Buzz!
In that single instant, Hamura felt a profound shift. Something was entirely different from before.
Sasuke's aura had suddenly become terrifying, radiating an immense pressure that even Hamura could feel weighing down on him. It was a dread reminiscent of facing his Mother—that suffocating presence washed over him, causing his body to tremble involuntarily.
Impossible! Could this man truly possess power comparable to Mother's?
Anger flared in Hamura's eyes, but even so, he wouldn't back down.
He raised his hand. Chakra gathered, instantly solidifying into a fist-like mass that hammered directly towards Sasuke.
The attack actually caused a flicker of interest in Sasuke's eyes. It resembled the Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack... well, almost. Hamura's technique was far from the true form; he had grasped merely a fragment of its essence. Still, possessing the highest tier Byakugan bloodline, if Hamura truly dedicated himself to mastering a technique like the Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack, the only real obstacle would be refining his chakra control to the absolute limit. Everything else should be within his reach.
In that same moment, Sasuke drew his Kusanagi Sword.
As the blade left its sheath, it sliced through the air, carving a crescent-shaped wave of energy. A surge of violet light split Hamura's chakra fist in two, continuing its relentless path towards Hamura himself.
The light pulsed.
Hamura hastily dodged aside. Crack!
The slash impacted the ground behind him, leaving a long, deep fissure. Staring at the scar in the earth, Hamura swallowed nervously.
So strong! A casual swing of the sword unleashed such devastating power. That blade was clearly extraordinary.
Frowning, Hamura transformed one of his Truth-Seeking Orbs into the shape of a Sage's Staff, pointing it towards Sasuke. It seemed he intended to challenge Sasuke to a contest of weapons.
But Sasuke just gave a cold smirk.
Gripping the sword with one hand, astonishing lightning crackled along the blade.
'Thunder Breathing!'
'First Form!'
'Thunderclap and Flash!'
The instantaneous burst of speed stunned Hamura, who had been preparing his own move. All he saw was a terrifying light erupting from Sasuke, followed by flickering lightning as Sasuke shot straight towards him. Hamura's body felt rooted to the spot, completely unable to react. It wasn't that he was paralyzed, but that Sasuke's speed was simply too overwhelming; he had no chance to counter.
He could only watch helplessly as Sasuke's attack landed.
Lightning roared, and blood sprayed.
When Hamura regained his senses, he found a deep gash on his shoulder, cut almost to the bone. The searing pain brought a wave of disbelief.
"What was that technique?!"
He hadn't even had time to flare his chakra before Sasuke struck, and the speed unleashed was utterly horrifying. To be defeated so easily with a single slash… what terrifying swordsmanship.
"You wouldn't understand even if I told you. I don't have time to waste here."
Turning back, Sasuke prepared to strike again. The roar of lightning intensified, louder and more powerful than before.
Dark thunder descended from the heavens, striking Sasuke directly. In the next second, as the black lightning crashed down, Sasuke vanished.
When he reappeared an instant later, he was already behind Hamura.
'Thunder Breathing.'
'Third Form!'
'Thunder Swarm!'
Countless slashes rained down on Hamura in a split second, black lightning rampaging across his body. It coursed over him, and in the next moment, Hamura watched in horror as the Sage's Staff in his hand shattered. Terrible pain wracked his body immediately after – the agony of tearing wounds mixed with the numbing paralysis of lightning.
He had never faced an enemy like Sasuke. They were clearly not on the same level. Sasuke seemed to have surpassed even his Mother; Hamura doubted even Kaguya could have faced Sasuke head-on like this. This speed, this power, this terrifying combat prowess...
No wonder this man could kill his own Mother.
Thud!
Hamura collapsed to his knees, covered in wounds. His body was paralyzed by the Lightning Release, rendering him immobile for the moment. All he could do was stare up at Sasuke.
Sasuke slowly sheathed his Kusanagi Sword.
He walked calmly towards Hamura. Raising a hand, a black receiver rod instantly pierced Hamura's body, followed by several more, pinning him securely. Combined with the power of sealing jutsu, even after the lightning paralysis wore off, Hamura would have no strength to resist.
"Now! I ask, you answer!"
Hearing Sasuke's command, Hamura gave a cold laugh. "Do you really think I'll do as you say..."
Sasuke considered this. Hamura did seem to possess a certain stubborn pride. Despite joining his elder brother to seal their mother, he had chosen to remain on the moon, forever watching over Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, unlike the Sage of Six Paths, who treated her as an unforgivable enemy.
"Who told you I killed Kaguya Ōtsutsuki?"
Hamura paused, taken aback. This was what Sasuke wanted to ask? He had expected questions about something else entirely.
He frowned, looking at Sasuke with confusion. Was Sasuke planning to hunt down the informant?
"Have you ever questioned why someone would tell you I killed Kaguya? The truth is, I didn't kill her!" Sasuke stated firmly.
"If you don't believe me, you can listen to what others have to say!"
"Now, I need you to tell me: Who gave you this information?"
"Was anyone else here just now?"
"They took the Eight-Tails, didn't they?"
As Sasuke laid out his questions, Hamura felt a growing sense of unease. That's right! They took the Eight-Tails… Wasn't it obvious they wanted him to delay Sasuke so they could escape with their prize?
Damn it! He'd been fooled. His anger over his Mother's fate had clouded his judgment.
Yet... his Mother had fought Sasuke, and her eventual demise did seem connected to him. Hamura felt conflicted.
Just as he was debating whether to tell Sasuke, a bird suddenly swooped down from the sky. This type of special summoning animal used for messaging was a rare sight in this era. The hawk landed directly on Sasuke's outstretched arm.
Sasuke retrieved a small message tube from its leg, unsealed it, and read the contents.
His expression froze.
Of all times...!
Konoha!
The village was facing a major crisis. Toneri Ōtsutsuki was rampaging through Konoha. Although Naruto had rushed back to stop him, Toneri's power was formidable. To protect Konoha and prevent massive civilian casualties from Toneri's attacks, Naruto had taken the brunt of the assault.
He was now gravely injured. Worse still, Toneri had managed to extract the Tailed Beast chakra from within Naruto. Having forcibly absorbed the Bijuu's power, Toneri Ōtsutsuki's strength had now skyrocketed!
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