These people were clearly using Senjutsu. The physical techniques just now closely resembled those of the frog team from Mount Myōboku, channeling natural energy from the surrounding environment to launch attacks before even making contact.
"Alright, I've assessed enough. Only one of you is worth questioning—the rest can die." Sasuke stood up slowly, and the shattered fragments of Senbonzakura reformed into its sealed Zanpakutō state in his hand.
"Hmph. Arrogant fool. With our Sage Mode sensory abilities, your movements are meaningless," scoffed the ninja specializing in Wind Release Senjutsu.
"Sage Style: Lightning Release – Thunder Dragon!"
The ninja who had been keeping his distance suddenly unleashed a colossal thunder dragon, its scale rivaling that of Sasuke's Kirin technique from the original timeline.
"RRAAAHHH!"
The thunder dragon roared, hurling toward Sasuke. He merely watched with cold detachment. As it descended upon him, Sasuke calmly raised his blade and murmured:
"Sever and scatter…"
Right before impact, the massive lightning construct split apart violently, cleaved down the middle. The energy unraveled, fizzling into disordered arcs across the sky.
The thunder dragon—was split.
Sasuke's blade hung at a relaxed angle, pointed diagonally toward the ground. He hadn't even activated his Shikai or released his sword's true power.
"H-How is this… possible…?"
The Thunder Release user stared in disbelief. His strongest jutsu had been effortlessly dismissed.
"Your perception may be enhanced, and you can sense movement in advance… but can your body keep up?"
Before the Wind Release ninja could process the words, Sasuke's form blurred and reappeared behind him.
The ninja's neck hairs bristled. His senjutsu-enhanced sensory system detected the threat—but his body couldn't react in time.
Sasuke's recent Shunpo training had paid off. Though he wasn't yet at Yoruichi Shihōin's level, he was more than fast enough for opponents like these.
He delivered a swift kick, sending the Wind Release user flying into a tree with force. He'd held back—just enough to keep the target alive.
"I'll spare you. The other two, however, are finished. All things in the universe turn to ash—my blade is fire." Sasuke spoke calmly as he faced the remaining attackers.
That Wind Release user had behaved like their squad leader—likely someone who possessed crucial intel.
As the other two tried to rush Sasuke, flames erupted from his body, forcing them to retreat instinctively.
His Zanpakutō ignited, blazing like a forge. The sudden surge of searing heat startled all three ninja.
"So it's true! That power—the one the Great Sage warned of—you are the invader from the other world!" the Thunder Release user shouted, eyes wide.
Apparently, the "Great Sage" they spoke of was none other than Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo—the Sage of Six Paths.
Their words confirmed Sasuke's suspicion.
Without further dialogue, Sasuke vanished with Shunpo again, appearing behind the two. His twin slashes were wreathed in fire, and the moment his blade touched them, they were reduced to smoldering ash.
Then, something strange occurred.
Instead of vanishing into the earth or fading into spiritual particles like the souls Sasuke had seen before, these two souls floated away—drifting together in a set direction.
"Bastard! I'll make you regret this in the afterlife!"
Despite their bodies being incinerated, one of the ninja was still screaming, his soul glaring in rage.
The Lightning Release user's soul mirrored his fury, refusing to dissipate.
In response, Sasuke poured spiritual pressure into his blade and swung once. A crimson crescent of fire chased the fleeing souls, igniting them.
"ARGHHHH! Why—why can he strike our souls?!"
The Fire Release user screamed in terror as his very essence burned. His companion's soul was likewise consumed, vanishing entirely.
Sasuke turned just in time to witness the Wind Release user commit suicide. His soul rose up to follow his allies—until he noticed what had just happened.
He was stunned. He'd hoped to avoid interrogation, counting on the Great Sage to resurrect him as long as his soul remained intact.
Now that hope was shattered.
"Bakudō #63: Locking Chains of Light."
Sasuke pointed into the air, and golden chains of energy wrapped around the fleeing soul, immobilizing it. Sasuke jumped and yanked the soul down with a flick of his wrist.
"Why… how can your abilities affect the soul directly?" the captured ninja asked in disbelief.
Sasuke almost laughed. These fools acted as if mastering Senjutsu made them invincible.
Their Sage Mode was impressive—their ninjutsu enhanced to the level of elite jōnin, perhaps even comparable to Kakashi at this point in time.
But that didn't make them unbeatable.
Messing with souls? There was no one on this planet better suited to the task than him.
Sasuke now realized why their souls had drifted in a fixed direction instead of toward the natural afterlife.
In the original timeline, Hagoromo had appeared at the war's end and summoned the souls of the deceased Kage directly from the afterlife. He had established a connection between the Pure Land and the living world, likely studying the nature of souls for centuries.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he refocused on the soul dangling before him.
"You don't get to ask questions. I'll ask—you'll answer. If you refuse…" His voice lowered, blade glowing red with energy. "I'll show you what it means to be burned without dying, sliced into a thousand pieces, and still conscious through it all. Believe me, you won't enjoy the experience."
He smiled politely, though his words dripped with threat.
With the right answers, this soul might yet be useful.
"Actually, words might not be enough. Let's give you a preview."
Sasuke raised his sword—and activated Shikai.
"Scatter—Senbonzakura."
Countless glimmering blades erupted and converged on the restrained soul.
"AAAAAHHHH!!!!!"
The ninja let out a blood-curdling scream—inaudible to the living, but echoing clearly within the spiritual plane.
The forest remained quiet. Only Sasuke could hear it.
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