Chapter 14
Facing Itachi
Itachi stared them down. His eyes landed on Akina, who flinched at his cold stare.
'Akina. We are running out of time.' Mushu said in her head.
'I know. But we need to get past him.' Akina thought. Naruto steps forward but Chiyo steps forward.
"So. That's the one. The child who wiped out his entire clan." Chiyo said.
"Kakashi. Naruto. It's been awhile." Itachi said.
"It wasn't enough for you, huh? You had to go after Gaara as well." Naruto said. He pointed at Itachi. "I'll destroy every last one of you." Itachi just stared at them with the coldest stare that Akina had ever seen. He started to lift his hand, making Kakashi gasp.
"Everyone. Whatever you do, don't look him in the eyes." Kakashi warned. Akina quickly looked away from Itachi. "Itachi's genjustsu is a visual jutsu, which means, avoid eye contact with him and his jutsu can't take effect."
"Yeah, that I know." Naruto said.
"Ok, but then, how are we supposed to fight him?" Shikamaru asked.
"That's the tricky part." Akina was looking at the ground, but a movement caught her eyes. Akina didn't hear the rest of the words he said. Akina stayed down below the chin and saw Itachi move his hands to make a signal.
"But that's like fighting with one arm tied behind your back." Sakura said.
"The Uchiha clan, eh?" Lady Chiyo said. Akina nearly had to block out Mushu bickering. "It's been a long time since I've gone up against the Sharingan." Naruto looked at Chiyo in surprise. "Don't look so suprised. I've been around, and I know there's more than one way to fight a visual jutsu like that."
"Yeah? Like what, then?" Naruto said.
"If one against the one, abandon the field. If two against one, take the rear, and he'll yield." Chiyo said.
"What's that mean?" Naruto asked.
"Well, the first part of it is pretty self explanatory, isn't it? The Sharingan can never be beaten in single combat. But, if you outnumber the Sharingan user, if the battle is two against one, tehn even if one of you is caught in his genjutsu, the other is free to strike from the rear, breaking the genjutsu's spell. Even if your attack from the rear should fail somehow, you're still free to strike your comrade yourself and break the genjutsu that way. So, while one of us fights him face to face as a distraction, the rest of us will mount a series of attacks from the rear, where his Sharingan can't reach." Chiyo said.
"Good plan." Akina said. Shikamaru and Sakura nodded.
"I guess you learn a lot of stuff like that if you live long enough." Naruto said. Naruto stepped forward. "Let's go. I'll take the rear." Kakashi grabbed him.
"Wait." Kakashi said. He looked at Itachi, avoiding his eyes. They stood waiting and Itachi seemed not to be moving.
'What are we waiting on?' Kara thought.
"Ok, Sensei. We're waiting, but what are we waiting for?" Naruto said. Impatience clear in his voice. Mushu was waiting, but he was getting more impatient. Chiyo looked at Kakashi. Shikamaru was silent for once, but Akina knew he was trying to figure something out.
"Do you have a problem with my way of fighting the Sharingan? Are you suggesting my methods won't work." Chiyo asked.
"No. They work fine against ordinary genjutsu, but what we're dealing with here is something much more complicated." Kakashi said.
"Meaning what?" Akina asked. Kakashi looked at his team.
"He uses Mangekyo Sharingan. It's far more powerful than any other visual jutsu. It only takes a second, but if he hits you with that jutsu, it'll be the longest second you ever lived. Time itself get warped. What seems like a second in the real world, can be hours or days to someone trapped in his jutsu. I know. I wandered around in it for three days and lost consiousness for more than a week. It's not a genjutsu that can be broken just like that." Kakashi explained. Shikamaru and Akina share looks of concern.
"That does sound tricky. What a troublesome fellow this is." Chiyo said. Itachi stared at them with cold eyes.
"Very good, Kakashi. I see your sojourn in my Tsukuyomi. Wasn't wasted." Itachi said. There was a coldness in his voice that Akina didn't miss.
"Oh, believe me. I learned something else as well. There's a price to pay for using that Sharingan. It exhausted you, didn't it? You had to quit before the battle was over. So in addition to using up a lot of Chakra, you risk permanent damage to your eye every time you use that jutsu, don't you, Itachi?" Kakashi said.
"You seem to have learned a great deal from our one brief encounter." Itachi said. Akina had a bad feeling as Kakashi closed his eyes and reached up.
"I wonder just how much damage has already been don to your eyesight." Kakashi said. He pulled his headband up. Akina saw the scar that ran down his eye and that it was closed. Shikamaru had told her that Kakashi had a Sharingan that he got from a friend, but never explained how he got it. Akina knew it was a bad subject to ask. Itachi gasped. He closed his eyes. He kept them closed and Akina watched him closely, keeping her eyes away from his face. Itachi opened them and stared at Kakashi, who had his other eye open now. Mushu didn't like this. He had run ins with the Uchicha's in the past and him and the 9 tails had issues with Madera.
