The Conclusion of the Brothers’ Battle – Uchiha Obito Emerges

Sasuke didn't hesitate to accept the praise.

But he also faced a new challenge: he still lacked the power to destroy Susano'o. The only fortunate thing was that Itachi's current Susano'o was only in its skeletal phase—its defensive power not yet at full strength.

That skeletal Susano'o was still vulnerable.

Sasuke immediately formed hand seals. Lightning surged over his blade as he lunged at Susano'o's defenses.

"That's not enough…"

Itachi controlled Susano'o to swipe at Sasuke, massive skeletal claws carving deep gouges into the cave floor—barely missing Sasuke as he flipped out of range.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Itachi quickly formed seals within Susano'o, exhaling a massive fireball that lit up the dark cave as it roared toward Sasuke.

"This guy!"

Sasuke stabbed his sword into the cave ceiling, hanging upside down as his hands blurred into seals.

"Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!"

"!!"

A torrent of fire erupted from Sasuke's mouth, swallowing Itachi's flame whole and heating the very bones of Susano'o to a breaking point.

Even Itachi couldn't believe his brother's mastery of Fire Style.

He'd always been a natural, but Sasuke had already surpassed him.

The searing flames forced Itachi out of the Akatsuki's cave.

Blazing tongues of fire licked the stone, leaving blackened cracks in the rock.

"Amaterasu…"

Blood tears dripped from Itachi's eyes as he unleashed black flames to consume the firestorm—and to seal off the cave entrance.

But Sasuke smirked.

He slapped a palm onto the cliff wall—black sealing marks spread rapidly.

"Fire Sealing Method!"

The Amaterasu flames were locked away like flowing water drawn into a dam.

"Chidori!"

As the black fire vanished, Sasuke dropped his sword and burst from the cave, lightning chirping in his palm like a thousand birds.

He knew his limitations well.

He could counter Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu with intel from Madara—but Susano'o was a fortress he couldn't breach.

His chance—

Was now.

While Susano'o was still in its first stage.

If he could pierce its weak skeleton frame with Chidori and drive it into his brother's heart—

The shrill screech of Chidori echoed.

Lightning-boosted speed closed the gap in a flash—Sasuke's Chidori pierced through Susano'o's ribs.

He even cut a gash across Itachi's chest.

But it stopped there.

Susano'o began to evolve.

Second stage: sinew and flesh wrapped around the bones.

Third stage: a towering, humanoid form.

Fourth stage: thick crimson armor, with the sake gourd and Yata Mirror now in hand.

Now—

Itachi stood invincible.

Sasuke leapt back, not panicked, already shifting to his next strategy.

"He doesn't have eternal sight…"

"Susano'o won't last long…"

"Madara told me—his Mangekyō can't sustain stage four. That's my chance to win."

Madara's voice echoed in his mind.

"Don't worry. He won't kill you unless he sees you as a real threat. Keep hammering at Susano'o—it'll force his eyes to burn more chakra and worsen his decline."

Sasuke slowly retreated.

Itachi, meanwhile, covered his mouth and coughed blood.

His last fight with Madara had worsened his illness.

Now he had used Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, and a full Susano'o…

His body…

Was at its limit.

This battle—

Would be his end.

But death didn't frighten him.

Especially dying by his brother's hand.

That was always the fate he chose the night he wiped out their clan.

He just needed Sasuke to believe it was all true.

The armored Susano'o advanced step by step. Yata Mirror shielded the front, slowly closing in on Sasuke.

"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"

Sasuke launched four fire dragons.

One was blocked by the Yata Mirror.

The other three dissipated against the armored plating.

Still—

Sasuke wasn't discouraged.

He watched Susano'o's movements carefully, especially the sake gourd—prepared to dodge the sealing sword, Totsuka Blade.

Then he noticed Itachi's blood.

His eyes flashed red.

Victory…

Was near.

Madara's intel was clear. By now, Itachi's vision should be failing—tracking Sasuke's movements would be difficult.

Just a little more—

Boom!

The cave behind him collapsed.

Tailed Beasts burst out roaring!

"Kakashi!"

Sasuke's expression darkened.

He had hoped to kill Itachi first—then handle Kakashi.

But the former teacher had freed the tailed beasts!

And worse—

Two of them held grudges against him.

Maybe all of them did.

Tailed Beasts weren't mindless monsters. They had memories.

Sasuke could feel dense chakra swelling behind him—he recognized it. A Tailed Beast Bomb. One strike, and he'd be obliterated.

"Akatsuki brat—die!"

A black-purple Tailed Beast Bomb soared toward him.

This was it.

No one could save him.

Multiple Beasts were charging their own attacks.

"Wait—"

Kakashi barely had time to yell.

Even Gaara frowned in regret.

He knew Sasuke had once been Naruto's teammate. He held no hatred for him.

But he couldn't stop the other Beasts, nor reason with them.

Yet…

One man could.

A flash of crimson burst beside Sasuke.

The red Susano'o returned—shielding Sasuke with the Yata Mirror.

Itachi had protected him.

Despite the risk, despite everything…

Itachi shielded his brother.

Tailed Beast Bombs exploded on Yata Mirror—shockwaves shaking the heavens.

But the toll was too much.

The fourth stage of Susano'o crumbled.

Only a skeleton remained.

Itachi dropped to one knee, coughing blood, yet still forced his broken body to protect Sasuke.

Everyone saw it.

This man—

Was dying.

And he chose to spend his last strength to shield his brother.

Even Sasuke didn't understand.

"Why…"

His voice trembled.

Chidori chirped in his palm—he could kill Itachi in a flash.

Why wasn't Itachi afraid?

He had killed their parents. Sought Sasuke's eyes.

Now he threw his life away to save him?

"Cough…"

Itachi said nothing—just spat blood.

Kakashi watched, expression conflicted.

He'd suspected for years.

The Uchiha massacre had secrets.

"So this is it…"

Itachi smiled bitterly.

He turned to Sasuke.

Ignoring the Chidori, he reached with two bloodied fingers—

And tapped his brother's forehead.

"Forgive me, Sasuke…"

Sasuke didn't stop him.

The Chidori remained charged, but his hand didn't move.

That old, familiar gesture—

It was the same from when they were children.

Itachi collapsed against Sasuke's shoulder, whispering his final words.

"Live your own life now, Sasuke…"

Thud.

Itachi fell.

The red Susano'o vanished in a blink.

The Tailed Beasts saw their chance—roaring toward Sasuke.

But the boy stood frozen.

As if waiting for death.

And yet…

It never came.

A wall of black flame—Amaterasu—blocked the Beasts.

Even in death—

Itachi protected his brother.

"Tch…"

A cold voice echoed.

Uchiha Obito emerged from the shadows of the collapsed Akatsuki base, smirking.

"Not surprising at all. I always knew Itachi had other plans when he joined me. What a touching brotherly bond…"

"Obito!"

Kakashi's eyes narrowed.

"We're leaving!"

Gaara summoned his sand and prepared to retreat.

"You're not going anywhere…"

Obito raised his fingers.

The massive Gedo Statue rose from beneath him.

A chain shot out—piercing Gaara's chest and dragging Shukaku from his body.

Obito turned coldly to Kakashi.

"Kakashi…"

"You think you're some kind of savior?"

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Powerstones?

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