Chapter 51
The Land of Sound stretched out before Sasuke and Yugito, the horizon dotted with the burgeoning outlines of a growing village. Orochimaru's legacy of secrecy and transience had been replaced with something new—a permanence Sasuke hadn't imagined possible.
The streets were paved, bustling with activity. Children ran laughing past vendors selling their wares. Families strolled hand in hand, and workers busied themselves with construction, adding to the growing infrastructure. The village was alive. It was thriving.
Yugito, typically composed and unflappable, was struck speechless. She stared at the scene before her, her dark eyes wide with disbelief. "This is your village?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Not what you were expecting?" Sasuke glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"You told me about Orochimaru's underground labs. I thought… I thought it'd be a labyrinth of tunnels. Not…" She gestured vaguely at the bustling streets. "Not this."
Sasuke snorted, crossing his arms. "Looks like I've been gone longer than I thought." His crimson sharingan flickered faintly. "Seems I left the right people in charge."
As if summoned by his words, Kabuto appeared in a blur of motion, bowing deeply before Sasuke. His bespectacled eyes glinted in the sunlight as he straightened. "Otokage-sama," he greeted, his tone measured and deferential. "Welcome back. We've been expecting you."
"Kabuto. I see the village has… grown." Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
Kabuto smiled faintly, adjusting his glasses. "It has indeed. Kimimaro has been most effective in your absence. After returning from Konoha, he has taken your vision and brought it to life. Families from the outskirts, wandering samurai, displaced ninja—they've all found a home here. A community of the forgotten and disenfranchised, as you once put it."
Yugito turned to Sasuke, her expression unreadable. "A noble goal," she said quietly. "Though I can't imagine it's without challenges."
Sasuke ignored her, his attention fixed on Kabuto. "And… Kimimaro?" he asked, his tone sharp.
Kabuto inclined his head. "He has made a full recovery, thanks to Tsunade Senju's efforts. Apparently she was initially reluctant, especially after you—ahem—vanished. But she told Kimimaro that a deal is a deal. It's really quite extraordinary; There's no trace of his illness. For the past few months he has been acting in your stead, overseeing the construction and organization of the village. He sits as the de facto leader in your absence."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly, but there was no hostility in his gaze. Only relief. "And Karin?" he asked.
Kabuto's faint smirk returned. "Ah, Karin. She came looking for you, Otokage-sama. She's quite… persistent. Did you know her blood possesses remarkable healing properties? Injuries, even mortal ones, can be healed if the injured party ingests her blood. It's fascinating, really."
"Where is she now?Sasuke rolled his eyes, his patience for Kabuto's scientific musings wearing thin."
"Likely shadowing Kimimaro," Kabuto replied smoothly. "She has taken a liking to the leadership team. Though she does occasionally remind everyone that she came here for you."
"Good," Sasuke said curtly. "Take me to Kimimaro." His expression remained stoic, though Yugito raised an eyebrow at Kabuto's insinuation.
"As you wish, Sasuke-sama," Kabuto said with a bow, his tone laced with amusement. He straightened and turned on his heel, gesturing for them to follow.
As they walked through the village, Yugito couldn't help but steal glances at Sasuke. She had seen his ruthlessness, his cold logic, his singular focus on his goals. But this… this was something else. There was pride in his gaze as he took in the sight of the village. Pride, and something deeper. Something more human.
"You're building something real here," she said softly, her voice carrying only to him.
Sasuke didn't respond immediately. He kept his eyes forward, his expression unreadable. But as they approached the village's central building, he sighed.
"It's not about me," he said finally. "It's about them. The people Orochimaru used, discarded. The people the world forgot. They deserve better."
Yugito studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then I hope you succeed, Otokage-sama."
The title, spoken with genuine respect, made him pause. He glanced at her, his sharingan flickering in the afternoon light. "Let's see if Kimimaro has kept my dream intact."
They entered the central building, the air inside cool and filled with the murmur of activity. At the end of the hall stood Kimimaro, his once frail form now strong and upright. He turned as they approached, his pale face breaking into a rare smile.
"Otokage-sama," he greeted, bowing deeply. "Welcome home."
The atmosphere in the room shifted the moment Sasuke entered, flanked by Yugito. Kimimaro stood poised, his presence commanding as ever, while Karin's sharp gaze fixated on the newcomer. Her red hair glinted in the dim light, and her eyes held a mixture of curiosity and distrust.