"Akina." Mushu warned. Akina ignored him.
"He's holding us from getting to Gaara." Akina whispered to Shikamaru.
"He is." Shikamaru said. Kakashi knew Akina was right. Kakashi touched the back of his head.
"I underestimated you back then. I admit it. But I am not the fool I used to be. Everyone looked at Kakashi. Akina had come to respect Kakashi. He was a great Ninja. "Things aren't gonna go the same way this time. I promise you that." Itachi just stared at them, showing no emotion. Naruto chuckled with a smile.
"Yeah, and don't go thinging I'm the same kid either. A lot of things have changed since then." Naruto said.
"Naruto." Kakashi said as Sakura looked at Naruto in shock. "Leave him to me." Naruto looked at Kakashi in surprise. Shikamaru and Akina were watching Itachi.
"Not again. Not that kind of teamwork where we sit back and do nothing." Naruto said. Akina shot a glare at Kakashi.
"No. This time, you and Akina cover me." Kakashi said. Naruto and Akina share looks. "I wish I could say you guys go on... Akina. Can you send the 10 tails ahead to schout?"
"He's been watching since we left." Akina said. Kakashi nodded.
"I can handle this along. But I never make the same mistake twice." Kakashi said. Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Akina share knowing looks and look back at Itachi. Itachi brings his hand up.
"It's time you come with me, Naruto." Itachi said. Naruto gritted his teeth. Kakashi moves.
"Me, first." Kakashi said. Kakashi charges at Itachi and goes to punch him. Itachi stopped the pucnh with his hand. Kakashi gasped as he looks to his left to see Itachi charging at the group. "A shadow clone." Naruto lets out a yell as he charges with his Rasengun in his hand.
"Rasengun!" Naruto yells. He hits the Itachi with it. The clone disappears. Naruto looks around and gasps. Chiyo, Sakura, Akina, and Shikamaru were laying on the ground, unconsious. Sakura and Akina were struggling to get up. Naruto hurries to them. "What the.. Sakura.. Granny... Akina... Shikamaru?" Chiyo and Shikamaru were also struggling to get up. Naruto looks at Sakura to see her standing. "Sakura. Are you..." Naruto froze as Sakura changed into Itachi. Naruto looked at his friends and Chiyo and saw that they also transformed into other Itachi's. Naruto wasn't happy about this. Naruto looked at all of them and saw Kakashi standing up, but soon he turned into Itachi as well.
"What's going on here? What is this?" Naruto asked. All the Itachi's stayed quiet. Naruto looked at all of them. They were all looking at him with a cold stare.
'More shadow clones.' Naruto thought. He reached into his bag. Sweat ran down his face as he grabbed a few kurini and tossed them at the other Itachi's, taking them out. He threw one straight ahead at the last Itachi. He seamed to slow down in the air and hold. Naruto gasped. Ravens seemed to come off the Itachi, actually all of them and the bodies disappear. The ravens surround Naruto and start circling him. Some started to form a black body.
"But I never looked him in the eye. The black body form formed Itachi. Naruto gritted his teeth. "How did I get drawn in?"
"These eyes aren't the only way I can wield Genjutsu." Itachi said. He raised his hand. "All I need is a single finger." Naruto gasped at the memory of Itachi doing that. Naruto felt his face twitching as he glared at Itachi.
'That's when he did it.' Naruto thought.
"You needn't worry. I won't use the Mangekyo Sharingan. Or I suppose I should say, to be more precise I can't use it right now." Itachi said.
"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" Naruto asked, glaring up at Itachi. Itachi does a hand sign as the crows fly around him.
"That's hardly your concern. More importantly, it's time I put you to sleep." Itachi said. Naruto gritted his teeth.
'Damnit. I was so careful. I can't believe I got caught in his genjutsu.' Naruto thought. The crows start moving towards Naruto as Naruto put his hands together as he remembered a memory with Jiriya. Naruto lets out a yell as the crows head towards him more as dirt swirls up around him. The crows start to disappear. Itachi was impressed as he watched.
"Without a doubt. He's matured." Itachi mumbled to himself. He brought two fingers to his face. "But he's still not strong enough." One of the crows turn into a weapon and it spins towards Naruto. Other birds do the same. They hit Naruto and land on the ground. Naruto gritted his teeth from the pain.
'It hurts, but I know it's just a genjutsu. I gotta fight through it.' Naruto thought. Naruto gasped as his skin started to peal from his face.
"Naruto." A familiar voice comes. Naruto gasps. "Naruto." It calls again."
