Unfinished deal (2)

Sona was the first to rise, her face showing traces of fear as she looked around the area.

"Did you sit there the whole time?" she demanded, her voice carrying a slight tremor.

Everyone froze, staring at her as if she had lost her mind.

There was a reason for her question, and Latia was the first to catch on.

"Look around you," she instructed, her tone sharp and authoritative.

Their gazes shifted to their surroundings, and their expressions hardened in shock.

"What in the world are you all surprised by?" Issei asked, scratching his head in confusion.

[Look at the ground. It's untouched. With all that chakra training and the sheer amount of chakra Itachi was exuding, the terrain should have been destroyed. Yet, it's in perfect condition,] Ddraig's voice echoed in Issei's mind.

Realization struck Issei like a bolt of lightning, and a chill ran down his spine.

That meant…

"Then… all that training… was an illusion?" Issei muttered in disbelief.

Itachi, who had been silently observing, finally spoke.

"I was waiting for the latecomers," he said, his voice calm and emotionless.

Silence fell upon the group, broken only by the sound of approaching footsteps. All eyes turned toward two figures clad in battle armor—Xenovia and Irina.

"I'm sorry! Xenovia dreamed of Itachi all night, so she overslept!" Irina announced cheerfully.

Xenovia's face turned crimson. "What are you saying?! I was thinking about the stolen fragments of Excalibur!" she protested, flustered.

Irina simply laughed, clearly enjoying teasing her friend.

"Enough. You two, get in line," Itachi commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The two girls quickly obeyed. Itachi turned his gaze toward the devils, particularly the noble-born High-Class Devils who were still reeling from the revelation.

"Now," he said, his Sharingan glinting menacingly. "We will begin the real training, so prepare yourselves."

With effortless grace, he formed hand seals and exhaled a massive Fireball Jutsu.

The inferno roared forward, its heat intense, but its speed was slower than usual—giving them time to react. Barriers were hastily erected, successfully deflecting the attack.

This was their wake-up call.

Itachi's eyes shifted, his Sharingan evolving into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Now… come at me. All of you."

A brief hesitation filled the air before Rias gritted her teeth.

"Fine! Everyone, attack!" she commanded.

Kiba was the first to move, his sword slicing through the air at speeds beyond the vision of inexperienced eyes. Itachi sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise. A well-placed counter with his kunai sent Kiba stumbling backward.

Akeno followed immediately, summoning a powerful surge of lightning. But before her attack could connect—

Itachi's body exploded into a flock of crows.

The birds scattered into the air, reforming behind her in an instant. Before Akeno could react, Itachi smoothly flipped her onto the ground with a swift motion.

Sona's peerage launched a coordinated assault, using calculated strategies to trap him. Yet, Itachi weaved through their attacks with unsettling ease, as if he already knew their every move.

Then—

Saji spotted an opening. His Absorption Line shot forward, wrapping around Itachi's arm. A triumphant grin spread across his face.

"I got you!" Saji cried out.

But then—

"Wait, what?! Why am I the one trapped?!"

Issei's panicked voice rang out.

The illusion shattered, revealing the truth—Saji had inadvertently trapped Issei instead of Itachi.

"Damn it, Saji!" Issei groaned in frustration.

Riser, who had been watching with growing irritation, finally lost his patience. His golden flames surged as he activated his Phoenix Avatar, his body engulfed in roaring fire.

"Enough of this! Burn, damn you!" Riser thundered, charging at Itachi like a fiery comet.

Just as he was about to land his strike—

A strange purple mist appeared before Itachi.

The moment Riser made contact with it, his trajectory warped violently.

A split second later—

BOOM!

Riser was flung sideways with monstrous force, crashing into the ground with an explosion so immense that if it was School ground than the entire school would have been obliterated.

A stunned silence followed.

Latia whispered in awe, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What… what just happened?"

All she had seen was Riser charge at Itachi, the sudden appearance of that weird purple mist, and then—Riser being launched as if by some invisible force.

Even Diodora, who had been quietly observing, looked shaken. His gaze darted between Itachi and the spot where the mist had appeared.

He knew what it was.

He just didn't want to believe it.

Itachi remained unshaken, standing amidst the dazed warriors. His Sharingan pulsed menacingly.