"You're the Jinchuriki," Karin said bluntly, her words carrying an edge. "Two Tails?"
Yugito smiled down at the shorter girl, her usual bravado fully intact. She mock-bowed, her movements fluid and almost taunting. "I am. Yugito Nii. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance." Her lips curled into an almost sincere smile as she straightened. "Though, I don't think Sasuke has mentioned you. What's your name?"
"Kimimaro Kaguya," he replied simply. His tone was devoid of inflection, as if her irreverence didn't warrant a reaction.
Karin, however, was less composed. She crossed her arms and scowled. "Who the hell do you think you are? I don't know why Sasuke-sama even bothered to save you."
Yugito's smile vanished, replaced by a flash of raw emotion that Karin hadn't expected. Her golden eyes burned like blue fire, and her voice carried the weight of her anger. "He didn't save me," she snapped, her words cutting through the air like a blade. "I gave up my life to help him escape. I betrayed my country. I'm a wanted criminal."
The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Karin blinked, taken aback, and for once, she was at a loss for words. "I… I didn't know," she mumbled, her bravado faltering as she looked away.
Sasuke's sharingan flickered as he eyed Yugito. His expression was stern, but there was no malice in his gaze. Yugito noticed and pouted, her lips curling into a playful smile once more. "You're no fun," she teased, glancing back at Karin. "Relax, girl. I'm just teasing. But make no mistake—it was no true life. My country locked a demon inside me when I was a toddler. They turned me into a weapon, stripped me of my agency. Now, I make my own decisions."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Karin frowned, her mind drifting to the strange boy she had met not long ago—Naruto. He, too, had been turned into a living weapon, a deterrent against his country's enemies. Yet, despite everything, he didn't seem to carry the same resentment. He smiled, laughed, and carried his burdens with a strength that Karin couldn't quite understand.
"You're stronger than I thought," Karin said softly, her tone lacking its usual sharpness. It wasn't quite an apology, but it was as close as Karin could get.
Yugito shrugged, her confidence unshaken. "You'd be surprised what strength can look like, girl."
The group's conversation continued, the tension gradually dissipating. Kimimaro remained silent, his presence a steadying force as always. Karin and Yugito exchanged more words, their guarded tones giving way to something resembling mutual respect.
Suddenly, the room chilled. A soft, almost imperceptible sound caught their attention. From under the doorframe, a snake slithered into the room, its scales glinting faintly in the dim light. It coiled up Sasuke's leg with purpose, its tongue flicking as it whispered something into his ear.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his sharingan spinning into motion. His voice was calm, but his words were anything but.
"Itachi is here."
The declaration froze everyone in place. Yugito's golden eyes widened, and Karin gasped audibly. Even Kimimaro tensed, his usual stoicism momentarily disrupted. Before anyone could respond, Sasuke disappeared in a burst of speed, leaving only a faint rustle in his wake.
"What do we do?" Karin turned to Yugito, panic creeping into her voice.
Yugito's expression hardened, her playful demeanor replaced by a deadly seriousness. "We follow him. Whatever this is, he shouldn't face it alone."
Kimimaro nodded, already moving toward the door. "Stay close."
As the three darted into the night, the air seemed to thrum with an unseen energy. Somewhere in the shadows of the village, a storm was brewing—and Sasuke was heading straight into its eye.
Minutes later, the rogue Uchiha—both of them—stood on the outskirts of Sasuke's growing village. Sasuke's sharingan sgyrated furiously as he took in the sight before him. Two robed figures stood calmly, the Akatsuki's signature cloud-patterned cloaks billowing slightly in the breeze. Kisame leaned lazily against Samehada, his shark-like grin dripping with mockery. Beside him, Itachi stood silent, his expression unreadable, crimson eyes focused solely on Sasuke.
"Why come with backup, brother?" Sasuke's voice cut through the tension like a blade. He drew his katana, the edge glowing faintly with lightning chakra. "Fight me alone. I'll kill you today."
Kisame chuckled darkly, his jagged teeth gleaming. "Feisty, isn't he? I like that."
But Itachi didn't react to the taunt. His sharingan spun slowly, hypnotically. "We aren't here for you, Sasuke," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that only made Sasuke's blood boil more.
