Fugaku surveyed the defense, eyes narrowed as he looked over his men. The Hyuga and sensors had picked up sights of a large Iwa shinobi force mobilizing in their direction. Since then, the fort was on full alert, waiting for the inevitable attack. The Uchiha stood atop the tallest tower in the fort, waiting for when they would first get visual of their enemy. Approximately five miles of the fort were cleared of forest so as to allow clear lines of sight from any attacking force when it was built. There was no way to approach without visuals. He glanced down at his son. The man was standing on the foremost wall of the fort with other shinobi, although he was located next to the Raiton (Lightning Release) users. He would handle their first layer of defense.
Then it was the job of the Suiton (Water Release) users to flood the area approaching the fort. Force the invaders to use more chakra to reach them, even if it was minor in the water walking technique. If they were too slow, they'd be electrocuted as well by the water being charged with the electricity. And if all of that did not work the relatively small Doton (Earth Release) users would sink the ground before them to create inescapable pits where the shinobi would be killed. If they reached the fort through all of that then it would be his job to lead the remaining forces to engage. The Branch members of the Hyuga Clan that were here, Inuzuka Clan members that answered to him, and finally his own clan members and other no-clan shinobi. It was a formidable defense.
And it wasn't long before their defense was to be tested. Just as the sun reached its peak in the sky, eliminating all shadows, the Iwa shinobi attacked. Fugaku had to commend them. They had effectively made any Nara significantly less useful. A cautious approach. Of course, there were no Nara's in the base, so the strategy made little sense. Of course, when the massive lava ball flew through the air he realized exactly why that strategy was less so for the Nara Clan and more for Iwa's benefit.
Roshi was here.
The lava ball was partially halted thanks to a combination jutsu from the Suiton users. The molten rock had been cooled instantly and was now just a flying giant rock headed directly at their fortress walls. However, it never reached the location, being destroyed by two massive bolts of lightning. Fugaku smirked. His son had not been surprised by the attack. He had led them well. But if the Jinchuriki was here that made this situation significantly more difficult.
The armies of Iwa roared their approach, the earth beneath their feet rising up to form defensive walls as bolts of lightning flashed down at them. Despite their elemental disadvantage the bolts failed to break the defensive structures with one blast. They eventually fell, but only under repeated assaults. The shields gave the Iwa shinobi ample time to approach. It was not without casualty, but it was an effective negation of their lightning. Of course, the Konoha force did not maintain that strategy once they saw it was failing. Water drenched the battlefield in a wave, roaring towards the Iwa shinobi. The liquid was too wide to create sufficient pressure to smash through the earthen structures, but they provided a perfect opportunity for the lightning users to be more effective. Electricity sparked through the water, causing the Iwa shinobi to cry out as their body was assaulted by the volts.
Even this failed to stop their advance for long. Some Iwa shinobi elevated the ground before them, creating platforms to leap too to avoid the electrified water. However, just because they could avoid the threats on the ground did not mean they could avoid danger altogether. Explosions rang out, courtesy of explosive tags on kunai via the Konoha shinobi. Screams echoed throughout the area. Fugaku smiled. If the Iwa shinobi did breach the walls, they would have little shinobi left to show for it. They would win, even if they did have the Jinchuriki. They had leapt in headfirst with no plan, and they would pay for that.
That was when the ground underneath the fort erupted and Iwa shinobi flew out likes ants, roaring their battle cry. The surprise gave them more than enough time to kill a substantial amount of Konoha shinobi before they were ready. The reserves were taking a hit and half of the Iwa force was already assaulting the walls from the rear, giving the original attacking force more space to maneuver and approach. A singular man stepped out of the hole after the shinobi left, wearing black armor that showed the Tsuchikage symbol on his chest.
"Kill every Konoha shinobi you see!"
Fugaku's eyes bled crimson as he leapt from the tower towards the kage. He had been outmanuevered. A pincer attack utilizing an underground tunnel to avoid detection. Konoha forces would rout if he didn't do anything. He had to rally their forces. But he similarly couldn't let the Tsuchikage run rampant. He had to be delayed first. He swung a kunai at the man only for him to deflect it with his armor, the man's eyes narrowing and instantly looking at Fugaku's feet.
"Fugaku Uchiha."
"Yondaime Tsuchikage."
Akatsuchi reached up, reaching out to grab Fugaku's arm only for the man to kick off of the breastplate of Akatsuchi's armor. Akatsuchi grunted, turning towards the reserves of the Konoha force. His body blurred forwards, reaching out to grab a Konoha shinobi only for Fugaku to halt his attack. The Clan Head snorted, smashing a foot onto Akatsuchi's chest to force him back.
"Not interested in fighting me?"
"Not particularly no."
Fugaku grinned.
"The rumors about you are true. You're pragmatic."
Akatsuchi shrugged.
"I have no interest in fighting a threat such as yourself alone. It's not good strategy."
Fugaku shot forwards, lashing out with a kunai only for Akatsuchi to catch him by the wrist. Fugaku grunted, lashing out with a knee only for Akatsuchi to block it with his elbow. The kage threw his head forward, cracking it against Fugaku's face. The man reeled backwards, blood shooting from his nose. The Iwa shinobi followed up with a palm strike to Fugaku's chest only for his body to melt into mud. Akatsuchi's eyes widened, and he turned, just barely deflecting the kunai that threatened to tear out his throat. His eyes narrowed.
"You're annoying."
Fugaku grinned. The man lashed out with his fist only to bet met firmly by Akatsuchi's own. The larger man grunted, overwhelming Fugaku's strength quickly and grabbed Fugaku's shoulder. He pulled the man in suddenly, smashing a knee into his stomach. Fugaku keeled over, spit flying from his mouth. Akatsuchi dropped his elbow onto the Uchiha's back, smashing him into the ground. He raised his foot, a frown on his face.
"I expected better from you, Uchiha."
He dropped his boot, cratering Fugaku's head and sending blood and gray matter flying in every direction. The Tsuchikage looked around at the Konoha shinobi, only for his vision to begin to swim.
"What?"
He realized it a second later, flooding his chakra network. The world shattered like glass, revealing the Konoha shinobi fighting successfully against the Iwa shinobi despite their surprise attack. In fact, despite their previously being a numbers advantage for his forces it seemed roughly even if the dead bodies of the Iwa shinobi were anything to go by.
"Those fucking eyes," Akatsuchi hissed.
"Indeed," Fugaku stated, looking at the Tsuchikage atop a pile of Iwa corpses. "These. Fucking. Eyes."
Akatsuchi snarled.
"Iwa shinobi! Slaughter the Konoha forces! Leave Fugaku Uchiha to me!"
Fugaku grinned, his crimson orbs spinning.
"There we go."
Akatsuchi leapt forwards, earth forming on his hands. Fugaku's eyes narrowed.
'Elite chakra control.'
The man roared as he smashed his hands downwards, but Fugaku easily avoided the attack, his eyes spinning. He lashed out with a kick that threatened to smash into Akatsuchi's head. However, the kage was too quick, tilting his head. He grabbed Fugaku's leg, spinning and throwing the man towards the wall. Fugaku grunted as his back impacted against the wall, only to immediately leap away as Akatsuchi punched through the air where he once was. The blow cratered the stone wall, causing Fugaku's eyes to narrow. He formed one handseal before he unleashed a gout of flame that coated the kage. Still, it didn't seem to affect him, marching through the flame, using his rock-covered hands to protect his flesh from the flame. Fugaku's eyes narrowed, leaping away before Akatsuchi could grab him. The mountain of a man roared in outrage, smashing his hands together. A massive dragon of stone erupted from the ground, threatening to eat the Uchiha only for him to leap away once more from the attack.
