Bang!
Uchiha Madara's figure was blasted back. He planted the Sage Staff against the ground and put his full weight on it before barely managing to steady himself.
Even after landing, his feet were still deeply embedded in the earth. And in his hand... the Sage Staff formed from a Truth-Seeking Orb had actually developed obvious cracks.
Senju Hashirama glanced at him and asked in a low voice, "That strong?"
Uchiha Madara nodded. "Yeah. Far stronger than Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke. This old man is unfathomable!"
It sounded complicated, but everything had happened with incredible speed. Uchiha Madara's exchange with the Sage of Six Paths had lasted barely a dozen seconds, yet within that brief time, Madara had already been forced onto the defensive.
Even so, Madara could sense that his opponent still had strength in reserve.
"Sasuke...!" Naruto cried out. Yang Style chakra poured continuously into Sasuke's body, but Sasuke, cradled in his arms, showed no reaction at all. The aura of life gradually faded away.
His vision slowly blurred, and tears spilled out beyond his control. Naruto clenched his fists tightly. Never before had he felt such rage.
No matter who it was, anyone who dared kill Sasuke would never be forgiven.
The Sage of Six Paths took a step back and appeared directly beside Naruto. Lowering his head to look at Sasuke, he said gravely, "Naruto, it's useless... Uchiha Shin tampered with the depths of his soul. Your Yang Style can only heal wounds to the physical body."
Naruto looked up, his face full of grief and fury. "Old Sage!"
The Sage of Six Paths lightly tapped Sasuke. A white radiance of chakra appeared, lifting Sasuke's body into the air. A spatial rift opened and swallowed Sasuke's body whole.
"Naruto, you don't need to worry too much.