Sasuke froze, his heart skipping a beat. Not for me? His mind raced as he pieced it together. They'd been followed. Tracked through the Land of Fire and the Land of Sound. Yugito had been branded a missing ninja, and his own bounty in Kumo's Bingo Book made him one of the most sought-after shinobi alive. She was also a Jinchuriki, one of perhaps three or four not to have been captured by the Akatsuki. Of course, they were being hunted. Yugito. It was all a trap, and she was walking straight into it.
"Sasuke!" Yugito's voice broke his thoughts as she and Kimimaro appeared at his side. Kimimaro's bone blade extended from his hand like a deadly scythe, gleaming white in the moonlight. Yugito had already fallen into her ready stance, her dark eyes narrowed in focus. Karin lingered in the trees, her chakra sense pulsing as she tried to keep them all coordinated.
Kisame's grin widened as he hefted Samehada with one hand. "Right on cue," he muttered. With a burst of speed unnatural for a man his size, Kisame surged forward, the massive sword descending toward them like a guillotine.
"Move!" Sasuke shouted.
The three leapt in different directions, narrowly evading as Samehada slammed into the ground with enough force to sunder the earth beneath them. Splinters of rock shot out in every direction. Kisame stood amidst the debris, laughing. "Samehada's gonna eat well tonight, Itachi," he called over his shoulder.
Itachi, ever composed, didn't respond. His eyes never left Sasuke's, and for a moment, Sasuke saw something in those crimson orbs he couldn't place. Pity? Sadness? It didn't matter. He screamed, the sound raw and filled with years of unspoken rage, and lunged forward. He blurred into motion, appearing behind Itachi in an instant. His katana thrust forward, piercing his brother's lung with precision.
But then Itachi exploded into a flock of crows, their feathers swirling in an eerie spiral around Sasuke. He felt his head spin as the illusion began to take hold, but with a growl, he dispelled it with a pulse of his potent chakra. His sharingan flared as he searched for his brother's real form.
Kimimaro and Yugito engaged Kisame, their movements a blur of steel and chakra. Kimimaro's bone blade clashed against Samehada with a screech, the impact sending vibrations up his arm. Kisame laughed maniacally, his movements precise and deliberate despite his size. Yugito darted in and out of range, her red chakra cloak flickering faintly around her as she unleashed bursts of fire and her deadly, prehensile tails at Kisame, forcing him to stay on the defensive.
"Kimimaro, flank him!" Yugito barked, her voice steady despite the chaos. Kimimaro nodded, his bone blade elongating into a whip-like weapon as he attempted to ensnare Kisame. But the Akatsuki swordsman was relentless, swinging Samehada in wide arcs that tore through the ground and sent shockwaves rippling outward.
Meanwhile, Itachi reappeared a few feet from Sasuke, his sharingan spinning faster now. "Give us the Two Tails," he said, his tone calm yet unyielding. "And we will leave."
"You'll have to kill me first!" Sasuke snarled, lightning sparking around his hands.
Itachi didn't respond, but his eyes locked onto Sasuke's, and the world around Sasuke shifted. He was no longer standing on the battlefield. Instead, he was in a dark void, bound by invisible chains. Itachi stepped forward, his voice echoing in the empty space.
"Do you understand what you're doing, Sasuke? Do you truly know what you're fighting for?"
Sasuke roared in defiance, his chakra surging as he broke free of the illusion. Back in the real world, his sharingan flared with renewed intensity. He rushed toward Itachi, their blades clashing in a dazzling display of sparks and lightning.
The battle raged on, the sounds of steel, chakra, and explosions filling the air. Kisame's laughter echoed as he toyed with Kimimaro and Yugito, while Sasuke and Itachi's clash became a deadly dance of skill and strategy. But beneath the chaos, one thing was clear—this fight was only just beginning.
The air between Sasuke and Itachi crackled with tension, heavy with the weight of years of unspoken words, of betrayal, of vengeance. The two brothers stared at one another, sharingan spinning furiously, their crimson eyes reflecting the years of hatred that had built between them. Sasuke's blade glowed faintly with lightning chakra, a testament to the intensity of the battle to come.
They moved in a blur, fists and feet colliding with bone-shattering force. It was a deadly dance, each strike perfectly calculated, every counter executed with precision. Sasuke aimed a sharp jab at Itachi's ribs, only for Itachi to twist his body at the last second and retaliate with an elbow aimed at Sasuke's jaw. Sasuke ducked under the blow, bringing his blade around in a wide arc, but Itachi deftly leapt backward, the lightning-tipped katana slicing through empty air.