The dragon did not stop there, roaring towards him once more. Fugaku absent-mindedly launched an explosive kunai into the mouth of the dragon, detonating it and causing rubble to rain onto the ground. He shot forwards the second the beast was destroyed, lashing out with a kunai towards Akatsuchi's throat. The kage deflected the attack, lashing out with a fist that just barely missed Fugaku's face. Fugaku grunted, his fist flying forwards to smash against Akatsuchi's breastplate. The Uchiha roared, chakra pumping through his arm as he dented the armor and sent Akatsuchi skidding backwards. Fugaku rushed forwards immediately, launching his kunai forwards. Akatsuchi deflected the weapon, eyes narrowing as he saw the patriarch of the Uchiha rush in. The man caught Fugaku's fist as a puff of smoke appeared in his other hand, courtesy of a seal. He grabbed the massive war hammer it released, roaring as he swung it at Fugaku's head. It was only through a hasty substitution that it shattered wood instead of a skull.
Fugaku glared down at the man from atop one of the many towers in the fort, gritting his teeth. He couldn't stay in close combat against the man for long periods of time. He was stronger than him and clearly a better taijutsu combatant. His eyes were the only thing giving him a fighting chance. That war hammer only made things worse. He wouldn't get up from any hit from that monstrosity. Especially with the strength required to wield it with one hand. The Uchiha narrowed his eyes, weaving through handseals. Ninjutsu it was.
Of course, the Tsuchikage was not simply going to stand there as he was peppered with attacks. He dashed forwards the second the fireball left Fugaku's lips, moving at speeds that disagreed with his size. He roared, leaping onto the fort walls, and sprinting up them, smashing his war hammer on the tower. Fugaku's eyes widened as it cracked and shattered, falling to the ground it a storm of debris. He leapt into the air, desperate to avoid the Tsuchikage only for the man to jump to meet him. He swung his hammer, aiming to pulverize the Uchiha's chest. Fugaku quickly tucked his body, pressing his legs out just as the hammer neared to rocket himself away and negate the attack. The war hammer flew from Akatsuchi's hands into the ground courtesy of the overloading of the tree walking technique. Fugaku flipped through the air, smashing his feet against the ground before he rushed Akatsuchi, desperate to not allow him to grasp the weapon again. His assault was halted instantly by walls of earth that rose up to dissaude him. It took him seconds to shatter them, but those seconds were all the Tsuchikage needed to regain his weapon and swing them at Fugaku's head. The patriarch slid underneath the attack; his eyes wide as the hammer flew over his head. He quickly rose to his feet and launched an explosive kunai at the Tsuchikage only for it to be batted away, an explosion filling the sky courtesy of the sealing tag.
"I did not imagine the legendary Fugaku Uchiha to be such a cowardly fighter. Is hit and run all you know how to do?"
Fugaku grit his teeth. This wasn't a great matchup for him like this. He knew relatively few Raiton jutsu to pierce his earthen defenses. And his flames clearly had no impact on the man as he had walked through them earlier. His taijutsu was insufficient. This would be an annoying battle. That much was clear. Fugaku weaved handsigns together, eyes narrowed. If he didn't have any jutsu he knew he would simply have to use jutsu he copied.
Fugaku shot forwards, lightning crackling along his fist. Akatsuchi's eyes widened at the sudden shift in strategy, swinging his hammer to desperate stop Fugaku's charge. Yet the crimson orbs of the Sharingan were not just for show, having shown Fugaku the path of the attack before Akatsuchi had even moved. The man slipped underneath the weapon, smashing his palm against the plated armor that covered Akatsuchi's chest. The man howled as electricity coursed through his veins, stepping backwards to free himself. Fugaku was not going to let up, both of his hands covered in electricity as he charged once more.
"Raiton: Erekiteru (Lightning Release: Elekiter)!"
Akatsuchi desperately dodged the blows, his bulky body barely able to keep out of the way of Fugaku's swift strikes. He grunted, slamming his foot on the ground with a blast of chakra. The force shattered the ground and forced Fugaku back, allowing Akatsuchi to raise his hammer. He roared as he swung it at Fugaku's head, the Uchiha desperately dodging the attack. Akatsuchi snarled, twirling the hammer with one hand to swipe up at Fugaku's arm. The man stepped sideways, allowing it to cleanly pass him before he struck up with his palm, cracking Akatsuchi's head upwards. Fugaku grunted, leaping away as he weaved handseals.
"Raiton: Jinraisen (Lightning Release: Thunderclap Arrow)!"
Fugaku snarled and flung his hand forwards, releasing a bolt of lightning that shot towards Akatsuchi. The bolt impacted with the Tsuchikage sending him flying into a nearby stone wall, the structure crumbling on top of him. Fugaku smirked as the sight. He wasn't able to celebrate for long however as three Iwa shinobi charged at him, desperate to kill him. He grunted, easily catching the swordsman by the wrist and disarming him before using his blade to cut down his assailants. He turned to his forces.
"Keep the Iwa shinobi away from me! I will defeat the Tsuchikage. Once you have cleared the fort of the scrum surround the Tsuchikage but do not engage!"
"I agree," came the call. Fugaku turned, staring at Akatsuchi who shoved a sizeable boulder off of him. "Don't bother engaging with Fugaku Uchiha or his son Itachi Iwa. You will be unable to defeat them. They are for me and Roshi alone."
"Sir," came the call from all forces to their respective commanders. Akatsuchi grinned, grabbing the boulder with one hand.
"Now where were we?"
He threw the boulder at Fugaku, the man's eyes widening at the action. He barely dodged it, turning to see Akatsuchi land right next to him, a savage grin on his face. The kage batted the Uchiha with his arm, sending him skipping across the ground. Akatsuchi grinned, weaving handseals before he smashed his hands on the ground. A giant dragon of stone and earth roared itself into existence, rushing at Fugaku. It smased into the patriarch, only for him to shatter into a wooden barrel. Akatsuchi's eyes narrowed, turning to where Fugaku now stood, blood dripping from his mouth and nose.
"You really like the Kawarimi (Substitution)."
Fugaku did not bother responding. He merely drew two more kunai, fire licking the weapons. He rushed forwards, lashing out at Akatsuchi only for the man to turn, the weapon scratching off of his armor. The large man spun, his shoulder smashing into Fugaku's chest and shoving him backwards. A hammer swung towards the Uchiha's head, forcing him to duck in desperation. However, Akatsuchi had expected that, and his knee shot up as Fugaku dropped, the patriarch's head snapping upwards. Akatsuchi grinned, grabbing Fugaku's throat and squeezing, causing the Uchiha to attempt to gasp for air yet nothing filled his lungs.
Akatsuchi grinned, raising his hammer.
"You lose Fugaku Uchiha."
Fugaku's eyes spun, his eyes locking with Akatsuchi. The kage realized his mistake, instantly shattering the illusion placed on him. But the brief distraction was enough for Fugaku to escape, the man kneeling on the ground. His body leapt upwards, his flaming kunai carving against Akatsuchi's armor. The kage grunted, stepping backwards. Fugaku wasn't done, lashing out with a flurry of combinations but they failed to pierce the man's armored defenses. However, the pressure stopped Akatsuchi from retaliating. The fight seemed like it would continue in that manner, only for a massive explosion to shake the duo's footing, forcing them to separate. Fugaku turned to the side, irritation on his face as he saw one of the walls cave in thanks to a massive lava ball. Akatsuchi grinned.
"Well, I can't let myself be outdone by Roshi here can I?"
The man roared, swinging his hammer at Fugaku. The Uchiha deftly sidesteped the attack, quickly getting inside Akatsuchi's guard. His kunai slashed at the gaps in the man's armor, barely able to cut into the man. Akatsuchi snarled, lashing out with an elbow that smashed into Fugaku's chest. Fugaku stumbled backwards, blood flying from his mouth. Akatsuchi roared, swinging his hammer again only for Fugaku to slip in once more, the man driving his knives onto Akatsuchi's breastplate. They were barely able to dig deep enough to stay there. The kage snorted.
"That won't work!"
The kage batted Fugaku into the air, but the man grinned the entire time despite that.
"Boom."
The kunai detonated, a massive explosion filling the area. Fugaku flipped through the air, landing in front of a wall as he stared at the smoke. As it cleared it revealed an injured Akatsuchi, half of his breastplate shattered, and his left gauntlet destroyed. Fugaku grinned at the sight. Finally, vulnerabilities.
