From the moment the figure stepped out of the coffin, Orochimaru had fallen into a state of inexplicable fervor — even outright madness.
The instant Jiraiya noticed Orochimaru's abnormal state, everyone else sensed it too.
Because at this moment, Orochimaru gave everyone the unsettling feeling of someone who had lost their mind.
Suddenly!
Orochimaru's already pale face turned deathly white, then flushed with an unnatural red as a mouthful of blood spewed from his lips.
"What… what's going on?"
The fanatical expression on Orochimaru's face gradually faded, replaced by a look of lingering fear!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The sound of bones stretching and popping like firecrackers rang out from within the clone's body.
Under everyone's somewhat stunned gaze, the clone slowly raised its head, rolled its neck, and even performed a strange stretching motion.
"Impossible… how do you have consciousness?"
Orochimaru's pupils contracted sharply. The clone was never meant to have its own consciousness — it was supposed to be purely under his control.
But now Orochimaru suddenly discovered that his control had failed. No — not failed. The control seals on the clone had vanished entirely!
After stretching, the clone opened its eyes slowly like a lion waking from sleep. An invisible fear, rooted deep in the soul, surged in everyone's hearts!
There was no pressure or aura whatsoever, yet everyone present broke out in a cold sweat instantly.
The clone's black pupils began transforming — blood-red Sharingan with one tomoe appeared!
The transformation continued — two tomoe, three tomoe, Mangekyo Sharingan — all the way to the Rinnegan!
On its pristine forehead, a red Rinnegan-shaped mark slowly materialized.
At this moment, the clone's body began to change. Two horns grew from its forehead, its hair shifted to black and white, and a white robe materialized from thin air. At the chest, six black magatama-shaped patterns appeared!
Everyone who witnessed this was now being pressed down by an invisible weight, struggling to breathe!
Orochimaru stared at the clone he had created, his face disbelieving!
No!
This was absolutely not the clone he had made. Who was this person?
This wasn't just Orochimaru's question — it was the question on everyone's mind!
The figure before them looked remarkably similar to Uchiha Madara on the battlefield!
"It's been a while since I've moved. I'm somewhat out of practice."
"To think this era has already mastered such technology. Impressive."
"This vessel should be able to barely contain my power. At least I can move about now."
The clone spoke in a tone tinged with ancient weariness, its voice calm and detached.
With that said.
The clone turned its head toward Orochimaru and spoke expressionlessly:
"Thank you for creating this vessel for me."
The moment those words left its mouth!
Orochimaru's expression froze for an instant, as if he'd realized something, and his face twisted with utter horror.
"You are… the Sage of Six Paths."
"So that's why I felt compelled to create a clone, even my mental state was off — you were influencing me!"
Orochimaru's voice came out hoarse, a trace of fear flashing deep in his eyes.
The Sage of Six Paths, dead for over a thousand years, had somehow been revived!
Not only that, but he had been subtly influenced without even realizing it!
What exactly was going on with this world!
Orochimaru suddenly felt as though the entire world had been shrouded in darkness.
The Sage of Six Paths, Indra, Ashura!
Had these people truly died? Or did they exist in some other form, controlling the entire ninja world from behind the scenes?
The Sage of Six Paths naturally had no intention of answering Orochimaru's questions. His gaze was utterly devoid of emotion, cold beyond measure!
How embarrassing.
This anomaly had grown to such a level that he needed to revive himself and deal with it personally.
But it didn't matter anymore. A thousand years had passed — it was about time for a new harvest.
The Sage of Six Paths swept his indifferent gaze across Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and the others, then vanished on the spot!
That gaze… was like looking at a herd of swine awaiting slaughter!
At the center of the battlefield at this moment.
With Sasuke and Naruto killed by Yuto and Uchiha Madara.
Madara's gaze returned to Yuto:
"Despite the little interruption, our battle can continue."
"A pointless fight. Even if we go again, you'll still lose."
Yuto clenched his fists, his gaze indifferent as he looked at Uchiha Madara.
Hearing Yuto's words, Madara sneered. He was about to respond.
Suddenly!
A sensation of mortal danger simultaneously erupted in both Yuto and Uchiha Madara's perceptions. Both turned sharply to look ahead.
The Sage of Six Paths appeared before them out of thin air, his expression utterly indifferent.
The Sage of Six Paths!
Seeing the figure appear, Yuto's pupils contracted sharply.
So the Sage of Six Paths was personally entering the fight?
Now this… was interesting!
"You lost this badly. How embarrassing."
"You wasted the power I bestowed on you for nothing."