"You've improved," Itachi said, his tone even, as if they weren't locked in a life-or-death struggle. "But you still lack true understanding of the sharingan."
"Save your lectures!" Sasuke snarled, launching a flurry of shuriken at his brother. Itachi's hands blurred as he countered with his own, their projectiles meeting midair and deflecting in a dazzling display of sparks.
The battle escalated. Sasuke saw an opening and took it, charging forward with a Black Chidori crackling along the length of his katana. He plunged the lightning-infused blade into Itachi's chest, the force of the blow sending a shockwave through the clearing. The discharge of electricity staggered Itachi, blood dripping from his mouth as he fell forward. He reached out, his hand trembling, and for a moment, Sasuke froze. It was the same motion Itachi used to make when they were children—an offer of reassurance, a gesture of brotherly love. But then, Itachi's hand turned, and Sasuke's vision shifted.
His heart skipped as the world around him blurred, his surroundings melting into a surreal, dreamlike haze. He was back in the field, standing opposite his brother. His sharingan flared, spinning wildly as he growled, "I've already told you—my eyes are stronger. I can see through your Genjutsu!"
Then, reality distorted again. He saw himself defeating Itachi, over and over, each scenario more vivid than the last. But each time, he was pulled back, standing once more in the field, his brother across from him. It was an endless cycle, a maze of illusions. Itachi's Tsukuyomi.
With a roar of defiance, Sasuke poured his powerful chakra into his sharingan, shattering the illusory world around him. I am Madara Uchiha reborn! He stood panting, sweat dripping down his face as the world returned to focus. He was still in the field, the Genjutsu broken. Neither brother had physically moved since the battle began.
"You broke free from my Tsukuyomi? Impressive." Itachi's calm voice pierced through the silence.
Blood trickled from the corners of Itachi's eyes, a telltale sign of the strain the Mangekyōu sharingan placed on its wielder. But his expression betrayed nothing—no frustration, no fear, only a calm acknowledgment of Sasuke's growth.
"I'll do more than that," Sasuke spat, his blade igniting with an inky arc of Black Lightning. "You'll see just how far I've come, brother!"
Sasuke surged forward, his Black Chidori variant crackling with a feral intensity. Itachi narrowly dodged, the lightning streaking past him and carving a deep scar into the ground. The force of the attack sent a shockwave rippling through the field, and Itachi's expression tightened as he realized the danger Sasuke posed.
"You're still clinging to that hatred," Itachi said, his voice low but firm. "But you don't understand the truth. You don't understand why I've done everything I've done." He paused, his sharingan spinning ominously. "Do you even know who helped me that night?"
Sasuke froze, his breath catching in his throat. "What are you talking about?"
"Madara Uchiha," Itachi said, his voice like a blade cutting through the air. "The founder of our clan. The man who controlled the Nine-Tails sixteen years ago and attacked Konoha, just as he had done in the time of the First Hokage. He was my mentor, and he helped me destroy our clan."
Sasuke's eyes widened, his mind reeling. "You're lying!"
"You think this is all a game, little brother?" Itachi's voice rose, the first hint of emotion breaking through his stoic facade. "Do you even know the price of these eyes I wield? The Mangekyōu sharingan comes at a cost—blindness. And the only way to stop it is to take the eyes of another sharingan user. That's why I left you alive, Sasuke. That's why I pushed you to grow stronger."
Itachi advanced, his movements faster than Sasuke could track. Before he knew it, Sasuke was on the defensive, his brother's strikes coming at him with unrelenting precision. Itachi's hand shot forward, his fingers mere inches from Sasuke's face. "And now," he said coldly, "I'll take your eyes."
But Sasuke wouldn't let him win. He activated his Curse Mark Second Form, his body transforming as he drew on its dark power. His skin turned ashen, he grew misshapen, fleshy wings, and his sharingan burned amidst black sclera, their red brighter than ever. "I won't let you!" he roared, sending a massive fireball barreling toward Itachi.
Itachi countered with his own Great Fireball Technique, the two attacks colliding in a spectacular explosion of flames. For a moment, it seemed evenly matched. But then Itachi's eyes shifted, and black flames—Amaterasu—erupted from his fireball, overwhelming Sasuke's attack and forcing him to retreat.