"You're a clever man Fugaku Uchiha," the kage stated, burn marks marring his chest and neck. "I'll give you that."
Fugaku smirked, cracking his neck.
"And you can no longer defeat me."
Akatsuchi dropped his hammer on the ground, weaving handsigns. "Oh really?"
Fugaku snorted before he leapt at Akatsuchi. "You know I can read your handsigns!"
The kage grinned, his hands finishing in a ram seal. Fugaku's eyes widened.
'What? That's not the Doton: Gōremu no Jutsu (Earth Release: Golem Technique)!'
Akatsuchi smashed his hands on the ground, releasing a giant dust cloud. Fugaku instantly halted his rush, glowing red eyes desperately searching for any sign of movement. It came when a stone fist smashed itself in his side, sending him skipping across the ground and into a nearby wall. The man grunted, gingerly placing a hand at his side.
'Three.'
The man slowly rose, wincing through the pain that lanced through his body and blood leaking from his mouth. He glared at Akatsuchi as the smoke cleared, revealing the man flanked by two earthen golems.
"I can no longer defeat you...right?"
Fugaku grunted, his hand on his side courtesy of his injuries.
'I can't use my speed with these injuries. Moving at all sends pain through my body.'
The Uchiha smirked. So, this was a kage?
'You were on this level huh Minato? No...you were even further beyond this. I see why you were chosen.'
"The tales of your abilities do not do you justice Tsuchikage."
"And the tales of yours overestimate you."
Fugaku smirked.
"I see."
'But I have had time to close that gap...Minato.'
Fugaku's eyes began to spin, changing shape. His tomoe condensed into dots as three curved lines shot from a ring around his pupil. Finally, a thick black circle connected the three dots in his eyes. Wicked chakra flickered off of his body, killing intent flooding the area. Even Akatsuchi took a step back in worry, sweat falling down his brow.
'If I can't move, I'll simply create defenses that surpass even that of the Tsuchikage.'
"What is this? I have never seen a Sharingan like that before."
Fugaku smirked.
"This is the secret weapon of the Uchiha Clan. The Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. You should be honored. I have only used these eyes on a select few. None have lived to tell the tale."
Akatsuchi grinned.
"Then I shall be the first."
The golems charged Fugaku, throwing a punch at the stationary man only for a magenta chakra rib to stop the attack cold. Akatsuchi's eyse widened as Fugaku grinned, a full set of ribs and arms forming around him. The arms quickly smashed two of the golems, the last one retreating backwards before it could be destroyed.
"What is that?"
Fugaku's grin deepened.
"This is the might of the Uchiha, Tsuchikage. Now come. Be the first to defeat it."
Itachi watched as the assaulting Iwa forces were assailed by explosive kunai. They would be hard pressed to breach the walls at this rate. It was a foolish assault, even with the Yonbi Jinchuriki assisting them. That was when he heard the shatter of rock. He turned, his eyes widening as he saw the Iwa shinobi inside of the fort courtesy of a massive tunnel dug by their Doton users. He grimaced, preparing to order a retreat from the walls only for him to see his father dive bomb on top of the Tsuchikage. He grimaced but nodded.
It was his job to man the walls. He would leave the rest up to his father.
"Raiton users, supercharge the water! Evaporate it. We'll unleash a hail of explosive kunai using the cover!"
"Sir!"
The Raiton users quickly got to work, sending out bolts of electricity that fried the water. As it superheated steam began to cover the ground, Itachi's Sharingan flashing to life. The Iwa shinobi continued to advance, but their numbers were significantly smaller. He watched as his forces unleashed a storm of explosives, blowing the steam away along with Iwa bodies. When the smoke cleared all that could be seen was the strewn apart bits of Iwa shinobi. Itachi frowned at the sight but stared forwards. Roshi, the Jinhcuriki, stared back, a force of roughly 100 Iwa shinobi behind him. The remainder of their forces.
The two locked eyes, glaring at one another. How would Roshi react to his strategy? The man was a brute in every sense of the manner. There was no way he would opt for a more discrete strategy of approaching the battlefield. Itachi was proven correct as Roshi himself charged the fort once more, his force remaining where they were. Itachi's eyes narrowed.
'He's going to punch a hole through himself huh?'
His thoughts were proven correct as a red chakra cloak with two tails bubbled up around Roshi. The man smirked, grinning at Itachi as oppressive chakra covered the area. Itachi grit his teeth. The Konoha shinobi couldn't stop this. Roshi roared, a lava ball flying from his mouth at high speed. It would have struck the walls if Itachi had not already started speeding through handseals.
"Kuchiyose: Rashōmon (Summoning Jutsu: Rashomon)!"
The massive gate had only risen halfway before the lava ball collided with it, sending a deafening ringing that echoed throughout the area. The gate was blown apart, shrapnel flying in every direction.
"Get down!"
The Konoha shinobi flung themselves to the ground, desperate to avoid the showering lava, jagged edges, and chunks of wood and steel. When the shower ended Itachi and his forces rose, only for their eyes to widen as two balls of lava were flying in their direction. Itachi's eyes widened.
"Off the walls now!"
The Konoha forces tried to react fast enough, but it was too late. Only half of the forces managed to get off the wall before the first ball struck, blowing a hole through the gate. It was only due to the quick thinking of a quartet of Suiton and Raiton users that the other ball was stopped before it struck. They had sacrificed their lives, dying upon the impact of the first ball, but they had managed to stop the second attack. Itachi grimaced at seeing their defenses be blown through so easily. The roar of the approaching Iwa shinobi was almost deafening. The Jinchuriki had completely overwhelmed them.
"Regroup at the barricades. We cannot let them break through to regroup with their other forces! Himiko, you're in charge!"
"But sir what about you?"
Itachi's eyes spun, leaping back onto the destroyed wall to glare at Roshi as Iwa shinobi rushed by the man.
"I have a Jinchuriki to stop."
A storm of jutsu shot towards him, but Itachi easily navigated by them, leaping onto the outside of the fort to rush towards Roshi. The Iwa shinobi were not keen on them reaching their Jinchuriki. They rushed towards the Uchiha, desperately attacking in a flurry of taijutsu but their attacks all missed. None even came close to striking his form. It was like he was a ghost, completely intangible to them. Unfortunately for the Iwa shinobi they were not intangible to him. Kunai shot into Itachi's hands, and he laid waste to his assailants. His attacks were sharp and quick. Like lightning. All were aimed at vitals. Slashing of the throat, cutting vertebral arteries, subclavian and femoral cuts. His kunai were not even coated in any chakra. The speed and force of his strikes alone were cutting through his enemies. When he finally slashed open a celiac artery he grunted, the shinobi dropping to his knees before Itachi, holding their stomach. Itachi grunted, slashing open their neck and watching as they dropped to the ground. His body was covered in blood, none more so than his hands. It made for a terrifying sight.
Roshi grinned.
"Now that you're through the chafe, let's get started with the real thing, shall we?"
Roshi crouched, his chakra cloak no longer surrounding him. Had he taken it down after he launched the attack? That was the only explanation. But why? Itachi frowned. He would have time to ponder it later. Roshi was coming.
The man leapt forwards. The man's speed was absurd. Far above the league of even most elite shinobi. There were few people in the entirety of the Elemental Nations that had the ability to react to react to that type of speed.
Itachi was one of those people.
The man sidestepped just as Roshi's fist reached the area his face once was, both of their chakra's flaring aggressively. Roshi swiped with the same hand, forcing Itachi to duck only for Roshi's knee swing upwards. Itachi raised his arms, blocking the strike although the force sent him flying upwards into the air. Roshi leapt after him, a stream of lava following him at his feet as he flipped in the air. Roshi roared, bringing down his foot towards Itachi's back only for the Uchiha to deftly grasp the limb and use it to fling himself out of the way. Itachi and Roshi landed on his feet, Roshi smashing into the ground with a deafening THUD. Itachi's head snapped upwards just as Roshi appeared in front of him, the man's body coated in a red hue as a punch was cocked back. Roshi roared out as he launched his punch, Itachi's head snapping to the side to avoid the attack. Itachi's eyes narrowed, his fist smashing into Roshi's stomach. Roshi grunted, but pressed forwards anyway, grabbing the back of Itachi's head. Itachi's eyes widened as Roshi grinned. The Jinchuriki leapt forwards as he pulled Itachi's head in, smashing his knee into Itachi's face, and snapping it backwards, blood shooting into the air.
