[At this point, Naruto's battle record was even more impressive: he easily dodged a full-power strike from the Fourth Raikage, defeated reanimated Nagato alongside Killer B and reanimated Itachi, fought six reanimated Jinchuriki and won, making significant contributions to the early stages of the Fourth Great Ninja War.]
[On top of that, he sent a Shadow Clone to defeat the reanimated Third Raikage, and supported various battlefields against the reanimated army. His performance was absolutely top-tier.]
---
[Konoha, Year 60. Land of Lightning, Kumogakure]
A immediately flew into a rage, veins bulging on his forehead.
But his desk had already been smashed to pieces earlier. Looking around and finding nothing to hit, he grabbed Killer Bee and punched him squarely in the shoulder.
"That bastard Orochimaru!!"
Bee winced in pain. "Big bro, hit him! Why are you hitting me?!"
A ignored his brother's complaints, fury practically blazing from his eyes.
He didn't care why Naruto was fighting him, but his father, known as the "Strongest Spear" and the "Strongest Shield," had actually been reanimated by Orochimaru using Edo Tensei?
And used in the Fourth Great Ninja War?
This was simply unforgivable!
A took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Pass this order down: increase surveillance on Orochimaru immediately. Once we find any leads on that bastard, we will crush him with everything we've got!"
Dodai nodded and made a note. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Raikage-sama, what about Konoha…"
"Konoha?"
A snorted coldly. "We'll deal with them later. And… Orochimaru is still one of theirs. This score will be settled sooner or later."
---
[Konoha, Year 20]
The Third Raikage was also taken aback. So even after his death, he would not be left in peace?
That guy named Orochimaru would drag him back from the Pure Land to be used as a weapon?
Hmm… speaking of which, how did he die in the future?
[Of course, Sasuke wasn't idle during this period either. He had already awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, eliminating the side effects of his ocular powers, and could now use the Complete Body Susano'o. In terms of achievements, however, he fell somewhat short compared to Naruto—he killed the White Zetsu original body and a large number of lesser White Zetsu, and together with reanimated Itachi, suppressed Sage Mode Kabuto.]
[By this point, both had reached Super Kage-level, but Naruto was clearly stronger. Although Sasuke's combat abilities were close to Naruto's, Naruto could fight, tank, and buff; he was extremely fast, could unleash AOE attacks, and had Sage Mode that allowed him to face Six Paths Obito alone—making him more versatile than Sasuke. Sasuke, on the other hand, needed Jūgo's help to add Sage chakra when fighting Six Paths Obito.]
---
[Konoha, Year 60]
Sasuke stared at the screen, confused.
The Sky Screen had said before that he would awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan in the future.
But how exactly would he do it?
Would he defeat that man, fight continuously until his eyes nearly went blind, and then be forced to transplant his eyes?
Otherwise, there was no way he would ever transplant Itachi's eyes.
He remembered that man's cold gaze. He remembered his silhouette standing under the streetlight on the night of the massacre. Transplanting 'his' eyes? Just the thought was disgusting.
It seemed that, for him too, this was a kind of curse.
Sasuke felt a wave of irritation.
Moreover, the importance of Sage Mode had just been confirmed even further.
If he couldn't learn Sage Mode, his future self would need someone else's help just to fight Six Paths Obito—while Naruto could handle it himself.
And Obito was a member of the Akatsuki.
That meant he was one of the enemies Sasuke would inevitably have to face.
He shot a glance at Jiraiya. 'When exactly are you going to start teaching Sage Mode?'
---
[Akatsuki Hideout]
With more information and clues coming to light, Itachi grew even more certain that his plan was sound.
As long as Sasuke followed his arrangements step by step, he would definitely become strong and have a happy future.
The Eternal Mangekyō, Complete Body Susano'o, Super Kage—even Six Paths level—all of it told him that his sacrifice was worth it.
'Sasuke, don't blame me. The future you will thank me.'
He leaned against the wall, his gaze calm as still water.
The other Akatsuki members, however, were more subdued—even lively ones like Deidara and Hidan.
Six Paths Obito… the second Six Paths-level powerhouse.
The Sky Screen had mentioned it multiple times now. But without knowing the relevant details, no one could predict when Obito would become Six Paths Obito.
Just from seeing the pressure their leader—a Super Kage-level powerhouse—exerted on them, it was clear that a Six Paths-level fighter would be a dimension above.
The gap, no doubt, could not be bridged by numbers alone.
Though they were confident, they weren't fools.
---
[Land of Rain, Amegakure]
Nagato felt a growing sense of urgency, his fingers tapping faster and faster on the armrest of his wheelchair.
He absolutely had to become a Six Paths-level powerhouse before Obito. Though they shared the same goal, there was still the question of who would take the lead.
The Eye of the Moon Plan—who would execute it, who would control it—was not open for negotiation.
And the Sky Screen had said that Six Paths Obito would waver in his will and be defeated by Naruto and Sasuke.
A failure like that would be better off handing the opportunity to become a Six Paths-level powerhouse to him.
He would certainly not waver!
---
[Somewhere in the Shinobi World, an underground base]
Orochimaru looked at the perpetually smiling man before him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Kabuto… I didn't expect you to have talent for Sage Mode. That's something even I couldn't master."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, looking a bit uneasy. "Orochimaru-sama, I—"
"Don't be nervous."
Orochimaru cut him off, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Since you have the talent, I'll give you the opportunity."
Kabuto froze, his mouth slightly open. "Orochimaru-sama…"
"Go train."
Orochimaru turned his back to him. "I need you to become stronger."
Kabuto bowed his head, his voice filled with gratitude. "Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru looked at the pale body in the cultivation tank, a complex light flickering in his eyes.
Sage Mode… something even he hadn't been able to master, yet Kabuto could.
Fate was truly interesting.
---
[Somewhere on a cliff in the Shinobi World]
Obito sat on the high ledge, the wind whipping his black cloak.
He was deeply vexed.
Even after becoming a Six Paths-level powerhouse, he still couldn't defeat Naruto and Sasuke in the future?
"Why?"
Right now, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and others were spending every day around those two kids—so he couldn't even get close.
And the Sky Screen had already revealed that Kakashi's left eye countered him.
Kakashi would probably figure out how to use it soon enough… On that point, he still believed in Kakashi's ability.
What a pain.
The wind swept across the cliff, but no one answered him.
---
[Konoha, Year One]
Madara's expression was grim.
He hadn't expected that even the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan wouldn't be enough to participate in Six Paths-level battles.
The future Sasuke—also an "Indra"—had awakened the Eternal Mangekyō, with power probably on par with his own, perhaps slightly weaker in combat ability.
But even with that level of strength, he still couldn't keep up with Six Paths-level fights?
He needed someone else to inject Sage chakra just to fight Six Paths Obito?
As for Hashirama—he had ties to Shikkotsu Forest and might already know Sage Mode.
And what if they encountered the Ōtsutsuki clan from the moon right now?
Hashirama, sitting opposite him, noticed Madara's frustration and guessed his thoughts. He smiled and said, "Madara, don't worry. From now on, we can fight side by side."
Madara looked up at him.
Hashirama pounded his chest and showed a sincere smile. "I can even teach you Sage Mode."
Madara stroked his chin but did not answer.
Sage Mode… now that sounded promising.
With it, maybe he could actually intervene in Six Paths-level battles.
Tobirama added, expressionless: "Brother, if he learns Sage Mode, the first person he will fight is you."
Hashirama's smile instantly froze on his face.
*****
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