The battle wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
Half a meter away, The battlefield shifted beneath Yugito's feet, water pooling unnaturally from nowhere as Kisame's monstrous chakra flooded the area. What had been dry, rocky terrain moments ago was now a growing lake. Yugito's eyes narrowed as she glanced at Kimimaro, the two of them standing back to back, surrounded by the ever-rising tide.
Kisame grinned, his shark-like teeth bared in a sadistic expression. "Ah, the fun's just getting started. You two are impressive, I'll give you that. But you're really out of your depth now. This is my domain."
Yugito's bubbling Two-Tails chakra Cloak hissed audibly, repairing the shredded muscle in her arms. She flexed her fingers experimentally, her claws elongating with the chakra of Matatabi. "You talk too much," she said, her voice resonating with an otherworldly growl. "Let's see if you can back it up."
Kimimaro remained calm, his expression unreadable despite the dire circumstances. His crimson eyes flicked to Kisame's blade, Samehada, which seemed to ripple with life, its jagged scales bristling as it absorbed the chakra in the air. "The blade doesn't just absorb chakra," Kimimaro muttered to Yugito, his tone even. "It feeds him. The more chakra we use, the stronger he becomes."
Yugito grimaced, her feline features twisting in irritation. "Then what do you suggest, genius? Stand here inert and let him kill us?"
"No," Kimimaro said simply. "We adapt."
Without further warning, Kimimaro surged forward, his Dance of the Camellia igniting into action. The bone sword in his hand, and those that protruded from every joint in his body, gleamed like polished ivory as he swung himself in precise, calculated arcs, each strike aimed at Kisame's vital points. Kisame's grin widened, meeting every strike with Samehada's massive girth. The two clashed in a flurry of steel and bone, each movement a violent testament to their mastery of close combat.
Kisame swung Samehada in a brutal horizontal arc, aiming to cleave Kimimaro in half. Kimimaro ducked, his preternatural agility allowing him to twist beneath the swing. In the same motion, his weaponized spine lashed out like a whip, aiming for Kisame's unguarded flank. Kisame dodged, laughing. "Nice try, bone boy. You've got skills, I'll give you that. But you can't keep up forever."
Kimimaro's response was silent, his face emotionless as he thrust forward with Dance of the Clematis: Flower. His densest bone structure formed a deadly drill of his right arm instantaneously, aimed directly at Kisame's chest.
My Shitotsykmu is much stronger since Tsunade-sama healed me.
Then, Kisame brought Samehada up just in time, the jagged blade absorbing some of the chakra reinforcing the drill. The drill cracked and shattered, shards of bone flying in every direction. Kimimaro leapt back, unshaken.
"That sword…" Yugito growled, her ethereal claw shimmering with blue fire. "It's a parasite."
Kisame tilted his head mockingly. "And a hungry one at that. Feed it some more, kitty."
Yugito vanished in a burst of speed, reappearing beside Kisame with her chakra-enhanced claw elongated, slashing downward. Kisame turned, swinging Samehada to intercept her strike. The blade cleaved through her chakra effortlessly, dispersing the energy like smoke. Yugito's eyes widened in surprise as Kisame's fist shot forward, slamming into her stomach and sending her skidding across the water.
"Stay focused. He thrives on chaos," said a friendly voice. Kimimaro caught her before she could fall, steadying her.
Yugito spat blood, her feline pupils narrowing dangerously. "I noticed."
Kisame slammed Samehada into the ground, the blade pulsating with malevolent energy. "Enough foreplay. Let's see how you handle this." He weaved a series of hand seals with blinding speed. "Water Release: Exploding Water Shockwave!"
The lake surged, water rising into a massive tidal wave that loomed over them like a living wall. Kimimaro and Yugito barely had time to brace themselves before the wave crashed down, the sheer force of it threatening to drown them where they stood. Kimimaro extended his bone structure to anchor himself to the ground, while Yugito's chakra cloak flared outwardly, protecting her from the brunt of the impact.
The battlefield was now entirely submerged, with Kisame standing atop the water as though it were solid ground. "Welcome to my world," he said, his voice echoing across the waves. "Let's see how long you can hold your breath."
Yugito growled, her chakra cloak intensifying as her form began to shift, the outline of Matatabi's two tails becoming more pronounced. "We need to end this," she said, her voice layered with the beast's guttural tones.