Roshi's grin vanished the Itachi before him faded into the air as fire torched his back. He grunted, turning despite being bathed in flame to look at Itachi, the Uchiha standing not far away, a kunai stained with blood in his hand. Roshi glanced down at the stab wound on his stomach, leaking blood. The Jinchuriki frowned.
"Those fucking illusions of yours."
Lava slowly eeked out of Roshi's skin before he was entirely covered in it. Heat came off him in waves, and the ground below him began to dry up and combust into flames. Itachi frowned.
"And that armor of yours Roshi-san."
Roshi roared before he rushed in once more. His fist surged forwards, forcing Itachi to leap away lest he be burned by the heat the man radiated. Roshi continued the assault, forcing Itachi completely on the defensive. The man couldn't do anything physically except avoid Roshi's attack. Any counter would lead to serious burns forming on his body. He couldn't even stand close to the man. He was completely unassailable. And yet despite that the Uchiha never once looked worried about the situation he was in. Instead, his face was completely calm. As Roshi attacked Itachi began to weave handseals, keeping his feet moving to maintain his ability. Roshi snarled, irritation showing on his face at the Uchiha's display of skill. His attacks increased in speed and the heat around him grew in intensity. Itachi grunted, slight burns forming on his body from the increased heat. Despite the distance he was maintaining it didn't matter. The heat was simply too much.
Eventually Roshi tired of the chase, his hands slamming together before he belched out green flame that threatened to overwhelm the Uchiha. Itachi grunted, overloading his feet with chakra and causing the ground to explode as he rocketed to the side, barely avoiding the torrent of flames that lit the ground aflame. The Uchiha flipped, landing on his feet as he slammed his hands together, eyes locked on Roshi.
"Suiton: Suigadan (Water Release: Water Fang Bullet)!"
Itachi spat out a deluge of water, the water swirling together to form three large spinning drills of water that aimed to smash into Roshi. The Jinchuriki turned, snarling as the heat wafted off of him. By the time the attack reached him most of the attack had completely evaporated, leaving only small trails to smash into his body that had no effect. Roshi grinned, not that Itachi could see it underneath all of the lava.
"This is the third time we've fought Uchiha. Don't try these games to me! Water and that ocular genjutsu of yours don't work on me as long as I'm in this armor!"
Itachi said nothing, his eyes calmly looking at Roshi. The tomoi in his eyes began to swirl, his chakra roaring in the process. Roshi grinned.
"Come on Uchiha! Don't tell me you don't have anything to counter me! Do you really rely on that precious genjutsu of yours so much? Did you think I'd just keep making the same mistake twice!"
Itachi's eyes began to morph, the tomoi morphing into a large fuuma shuriken design. Red lines cut through the dark black of the shuriken like a blade, forming slight incisions before a dark black circle extended around the center of his eye. Itachi's chakra exploded out violently, dense, and intense energy flooding forth like a wave. Roshi's eyes narrowed at the sight.
"That's new."
A red ribcage formed around Itachi, blood dripping from his eyes.
"I will not lose to you Roshi-san. I must stop you here, even if that means your death."
Roshi grinned.
"Good! That's exactly how a fight should be! A fight with neither side holding anything back! To the death!"
Roshi blurred forwards, his fist smashing against the ribcage that covered Itachi. Itachi grunted, the force sending him flying backwards. His feet skidded against the ground, his eyes never leaving Roshi. The ribcage that surrounded him drooped slightly, forcing him to expend more chakra to solidify it once more. Roshi charged in once more, only for a spectral arm to appear and bat him away before he was able to gain much ground. The Jinchuriki flipped through the air to land on his feet, a grin on his face. Itachi frowned.
'This cannot turn into a battle of endurance. I have to take the fight to him.'
This time Itachi took the offensive, launching himself forwards. Roshi grinned, catching the fist of the large spectral arm. The force sent a shockwave throughout the field. Roshi cocked his other fist back, smashing it against the spectral fist and blasting it apart, only for another to appear at his side, smashing into his side. The Jinchuriki coughed, the blood that shot from his mouth instantly evaporating due to the heat before he was batted away. Itachi watched him skip across the ground, weaving through handseals the entire time. Just as Roshi managed to stop his forward momentum Itachi let his jutsu fly.
"Doton: Sazareishi (Earth Release: Gravel)."
The ground around Roshi shot upwards, pillars of stone jabbing into his body from all angles up to his shoulders to prevent him from moving. Roshi grunted, glaring down at the bindings. They would only be temporary. The heat he was radiating was already melting the rock. But the small time he was restrained was all Itachi needed. The Uchiha was directly in front of the Jinchuriki, a sealing tag in hand. He quickly flicked it up towards the spectal hand before he smashed it onto Roshi's forehead. The man grunted, but the move did not harm him much.
"What was that supposed to do?"
"Have you not noticed?"
Roshi paused, looking down. The rock that bound him was no longer melting. The lava that covered his skin was receding. What was going on? He couldn't hear the Yonbi's incessant rambling when he drew on its chakra anymore. But that didn't make any sense? There was only...
"You sealed off my connection with the Yonbi."
Itachi nodded, drawing a kunai and raising it to Roshi's neck.
"I have."
Roshi smirked. Itachi frowned. Why was he smirking?
"Idiot."
Itachi immediately leapt back as Roshi's chakra exploded in a gout of flame, shattering the rock that held him. As the Uchiha landed he looked up to see Roshi tearing away the sealing tag, letting lava coat his body once more. He tore the parchment, a haunting laugh echoing through the air.
"You really think I'm that reliant on that fucking thing?"
Itachi frowned. Roshi's chakra was spiking, rising to a level it had not been before. Even at this distance his Susanoo was beginning to melt. It wouldn't hold up in a close engagement. He let the jutsu drop. Maintaining its full form in this level of heat wasn't a possibility with his chakra reserves. If he was going to use it, it would have to be for a decisive blow. He would have to manage without it. His Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan spun, carefully predicting what Roshi would do next. Roshi snarled, lava forming at every step he took towards the Uchiha.
"Oh? No armor anymore? Don't tell me you think you can withstand my hits without it!"
Itachi drew a kunai. Ocular genjutsu would not work while the Jinchuriki was covered in that lava. He couldn't see his eyes to activate them. But he didn't need to. Genjutsu could be utilized in other ways. This was a gamble.
But the life of a shinobi was filled with gambles.
Roshi charged.
Akatsuchi grunted. He couldn't believe what he was witnessing. Fugaku Uchiha had made himself completely unassailable with that spectral armor of his. None of his attacks had managed to pierce the defense. None of his jutsu had done anything but make the man laugh. He had lost his remaining golem attempting to test its defenses. Whatever physical force the golem could dish out, clearly it wasn't enough to even dent the structure. It was a frustrating sight. But even then, a jutsu with that much defensive utility couldn't be cheap. It had to be burning through his chakra reserves. All he had to do was outlast the Uchiha and he would win. That had been his strategy, and it had been working.
But then the beasts' arms began to stretch forwards towards him, forcing him onto the defensive. He wasn't sure how the abomination somehow managed to stretch out towards him like it was made of rubber. And the beast hit hard. The remainder of his breastplate had been completely shattered by just one blow from the beast. The long game was not an option when even one attack from that thing had such firepower. It would be walking a knife's edge, and the slightest mistake would have resulted in his death. That left him where he was now. Trying to figure out a way past the defense of the Uchiha.
