The one who flashed into the Truth-Seeking Ball barrier was Parallel World 4's Minato.
"Minato? You..."
Uncle Orochimaru was shocked, not understanding where Minato had left another Flying Thunder God mark on him...
He had already checked his body inside and out!
But this wasn't the time to think about that.
Instead, Minato's timely appearance was a huge help.
"What's going on in here?"
Minato glanced at the soon-to-be-revived Kaguya in the distance but didn't see Nagato or the others, looking slightly confused.
"Get us out first!"
"Got it!"
Minato grabbed Uncle Orochimaru and the other two, then teleported away.
On the battlefield, one could always trust the decisiveness of the Fourth Hokage.
*WHOOSH!*
The four left the Truth-Seeking Ball barrier and returned to the outside world.
The situation outside was also quite chaotic.
After Black Zetsu controlled Obito and used Izanagi to break into the Truth-Seeking Ball barrier, the balance in that area was disrupted.
Parallel World 5's Edo Madara, Parallel World 1's Tobirama, and Parallel World 2's Tenseigan Tobirama, having lost their blocking target, joined the team ganging up on Parallel World 6's Six Paths Sasuke.
Together with Parallel World 2's Madara and Parallel World 4's Minato, who were originally fighting him, it instantly became a five-on-one!
Poor Six Paths Sasuke, who had just reached the pinnacle of power in the ninja world and hadn't even had time to brag, was now being beaten senseless by a bunch of weirdos from other dimensions.
Though Six Paths Sasuke was incredibly strong, he couldn't withstand being attacked by so many people like a boss!
In reality, while his combat experience wasn't bad, the people ganging up on him were all weirder than the last—veterans of countless bloody battles. In terms of experience and awareness, they were in no way inferior to him.
As a result, the thoroughly ganged-up Six Paths Sasuke kept retreating, clearly overwhelmed.
"Sasuke, stop fighting!"
"We didn't come to fight you—we're not enemies!"
Minato spoke while battling. The golden light flickered dozens of times per second across the battlefield, making his voice echo from every direction, creating the effect of being surrounded on all sides by one man.
"Shut up!"
The arrogant Sasuke paid no heed to Minato and the others' advice.
Though he had shed his chains and obsessions by this point, his resolve was ironclad: he was determined to eliminate all powerful enemies and create a new world peace on his own, even willing to strike his best friend Naruto.
Naturally, he wouldn't be swayed by others.
In his eyes, no matter where these weirdos came from, since they wanted to save Six Paths Madara, they were destined to be enemies.
If they were enemies, there was nothing to discuss—just eliminate them!
"Arrogant brat! Though you do have the capital to be arrogant, you have no chance of winning. Face reality." Parallel World 2's Madara advised coldly.
Due to Sasuke's resemblance to Izuna, he couldn't bring himself to land killing blows, but his advice sounded more like adding fuel to the fire.
Six Paths Sasuke knew this too. He found it extremely difficult to fight five at once—overcoming a luxurious combo of four quasi-Six Paths and one Super Kage level.
No choice.
Sasuke seized a fraction of a second, glancing toward Parallel World 6's Naruto.
If Naruto could finish his opponent first and join him, they could quickly turn the tide.
But one glance, and Sasuke nearly fainted from rage.
The fight on Naruto's side had stopped.
Parallel World 1's Hashirama and Parallel World 6's Kakashi stood before Naruto, explaining in detail.
Young Obito bounced around nearby, nodding in agreement.
Since returning to Konoha and letting go of all hatred, Obito's goofy nature had grown day by day, very similar to the Tobi persona he'd later fake.
Parallel World 1's Madara stood nearby with arms crossed, looking displeased.
They had used some method to initially convince Naruto of their identities and goals. Thus, Parallel World 6's Naruto halted his attacks and was now talking in detail with Hashirama and the others.
Clearly, no help was coming.
'Damn it!'
'That idiot Naruto got tricked again?'
'Those damn people!'
Sasuke cursed inwardly.
He cursed the enemy's despicableness and was furious at Naruto's fragile resolve—tricked by the enemy with just a few words. Wasn't he the most stubborn one?
'Looks like Naruto can't be counted on, and I can't delay anymore.'
'If Naruto gets tricked and switches sides too, everything's over.'
'Then...'
Sasuke quickly assessed the situation in his mind and made a decision.
"Stop!"
"I want to talk!"
Sasuke shouted loudly, signaling the enemy to cease fighting, and he was willing to negotiate.
Hearing this, Minato, Madara, and the others all halted their attacks, relieved inwardly.
It seemed this 17-year-old Sasuke wasn't completely unreasonable—he knew how to adapt and talk rationally.
Amenotejikara!
Sasuke instantly activated Amenotejikara, rapidly consuming a large amount of pupil power.
