After taking over the snake uncle's foundation, Sasuke came to surrender on his own initiative.

Three days had passed since the Ninja Exchange Meeting in Flame City, and Yin Zhu, bearing the Crimson Scepter, was on his way home. His black windbreaker rustled against the yellow sands of the Wind Kingdom. The red gem atop the scepter absorbed the natural energy along its path, occasionally flashing tiny wisps of golden light—a new feature he had discovered since the exchange meeting: the Six Paths Ninja Tool could not only manipulate chakra but also slowly absorb natural energy, transforming it into the power of the Six Paths.

"At this rate, we'll be back at Sound Village in two days." Yin Zhu wiped the dust from his forehead, his Eternal Mangekyō spinning quietly beneath his eyes as he warily scanned the surrounding dunes. While his showmanship at the exchange meeting had intimidated many, he knew the appearance of the Scarlet Scepter would inevitably attract covetous attention—especially from Iwagakure and Kirigakure, two ninja villages that had suffered such disgrace at the exchange meeting. They would not easily pass up the opportunity to seize the Six Paths Instrument.

Sure enough, as he reached the Red Sand Canyon, the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, the ground suddenly shook violently. Sand dunes on either side collapsed, and dozens of Iwagakure ninjas burst forth from the sand and gravel, their ninja tools gleaming with the characteristic pale gray glow of Dust Release. Leading the group, the Iwagakure jonin, Akatsuchi (a disciple of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki), raised his Dust Release blade high and shouted with a chilling, murderous intensity, "Uchiha Take, hand over the Crimson Scepter, and I'll spare your life!"

Yin Zhu wasted no time. He swirled the crimson scepter in his palm, and six chakra chains instantly wrapped around the two Iwagakure ninja in front of him, slamming them into the sand dunes. "If you want to take my things, ask this scepter first." His Eternal Mangekyō suddenly lit up, and the illusionary power of Kotoamatsukami's pupils spread along the chains, causing the Iwagakure ninja in the lead to freeze in their tracks, their eyes gleaming with a hollow luster.

"It's an illusion! Everyone, be careful!" Chi Tu roared, unleashing his Dust Release technique. A pale gray blade of light slashed towards Yin Zhu, slicing the sand dunes into neat sections wherever it passed, even distorting the air. Yin Zhu activated Flying Thunder God, teleporting behind Chi Tu, aiming the gemstone atop his scepter at his back. Six strands of chakra condensed into spikes. "Your Dust Release is fast, but not fast enough."

Akagi's expression suddenly changed. He hurriedly turned and used Dust Release to create a barrier, but the spikes on his staff easily penetrated it. The power of the Six Paths spread along the barrier, instantly disintegrating the Dust Release chakra. The spikes grazed his shoulder, leaving a deep groove in the sand dune. "Impossible! How can your staff break Dust Release?" Akagi's voice was filled with disbelief. He had never seen a ninja tool that could directly suppress a bloodline elimination.

Yin Zhu didn't reply, instead turning his attention to the depths of the canyon—from there, he could hear the ripples of water chakra, carrying with them the unique "steaming, blasting power" of the Kirigakure. "Looks like Kirigakure has arrived too," he sneered, his scarlet staff unfurling six chakra barriers around him. A pale red shield blocked all the Rock Ninja's attacks. "Today, I'll let you witness the true power of the Six Paths Ninja Tool."

From the mist deep within the canyon, the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Hozuki, slowly emerged. He stepped upon the Water Mirror, his palms swirling with explosive, volatile energy. Behind him followed over twenty Kirigakure ANBU, each wearing a ferocious mask. "Yinzhu, your scepter is indeed powerful, but facing the combined forces of Rock and Mist, do you think you can escape?"