Akatsuchi leapt over another attack, watching as the spectral fist smashed into the ground and formed another crater in the fort. Akatsuchi grunted, landing on the ground and sprinting forwards. The other fist rose to meet him, only for him to swing his hammer against the massive attack. He grunted as they connected, his chakra enhanced muscles straining to hold the attack back. Eventually it became too much for him, blowing him backwards. He flipped throughout the air before he landed roughly on his back, coughing at the impact. Fugaku laughed in the distance.
"Is this really all the Tsuchikage can do?"
Akatsuchi rose to his feet, gritting his teeth. The man raising his hammer towards Fugaku.
"Your overconfidence will be your demise Uchiha."
"Funny coming from the man who hasn't managed to land a blow on me since."
Akatsuchi snarled, rushing in once more. Fugaku didn't bother to defend himself, allowing Akatsuchi to wail on the magenta ribcage that surrounded him. The Tsuchikage continued his assault, frustration building in his eyes as his attacks failed to even dent the armor. Akatsuchi roared, smashing his fist against the ribcage only for it to bounce off, blood shooting from his torn knuckles. Fugaku snorted, kicking the man backwards. Akatsuchi snarled, rushing in again only for a spectral fist to smash down towards him. He barely caught the attack, his muscles bulging and face straining with effort underneath the attack. Unfortunately for him the other hand swung around, slapping him in his side and batting him into a pile of rubble.
The Tsuchikage slowly stood from the attack, blood trickling down his forehead. Both his arms and his chest were covered in bruises. He wasn't sure how much more punishment he could take. He roared, weaving one-handed handseals until stone and rubble covered his hammer. He charged in, meeting a strike from the armor head on. He swung his hammer, the force of the attacks sending shockwaves throughout the area. The kage grunted, his strength waning as he tried to push the attack back. Still, he held on, barely giving any ground only for the other fist to appear again. He was prepared this time, leaping over the strike. He kicked off the spectral armor, soaring towards Fugaku. He roared, swinging his hammer only for the stone and rubble around it to shatter off completely. Akatsuchi's eyes widened.
"What?"
Fugaku snorted, allowing the full skeleton to form behind him, glowing yellow eyes in all. Akatsuchi took a step back out of fear only for Fugaku's attack to come even faster than it had before. It was all the man could do to raise a defense before he was sent flying through the air once more. The Tsuchikage managed to land on his feet, but the angle and blood leaking from his nose was a clear indication it was broken. The man grunted, breathing mostly through his mouth now. However, he had no time to rest as a giant fireball courtesy of his Uchiha opponent was directed his way. He desperately lunged out of the way, only for the hand of the spectral armor to smash down on his back, causing him to cry out. The man was picked up by his feet, dangling like a ragdoll before the Uchiha. Fugaku grinned.
"You lose Tsuchikage."
The man was smashed into the ground repeatedly, forming massive craters in the ground. Finally, Fugaku was satisfied, letting the man drop like a sack of potatoes. He let his armor drop, vanishing like spectral whisps in the air.
"Pathetic."
The man raised a kunai, launching it at the man. The blade sunk deep.
The man limped away, grimacing as he held his ribcage. He was hurt, but he had a battle to lead. He could rest when the Iwa forces had been put down. That was when his world went dark. His eyes widened, instinctively leaping backwards. That leap saved his life as a hammer whizzed right by where his head once was, smashing into a wall and forming a massive dent. Instantly his armor was back around him, stopping a fist that smashed against it. Fugaku's eyes widened, turning to see Akatsuchi standing there as though he had not put a knife in his neck. The Uchiha turned, his eyes widening as he saw what he thought was the Tsuchikage turn to mud.
"Clone. Impressive. You almost had me there."
Akatsuchi looked ragged, but he had a firm look in his eye.
"Of course, it was a failure. I won't fall for that again. Shame for you the ploy didn't work."
Akatsuchi roared, continuing to pound away on the armor with his fists to not avail. He roared, his hand snapping open. The hammer shot towards him, the man catching the weapon by the handle before he swung it at the armor only for it to also fail to break his opponents' defenses. Fugaku didn't even seem concerned about the attack. The man slightly widened his stance, kicking a rock to his side ever so slightly.
"Is this the best you can do?"
Akatsuchi's eyes widened, and he leapt away. Fugaku frowned.
"Running away?"
Akatsuchi was silent, his eyes staring at Fugaku's feet. Fugaku frowned.
"No words at the end huh? Disappointing."
The spectral fist descended on Akatsuchi, only for the man to leap away, weaving through handseals. Fugaku's eyes narrowed as he realized what jutsu the man was doing. Akatsuchi slammed his hand on the ground, a storm of dust clouding the duo. Fugaku's eyes narrowed trying to find Akatsuchi's chakra signature through the dust, but it was to no avail. The dust cloud was filled with his chakra signature. It was impossible to find the man in it. As the dust began to settle Fugaku's eyes widened.
Where was the Tsuchikage?
His question was answered as he felt a hand grab his ankle. His head shot down, eyes widening in horror as the Tsuchikage pulled himself up from the ground, his fist smashing into Fugaku's jaw. The Uchiha's head snapped backwards, blood shooting from his mouth. He took a step back, but Akatsuchi took a step forward, staying within the ethereal rib cage. The man roared, his hammer nowhere to be seen as he smashed his other fist into Fugaku's broken ribs. The Uchiha howled in pain, his spectral defense dissipating instantly as he skipped across the ground. Akatsuchi grinned, rushing forwards and holding his hand out. A tremor shook the ground before his hammer shot from underneath the ground and into his hand. Akatsuchi roared, leaping into the air before bringing down his hammer towards Fugaku.
"DIE!"
The hammer swung downwards, smashing into the ground, and kicking up a storm of rubble and dust. The force sent tremors through the fort, a grin forming on Akatsuchi's face. He had done it. He had felt contact. It hadn't been easy, that much was obvious. Fugaku Uchiha was a formidable opponent. If he wasn't a kage level shinobi he was certainly close. He was a worthy opponent. But he had been defeated.
Akatsuchi roared his victory, looking down to stare at his defeated opponent, only to find nothing.
"What?"
"You're certainly the most annoying opponent I've ever faced."
Akatsuchi turned, shock on his face as he saw Fugaku standing there, the man completely unharmed by the hammer strike.
"How? I felt contact! I know I hit you!"
"You did."
"Then how!?"
"There was a possibility that I wasn't hit."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Hiruko," Fugaku called. "The unique ability of this Sharingan of mine. It allows me the ability to choose possibilities."
"Choose possibilities?"
"There was a possibility that I was not hit by that attack, thereby I selected it."
"You're not making any sense."
"I can decide which possibility I wish to proceed with, cancelling out all other possibilities. Whenever a moment arises where there are multiple options for a course of action causality demands that a person can only choose one. Your attack is nearing me. I can block or leap away, but I can only choose one. Along that path it will inevitably lead to a new moment with new possibilities, thus losing the opportunity of the other initial possibility. Whatever you chose first is now reality, your past, and you must accept it. Except, I do not."
"So what, you can go back to the initial possibility? Make a different choice?"
"Not exactly. I cannot change my past, like any other individual. I merely can analyze a situation and see if there is another possibility. Another action available to me. If there is one, regardless of the situation I am in, I can make it reality by force. I can act out any number of possible courses of action within the same timeline without breaking it."
"I don't understand."
"Let's use this as an example. In one possibility you smashed my head and I died. But another possibility is that I avoided the attack. Now only one of the two can happen. Either I die, or I avoid the attack, but not both. I simply decided that the course of action that would follow as me avoiding the attack."
Akatsuchi's eyes widened before they narrowed in irritation.
"That...is bullshit."
"That is the power of the Uchiha."
"No," Akatsuchi stated. "If you have such a power that you can effectively wield reality as you see fit you would view yourself as invincible. Why wait to activate it? There have to be restrictions on such an ability."
Fugaku merely smiled.
"I'll figure out those restrictions and crush you."
"I doubt that."
"I wouldn't," Akatsuchi snarled. "After all there's an easy restriction that you can't avoid."
"Oh? What is that precisely?"