"Is that. Is that Sasuke?" Naruto asked.
"It's been far to long, Naruto." Sasuke said. Naruto realised his otehr part of his face was Sasuke. Naruto let's out a yell. His hands were pulled apart and Naruto fought with it to keep them together. One of his hands comes up and grabs Naruto by the neck. Naruto gasp as Sasuke's one eye turned towards Naruto's side. "I should've finished you off the last time we saw each other." Naruto struggles to get the hand off and it felt like something was squirming in his shirt. His jacket unzips and Sakura's head comes out.
"Why? Why, Naruto." Naruto looks at Sakura. "When Sasuke left, why didn't you bring him back to me?" Sakura glared at Naruto. "I was wrong to believe in you." Naruto was screaming inside at her words. Kakashi's head started forming in Naruto's other arm. Kakashi looked at Naruto.
"You couldn't even protect your closest friends. I expected more from you, but you're a failure." Naruto was sweating.
"As always." Naruto gasped, hearing Gaara's voice. "No matter what, you come out ahead." Naruto lifted his hand and gasped to see Gaara's eye on his hand that wasn't around his neck. "Only you achieve happiness." Naruto felt tears filling his eyes and closed them as they came down his checks.
'Just a genjutsu. I know that's all it is, but still.' Naruto thought. Itachi stood, watching Naruto.
"Naruto." Sakura nearly growled out his name. "Why did I believe in you?"
"You're such a disappointment. Naruto." Kakashi said.
"Such an easy life. So lucky." Gaara said.
"Now, at long last, I'll finish you!" Sasuke said. Naruto closes his eyes and reaches for his neck, spitting out blood in the process.
'Damnit. Damnit. Damnit! This isn't happening, but I can't..." Naruto gasped for air. He was trying to remember how to break out of it.
"Liar. You broke your promise to me." Sakura said. The others seemed to repeat what they kept saying. Naruto was starting to get annoyed at their words.
"Somebody... Give me chakra. Kakashi-sensei, Saskura. Please. Somebody please." Naruto said. Naruto gasped as he snapped out of it. Akina, Sakura, and Chiyo had their hands on Naruto. Akina was at Naruto's back. An explosion of ground came as Itachi jumped out of the way. Kakashi landed on the ground. Itachi moved into the air as Shikamaru used his shadow jutsu to try and get him. Shikamaru was near them, knealing on the ground.
"Damnit. He's fast." Shikamaru said.
"Naruto. Are you alright?" Kakashi asked.
"What happened to me?" Naruto asked.
"You were caught in a genjutsu, but you're gonna be fine." Sakura said.
"We all funneled our chakra into you and broke the hold." Akina explained. The ladies let Naruto go. Akina went to stand next to Sakura. Itachi was still watching them.
"I don't get it. Where did his shadow clones go?" Naruto asked.
"What do you mean, his shadow clones? Why, he's used no such thing the entire time we've been here." Chiyo said.
"Yeah, all of a sudden, you kind of freaked out and started shooting off your Rasengan at absolutely nothing." Sakura said. Akina was eyeing Naruto.
"Don't you remember any of that?" Akina asked. Shikamaru looked at Naruto over is shoulder. Naruto gasped at the memory.
"You're saying I was already in the genjutsu?" Naruto asked. Akina looked at Itachi, making sure to avoid his eyes.
'He's using more than just visual jutsu then.' Akina thought. Shikamaru stood up as they all faced Itachi.
"I think it's about time for the main event. Better get it together, Naruto." Kakashi said. Naruto looked at Itachi in surprise. Sakura put a hand to Naruto's face.
"Hey, snap out of it, will you?" Sakura said.
"We got this. Snap out of it." Akina said. Naruto looked at his two good friends.
"Come on, Naruto. I'll show you how it's done." Kakashi said, not turning around. Naruto nodded. Kakashi charged at Itachi. Itachi made hand movements. Fire shot in balls at Kakashi, who dodged them fast.
"Whoa. What a dodge!" Sakura said.
"He's not done yet!" Kakashi called. Akina gritted her teeth as Itachi put a hand to his mouth and a huge fire ball heads towards Naruto and the others. Akina jumps out of the way with the others. Akina landed on the ground next to Shikamaru as the dust started to clear. Kakashi came out of the smoke with lightning almost dancing around him.
"Chidori." Shikamaru told Akina as she watched in amazement. Akina nodded. She heard it was Kakashi's move. It was her first time seeing it in person. Kakashi ran towards Itachi, destroying the ground where the blade was.
"Lightning blade!" Kakashi yelled as he aimed it at Itachi, but he moved before Kakashi could hit him. Naruto got above Itachi, using a Shadow Clone to make a Rasegan.
