Chapter 266: Sasuke vs. Itachi (Part 1)

"Hmph, it seems you don't believe me. What a shame, because it's the truth." Itachi looked at Sasuke and spoke calmly.

"Hand over your eyes, Sasuke. Merge with me, and I will take your power to even greater heights!"

Sasuke remained composed. "I have my own judgment on what is real and what is not."

"And regardless of what your true intentions are, I will kill you. For my father, my mother, and all the clan members you slaughtered. I will have my revenge."

With that, Sasuke unsheathed his sword and spoke once more.

"And after I kill you, I'll deal with the so-called 'Madara.' Whether he's truly the legendary founder of Konoha or just some pretender hiding in the shadows, I will kill him too!"

"Is that so? What a pity. You won't even be able to defeat me, let alone Madara!" Itachi adjusted his cloak, preparing for battle.

Sasuke watched him and did not attack immediately. Instead, he recalled their first encounter in Konoha after the Uchiha massacre.

Back then, he had completely lost control of his emotions, he hadn't even touched Itachi before being trapped in an illusion and defeated in an instant. If Natsuro hadn't treated him afterward, he might have been bedridden for weeks.

But now… things were different.

He had no doubt, he would defeat Itachi!

Once both were ready, they instinctively reached for their weapons at the same time.

In an instant, countless shuriken flew between them, clashing midair, creating a dazzling display of sparks.

Their Sharingan eyes spun rapidly, tracking every shuriken's trajectory and adjusting their own throws accordingly.

At this moment, any small miscalculation could mean defeat!

It was a battle of precision, a true spectacle of Uchiha mastery.

The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan might be superior in perception, but the art of shurikenjutsu was uniquely Uchiha, a skill their bloodline excelled at.

Watching from the shadows above, Zetsu observed the battle.

White Zetsu had been confused earlier, but Black Zetsu had explained that Sasuke and Itachi were engaged in a genjutsu duel.

Now, as they watched the shuriken battle unfold, even White Zetsu couldn't help but be impressed.

"What a spectacular exchange. The power may not seem overwhelming, but hardly anyone could achieve this level of precision."

"Still… this won't last long. Itachi isn't just about shuriken." White Zetsu remarked.

"Keep watching." Black Zetsu replied in his raspy voice.

"But Sasuke should've already fallen into Tsukuyomi by now, right? That's an ability no one can break…" White Zetsu questioned.

Black Zetsu did not respond.

Meanwhile, Itachi, breathing slightly heavier, gazed at Sasuke.

He had successfully trapped Sasuke in Tsukuyomi. Now, all that remained was...

Suddenly, Itachi staggered, dropping to one knee. His face showed disbelief.

"You… actually broke free from Tsukuyomi?!"

Sasuke scoffed, eyes cold and unwavering.

"I told you, I have seen a future you never could. I will completely deny you, including your Tsukuyomi!"

Neither of them wasted any more words. Their battle resumed immediately.

Since genjutsu was ineffective, it was time for a battle of ninjutsu.

Sasuke unleashed Chidori, chaining together powerful techniques.

Even Itachi had to admit, Sasuke had grown immensely.

"He's come a long way," Itachi thought, his body weakening further with each passing moment.

Even so, he couldn't let this end just yet.

Grinding his teeth, Itachi activated the second ability of his Mangekyō Sharingan: Amaterasu!

The black flames of Amaterasu erupted, burning endlessly until their target was reduced to nothing.

Sasuke dodged with incredible agility, skillfully avoiding the inextinguishable flames.

His reactions, his adaptability. Everything had improved tremendously.

But Itachi's body was reaching its limits. His vision was blurred, and blood dripped from his eyes. His chakra was nearly depleted.

In the end, he activated his final defense, Susanoo.

As Itachi's massive crimson Susanoo materialized, his body finally collapsed.

Dragging his failing body forward, he approached Sasuke, who looked shocked at the sight of Susanoo.

Why…?

Even though he was now so close, Itachi still couldn't clearly see Sasuke's face.

Was this his punishment?

He didn't have time to think. His life force was draining away.

Using the last of his strength, he raised his hand.

And, just like he had when they were children, he lightly tapped Sasuke on the forehead.

In the next moment..

All life faded from his body.

Before Sasuke's eyes, Itachi collapsed onto the ground his long, tragic journey coming to an end.

Lying there, a faint smile remained on his lips.

Finally… he had reached this point.

He assumed Sasuke would take his eyes next.

Even if Sasuke resisted, he would need the Eternal Mangekyō to stand a chance against Madara.

And Itachi had left one final safeguard within Sasuke.

"I hope it works," Itachi thought as his consciousness faded.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw his long-dead parents, Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha .

"So… this is the afterlife?"

Looking at them, he suddenly didn't know what to say.

In the end, all he could do was apologize. Over and over.

And then, he began trying to earn their forgiveness.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, they forgave him.

But then, something felt… wrong.

Itachi fell silent, a creeping sense of unease settling over him.

Could his actions truly be forgiven?

And more importantly what exactly was Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan ability?

Sasuke had clearly awakened the Mangekyō, yet Itachi had never once seen its true power.

"Itachi, are you leaving again?" A sorrowful voice rang out, his mother, Mikoto, speaking with deep sadness.

Itachi turned to look at her, his lips parting slightly, but he had no idea how to respond.

Then..

"If you're leaving again, then even if it costs my own soul, I will make sure you stay!"

Her expression shifted drastically, the warmth he once knew vanished.

In her hands, she now held a kitchen knife, the very one they had used at home.

Before Itachi could react, she slashed at him. Again. And again. The blade carved deep into his unresisting body.

In an instant, he was no longer standing before his mother.

Instead, he found himself bound to an execution platform. Surrounding him were the faces of his fallen clan members.

Their expressions were filled with hatred.

They were nothing like the people who had just forgiven him moments ago.

"Why are you leaving? If you're leaving… then you must pay for our deaths!" Their furious voices thundered in his ears.

Then came the knives. Countless blades pierced his body, searing pain wracking his entire being.

His mind was unraveling. It was impossible to tell how much time had passed.

But at some point, Itachi saw an opening.

Seizing the chance, he freed himself from the execution platform.

His dazed, lifeless hands grasped at the familiar hilt of his sword.

Like an automaton, he swung it once more.

Slashing. Cutting. One by one, he killed them all, again.

Finally, he stood before his parents once more.

His sword, drenched in their blood.

"Itachi… are you going to kill us again?"

Fugaku and Mikoto stared at him, accusingly.

"You are already dead…"

Itachi's hands trembled.

And yet, he swung his sword down again.

The moment he did, everything around him changed.

No longer was he trapped in that hellish execution. No longer was he surrounded by vengeful specters.

He was back in the Uchiha clan district, the battlefield he had chosen for his final confrontation with Sasuke.

Itachi gasped for breath.

His body trembled as he collapsed to his knees.

Lifting his gaze, he looked at Sasuke.

And in a hoarse voice, he asked, "Your ability… is it also Tsukuyomi?"

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Currently on Chapter 320 - The Butterfly Effect, And The Other Natsuro

Next Chapter: Chapter 267 - Sasuke Vs. Itachi (Part 2)