"All I have to do is leave you with no possibility to escape an attack!"
Fugaku laughed.
"Well, you're more than welcome to try."
Akatsuchi charged. Fugaku grinned at the action. He still couldn't move effectively thanks to his injured ribs, but Akatsuchi was slowing himself. It was possible to fight at his current speed. The man swung his hammer only for Fugaku to slip underneath it. The man drew a kunai, stabbing it into Akatsuchi's back. The man grunted, spinning quickly and swinging his hammer. Fugaku quickly ducked underneath it, his crimson eyes blazing. Akatsuchi snorted, his knee snapping up to try and catch the Uchiha by surprise. However, thanks to the Eye of Insight he knew the attack was coming before it came, allowing him to slide out of the way. Akatsuchi snarled, his chakra rushing to his leg as he brought his foot down in a stomp. Fugaku covered himself before the blast of chakra sent him flying into the air. Akatsuchi roared, leaping after the man with his hammer spinning.
"You can't stop me!"
Akatsuchi swung the hammer downwards only for the magenta ribcage to spring to life once more. The force of the attack still batted Fugaku to the ground, forming a massive crater, but no damage was made to the man. Akatsuchi grunted, landing in a thud as the ribcage dissipated once more. Fugaku roared, rushing forwards with a kunai. Akatsuchi grunted, deflecting the attack to shoulder check the man. Fugaku stumbled backwards, only for Akatsuchi to grab him with his hand, his hammer in his other hand swinging forwards.
"This time you die!"
The man caved Fugaku's skull in only for the man to shatter like glass, revealing a Fugaku that had a torn shirt and skin leaning down to avoid the attack. Akatsuchi's eyes narrowed as Fugaku leapt away.
"So, your possibilities aren't unlimited. If there's a possibility where you don't die but you get hurt, you still receive the injuries of that possibility."
Fugaku frowned. "Congratulations, you figured out a trick of the ability."
Akatsuchi grinned, shaking off the blood that had formed on his hand thanks to Hiruko. The kage grinned, beginning to weave one handed handseals. Fugaku had no intention of letting the attack complete, throwing a kunai at the man. The projectile forced Akatsuchi to stop the attack, only for his eyes to widen as a ball of flame shot towards him courtesy of his opponent. The Iwa shinobi grunted, leaping out of the way of the attack only for Fugaku to meet him with a fist. The blow made the man stumble, but he was still capable of defending the death blow. The kunai aimed at his throat was blocked with his hammer. His foot then rose, smashing into Fugaku's chest and sending him skidding backwards.
The opponents glared at each other, their eyes locking. Then, they rushed to action once more. The two neared each other, Akatsuchi swinging his hammer and Fugaku lunging forwards with his kunai. A blur. Something was off. Akatsuchi's eyes narrowed, but he had no time to do anything. He had to stop the attack. Akatsuchi grunted, catching Fugaku's attack and smashing the man's head in only for his body to shatter like glass once more. Akatsuchi's eyes narrowed once more, only for him to wince in pain at the kunai that was suddenly embedded deep in his shoulder.
"What?"
Fugaku grinned, smashing a kick into the weapon with chakra, blasting it through the man's joint. Akatsuchi hollered, stumbling back, and grabbing at his shoulder, dropping his hammer to the ground. His eyes locked onto Fugaku, rage billowing in his eyes.
"How," he seethed. "That is not evasion."
"Who said Hiruko was limted to evasion?"
Akatsuchi's eyes narrowed. "But I stopped the kunai. It shouldn't move."
"Who said I can't effect inanimate objects?"
Akatsuchi's eyes widened. "What?"
"Imagine this," Fugaku stated, smirking. "You and an Iwa shinobi were both attacking me and all I had was one kunai. Now I can throw the kunai at you, or the other Iwa shinobi. But I can only choose one of you."
"Right."
"With Hiruko I do not abide by that. I can throw the kunai at both of you simultaneously, irrespective of the laws of physics."
Akatsuchi's eyes narrowed.
"Therefore, when you deflected my kunai strike, I decided to negate that possibility, disregarding time, space, and physical law. My attack existed in different possibilities at the same time."
Akatsuchi's eyes widened before his fists clenched, rage forming on his face.
"What type of ability is that? And since when has the Sharingan allowed all these different types of abilities!"
Fugaku smirked.
"The evolved version of our eye has not been seen in generations. It is no surprise other villages do not know about its secrets."
Akatsuchi snarled, twirling his hammer. "Why tell me this then? It seems like a valuable secret to keep to yourself. Ensure no counters can be made."
Fugaku laughed as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.
"Two reasons," he said as his laughter began to die down. "First, is that even if you know how the ability works there is no counter for it. It is a reactive jutsu by nature. And the second..."
Akatsuchi frowned. Fugaku grinned.
"...is that you'll be dead before you tell anyone about it."
Akatsuchi snarled at the threat, opening his hand. His hammer flew back to him, rubble covering it once more.
Roshi was not enjoying this fight. He had never enjoyed his fights against Itachi Uchiha. The man was slippery. He was almost impossible to hit. Every time he thought he landed a blow it was a genjutsu or that blasted armor would flare up instantly to deflect the attack. Only the weakest of attacks managed to actually damage the man. His defense was one of the best of any shinobi, that much was clear. He hadn't hit him since he had broken free of that earthen prison. Everything, everything was a genjutsu. He had thought he landed an attack at least fifteen times and then the feeling of superiority was washed away as it was revealed it was nothing more than a genjutsu. Of course, the Uchiha hadn't simply wasted chakra either. Explosions kept rattling his body, likely courtesy of explosive kunai that he couldn't see. It was a nuisance, and the shockwaves were beginning to make his body ache, but it was not serious enough for him to worry about. It wasn't an effective strategy at taking him down. He supposed the Uchiha couldn't damage him in any other way.
"How does one even have so many genjutsu's layered over one another!"
Itachi did not respond, instead another explosion sending the Jinchuriki skidding to his left. Roshi roared, flaring his chakra repeatedly as the world melted and shattered multiple times.
"How are you casting these?"
"You need not worry about them any longer."
Roshi turned to face the voice only for his body to burn. It was a strange sensation. He hadn't felt a burn since the Yonbi had been sealed inside of him. It was a foreign sensation. He would have wondered how he was able to even be burned. The ability to coat his body in lava with no ill effects had made most jutsu of the Katon (Fire Release) variety completely useless against him. Perks of being a Jinchuriki of a beast that used lava he supposed. And yet he was burning. And it hurt.
The man howled in pain, stumbling backwards as black flames coated his body. They burnt away even the lava that covered his skin, the Jinchuriki howling and squirming as he folded into a ball. He desperately tried to roll the flames off of him to no avail. Itachi watched the display, blood dripping from his crimson eyes. His voice echoed through the battlefield, resonating in Roshi's ears.
"So that works on you after all."
Roshi wanted to retort. Desperately he did. He hated that look on the Uchiha's face. As if he was looking down on him. But he couldn't. He couldn't get the flames off of him. Just what were these!
"There is no escape from the Amaterasu. Your desperation will not save you. Yield or you will be burnt to cinders."
That request was rhetorical. There was no way Roshi could respond under such excruciating pain. It was all he could do to move and desperately try and relieve his body from pain. It wasn't long before the man was unconscious. Itachi frowned, letting the jutsu die down. He stared at his defeated opponent, a frown on his face. The Jinchuriki was a difficult opponent. He had a little over a quarter of his chakra reserves remaining. The Susanoo, Amaterasu, and the numerous ninjutsu and genjutsu he had performed to take the man down were straining. To make matters worse the battle was not over if the raging sounds of battle in the fort were any indication. He likely had enough chakra for ten or so more powerful jutsus. Three if he used a technique of his Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.