This time, even more ruthlessly, he targeted the now-still Parallel World 1's Tobirama in the distance, unexpectedly and forcibly swapping his position with the air in front of him!
Note that Tobirama had no Limbo shadow to avoid forced capture.
After stopping Flying Thunder God movement and being forcibly swapped by Amenotejikara, he became a sitting duck with no time to dodge.
Sasuke restrained Parallel World 1's Tobirama from behind.
By the time Parallel World 1's Tobirama reacted, a cold blade was already at his throat, and Sasuke used his left hand to apply a five-element seal on Tobirama's back, sealing his chakra and eliminating any chance of instant escape.
In an instant, Six Paths Sasuke took Parallel World 1's Tobirama—the weakest one present—as a hostage!
Parallel World 1's Tobirama was stunned: ヽ(゜Q.)ノ?
???
'Is this for real?'
'Good heavens, did this kid Sasuke learn the fake-surrender trick too?'
'Relying on pretending to surrender to make us let our guard down, then directly capturing me.'
'Damn it!'
'Out of so many people, he didn't capture anyone else but bullied me?'
'Can you show a little respect to your senior?'
Tobirama cursed inwardly.
No choice—who told him to be the weakest among the five opponents?
If Sasuke targeted anyone else, he really wasn't confident in succeeding in one strike.
For safety, he naturally chose the weakest and secured the hostage.
As long as he held one hostage, forcing the others to stop, he could run to Six Paths Naruto's side, wake him up, and join forces, preventing him from being further deceived.
"..."
Seeing Parallel World 1's Tobirama taken hostage by Sasuke, the other four's expressions changed, and they couldn't help but curse:
Parallel World 2's Madara: "Trash!"
Parallel World 5's Madara: "Trash!"
Parallel World 2's Tobirama: "Pure trash!"
Parallel World 4's Minato: "Sasuke-kun, don't get emotional! Don't hurt Tobirama-sama..."
Only Minato patiently advised, hoping Sasuke wouldn't be too rash.
"Stop all your hands! If you move again, I won't hesitate to kill this guy!" Sasuke threatened coldly. He was truly ready to kill anyone now!
"Hmph! You captured him, why should we stop? Kill him if you dare!"
Parallel World 2's Tobirama replied fearlessly.
He even egged Sasuke on to finish off Parallel World 1's Tobirama, reducing one more person in the world who knew he once stabbed Madara's butt.
Of course, though his mouth was fearless, Parallel World 2's Tobirama kept looking for a chance to activate Flying Thunder God and rescue his Parallel World 1 self.
"Just pretending to be tough! If you were really the Second Hokage, you wouldn't abandon your comrade. And if you truly didn't care about this guy, you'd have kept attacking, right?"
Sasuke was sharp, immediately seeing through Parallel World 2's Tobirama's bluff.
It's just that his hostage-holding posture really resembled past villains.
But Sasuke, trapped in a tough spot, no longer cared.
"Sasuke-kun, killing Tobirama-sama is meaningless."
"We also have the Rinnegan and can revive him."
"Calm down—we're really not enemies. We're ourselves from other pasts and futures..."
Minato continued advising.
"Fourth Hokage? Are you also controlled by Madara? Using such cheap lies to deceive me?"
Sasuke sneered, completely disbelieving the explanation.
In his eyes, the appearance of so many Rinnegans was utterly abnormal.
Compared to the nonsensical space-time theory, he was more convinced that all these people were controlled by Six Paths Madara—puppets of Six Paths Madara and Black Zetsu, with the Rinnegans projected.
That was the most likely possibility!
After all, he had seen Nagato control Six Paths puppets with Rinnegans, so he was certain everyone before him was an enemy.
If they weren't enemies, they wouldn't be trying to save Six Paths Madara's main body!
"That... you're misunderstanding. We're not controlled puppets, we..."
Minato suddenly fell silent, as if sensing something abnormal.
"What? Can't continue the story?"
"No more talking—get out of the way!"
Sasuke shouted angrily, pressing his sword tighter, drawing a line of blood on Tobirama's neck.
This forced the opponent.
But Minato didn't respond, instead suddenly activating Flying Thunder God and vanishing from his spot.
Sasuke was startled, nearly thinking Minato was preparing a surprise attack to reclaim Tobirama.
But he realized the opponent wasn't attacking him.
It turned out Minato temporarily activated Flying Thunder God and teleported into the central battlefield's Truth-Seeking Ball barrier.
Because he sensed the Flying Thunder God mark he left on Parallel World 7's Orochimaru had disappeared!
Clearly, Minato had left Flying Thunder God marks on all three Orochimarus earlier.
When did he do it?
Don't ask.
Just know Minato had developed the good habit of leaving marks everywhere.
Of course, he didn't leave one on Six Paths Nagato, as Nagato could sense and erase it anytime.
Originally, Minato wasn't worried about the unseen fight inside the Truth-Seeking Ball barrier.
