Rasengan Delivery: Express to Itachi's Chest

"Impressive reaction and speed, but..."

Though the kunai in his hand was gripped tightly by the suddenly appearing young man, Uchiha Itachi's eyes showed no hint of panic.

Because whether it was Yuhi Kurenai, who was skilled in Illusionary Techniques, or the boy before him, who hadn't even activated his Sharingan, there was absolutely no way they could escape his Mangekyo Sharingan's unique Illusionary Technique—

Illusionary Technique: Moon Reader!

"Close your eyes, Kage!"

Sensing that Uchiha Itachi was about to use an Eye Technique, the newly awakened Yuhi Kurenai issued a warning.

"Don't make eye contact with his Sharingan!"

"Too late. Without a Sharingan like mine, it's impossible to break my 'Illusionary Technique: Moon Reader'... Hmm!?"

Uchiha Itachi naturally tried to pull out his kunai, but found that the other's hand was still tightly gripping it, even taking advantage of his momentary lapse in attention to grab his palm along with the kunai.

"How is this possible? You're not affected at all?"

Uchiha Itachi was shocked to find that the boy's figure was completely absent from the space of his Illusionary Technique: Moon Reader.

"Sorry, but that Sharingan you're so proud of doesn't seem to work on me."

With one hand gripping Uchiha Itachi's palm, Uchiha Kage had already charged a Rasengan with Chakra in his other hand.

"That technique again..."

And at such close range!

Uchiha Itachi desperately tried to pull out the kunai and his hand, which were being held tightly, but it was already too late.

Rasengan!

Uchiha Kage mercilessly slammed the Rasengan into Uchiha Itachi's chest.

But there was no sensation of flesh being pierced as he expected; the Rasengan only hit a puff of air.

Caw caw~

Flap flap.

Uchiha Itachi's body suddenly transformed into dozens of crows, then disappeared from the spot.

"He prepared a Substitution Technique beforehand?"

Uchiha Kage frowned.

In the instant of his attack, Uchiha Itachi had not only used a Crow Substitution but had also instantly created distance between them.

"So you can evade *Itachi-san*'s Illusionary Technique? You're no ordinary Little Kid."

The clash between Uchiha Kage, Uchiha Itachi, and Yuhi Kurenai happened in the blink of an eye, but to Hoshigaki Kisame, who was watching from the sidelines, it felt like a long time.

"Your hand..."

Seeing Uchiha Itachi forced back, Yuhi Kurenai quickly became concerned about Uchiha Kage's left hand, which was still dripping with blood.

"Using such a risky method to save your Sensei, you're too reckless."

The blood flowed on Uchiha Kage's body, but it was Yuhi Kurenai who felt the pain.

"Don't get the wrong idea, Sensei. I wasn't trying to save you; I just wanted to get the jump on him."

Though it seemed to have failed.

But Uchiha Kage had successfully made Uchiha Itachi afraid to use that kind of Illusionary Technique so carelessly again.

"You!"

If they weren't facing a major enemy, Yuhi Kurenai would have really liked to kick her annoying Disciple's butt.

Was she blind?

He was clearly saving her, but he refused to admit it. Where did this stubborn Disciple come from?

"However, Sensei, neither of these two are the type that can be dealt with using Illusionary Techniques. Don't use your previous moves anymore."

Uchiha Kage had wanted to remind Yuhi Kurenai earlier, but before he could speak, Yuhi Kurenai had already used her Illusionary Technique.

"Neither of them?"

It certainly had no effect on Uchiha Itachi, but the shark-faced guy on the other side...

"That guy's Ninja Sword Samehada is a living thing that can stimulate its master at any time to wake him from an Illusionary Technique."

Seeing Yuhi Kurenai still had questions, Uchiha Kage explained at the appropriate time.

"No wonder he broke free from my Illusionary Technique so quickly."

Yuhi Kurenai nodded, understanding Uchiha Kage's explanation.

"But in that case, my role is insignificant. What do you plan to do against these two?"

Facing two Ninja who were immune to Illusionary Techniques, Yuhi Kurenai only felt an extreme headache.

Was she really going to die here today?

Damn it, she had promised her Father that she would raise the next generation before dying...

"It's simple; we'll use Body Art."

Byakugan, open!

He had practiced quite a bit of the Gentle Fist Art recently, so perhaps he could try using it against Kisame.

"Body Art? Wait, that stance is!?"

Seeing Uchiha Kage actually adopt the starting stance of the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist, Yuhi Kurenai couldn't believe her eyes.

----

"Although I don't know where you Little Kid got so much information, you won't be leaving here alive this time."

Water Release: Great Exploding Water Surge...

No longer daring to be careless, Kisame decided to turn this place into his favorite water terrain.

As long as he was in the water, with his advantage of being able to breathe underwater and the Samehada Great Sword's ability to absorb Chakra, he would be invincible.

"We absolutely can't let that guy create water!"

But Uchiha Kage predicted his prediction.

Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!

Fortunately, Kisame was an "honest person" who would properly form Hand Seals, and the Hand Seals for Great Exploding Water Surge were quite numerous.

Therefore, Uchiha Kage's Gentle Fist successfully interrupted Kisame's Hand Seals.

Moreover, because he had put down Samehada to form Hand Seals, Kisame could only use his body to withstand Uchiha Kage's storm-like Eight Trigrams Palm.

"That's the Hyuga clan's secret technique. How does he know it too?"

Not only Yuhi Kurenai, but Uchiha Itachi was also stunned by this scene.

For an Uchiha to have learned the Hyuga family's Gentle Fist was too incredible.

However...

He had originally wanted to eliminate the Konoha Ninja before him, but now that he realized he might not be able to easily kill them, Uchiha Itachi began to hesitate.

If even Kisame was struggling, then he would have a reason to choose to retreat later.

After all, it was best not to kill Konoha Ninja if he could avoid it.

But...

An ordinary Uchiha without the Sharingan could be immune to his Moon Reader Illusionary Technique?

Thinking about this Uchiha Kage, whose origins were unknown and whose strength was considerable, Uchiha Itachi wanted to steel his heart and continue dealing with these Konoha Ninja.

Leaving such a dangerous person by Sasuke's side was making it difficult for him to sleep and eat.

"Your opponent is me!"

Seeing Uchiha Itachi staring at Uchiha Kage with a conflicted expression, Yuhi Kurenai immediately took out a kunai and attacked.

She believed that Uchiha Itachi's performance meant that he was planning to ambush Uchiha Kage, who was fighting Kisame.

So even knowing that she was no match, she decided to block Uchiha Itachi for Uchiha Kage for a while.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi, who was still hesitating, had no choice but to take out his kunai to deal with the attacking *Female Ninja*.

----

"Kage....Kage-san can actually use Gentle Fist..."

And even better than me!

Hinata, who was watching the battle from a distance, stood frozen, as if a thunderbolt had rooted her to the spot when she saw Uchiha Kage use Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.

But... how, how is this possible?

The Kage-san using Gentle Fist before her, all the moves he used, and those habits when attacking... how could they, how could they be so similar to the 'Kage-san' she 'dreamed' of every day in her dreams!?