He glanced back at his opponent. Should he kill him? Logic would dictate he should. His village would declare him a hero. The morale loss to the Iwa shinobi would be great and he would have dealt a powerful blow to Iwagakure. The loss of one of their Jinchuriki was not something to be taken lightly, Konoha knew that well. This man had killed many Konoha shinobi and would continue to do so if he was not put down here. It was his duty to kill him now, and yet, he felt something in him tell him not to. Itachi frowned, steeling himself. Regardless of how he felt it was his duty as a shinobi to do what was best for Konoha. Just as he pulled out a kunai to slice the man's throat open, he felt it. A surge of chakra that flooded the area. His eyes narrowed.
So, this was the chakra of a Bijuu? His father had not lied, it was completely overwhelming. He stood frozen to the same spot, watching as red, bubbly chakra surrounded Roshi before it spilled over, three tails of chakra forming behind him. The heat became intense, cooking Roshi's skin until all that remained was a dark red chakra monstrosity with glowing white eyes that stared at him. The beast howled, sending out a shockwave that sent him flying backwards. It took all he had to land on his feet and stare at the Creature. The killing intent that flooded the battlefield was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. Something primal in the back of his brain remembered it. From long ago. And it told him to run.
But running was not an option. There were Konoha shinobi behind him, desperate for him to hold off this threat. There was his father behind him. And beyond that the territory of the Land of Fire. Of Konohagakure. He couldn't simply let the beast move forwards unchallenged. It would spell the death of them all. And still he felt so small in comparison to the Creature. It wasn't even fully unleashed and yet he felt like an ant staring up at an elephant and told to defeat it. An impossible task. And yet one that he would be required to do. And he would have to face again in Sunagakure. The Uchiha bit his lip, drawing blood to calm himself. The shock of the pain released him from the overwhelming killing intent. It was good for him, as he just barely managed to avoid a swipe of the beast's claws. Unfortunately, he was not able to avoid all of its attacks. Its hind leg shot out at an awkward, inhuman angle and smashed into his stomach. Itachi coughed up bile and blood as he was blown away, skipping across the ground. He grunted as he finally came to a stop, grabbing his stomach as he desperately tried to fill his lungs with air. It felt like he had gotten hit by a boss summon. This was an Bijuu? Still sealed?
The Uchiha shook his head to clear his vision, watching as the beast stalked towards him like a predator. He grit his teeth, his Susanoo raging to life around him. He couldn't withstand many hits like that. He needed a defense desperately. This was what Konoha would be sending him against in Suna? He grit his teeth. It seemed he would be getting a test run.
The beast charged once more, its body moving at impossible speeds. The beasts blow smashed into his spectral ribcage, cracking it and sending him flying backwards. Itachi grunted, watching as the beast moved forwards again. Its tails were the object of its assault this time, wrapping around his ribcage before he had any time to react. His eyes widened as he was thrown high into the air before the Creature shot its arm at him. The appendage extended as if it were rubber, wrapping around him before swinging him downwards to crater into the ground. Itachi grunted. Even with the Susanoo that had hurt. The spectral ribcage shattered around him, leaving him defenseless. The beast seemed to register this, launching forwards once more with another blow prepared. Desperately he scrambled to his feet, leaping away from the attack to lash out with a kick that forced the Creature backwards somewhat. It hissed, steam coming out of its mouth before it blitzed towards him once more. Were it not for his Sharingan it would have been impossible for him to avoid the punch as he did. Even with the abilities it granted the dodge was still slight, a small cut forming on his cheek where the blow blew by. Itachi's eyes narrowed, leaping away as a tail smashed into where he once was, denting the ground and causing a small earthquake. The Uchiha landed far away, crimson orbs spinning.
'The Susanoo's armor isn't effective without using more of my chakra to use a stronger form. It's not worth the expenditure. I'll have to use it.'
The beast snarled, orbs shooting from its body. Itachi's eyes narrowed as he watcehd the black and white orbs float around the Creature.
'Positive and negative chakra? But humans can't split chakra, it's too difficult! Don't tell me a Bijuu...'
The orbs began to collide in front of the Jinchuriki, its tails coiling up towards its head. The beast sunk, a crater forming beneath the attack. Itachi's eyes widened as he watched it form.
'That density...I can't stop that attack! I cannot get hit with it.'
The beast roared as a small black orb floated in front of it. Its mouth reached out before it bit it. Itachi's eyes widened as the Creature swallowed it and it's body ballooned soon after. The crater it was in sunk even deeper. The Uchiha didn't wait to see what happened next. A moving target was harder to hit. He took off, running in the opposite direction of the fort. He was desperate to avoid the attack. Even if he fully unleashed his Susanoo, he was doubtful he would be able to maintain the defense in front of such an impossible attack. The Creature's eyes remained locked on his form. He wasn't losing it. He glanced around at the nearby area. What would be suitable? It had to be far out.
He had no more time to plan. With a deafening BOOM the creature unleashed the attack, a titanic beam shooting towards him at lightning speed. It was all he could do to gather his chakra. The attack tore through the ground, forming a massive crevice as it ripped towards the large mountain range the Iwa shinobi came from. Anything in its way was obliterated, whether it be tree, ground, dirt, or stone. Even the mountains themselves fell before the awe-inspiring attack. When the smoke cleared a large swathe of the area had been vaporized, reduced to nothing but charred ash. As far as the eye could see. Nothing remained. What was once the beginning of Iwa's vast mountain ranges had been completely obliterated.
This was a Jinchuriki.
This was a Bijuu.
This was the power of human sacrifice.
The Creature roared, announcing its presence to the world. Demanding to be heard. It received nothing but silence in return. Then it howled in pain as it writhed on the ground, black flames covering its form. It screeched sounding like an injured animal, desperately trying to get the flames off of it. Itachi watched from far away, his eyes bleeding. The substitution had worked. Barely, if his reddening chest and burn marks covering his body were any indication, but it had worked just in time. He had suffered damage, but he had not died. He could barely move, and he had precious little chakra remaining. But he had dodged it. Now he could only hope the Amaterasu would take out the creature. He truly did not wish to use his trump card if he had any choice. It may be necessary later in the battle. He winced, the pain briefly flooding his senses. So, this was what Madara Uchiha had controlled with nothing but his eyes? What Hashirama Senju had defeated and tamed? What Minato Namikaze had sealed?
No.
This was weaker.
Itachi wanted to laugh. They truly were gods among men.
That realization only grew more solidified as he saw the beast unleashed the torrent of orbs once more.
Another? While covered in the flames of the Amaterasu? What was this creature?
He was pleasantly surprised, and then quickly mortified as he saw the orbs eject out of the parts of the body his flames covered, carrying the everlasting flame with them and away from the creature. He could only stare in horror. It had experienced the technique once, twice if its Jinchuriki allowed it to link with his experiences, and it had already developed a counter? The only reason his father was able to counter it was because of his own eye's ability. But this?
This was pure chakra control.
The Creature howled, the wind pressure sending objects flying as it turned to face Itachi. He stilled. How could it see him? He was barely in vision of the Creature itself? That was why it had taken so long for the substitution to activate. He had to ensure he could get out of the blast radius. And yet it had instantly deduced his location. What a terrifying beast. It leapt into action, blurring towards his form. In his weakened state he could only see it approach, but he could hardly manifest the speed required to dodge or engage with the Creature. He steeled himself. He didn't need to engage with it. After all, he was forced into a corner. If this didn't work, he was dead anyway. It took everything in his power to back away from the attack. The movement was not enough to completely avoid the attack, but that was not his goal. The Creature's claws plunged itself into his gut instead of his chest. That was his goal, as blood spat from his mouth. The blood on his stomach sizzled from the heat radiating from the Creature. The pain was almost unbearable. It felt like his entire body had been lit ablaze with his own Amaterasu. It was almost mind-numbing. His very chakra system felt maligned by the foreign chakra invading his body. Was this a Bijuu's chakra? It was toxic. They sealed this into people? He almost fainted from the pain.
Almost.
The Uchiha desperately reached out, ignoring his burning hands as they grabbed the Creature's face and forced it to lock eyes with him. His eyes spun ferociously. If he didn't do this here the battle was lost. His father would not be able to defeat this beast and have energy to win the battle, much less if the Tsuchikage was here like they had expected. No, for Konoha to win he had to hold the Creature here. This was his duty. This was shinobi. His eyes spun with energy.
