The second Six Paths Indra’s Arrow from Sasuke still carried immense power. Not only did it obliterate the space-time portal, but it also dealt severe damage to Isshiki once again.
Isshiki was simultaneously torn apart by the explosion’s force and the fragments of space-time, completely destroying his lower body, leaving only his battered upper half.
The scene was somewhat reminiscent of a thousand years ago... except back then, Isshiki was gravely injured by Kaguya’s surprise attack. This time, he was thoroughly defeated head-on by Six Paths Sasuke.
(If I had secured Kawaki and fully resurrected, how could that lowly creature be so arrogant?)
(Damn Uchiha Sasuke, how dare he laugh so wildly at the end! So smug!)
Isshiki, battered and bruised, recalled Sasuke’s reckless smirk at the end, fuming with rage until smoke practically poured from his seven orifices!
Only Otsutsuki should laugh so maniacally—how could a lowly creature be so audacious? This wasn’t just a slap to Isshiki’s face; it was mocking the entire Otsutsuki Clan!
But he had no time to hate or vent. Severely injured and in a rush, Isshiki’s lifespan had dwindled to just half a day. If he didn’t quickly find a way to restore his vitality or secure a new vessel, he could truly die!
He didn’t know when Six Paths Sasuke might invade his personal dimension again—that would be truly fatal. Thus, he had to relocate his personal dimension immediately to prevent Sasuke’s pursuit!
(I, the great Otsutsuki, reduced to hiding like a rat in the gutter!)
(This is unacceptable!)
(Forget it... for survival, I’ll endure for now...)
And so, the proud Isshiki, cursing under his breath, dragged his mangled body and began migrating his personal dimension.
On the other side, Six Paths Sasuke wasn’t idle.
After catching his breath, he activated his Rinnegan, preparing to open a space-time portal to pursue Isshiki into his personal dimension.
He wasn’t sure where Isshiki’s recently opened portal led. Nor was he certain if the second Indra’s Arrow had killed him.
If Isshiki wasn’t dead, it likely led to his old personal dimension’s lair. If so, Sasuke might trap Isshiki and eliminate this major foe!
Unfortunately, Sasuke’s space-time portal failed to open—or rather, it couldn’t connect to Isshiki’s personal dimension.
"Can’t track Isshiki’s personal dimension?"
"Did its location change? Or disappear?"
"Could Isshiki really be dead?"
Sasuke wasn’t very familiar with personal dimensions. After all, he only had limited mastery of space-time portals via his Rinnegan, inspired by Gyūton (Bull Head Heavenly King), not derived from the Otsutsuki Clan’s space-time bloodline abilities.
He hadn’t managed to create his own personal dimension either. Thus, he didn’t know if Isshiki’s personal dimension coordinates were invalid because Isshiki actively moved it or because he was dead.
Sasuke tried again but still couldn’t track Isshiki’s dimension.
Reluctantly, he had to give up.
If Kawaki’s Kama were still present, Sasuke might have tracked Isshiki via their chakra connection. Unfortunately, Kawaki’s Kama was gone.
This had pros and cons. Isshiki could no longer track Kawaki, but Sasuke’s side couldn’t track Isshiki either.
Moreover, Sasuke, slightly inflated with power, quickly calmed down. Though his condition was still good, it wasn’t great.
Firing two consecutive shots was extremely taxing for Six Paths Sasuke. A third shot was possible, but its power and effect would likely be greatly reduced, possibly insufficient to kill Isshiki completely.
Plus, after retreating to his lair, Isshiki might access the Juubi’ chakra to recover. In Sasuke’s current state, invading the enemy’s lair alone carried high risks...
It was better to be cautious. After confirming Isshiki’s status and the new coordinates of his personal dimension, then he’d plan how to invade.
Sasuke rested briefly on the spot.
Though he’d used over eighty percent of the Six Paths chakra granted by Tenshou Sennin, the remaining twenty percent was still substantial. Without intense combat, it was enough for Sasuke to maintain Six Paths mode for a long time.
Additionally, of the nine single-use Gudōdama on his back, only three were used, leaving six still floating behind him.
Sasuke was still overwhelmingly powerful!
Soon, Sasuke’s shadow clone returned with the unconscious Kawaki.
Sasuke’s real body checked Kawaki again, and after confirming Isshiki’s Kama had completely vanished, he felt a bit relieved.
Though this battle lost the Juubi sapling, he’d freed Kawaki from Kama, injured Isshiki, and gained Tenshou Sennin’s support.
To Sasuke, it wasn’t a great victory, but at least he broke even. The biggest loser was the unfortunate Land of Iron, with nearly half its territory devastated by his two Indra’s Arrows. It would take decades for the ecosystem to recover.
