CHAPTER 48:Itachi Defect
The sky above the Naka Shrine shimmered with sparks of chakra as the battle between Shisui and Itachi reached new heights. Spectators — clan heads, ANBU, and the Third Hokage — stood frozen, their eyes glued to the spectacle before them.
But among the crowd, none noticed the shadow slipping through the smoke and flames.
Behind the veil of battle, in the ruins of the Uchiha compound, a masked figure appeared silently beside the corpses of the fallen hawkish Uchiha — their eyes still gleaming faintly with the remnants of Sharingan.
Naruto, cloaked in black, face masked and hair hidden, crouched beside them.
> "System, now."
> Ding! System Activation: Devouring Eye Extraction Skill — Mangekyō Absorption in Progress…
As Naruto placed his hand over one bloodied corpse, the Sharingan within began to dissolve into particles, flowing into Naruto's own glowing Mangekyō Sharingan. The effect was swift, silent, and clean — the corpses were left hollow-eyed as Naruto repeated the process, one after another.
Suddenly, the system's voice rang out with its usual cheerful tone:
> "Congratulations, host! Sharingan absorbed successfully. Mangekyō power has increased by 12%. Mangekyō stability improved. Remaining bloodline energy stored in reserve."
Naruto's eye flashed brightly under his mask, but he frowned.
> "That's it? Just 12%? These were full-blooded Uchiha with Mangekyō potential."
The system chuckled warmly:
> "Host, don't forget… you possess the purest Uchiha bloodline ever recorded. These enhancements are now minor in comparison. You've reached a level where normal gains are insignificant."
Naruto remained silent for a moment. Then he smirked under the mask.
> "Then I guess I'll have to hunt bigger prey."
---
Back at the Shrine – The Storm Continues
Meanwhile, the duel between Shisui and Itachi reached a fever pitch.
Both their Susanoo were fully formed — one cloaked in shimmering green armor, its hand wielding a divine blade of mercy; the other a fierce red specter, armed with a monstrous ethereal blade of judgment.
The shrine had collapsed. The ground was carved with deep trenches. Buildings cracked. Thunder roared overhead, as if nature itself recoiled from their divine clash.
Shisui, breathing heavily, stared across the battlefield at his childhood friend.
> "Itachi… do you really think this is the only way to protect the village?"
Itachi's Sharingan swirled violently.
> "You were too kind, Shisui. This village doesn't understand kindness. It only responds to sacrifice."
The Susanoo blades clashed again, creating a shockwave that blasted all spectators back.
Even the ANBU Captain was forced to summon a barrier to protect the clan heads.
> "Unbelievable…" muttered Hiashi. "Two Uchiha… fighting with the power of gods… and they're both children."
Hiruzen, silent for a long time, clenched his staff.
> "This battle must end soon… or Konoha itself will be reduced to ash."
---
The Final Blow
Shisui's Susanoo raised its shimmering blade, radiating a powerful genjutsu aura.
Itachi's Susanoo roared and formed a massive red spear of destruction.
They rushed at each other — and with one final, explosive strike, both collided at full force.
BOOM!!!
The resulting explosion of chakra shattered the sky in a beam of light that rose into the heavens. For a full minute, nothing could be seen through the dust and debris.
And then…
Silence.
---
The Collapse
As the smoke cleared, the Susanoo constructs faded into embers.
Both Shisui and Itachi collapsed on their knees, blood dripping from their eyes. Their Mangekyō flickered and deactivated at the same time.
They had pushed each other to the brink.
Everyone stared in shock — never before had two Uchiha brought forth this level of destruction and emotion in battle.
Even the Third Hokage could not speak for a moment.
Shisui, barely conscious, looked at Itachi, who was breathing raggedly, his expression hollow.
> "We were supposed to protect the clan… together," Shisui whispered.
Itachi coughed, blood leaking from his lips. He didn't answer. But in that moment, his eyes softened, just for a second.
---
In the Shadows
Far above, on a nearby rooftop, Naruto stood with his arms folded.
He watched silently, the wind tugging at his cloak, his mask still hiding his identity.
The system's cheerful voice echoed once more:
> "Host, you now possess enough Mangekyō power to unlock deeper abilities. Your current strength surpasses almost every known Uchiha in history."
Naruto's lips curled slightly.
> "Good. Because this is just the beginning."
The eerie silence that followed the clash of titans was deafening.
Dust still hovered in the air as the towering Susanoo forms of Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha dissolved into shimmering chakra fragments.
The remnants of their battle left the Naka Shrine grounds in ruins — broken trees, scorched earth, and cracked stone monuments that once carried the pride of the Uchiha clan.
Gathered at the edge of the battlefield stood the Third Hokage, all major clan heads, and ANBU operatives — all frozen in awe and fear.
> "That power… is this what the Uchiha have always held back?" murmured Aburame Shibi, his insects still.
> "They could rival the Hokage," whispered Hyuga Hiashi, his Byakugan slowly deactivating.
> "They already do," said Nara Shikaku, grave and calculating.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, stepped forward. His face, usually calm, was lined with tension.
> "Uchiha Shisui… Itachi… this battle cannot be ignored. Speak. Why has this happened?"
---
Shisui, battered but composed, took a deep breath. His one eye burned with conviction.
> "This battle… was the Uchiha clan's tipping point. A test of fate. Itachi and I fought not as enemies, but as brothers, choosing different paths for the same dream — peace."
Gasps spread among the audience.
Shisui raised his voice.
> "From this day onward, I will lead the Uchiha. I do not ask for forgiveness, but for recognition. We are not traitors. We are Konoha's shield."
The words carried weight. Power.
Hiashi looked to the other clan heads, then back at the Hokage.
> "If the Uchiha follow him… I see no reason to oppose. What we witnessed today was loyalty, not rebellion."
Hiruzen hesitated… but finally nodded.
> "So be it. The Uchiha are part of this village. And so is Shisui Uchiha."
---
Itachi's Quiet Departure
Itachi remained silent.
He gazed at Shisui — and for a moment, the cold mask he wore cracked.
> "You've taken a heavy burden, Shisui," he said. "One I never could."
Shisui placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder.
> "You tried to protect the village alone. That was never your task to carry."
Itachi nodded and stepped away from the crowd.
> "I'll leave Konoha. In the shadows… I'll ensure no threats reach our home again. Let the world believe I betrayed you. I can live with that."
A heavy silence followed his words. The clan heads watched in solemn understanding.
---
From the Shadows – Naruto Watches
High above, from the cliff of the Hokage Monument, Naruto stood cloaked in black, eyes glinting with amusement.
> "Everything is falling into place…"
The wind blew past him as his eyes traced the lingering sparks of chakra where Itachi and Shisui had last stood.
Finally Itachi Defected from Konoha
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