Adult Sasuke watched Naruto charge down, then turned toward the younger Sasuke beside him, who had suddenly awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan. "Can you still fight?" he asked gravely.
"I..."
The younger Sasuke did not seem to have noticed the change in his Mangekyō Sharingan yet, but he quickly shook off his earlier state, his gaze turning resolute. "I can!"
"Then let's head down too..."
Adult Sasuke nodded, preparing to jump into the deep pit with the younger Sasuke to support Naruto.
Just then, a sudden chill swept over him from behind, making Adult Sasuke start.
He sensed an unfamiliar chakra appear behind him!
The younger Sasuke beside him reacted even faster, perhaps thanks to his Mangekyō Sharingan.
His glowing red eyes shifted, and he spun around, unleashing a powerful sweeping kick!
The newcomer paused, seemingly surprised by the younger Sasuke's swift reaction.
Still, he leaped backward, dodging the younger Sasuke's attack with ease.
But by the time he dodged that blow, Adult Sasuke had already formed a Chidori in his hand and charged at him!
Whoosh!
The crackling lightning missed. With his eye power temporarily depleted, Adult Sasuke narrowed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, warily watching the man in the fox Mask who had so easily dodged his Chidori.
"...Is he an Ōtsutsuki too?"
The younger Sasuke asked quietly, not daring to take his eyes off their opponent.
"I don't know him... But how did he get here? It shouldn't be possible to enter this area using space-time abilities..."
"I don't mind you chatting, and I have nothing against either of you. I'm just passing through."
Unlike the two Sasukes, who were braced for a formidable enemy, the man in the fox Mask seemed completely relaxed, though they could not see his expression.
He tilted his head, briefly surveyed his surroundings, then