Kimimaro nodded, his calm demeanor unwavering. "Follow my lead."
The two launched themselves at Kisame simultaneously, their combined attacks creating a deadly synergy. Kimimaro's bone weapons struck with precision and force, while Yugito's fiery chakra claws added a feral unpredictability to their assault. Kisame relished the challenge, his laughter ringing out as he blocked, parried, and countered with terrifying efficiency.
But as the battle raged on, the water beneath them began to shift unnaturally. Kimimaro's eyes narrowed as he noticed the subtle movements. "He's preparing something."
Kisame's grin widened. "Smart boy." He slammed Samehada into the water, sending a shockwave rippling outward. "Let me show you what happens when you fight a monster in his element."
Nearby, the air shimmered with residual heat, distorted by the power of the clash between Sasuke's Fireball Technique and Itachi's Amaterasu. Flames crackled around them, casting long shadows across the desolate battlefield. The faint metallic tang of ozone filled the air as Sasuke's black lightning arced and hissed, the crackling bolts dancing across his blade. His sharingan glowed malevolently, locked onto Itachi's.
"You've grown stronger, brother," Itachi said evenly, blood dripping from the corners of his eyes as he activated his Mangekyōu sharingan. His expression betrayed neither pain nor surprise, only the quiet acceptance of inevitability.
Sasuke sneered, his voice tinged with triumph. "Stronger than you ever thought possible. And today, you die by my hand."
Itachi moved with deliberate calm, his crimson eyes spinning hypnotically. Shuriken glittered in the fading light as the two Uchiha launched them in perfect synchronicity. Each blade collided mid-air, clattering to the ground uselessly. They closed the distance between them in an instant, fists meeting in a blur of strikes and counters. The clash of their blows echoed through the battlefield, a testament to the skill and ferocity of the Uchiha clan.
Sasuke leapt back, his hands forming a rapid series of seals. "Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!" he shouted. A roaring torrent of flames erupted from his mouth, taking the form of a serpentine dragon that spiraled toward Itachi with blistering speed. The heat from the attack, combined with the residual charge of the previous clash, superheated the air, causing it to glow faintly with a static charge.
Itachi's Mangekyōu spun faster as he countered, his hands seals weaving him a defensive barrier of water from the nearby lake Kisame had conjured. The flames dissipated just before they reached him, their heat diffused into the atmosphere. But the faint narrowing of his eyes betrayed his unease.
"What's the matter, Itachi? Can't keep up?" Sasuke smirked, his voice dripping with mockery.
Itachi's response was measured, but there was a glimmer of pride in his tone. "You've mastered techniques beyond my expectations. But don't let your arrogance blind you to reality."
Sasuke didn't reply. Instead, he extended his arm, his blade sparking with Black Lightning. The air around him crackled as he poured his chakra into the technique, creating a violent storm of electricity. He swung the blade in a wide arc, sending bolts of black lightning toward Itachi. The ground exploded where the bolts struck, scattering debris and ash into the air.
Itachi dodged with fluid precision, his sharingan predicting the trajectory of each bolt. He moved like a ghost, untouched by the destruction around him. But Sasuke wasn't finished. His hands formed another sequence of seals, and he raised them skyward.
"Witness the culmination of my power!" Sasuke roared. The skies above darkened, the residual heat from his fire techniques fueling the formation of storm clouds. Lightning crackled ominously as the atmosphere itself seemed to bow to Sasuke's will.
The clouds churned, and from their depths emerged a massive beast of pure lightning. Shaped like a dragon, it writhed and roared, its angry, black form outlined by blinding arcs of electricity. Sasuke's sharingan glinted with triumph as he directed the creature toward his brother.
"Kirin!" he shouted, bringing his hand down in a commanding motion.
The dragon roared to life, descending with terrifying speed. Itachi looked up, his face unreadable as the devastating technique struck. He couldn't react in time, the technique traveling at near lightspeed. The ground shook violently as the elemental construct obliterated everything in its path. When the smoke and dust settled, Sasuke stood amidst the chaos, panting heavily. He surveyed the crater before him, searching for any sign of life.
Itachi's body lay motionless in the center of the destruction. Blood pooled beneath him, his clothes scorched and tattered. Sasuke approached cautiously, his blade still crackling with residual lightning.
