---
A black and blue chakra cloak, emanating a powerful and domineering aura, enveloped Sasuke's body.
The energy surged around him, crackling with intensity.
Isshiki's eyes narrowed as he observed Sasuke's transformation.
For the first time, he felt a hint of unease creeping into his confident facade.
"Interesting," Isshiki muttered, attempting to mask his apprehension.
Sasuke smirked defiantly, retorting, "Interesting, my ass!"
In an instant, Sasuke vanished and reappeared right in front of Isshiki, delivering a devastating punch infused with black and blue flames.
The impact was immense, sending Isshiki hurtling backwards through the air, shock evident on his face.
"What... How is this possible?" Isshiki stammered, disbelief etched into his features.
The sheer power Sasuke displayed was beyond anything he had anticipated.
"Daikokuten!" Isshiki shouted, summoning countless black cubes that rained down towards Sasuke with destructive force.
But Sasuke, now unrestricted in his use of Amenotejikara and brimming with limitless chakra, effortlessly dodged each attack.
He teleported seamlessly, avoiding every cube with precise movements that left Isshiki struggling to keep up.
Seizing the opportunity, Sasuke summoned his Perfect Susanoo.
The colossal, ethereal warrior drew back its bow, an arrow materializing, engulfed in the same black and blue flames that coursed through Sasuke.
"Indra's Arrow!" Sasuke declared, releasing the arrow with unparalleled force.
The arrow, infused with an immense amount of chakra—bolstered by Matatabi, the Two-Tails—soared towards Isshiki with unstoppable momentum.
The energy radiating from it threatened to annihilate everything in its path.
Isshiki's eyes widened as the arrow closed in.
He attempted to shrink it using Sukunahikona, but the sheer power overwhelmed his ability.
The arrow struck him head-on, resulting in a massive explosion that shook the very ground beneath them.
As the dust settled, Isshiki's form was revealed—charred and deteriorating, his once formidable presence reduced to a frail shell.
Sasuke dispelled his Susanoo and descended gracefully, his gaze fixed firmly on Isshiki's crumbling body.
Suddenly, Isshiki's eyes snapped open one last time. He locked eyes with Sasuke, a sinister smile creeping onto his lips. "Interesting... We'll meet again."
With those final words, Isshiki's body disintegrated into ashes, scattering into the wind.
However, a small, black, diamond-shaped mark appeared on the palm of Sasuke's left hand, pulsating ominously.
Sasuke's expression darkened as he noticed the mark. "Damn it, so you managed to plant your Karma on me after all."
He clenched his fist, contemplating how to rid himself of this new curse.
Though uncertain of the solution, Sasuke took solace in knowing that it would take Isshiki centuries to regain his strength.
Meanwhile, in the Hidden Cloud Village...
Matatabi, the Two-Tails, was resting peacefully when suddenly, a flood of unfamiliar memories surged through her mind—memories of Hashirama, battles, time travel, heavy ion modes, and a young Uchiha named Sasuke.
"What is all this?" Matatabi pondered, her dual-colored flames flickering thoughtfully. "Is this... my future?"
Determined to seek answers, Matatabi set out to find Sasuke, feeling an inexplicable connection to him.
Back to Sasuke...
Sasuke was adjusting to the aftermath of his intense battle.
Despite having traveled back in time and altering events, he now found himself back in his original timeline, but with three years added to his age and experience.
His body and mind were now eighteen years old, matured and honed by countless battles and hardships.
He felt the residual power coursing through him from the Heavy Ion Mode.
His control over chakra had reached new heights, making him feel almost like a living embodiment of pure energy.
Sasuke glanced down at the black diamond mark on his palm—the remnants of Isshiki's Karma.
Though it currently posed no immediate threat, he knew it could become a significant problem in the future.
"Just great," he muttered sarcastically. "First Momoshiki's Karma with Boruto, and now this. Can't catch a break."
Then a thought struck him, and his expression shifted to one of realization and slight panic. "Wait... without Hinata, there's no Boruto in this timeline..."
He gazed up at the sky, feeling a mix of melancholy and determination. The weight of altering time and its consequences pressed heavily on his shoulders.