Upon appearing, the Sage of Six Paths didn't look at Yuto or Madara. Instead, he gazed at the lifeless bodies of Sasuke and Naruto.
"Though they were merely reincarnations of my two sons, as their father, I should avenge them regardless."
The Sage of Six Paths raised his head, his gaze cold as it settled on Uchiha Madara and Yuto.
Just that single look made both Yuto and Uchiha Madara feel a wave of pressure.
This was a kind of pressure that far transcended mere physical power — a pressure on the spiritual level.
Hearing the Sage of Six Paths' words, Uchiha Madara was stunned for a moment, then instantly realized who this suddenly appeared old man was.
"The legendary Sage of Six Paths who founded Ninshū — you're still alive?"
Surprise colored Madara's tone, then the corner of his mouth curled upward:
"How interesting!"
The Sage of Six Paths gazed calmly at the two before him, his eyes lingering a moment longer on Yuto in particular.
"That someone among my descendants could master the Six Paths power is somewhat surprising, but not entirely unexpected."
"But for people on this planet to wield the Six Paths' power — that is surprising indeed!"
The Sage of Six Paths' tone shifted from indifferent to cold.
"Those who dare steal the power of a god can only choose death!"
The Sage of Six Paths looked down from on high, his eyes like those of one gazing at the dead, as he spoke slowly.
The very air boiled at that moment. Time itself seemed to slow!
The Sage of Six Paths moved, instantly becoming a white blur as he lunged toward Yuto!
But!
The instant the Sage of Six Paths left his original position, he was struck by two different forces simultaneously, sent flying backward even faster than he had come!
He carved a trench hundreds of meters long across the ground before finally coming to a stop!
At the original spot, Yuto and Uchiha Madara both held their punching poses. The two exchanged a brief glance, cold smiles on their faces.
"The Sage of Six Paths? So what!"
"So that's where Sasuke got his power from, old man! You dare interrupt our fight — you're looking for death!"
Uchiha Madara looked at the Sage of Six Paths with utter arrogance, not a shred of respect in his tone.
"You're an ancient relic. You should have stayed quietly in some dark corner. Since you dare come out, I'll kill you!"
A cold smile on his face, Yuto cracked his knuckles until they popped.
Faced with the sudden combined attack from Uchiha Madara and Yuto, even the Sage of Six Paths couldn't help but pause.
Especially the complete lack of reverence in their eyes — it stirred a flame of anger deep within him.
"A herd of swine raised for slaughter, and you dare defy me!"
The Sage of Six Paths erupted with overwhelming, terrifying power, briefly forming a tidal wave of energy that surged toward Yuto and Madara!
Swine?
Hearing that word, both Yuto and Uchiha Madara's expressions changed.
At that moment, the Sage of Six Paths' lofty, detached demeanor was laid completely bare.
"As I thought, things aren't this simple."
Yuto pursed his lips and spoke with a cold smile.
"So you know quite a bit, then." Uchiha Madara glanced at Yuto from the corner of his eye.
However, Yuto didn't respond to Madara. Instead, his eyes were locked firmly on the Sage of Six Paths. When facing an old schemer who had been hiding in the shadows for who knew how many years, one could never be too careful.
Just as Yuto and Madara expected the Sage of Six Paths to attack them—
The Sage of Six Paths, who had been radiating terrifying energy, suddenly retracted all his leaking chakra and suppressed his aura entirely.
"Damn it. This body is still too fragile."
The Sage of Six Paths glanced at a crack that had suddenly appeared on his palm. Although it healed quickly, his expression remained ugly.
He knew that if he fought both Uchiha Madara and Yuto, his body would rapidly collapse during the battle. He could only aim for a quick victory!
But neither Uchiha Madara nor Yuto was weak!
One had become the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki!
The other had seized the combined legacy of the Ōtsutsuki Clan's Byakugan from the Moon!
In a one-against-two situation, even the Sage of Six Paths didn't have complete confidence in victory.
"To think that besides facing Mother all those years ago, I would actually need reinforcements."
The Sage of Six Paths let out a hoarse, low laugh.
"Move!!"
Although Yuto didn't know what the Sage of Six Paths was planning, he clearly had no intention of letting him act. He roared fiercely.
Yuto and Uchiha Madara, killing intent blazing, charged toward the Sage of Six Paths simultaneously!
"Hmph! Just watch quietly!"
"This world will welcome a new round of destruction. You should consider yourselves fortunate to witness it!"
The Sage of Six Paths let out a cold snort and swung his hand forward with tremendous force.
Boom!
An immense repulsive force erupted instantly, forming an extraordinarily terrifying repulsion field centered on the Sage of Six Paths!
[
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