"I've done it," he muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You're finally—"
Itachi's hand twitched.
Sasuke's eyes widened in shock as his brother slowly rose to his feet, blood dripping from his lips. Itachi's Mangekyōu sharingan burned brighter than ever, and an aura of crimson chakra began to envelop him. The shape of an enormous spectral warrior formed around him, its skeletal frame growing denser with each passing moment.
"This… is the power you cannot hope to surpass," Itachi said, his voice cold and unyielding. The ethereal figure solidified, its armor gleaming ominously. In its hand, it held a gourd-shaped flask and a glowing sword.
"Susanoo," Itachi whispered, the name echoing like a death knell.
Sasuke stumbled back, his sharingan spinning wildly as he tried to comprehend the new power before him. The spectral warrior raised its blade—the legendary Sword of Totsuka, said to seal anything it pierced into an eternal genjutsu. Itachi's eyes locked onto Sasuke's, and for the first time, fear flickered in the younger Uchiha's gaze.
"You were a fool to think you could kill me," Itachi said, his voice carrying the weight of finality. "You'll die here, Sasuke."
The artificial lake churned violently, Kisame's sharks circling beneath the surface like phantoms of death. The water seemed alive, each ripple betraying the movements of the predators lurking below. Kisame grinned wickedly, his jagged teeth bared as he held Samehada with an almost casual arrogance. His eyes flicked between Yugito and Kimimaro, appraising his opponents with the glee of a predator cornering its prey.
"What's the matter?" Kisame mocked. "Having trouble keeping up?"
Yugito growled, her Tailed Beast chakra flickering around her like a veil of blue flames. Her eyes glowed dangerously as she glanced at Kimimaro. "I'm out of my element," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. She raised her hands, summoning twin columns of searing, blue flame that roared toward Kisame.
Kisame chuckled and lazily weaved his hand seals, summoning a shield of water to intercept the flames. The water hissed and steamed, but the flames dissipated harmlessly. Yugito snarled and wove another set of hand signs, releasing a sizable bolt of lightning into the water. The electric current danced across the surface but failed to penetrate the depths, leaving the sharks below unscathed.
Kimimaro sidestepped a leaping shark, his movements fluid and precise. "The water nullifies your fire and diffuses your lightning. Let me try something," he said, his voice calm despite the chaos. With a flick of his wrist, he sliced through the attacking shark, bisecting it cleanly with his bone sword. Dropping the weapon, he raised his hands and unleashed his Ten Finger Drilling Bullets Technique. Bone projectiles fired into the water like torpedoes, striking the circling sharks. Plumes of red billowed through the water as the sharks met their demise.
"Not bad," Kisame admitted, his grin widening. Without warning, he thrust Samehada into the water and called out, "Summoning Jutsu!" A plume of smoke erupted from the water, and dozens of sharks materialized beneath the surface, their fins slicing through the waves menacingly.
Yugito tensed. "If this keeps up, I'll have to transform," she muttered. Her chakra cloak flared, the outline of the Two-Tails' form becoming more distinct.
Kimimaro shook his head. "Let me handle this." Without another word, he dove into the water, his body a blur of motion. Sharks converged on him instantly, but Kimimaro twisted and turned with inhuman agility, evading their attacks.
Underwater, Kimimaro activated his Dance of the Seedling Fern. The earth beneath the lake erupted, and thousands of bone blades shot upward like a macabre forest. The sharks were caught in the rising spikes, their bodies impaled and lifeless within moments. The water bled crimson as the deadly dance reached its climax.
Kisame's eyes gleamed with excitement as he watched the carnage unfold. "Impressive! The Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku... I thought you were all dead," he said, his voice tinged with amusement. "But I guess that just makes killing you even more special."
Kimimaro surfaced, his body drenched but his expression serene. He narrowed his eyes at Kisame. "Your games are over."
Kisame laughed heartily. "Over? Oh no, we're just getting started." He swung Samehada in a wide arc, sending a massive wave toward Yugito and Kimimaro. The two leapt out of the way, but Kisame was already moving. In an instant, he appeared between them, Samehada slicing downward. Yugito and Kimimaro dodged in opposite directions, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Kisame raised his free hand and summoned another dozen sharks, their forms shimmering into existence beneath the water. "Let's see how long you can keep up!" he taunted.
