Itachi had spent several days observing and learning about the world of jujutsu sorcerers. The energy, or "cursed energy," as they called it, was entirely different from chakra, yet similar in its potential for destruction and manipulation. Itachi's sharp mind quickly adapted to the nuances of this new system, and he found himself growing more curious about its limits.
Gojo Satoru, always light-hearted and laid-back, had taken a particular interest in Itachi, often nudging him to spar or train together. For Itachi, who had spent years in solitude and combat, the idea of testing his strength in this new world seemed inevitable.
One evening, under a fading sun, Gojo approached Itachi with a wide grin. "Hey, Itachi. You've been pretty quiet since you got here. How about a sparring match? I've been itching to see what you can really do."
Itachi studied Gojo for a moment, his Sharingan analyzing the easy confidence that radiated from the sorcerer. Gojo wasn't arrogant—he simply understood the extent of his power. But Itachi sensed something deeper, a calm beneath Gojo's playful exterior.
"Are you sure?" Itachi asked, his tone calm and composed. "You may find that my abilities are… different from what you're used to."
Gojo chuckled, raising his hand to adjust his sunglasses. "That's exactly what I'm hoping for! You've got these cool red eyes and that giant Susano'o. I bet you've got a few more tricks up your sleeve."
Itachi nodded slowly. He wasn't one to show off, but he could feel Gojo's curiosity—and part of him wanted to test himself against this new world's strongest sorcerer. Without another word, he stepped onto the training field, the air growing heavier as he focused his chakra.
Gojo, still smiling, casually stepped forward, his posture loose, as if he didn't take the fight seriously. "Let's do this, then. Show me what an Uchiha can do!"
--
The spar began with an intense stillness. Itachi activated his Sharingan, red tomoe spinning as he analyzed Gojo's movements, searching for any weaknesses. Gojo, however, remained completely relaxed, hands in his pockets, waiting for Itachi to make the first move.
Itachi struck first, his speed almost blinding as he closed the distance in an instant, aiming a precise blow at Gojo's midsection. But the moment his hand should have made contact, it simply passed through Gojo, as though the sorcerer wasn't even there.
"Infinity," Gojo said with a grin. "Pretty cool, huh?"
Itachi stepped back, assessing the situation. Gojo's cursed technique—Limitless—was effectively a barrier that slowed anything approaching him to an infinite degree, rendering him untouchable. Itachi narrowed his eyes. If physical attacks were useless, he would have to approach the fight differently.
Without a word, Itachi weaved hand signs, summoning a barrage of crows that swarmed Gojo. But even as the crows closed in, they, too, were stopped by the invisible barrier around the sorcerer.
"Come on, Itachi! You're gonna need something more impressive than birds if you want to win," Gojo taunted, still calm, still amused.
Itachi didn't respond. Instead, his Sharingan spun once more, this time casting a powerful genjutsu. The world around Gojo warped, and suddenly, he was standing in a vast, empty field of crows, endless and suffocating. For a moment, Gojo's smile faltered as he realized the shift.
"A genjutsu, huh?" Gojo muttered, his voice echoing in the illusion. "This is definitely different from cursed techniques."
Inside the illusion, the crows circled closer, their cries piercing the air as the sky darkened. Gojo could feel the weight of Itachi's mental manipulation pressing down on him, a potent and alien form of control he hadn't experienced before. But Gojo's composure quickly returned.
"Nice trick, but it won't hold me for long." His six eyes, hidden beneath the blindfold, began analyzing the illusion, searching for its weak point.
Before he could fully break free, Itachi acted. Using the genjutsu as a distraction, Itachi summoned his Susano'o. The massive, spectral warrior emerged behind him, wielding its glowing blade. Without hesitation, Itachi swung, his sword cleaving through the air with terrifying speed. This was no simple physical attack—it was imbued with chakra, powered by his will to break through Gojo's defense.
For the first time in the match, Gojo's casual demeanor shifted into something more serious. He raised his hand, and a barrier of cursed energy flared to life around him. But Susano'o's blade pressed against it with crushing force, and Gojo's Infinite Barrier began to tremble.
"You're really pushing me here, Itachi," Gojo said, his smile fading as he realized the intensity of Itachi's attack.
In that split second, Itachi's Sharingan flickered, and Gojo suddenly felt his cursed energy falter. For a brief moment, his Limitless was disrupted, leaving him vulnerable. The blade of Itachi's Susano'o connected, sending Gojo flying across the field. He skidded to a halt, his sunglasses askew and his usual grin wiped from his face.
Gojo slowly got to his feet, dusting off his clothes. He looked at Itachi with newfound respect. "Well, that was something. No one's ever managed to break through Infinity like that before."
Itachi let his Susano'o dissipate, watching Gojo carefully. His Sharingan caught every micro-movement, every breath. He had won the exchange, but he knew Gojo still had more power left to reveal.
"You disrupted my cursed energy for a second there," Gojo continued, clearly impressed. "You used some kind of mental attack to break my concentration, didn't you?"
Itachi didn't respond immediately, but after a moment, he gave a small nod. "Genjutsu. It affects the mind and perception. Even the strongest defense can be bypassed if the mind is distracted."
Gojo laughed, the sound light and genuine. "I like you, Itachi. You're sharp. And that was one hell of a move. I guess I'll have to take you a bit more seriously next time."
The spar was over, but the tension in the air lingered. Itachi had proven that he could stand toe-to-toe with the strongest sorcerer in this world, but both knew the fight could have escalated further. Gojo's limitless power and Itachi's mastery of genjutsu made them near equals, though in this match, Itachi had claimed victory.
As Gojo adjusted his sunglasses, the smile returned to his face. "Well, that was fun. I'll have to think twice before challenging you again."
Itachi, ever stoic, simply nodded. "You fought well."
As the two walked off the field, side by side, there was an unspoken understanding between them. Itachi was no ordinary newcomer to this world—he was a force to be reckoned with. And Gojo, for the first time in a long time, had found someone who could push him to his limits.