"Tsukuyomi!"
The battle was reaching its conclusion. That much was clear. Akatsuchi was litered with wounds. He had done everything in his power to limit any opportunity to strike at his vitals through the use of Hiruko. In the process his body became a canvas of kunai, bruises, and cuts. It was a testament to the man's incredibly endurance that he was up fighting. Fugaku himself was running low on chakra. His ribs were also making their presence very felt. He couldn't maintain this level of combat much longer. The broken ribs were likely poking through a lung if the blood trickling through his mouth and laborious breaths were any indication. The conclusion to their battle would happen soon. The Uchiha locked eyes with the Tsuchikage, not bothering to lay any genjutsu. They would be a waste of chakra at this point. He didn't have the ability to use Hiruko if he used any other jutsu. And he would need it to finish the battle. He had to strike something vital. It was a necessity.
"You...are more than I expected Fugaku Uchiha."
"As are you," Fugaku muttered. "None have lasted as long as you have against Hiruko. You should be honored."
The two stared at each other, begrudging respect in their eyes. Then they moved. Akatsuchi rushed forwards, his hammer spinning in his hands. Fugaku rushed to meet him, a kunai in each of his. Fugaku swung first, lashing out with two crisscrossing slashes that Akatsuchi avoided. However, the Uchiha was not done, leaping forwards with a knee in an attempt to tumble into his larger opponent. Akatsuchi grunted, welcoming the blow, and withstanding it, much to Fugaku's surprise. The man roared, smashing a fist into Fugaku's face that made blood spurt into the air. The Uchiha stumbled back, his eyes crazed as he saw a hammer fly towards his head. He ducked, desperate to avoid another use of Hiruko until absolutely necessary. Akatsuchi knew this and capitalized. The man stomped forwards, wincing in pain as the rebound shook his body. Still, the effect was there. He destabilized the ground Fugaku was on, allowing a punch to smash into the man's gut. Fugaku bent over as Akatsuchi raised his hammer. He swung downwards, but his eyes were looking wildly in every direction as to where Fugaku would dodge. It was a mistake. The Uchiha capitalized on the lack of commitment to the attack, the folly making the move slow. It allowed him to dodge it, his kunai lashing up and into Akatsuchi's side. The Tsuchikage grunted, his eyes snapping downwards as Fugaku tried to rip the kunai upwards and split his innards open. He brought down his free hand on Fugaku's, stopping the attempt only for Fugaku to grin savagely. He carved downwards, using the additional, albeit brief, help from the Tsuchikage to leave a deep gash going vertically down. Akatsuchi crumpled to a knee, grabbing the open wound. Blood shot from it and his mouth as his vision blurred.
"A foolish mistake."
"One that will cost you your life."
Fugaku brought down his kunai, rushing to end the man's life. However, just as he did so the man substituted. Normally, Fugaku would have seen such a trick coming due to his Sharingan. But it was not a normal substitution. Akatsuchi moved by a hair, substituting with a pebble to the side of him. He moved so slightly that the kunai still cut through his shoulder, leaking blood onto the battlefield. It was a quick and short substitution, not requiring much chakra. Perfect for catching a user of a dojutsu by surprise. Fugaku was quick to react, swinging his kunai back to cut the man only for Akatsuchi's free hand to lance upwards and take the blow. Blood splattered onto the kage's face, but he remained resolute as his body moved. In a titanic show of effort, he threw his hammer through the air, smashing into Fugaku's head and taking it clean off.
The man's body shattered like glass.
Fugaku was one pace back, his eyes wide with horror. He had almost died. If he had not conserved one final use of Hiruko...
The Uchiha rushed forwards, kunai lunging at the Tsuchikage. The movement was slow, desperate. He had pathetically little chakra left. He could use no jutsu. It was all he could do to try and reinforce his body with chakra as he was doing. If he did not land this blow...he had lost. But the Tsuchikage was injured as well. And like him he had to be running low on chakra. He could see it, even with his deactivated Sharingan. The strike would land! His muscles were moving to slow.
He had won.
That was his final thought as the world went black, the Tsuchikage's hand open as his hammer cratered into Fugaku's back. The Uchiha crumpled forwards, completely unconscious from the blow. However, Akatsuchi could not avoid the forward momentum. The kunai lodged itself into his chest, right into his heart. The man's eyes widened, blood shooting from his mouth as Fugaku crumpled on top of him. The two lay there, one unconscious and the other slowly bleeding out. Was this victory?
Akatsuchi did not know.
He did not have time to ponder it as he saw brown and white smoke fill the sky. The signal to retreat? Who had given it?
He saw Iwa shinobi rushing towards him as his vision darkened, chased quickly but Konoha forces. Why were they retreating? Had they lost?
Or was Iwa trying to save their dying kage?
Was this battle a draw?
The Konoha shinobi was desperate. He had fought like hell to save his very life in the bloodbath. It had been a frenzied battle, from the Tsuchikage breaking their ranks, to the walls crumbling from the Jinchuriki's attacks. It felt like the end of the world, especially for one such as he, new to the field of battle. It was only thanks to the teamwork Konoha emphasized he made it long enough to feel the oppressive power of Iwa's Jinchuriki take the field. And it was only through luck he was able to witness the conclusion of the battle between the Tsuchikage and Fugaku Uchiha. That had been the final straw. A ruined base, countless loses on both sides, the fate of the Jinchuriki and Itachi Uchiha unknown, and both their leaders crumpled on the ground dying had been too much. Iwa had called for the retreat. It was a victory.
A pyrrhic one.
But it would soon be a loss if either Fugaku or his son died. Konoha shinobi rushed into play, desperately defending their commander from any stray Iwa assaults. They did nothing as an Iwa shinobi pulled the Tsuchikage away from the battlefield, kunai still embedded in his chest and retreated. Let them have the man. He would likely die anyway. And even if he didn't, guaranteeing his death would cost far too many lives. Likely Fugaku Uchiha's if they pressed the assault and left their rear unguarded. It was a tradeoff. But it was a worthwhile one.
But while Fugaku was accounted for Itachi Uchiha was not. Half the Konoha force split off, one defending Fugaku Uchiha and the other searching for his son. It was only thanks to a Hyuga Branch family member they managed to find the man. They rushed to his location, the man facing down ten Iwa shinobi before him. The Iwa shinobi were carrying the unconscious body of the Yonbi Jinchuriki. Itachi Uchiha was exhausted but standing and staring at them all.
A victory!
"Come any closer," Itachi whispered, killing intent rolling off him in waves. "And I'll kill you all."
The Iwa shinobi stared the wounded animal down. They could kill him here. But how quickly? How many lives would be lost?
When the Konoha shinobi and his force landed as Itachi's support they quickly realized that it didn't matter. This was too many deaths to count. They had to retreat. Bring their Jinchuriki to safety like their kage. And so, they turned and ran. Two Hyuga members maintained the rear guard in crossing patterns so as to protect their blindspot as the Konoha shinobi took Itachi Uchiha back to the destroyed fort. Iryonin were everywhere, desperately trying to heal those they could. But at the sight of Itachi they stopped treatment on many others and, like his father, received priority treatment. Other shinobi would die due to the favoritism but such was the life of shinobi.
Such was life in war.
Fugaku's Hiruko technique is based around Hiruko, the first child of Izanagi and Izanami. Technically Ebisu is the first child but his origin became combined with Hiruko to my knowledge. Anyway, he's one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, as well as the God of fisherman and luck. He inspired the technique.
Sorry this took so long to get out. This is a necessary battle for plot, and to explain some abilities, so I had to showcase it, but I was not really inspired to write it. Itachi and Fugaku have interesting and frankly overpowered abilities that I enjoy, but they're fighting against two opponents that can't be hurt through normal means and can pretty much instantly defeat them if they land any serious blow. It was a very delicate balance, hence why both them and their opponents are almost dead at the end of their battles. Not my favorite types of fights to write.