The air was thick with tension as Itachi Uchiha and his brother Sasuke faced Kabuto Yakushi in the dimly lit cavern. The walls echoed with the sound of clashing jutsu, and the ground was scarred from their fierce battle. Kabuto, panting heavily, seemed to be nearing his limit. His once confident demeanor was now replaced with desperation.
"It's no use, Kabuto," Sasuke said, his Sharingan eyes locked onto their opponent. "Your tricks won't work on us."
Kabuto sneered, his snake-like eyes glinting in the dim light. "You underestimate me, Sasuke. I've surpassed Orochimaru. I am the Dragon Sage!"
Kabuto formed a series of hand seals, summoning a massive serpent that lunged at the brothers. Sasuke countered with his Susanoo, the spectral warrior forming a shield to block the attack. The force of the clash sent shockwaves through the cavern.
Itachi watched, his Mangekyo Sharingan analyzing every move. "Sasuke, focus on defense. I'll handle the offense."
Sasuke nodded, reinforcing his Susanoo's defenses. Itachi stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he activated the Amaterasu. Black flames erupted, consuming Kabuto's serpent in an instant. Kabuto hissed in pain, feeling the intense heat.
"You can't defeat me with mere fire!" Kabuto shouted, his body regenerating the damage. He began to weave another set of hand seals, but Itachi was faster.
"Tsukuyomi!" Itachi intoned, catching Kabuto's gaze. The world around Kabuto shifted, plunging him into a nightmarish illusion. He found himself bound, unable to move as countless blades descended upon him.
Inside the genjutsu, Itachi's voice echoed. "Your mind is now my domain. You cannot escape."
Kabuto struggled, but the illusion was too powerful. His mind screamed in agony, and when Itachi finally released him, he was left disoriented and vulnerable.
"Sasuke, now!" Itachi called.
Sasuke's Susanoo drew its blade, slashing at Kabuto with a devastating strike. Kabuto was thrown back, crashing into the cavern wall. Blood trickled from his mouth as he struggled to stand.
"It's over, Kabuto," Itachi said coldly. "Every jutsu has its weakness."
Kabuto's face grew serious. "And this jutsu's weakness," Itachi continued, forming a series of hand signs, "is simply me."
Itachi's voice rang out with finality. "Edo Tensei, release."
Kabuto, enraged, lunged at Itachi. "You bastard!" he screamed. But before he could reach him, Sasuke intervened, striking Kabuto down with a swift slash of his sword.
The jutsu's hold over the resurrected shinobi began to weaken, their souls starting to return to the afterlife. As the light of the Edo Tensei faded, Itachi felt a pull, drawing him into a void. Before fully succumbing to the pull, Itachi turned to Sasuke, knowing this would be their last moment together for a long time.
"Sasuke," Itachi said, his voice softer than usual.
Sasuke's expression softened, but his eyes remained intense. "What is it, Itachi?"
"I want you to know... I'm proud of you," Itachi said, pride evident in his voice. "You've grown into a powerful shinobi. Stronger than I ever was."
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly. "Itachi..."
"It's up to you now," Itachi continued. "Protect the village, find your own path, and live your life to the fullest."
Sasuke nodded, struggling to hold back his emotions. "I will, Itachi. I promise."
Itachi approached Sasuke and placed his hand behind Sasuke's head, pulling him close so their foreheads touched. "You never have to forgive me," Itachi whispered. "From here on out, you do whatever you want. I will always love you."
A rare smile crossed Itachi's lips. "Goodbye, Sasuke. We will meet again."
As the light enveloped him, Itachi's form began to fade. Sasuke watched, his heart heavy but resolute, knowing that his brother's words would guide him in the years to come.
Itachi felt as though he were floating on the surface of water, a tranquil sensation enveloping him. He opened his eyes and found himself in a pitch-dark area with shallow water up to his ankles. The silence was profound, broken only by the faint ripples around his feet.
Sensing a presence behind him, Itachi turned to see a figure sitting in the air as if levitating in a meditative position. The figure had a warm smile and an aura of immense power. It was Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths.
"Welcome, Itachi Uchiha," Hagoromo greeted him, his voice resonating with power. "You have done well to come this far."
"Hagoromo Otsutsuki," Itachi acknowledged with a respectful bow. "Why am I here? Why have you brought me here?"
"I have watched your journey, and I see the potential within you," Hagoromo explained. "So, I decided to give you a new life in another world, a form of reincarnation."
Itachi's eyes widened. "As you said, you watched my journey. So why are you giving me a chance? I should be in hell for what I have done to my family."
Hagoromo smiled warmly. "You did what you did to protect your village, which says a lot about your character. About your actions with your family, yes, they were severe, and I could have sent you to hell. But I cannot waste the potential you have, boy."
Itachi bowed respectfully. "Thank you. So, I will be in the shinobi world, right?"
Hagoromo shook his head. "This time, you will be in another world entirely different from the shinobi world. There are many powerful beings there as well. That's why I offer you a gift—a power Itachi listened intently as Hagoromo continued. "With time, your eyes will evolve naturally, but should someone close to you perish, they will unlock the External Mangekyo Sharingan, a power beyond the Mangekyo."
Itachi felt a surge of gratitude and determination. "I will not waste this chance. Thank you, Hagoromo-sama."