Even if Black Zetsu controlled Obito to break in, it wasn't a big deal.
Inside were the real Six Paths Nagato and three Orochimarus; even Minato was confident he could easily beat that "immortal quartet."
Black Zetsu-controlled Dual Kamui Obito was just hard to deal with, not truly invincible!
But now, the Flying Thunder God mark on Parallel World 7's Orochimaru suddenly vanished, meaning trouble.
Under normal circumstances, erasing a Flying Thunder God mark required Six Paths power.
Otherwise, even in death, as long as the body remained, Minato could still sense the mark.
But Six Paths Nagato had no reason to meticulously check Orochimaru's body mid-battle and help erase the mark...
So Minato immediately guessed that Parallel World 7's Orochimaru had likely been sucked into the Kamui dimension.
Only separation by another dimension would make him unable to sense the Flying Thunder God mark...
This meant the fight inside the Truth-Seeking Ball barrier wasn't looking optimistic.
Plus, with Sasuke holding Tobirama hostage outside, creating a stalemate, Minato decided to fly into the Truth-Seeking Ball barrier to check the situation.
If Six Paths Madara's main body inside had recovered, bringing him out to testify would be better for convincing Sasuke.
But after teleporting in, he realized the situation inside was worse.
Following Uncle Orochimaru's guidance, he quickly retreated with the remaining three.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Now, seeing Minato reappear in a flash.
He brought two Orochimarus and one strange person; those around and the opposing Six Paths Sasuke were slightly confused.
Sasuke's heart pounded. He saw Six Paths Madara reduced to just a head grafted onto a White Zetsu body, and doubt shook him.
'If Six Paths Madara really controlled so many experts, why is he so pathetic himself?'
'What happened inside that black Truth-Seeking Ball barrier?'
'Could Minato's words all be true?'
'They're not Six Paths Madara's controlled puppets?'
"..."
Uncle Orochimaru, Auntie Orochimaru, and one-headed Madara, fresh out, quickly assessed the outside situation.
Seeing Sasuke holding Parallel World 1's Tobirama hostage, Auntie Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh.
"Yo! Isn't this Tobirama-sama? Captured again?"
"How did this happen?"
Auntie Orochimaru's teasing tone instantly livened the mood.
But to the captured Parallel World 1's Tobirama, it sounded utterly humiliating.
Poor Parallel World 1's Tobirama's face turned ashen with shame.
Captured in front of so many people, his reputation and face were gone...
Whether he escaped or not, he predicted Parallel World 2's Tobirama would mock him for life with this.
If Parallel World 1's Izuna and Naori found out too!
What was the point of living? He no longer knew where to put his face...
"I don't want to live, I don't want to live anymore!"
"Evil-born Sasuke, kill me quick, just kill me!"
"Kill me!"
Tobirama began thrashing wildly, even actively pressing himself toward Sasuke's sword, attempting suicide.
Sasuke naturally wouldn't let him succeed. He swung his sword and knocked the thrashing Tobirama unconscious, thus maintaining the hostage's mental stability.
Meanwhile, on the opponent's side.
Few were now paying attention to Parallel World 1's Tobirama's commotion.
Everyone was clearly more concerned with what happened inside the Truth-Seeking Ball barrier? Where did Six Paths Nagato and the others go? And what's with this one-headed Madara?
"Orochimaru, what happened inside?"
"This Madara..."
"What's the situation now?"
Uncle Orochimaru didn't delay, explaining directly:
"Black Zetsu succeeded!"
"He sacrificed Obito, sucked Nagato and one of me into the Kamui dimension, then merged with the Juubi and is reviving Kaguya."
"As for this Madara, we could only decapitate him and save him temporarily."
Parallel World 2's Tobirama: "So that's how it is..."
Parallel World 2's Madara and Parallel World 5's Madara simultaneously looked at Parallel World 6's one-headed Madara with even more contempt. This guy had fallen so low that Orochimaru decapitated him—truly embarrassing!
Was this idiot really their future self?
If so, better to die!
"Bastard! Why are you staring at me like that..."
Parallel World 6's one-headed Madara was provoked by the contemptuous gazes of his two other selves and raged helplessly again.
"Enough! Madara-sama, calm down a bit. Orochimaru, what do we do now? What about Nagato and the others...?" Minato stayed calm and kept asking.
"Now..."
Before Uncle Orochimaru could respond.
In the distance, at the battlefield's center.
The black Truth-Seeking Ball barrier left by Six Paths Nagato suddenly shattered—or rather, dissolved and absorbed from within.
A staggering chakra aura and powerful pressure also erupted from it.
No doubt, Parallel World 6's Ninja World Kaguya had truly reincarnated and awakened!
But the newly awakened Kaguya, upon emerging, immediately sensed a bunch of astonishing gazes with staggering auras, all locked onto her!