Suddenly, a group of shinobi appeared, surrounding Sasuke. Their forehead protectors bore the symbol of the Hidden Stone Village.
"Hold it right there! Identify yourself!" the apparent leader demanded, eyeing Sasuke suspiciously.
Sasuke assessed the situation calmly before responding, "Who are you?"
The leader puffed out his chest proudly. "I am from the Kamizuru Clan, captain of the Third Unit of the Iwagakure Security Force, and nephew to the Tsuchikage, Onoki!"
Sasuke remained unfazed by the man's bravado. "Can you point me in the direction of the Hidden Leaf Village?"
The captain smirked slyly, seeing an opportunity to deceive. Pointing towards the southwest, he said, "Sure, it's that way."
Without a word, Sasuke began walking in the indicated direction. After half a day of travel, he found himself standing before a massive crater—the remnants of a devastated landscape.
Confusion clouded his features. "This isn't Konoha... What happened here?"
Suddenly, mocking laughter echoed behind him. The captain from earlier emerged from hiding, clearly amused by Sasuke's predicament.
"Ha! You fell for it! This is Iwagakure, not Konoha!" he jeered, firing a flare into the sky.
The signal exploded overhead with a loud bang, and within moments, numerous shinobi began to converge on Sasuke's location, including Onoki himself and his granddaughter, Kurotsuchi.
Onoki floated above the assembled forces, his stern gaze fixed on Sasuke.
Recently, the Hidden Stone had suffered heavy losses at the hands of Pain, leaving Onoki's patience thin and his temper short.
"Another intruder?" Onoki spat angrily. "First Pain, then Deidara, and now some brat from Konoha thinks he can trespass on our land?"
Sasuke looked up calmly, his Sharingan spinning lazily as he assessed the growing number of enemies around him.
"I don't have time for this," he muttered under his breath, preparing himself for yet another battle.
Onoki immediately issued the order, turning to Numbtongue and saying, "Capture him, and we'll use him to negotiate with Tsunade tomorrow!"
Sasuke blinked in confusion. "What did you just say?"
Sasuke asked Onoki, "Do you even know who I am?"
Onoki, his judgment clouded by anger, retorted, "Do you know who I am? Get him!"
Sasuke sneered, unimpressed.
In an instant, a massive wave of chakra erupted from Sasuke, sending everyone around him flying backward.
Then, with a thunderous roar, Sasuke's Perfect Susanoo materialized, towering hundreds of meters tall, casting a massive shadow over the earth.
Onoki's heart skipped a beat as he stared up at the colossal figure.
Why am I seeing this Susanoo again? And this one... it's even more terrifying than Madara's!
Onoki's confidence crumbled, his mind racing. 'Am I facing another legend?'
---
''Half a day later, in the Tsuchikage's office...''
Onoki had tried every possible argument to persuade Sasuke, but the young Uchiha had no interest in retaliating against the Land of Earth.
It was clear that Onoki was now too old, reduced to trying to placate everyone around him.
Sasuke had never intended to take revenge on the entire country. He just wanted to get back at this stubborn old man.
Kurotsuchi, who had been sitting nearby, caught Sasuke's eye. Her maroon cheongsam exposed much of her legs, and Sasuke couldn't help but notice.
Now that Sasuke was an adult, certain thoughts crossed his mind, making him a bit restless.
Kurotsuchi noticed his gaze and snapped, "What are you staring at?"
Sasuke smirked, "What are 'you' staring at?"
Kurotsuchi huffed, annoyed, but she knew better than to push further. After all, Sasuke's strength was undeniable.
Later that evening, under a moonlit sky, Kurotsuchi sat by the window, staring out at the night with a hint of melancholy.
'If only I had Sasuke's strength... I could become the Tsuchikage.'
She knew her grandfather, Onoki, was biased. Despite Deidara being a rogue ninja, Onoki still wished Deidara could return and inherit the Tsuchikage title.
But Kurotsuchi's dream was to succeed her grandfather as Tsuchikage, and she needed someone strong to support her in that ambition.
Sasuke's image flashed in her mind. His earlier gaze at her legs had not gone unnoticed, and she thought that perhaps, if she played her cards right, she could win his support.