Fortunately, the battle didn’t occur in Konoha, or the entire village might have been obliterated!
Even to protect the village, Six Paths Sasuke might not have dared fire Indra’s Arrows in Konoha. Luckily, he’d shifted the battlefield to the Land of Iron beforehand.
Moments later, Sasuke, carrying Kawaki, opened another space-time portal and instantly returned to Konoha.
The deal with Tenshou Sennin to unify the world wasn’t urgent—Sasuke needed to return to the village first to assess the situation.
Less than half an hour had passed since Sasuke left. Konoha was still accelerating its evacuation, but with its large population, only a small portion had been evacuated...
At Naruto’s residence, Hinata, who had just returned from grocery shopping with Himawari for dinner, rushed back home.
Unfortunately, Naruto and Boruto were nowhere to be seen. She only saw remnants of a battle at the residence and half the house destroyed, crushed by the Juubi sapling...
"Mama, is this our house?" Himawari clung to Hinata, looking at the ruined home, asking fearfully.
"Konohamaru, what happened?"
"Where did they all go?"
Hinata grabbed Konohamaru, who stayed behind, asking with intense emotion.
Who would’ve thought that after taking her daughter grocery shopping, she’d return to find her entire house gone!
Konohamaru was speechless, recalling how easily Isshiki defeated him, failing to protect the Hokage. He felt deeply ashamed.
"Big Brother Konohamaru, where are Papa and Onii-chan? Where did they go? Did they go fight the bad guys?" Himawari asked innocently.
Facing her question, Konohamaru could only swallow his shame and tell the truth.
He explained that an unknown enemy suddenly attacked Konoha, capturing Naruto, while Boruto and others went to another dimension to rescue him.
They’d returned but were injured and unconscious, now taken to the hospital for treatment. Just now, the enemy attacked again, but Sasuke had lured them away, and the battle’s status was unknown...
Hearing this, Hinata’s heart ached instantly.
Her Byakugan lost focus, and she froze in place.
Her husband Naruto was missing, her son Boruto was injured and unconscious... The pillars of her family had collapsed, and for Hinata, accustomed to her role as a housewife, it felt like the sky had fallen and the earth had split.
"Mama?" Innocent Himawari shook Hinata.
Hinata snapped back, regaining her composure. As the eldest daughter of the Hyūga Clan, though she’d lived quietly for years, her ninja resilience remained in her blood—especially now as a mother. To protect Himawari, she had to be strong.
"It’s okay, Papa and Big Brother are fine."
"Boruto’s in the hospital, right? How is he?" Hinata suppressed her panic, comforting her daughter while questioning Konohamaru.
"Yes! They’re not in life-threatening danger, Hinata-sama, don’t worry!"
"Good! Where’s Sasuke? Does he know where Naruto is?"
"Sasuke-senpai left the village with Kawaki; the enemy was chasing them. We don’t know the situation now."
"Alright! Thank you, Konohamaru. We’re heading to the hospital now."
Hinata calmed down, picking up Himawari, preparing to visit Boruto at the hospital first.
If anyone in Konoha trusted Naruto the most, besides Sasuke, it was Hinata. No matter the difficulty, Naruto would resolve it!
Her job was to protect Himawari and Boruto!
Just as Hinata prepared to leave, a space-time portal suddenly opened in the courtyard, startling the guarding Konoha ninjas, who nearly thought it was another enemy invasion.
Fortunately, emerging from the portal was Sasuke, clad in his dark purple Six Paths "skin," carrying the unconscious Kawaki.
Those who saw Sasuke were shocked by his new "skin" and floating effect, barely recognizing Six Paths Sasuke.
Of course, after the shock came deep joy. Sasuke’s safe return was great news for Konoha now.
"Sasuke-senpai, where’s the enemy?"
Sasuke landed in front of Hinata and Konohamaru, answering, "I defeated them; they fled for now..."
"Really? An enemy that strong, defeated by you? Amazing!"
Konohamaru’s eyes sparkled, suddenly admiring Sasuke. Of course, it was only a fraction of the admiration he reserved for Naruto.
"Sasuke-kun, this appearance? And your arm?"
"It’s complicated. In short, I received help from a Sennin again, like before. My power grew stronger, which is how I defeated the enemy. And my lost left arm regenerated..." Sasuke explained.
Indeed, his long-missing left arm had regenerated with Lux’s help.
Lux, supporting Sasuke, wouldn’t be stingy with such a small matter. If he could repair Sasuke’s Rinnegan, a left arm was nothing.