kaguya! Three minutes should be almost up, right?"
"Aren't you ready?"
Isshiki roared toward Kaguya, counting the time. Wasn't it almost done?
"Calculation error—it might take another half minute. Isshiki-sama, hold on a bit longer!"
Black Zetsu's infuriating voice came again, like thunder exploding in Isshiki's mind.
"What? You beast! Didn't you guarantee no miscalculations?"
"The situation's complex; calculation fluctuations are normal. Besides, Uchiha Sasuke seems to be preparing a massive attack. Isshiki-sama, stop him quick!"
"Stop what!"
Isshiki cursed. Six Paths Sasuke was flying farther, clearly distancing himself for a big attack.
If he flew to intercept and missed the arrow, wouldn't it all be over?
Unless he flew straight along the firing line or stood behind Kaguya to take the hit for her.
"Just a bit more! If Isshiki-sama doesn't hold, I'll have to tell Mother to stop!"
Black Zetsu threatened bluntly, as if certain he could defeat Isshiki.
After all, Isshiki had invested too much hidden cost early on; he couldn't possibly give up at the last moment.
Like Black Zetsu before, he had no way back.
It was just taking one attack—likely severe injury, but probably not death.
This was Black Zetsu's desired outcome: destroy the ninja world while wounding Isshiki via Sasuke's hands, making his mother the ultimate winner. How perfect!
"Black Zetsu, you beast!!!"
Isshiki was furious, not expecting to be tricked by ninjas earlier and now by the traitorous Black Zetsu.
What calculation error? It was one hundred percent intentional!
He deliberately forced Isshiki to take this final attack.
But Isshiki had no choice. He lacked a Rinnegan and couldn't control the entire moon; missing this chance would make destroying the ninja world difficult.
Should he wait for another time, with Daimon riding Sasuke, aided by Eida's Senrigan, constantly tracking and attacking him?
The thought alone made him shudder.
So he had to take this attack and seize this chance to destroy the ninja world!
Though he knew Black Zetsu was feeding him poison, he could only grit his teeth and swallow it!
(Black Zetsu, I'll definitely kill you!)
Isshiki roared wildly in his heart, but his body obediently stood not far behind Kaguya, preparing to take Six Paths: Indra's Arrow.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
*SWOOSH!*
Sasuke instantly released the bowstring, firing the terrifying arrow from tens of thousands of meters away!