With a mix of determination and a heavy heart, Kurotsuchi came to a decision.
In this harsh world of shinobi, women either had to possess immense strength or use other means to achieve their goals.
'Sasuke is strong and handsome... he might be my only choice,' Kurotsuchi thought, acknowledging her feelings for him.
Gathering her courage, Kurotsuchi found Sasuke and said, "Let's make a deal. Help me become the Tsuchikage, and I'll be your woman."
Sasuke looked at her, taking in her graceful figure. "Alright," he agreed, "but you'll have to show me you're serious."
Kurotsuchi bit her lip, hesitating for only a moment before she let her maroon cheongsam slip off her shoulders. With a flushed face, she asked, "Is this serious enough?"
Sasuke nodded, "Yes."
---
''Sasuke couldn't help but think back to the time before his journey, remembering the mobile game he used to play called Naruto Mobile.''
Every day, Kurotsuchi had broken his defenses in the game. Now, it was Sasuke's turn to turn the tables.
"Like to mess with my defenses, huh? How do you like it now?"
"You think you can play with my emotions, huh?!"
"You caused me so much frustration in that game, now it's my turn to frustrate you!"
As Sasuke expressed his pent-up frustrations, Kurotsuchi didn't understand most of what he was saying—something about a game and a character named 'A'.
But it didn't matter, as long as Sasuke was satisfied, she was willing to go along with it.
Half an hour later, Kurotsuchi, now dressed again but with a deep blush on her cheeks, whispered to Sasuke, "Don't forget our agreement."
Sasuke nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. "I won't. I'll make sure to fulfill my end of the deal."
After all, Sasuke thought, he wouldn't mind visiting the Land of Earth frequently.
---
''The next morning...''
Sasuke walked alone into the Tsuchikage's office.
The government affairs of the Land of Earth were almost entirely handled by the Tsuchikage himself. Onoki had been the first Kage to achieve true centralization of power.
Sasuke approached the old Kage. "You're getting old, Tsuchikage."
Onoki chuckled nervously, sensing danger in Sasuke's tone. "I may be old, but I still have a few years left in me."
Sasuke's expression remained serious. "Let's not beat around the bush. I'm giving you two choices."
Onoki frowned. "And what might those be?"
Sasuke leaned in slightly, his voice cold. "Option one: I beat you to a pulp and expose you as the mastermind behind the black market. You'll become the ninja world's public enemy."
Onoki's eyes widened in shock. "How do you know about that?!"
Only Onoki knew he was the one secretly controlling the black market, where bounty orders were placed on almost every shinobi. Many of these bounties targeted ninjas from Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village.
Just recently, Asuma Sarutobi's head had been exchanged for 30 million ryo—a bounty that came from Onoki's own pockets. If the other villages found out he was the boss of the black market, the Fourth Great Ninja War could very well be fought on his land.
Onoki swallowed hard. "And what's the second option?"
Sasuke's voice was firm. "Step down as Tsuchikage and pass the title to Kurotsuchi."
Onoki was stunned. "Kurotsuchi? But she's just a girl! How could she possibly be Tsuchikage?"
"Why not?" Sasuke countered. "Konoha's Hokage is a woman, and so is the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist. Besides, Kurotsuchi is your granddaughter!"
Onoki hesitated, his mind racing. "But Kurotsuchi doesn't have the Dust Release."
Sasuke smirked. "And Deidara does? You were willing to overlook that for him."
Realizing he had no other options, Onoki sighed deeply. "Fine... but I want to be kept in the loop on everything happening in the village."
Sasuke agreed, "That's acceptable."
As long as Kurotsuchi became the Tsuchikage, Onoki could keep his influence. But at least, the title of Tsuchikage would belong to her.
The Fourth Tsuchikage: Kurotsuchi.
---
''A week later...''
A grand ceremony was held in Iwagakure, where Onoki officially stepped down, and Kurotsuchi was named the Fourth Tsuchikage.
The entire village watched as Kurotsuchi took the mantle, proud and determined.
Her first act as Tsuchikage was to reach out to Konoha and propose a cooperative agreement, solidifying peace between the two villages.
Konoha and Iwagakure would no longer be enemies, and they pledged not to interfere in each other's affairs.