"Rasengan!" Naruto yelled. He hit Itachi in the chest and they hit the ground. Akina and Shikamaru hid behind trees with the others.
"Did he get him?" Shikamaru called.
"I don't know." Akina said, looking out at the area. The dust was slowing down. "Naruto!" The smoke cleared and Akina's eyes widen as Itachi stood by the hole that Naruto made, unhurt.
"Well now. He's learned an interesting Jutsu, hasn't he? However." Itachi said, eyes moving towards the trees.
"This is a drag." Shikamaru said with a sigh.
"Akina." Mushu called. Akina ignored him.
"He's wasting time for us to get to Gaara." Akina said, looking at the others. Chiyo didn't look happy. Mist started to form around the area, making almost a fog.
'Where's Naruto? What is this Jutsu?' Akina thought. Akina was stiffened.
"Don't worry, girls. This jutsu is Kakashi's." Chiyo said.
Wait. Are you saying?" Sakura asked.
"But the mist is getting thicker, so we all need to focus now. You must keep your attention firmly fixed on Kakashi's presence." Chiyo said.
"Right." The young ones said. Akina watched from the tree. Itachi was just standing there, waiting.
"Kakashi. Can we please stop this childish game of hide and seek?" Itachi said. Kakashi comes out and faces Itachi.
"Sure. Why not." Kakashi said. They stood facing each other. Kakashi tosses some Kurni at Itachi, who dodged them. Itachi sends a Fireball Jutsu at Kakashi and it explodes. The smoke clears and Kakashi had disappeared. Kakashi bursts from the ground, aiming a punch at Itachi, who moves out of the way. Itachi reaches for Kakashi and grabs his arm. Itachi grabs Kakashi by the back of the neck. Both stare each other down.
"Not again." Akina said. Shikamaru gritted his teeth.
"Don't tell me Kakashi-sensei is caught in Itachi's genjutsu." Sakura said.
"I don't think so." Shikamaru said, watching closely. Another Kakashi appears behind him. "Itachi is holding a Shadown Clone.
"Attack him and my shadow clone. Now, Naruto! Akina!" Kakashi yelled. Akina was behind Itachi with a wood hand. She lets out a yell and punches both of them, sending them flying towards Naruto.
"I'm on it!" Naruto charged with his shadow clone as they both held a Rasengan in their hands as they charged at Itachi and the clone of Kakashi. "Giant Rasengan!" Akina jumped out of the way as they hit Itachi. The shadow clone of Kakashi disappeared. The ground exploded.
"Incredible." Akina said, landing on the ground next to Naruto.
"What the? What's with the smirk?" Naruto said. Naruto had seen Itachi smirk at him as he had disappeared. The wood fell off Akina's hand. Everyone came out as they gathered around where Itachi landed. Akina stared down in horror. Naruto let out a growl.
"What on earth?" Chiyo asked.
"This can't be good." Shikamaru said.
"When we were fighting, I could feel something was off." Kakashi said.
"I don't get it. What the heck just happened?" Naruto said.
"I knew it was a trap." Mushu called in Akina's head.
"It has to be some kinda jutsu." Sakura said.
"He was wasting our time." Akina growled. It was another man in Itachi's place. It wasn't him. Kakashi looked at Chiyo.
"Lady Chiyo. Do you know this person?" Kakashi asked. Akina looked at Chiyo and saw the old woman looking at the man with reconition.
"I do. His name is Yura, and he's a Jonin from our own village." Chiyo said. Everyone stared at the man in horror.
"A Sand Shinobi?" Akina whispered.
"What does this mean?" Kakashi asked.
"I whished I knew. Poor fool. He went missing after Gaara was abducted while the village was still in disarray." Chiyo said. Shikamaru rubbed the back of his head. He wasn't liking this and saw the stress on Akina's face.
"Is it possible he was a spy for the Akasuki." Shikamaru asked.
"No. He served on the council for four years." Chiyo said. Akina was lost in thought as the others talked.
'I don't like any of this.' Akina thought.
Mushu was back at the husk of the 10 tails. Pulling out the 1 tails was almost complete as all the eyes were open.
"Akina." Akina looked up at Mushu's voice. "They are almost done with Gaara. You need to move fast."
"We need to go moving. They were stalling for time. The 10 tails dragon has been keeping an eye on him and its not looking good." Akina said.
"He can do it?" Chiyo asked.
"He's tied to the tailed beasts more then we know." Akina said.
"Then we'll head out." Kakashi said. Naruto and Akina share looks. They took off running. Naruto and Akina taking the lead, both worried about Gaara.
'Hold on Gaara.' Akina thought as they disappeared into the trees.
AN: Sorry for the hold. Merry Christmas. Till next time.