Kimimaro's expression darkened. His Curse Mark Second Form spread further across his skin, transforming his appearance. His bones elongated and sharpened, forming natural armor and additional weapons. He dove back into the water, his form an undulating blur as he streaked through the water.
From beneath the surface, Kimimaro activated his Dance of the Seedling Fern once more, creating an even larger forest of bone spikes. The sheer volume of bones turned the lake into a deadly trap, impaling the sharks and forcing Kisame to retreat to higher ground.
Kisame jumped onto a nearby rock formation, Samehada wrapped in his hands. He surveyed the battlefield, his grin never faltering. "You're a tough one, I'll give you that," he admitted. His eyes flicked toward the horizon, where a massive red figure loomed. The spectral form of Itachi's Susanoo towered in the distance, its sword raised high.
Kisame chuckled. "Looks like Itachi's almost done. Let's wrap this up, shall we?" He unwrapped Samehada, its true form revealed in all its grotesque glory. The sword writhed like a living creature, its growing scales bristling with anticipation.
Yugito and Kimimaro stood side by side, their breathing heavy but their resolve unshaken. The battlefield had changed, and Kisame was still grinning. The fight wasn't over.
On the other end of the unrecognizable battlefield, Sasuke's breathing was ragged, his body trembling as the Curse Mark Second Form spread violently across his skin, consuming him in dark, writhing patterns. His vision blurred, and his limbs felt heavy. He had spent nearly all his chakra battling Itachi, and now, in his weakened state, the seal that had bound Orochimaru within him finally broke.
A grotesque, slithering sound filled the air. Giant, white snakes erupted from Sasuke's body, their scales glistening and eyes glowing with malevolence. One of the snakes opened its massive jaws, revealing the twisted, pale figure of Orochimaru inside. The legendary snake Sannin emerged, his serpentine eyes gleaming with delight.
"Orochimaru..." Sasuke hissed through gritted teeth, his voice filled with equal parts anger and despair.
Orochimaru smirked, his voice dripping with malice. "Did you really think you could suppress me forever, Sasuke? You underestimated me, as everyone always does. Now, I'll take what I deserve—your body."
Before Orochimaru could make another move, the air grew heavy with an oppressive energy. Itachi's Susanoo loomed above them, its spectral form casting an eerie glow over the battlefield. The fiery-red avatar moved with deliberate intent, its presence suffocating. Orochimaru's smirk faltered, replaced by a look of realization and dread.
The Sword of Totsuka gleamed as Susanoo raised it high. Orochimaru barely had time to react before the blade pierced through his chest, pinning him in place. The snakes that had erupted from Sasuke's body writhed and screamed before dissolving into nothingness. Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock as the sword began to glow, pulling him into its ethereal gourd.
"No! Not like this!" Orochimaru screamed, his voice filled with desperation. "I am eternal! I cannot—"
His words were cut short as the Sword of Totsuka sealed him in an eternal dream state, trapping him within the gourd for all eternity. The battlefield grew silent, the only sound the faint hum of Susanoo's presence.
Sasuke fell to his knees, gasping for air. His body felt like it was on the verge of collapse, but he forced himself to look up. Itachi's Susanoo loomed closer, its burning gaze locked on him. The Yata Mirror shimmered, reflecting all attacks that dared approach it. Sasuke felt his heart sink—his brother seemed invincible.
Itachi's voice, calm and cold, cut through the silence. "Is that all you have, Sasuke?"
Sasuke's fists clenched, his frustration boiling over. He forced himself to stand, his legs trembling beneath him. Summoning the last remnants of his strength, he charged at Itachi, his sword igniting with Black Lightning. An armor of that same Black Lightning enveloped his body, augmenting his speed. Each swing of his blade was met with the unyielding defense of the Yata Mirror, which effortlessly reflected his attacks. Itachi remained impassive, his sharingan spinning slowly as he watched his younger brother's futile struggle.
Sasuke's final attack was deflected with such force that he was sent flying backward. He hit the ground hard, his body refusing to move. The fight was over. He lay there, helpless, as Itachi's Susanoo began to fade, its form dissolving into the air. Itachi stepped forward, his footsteps slow and deliberate.
Sasuke's mind raced, fear and confusion clouding his thoughts. This was it—this was the moment his brother would take his eyes, the culmination of the nightmare he had lived since childhood. As Itachi loomed over him, Sasuke felt his heart pounding in his chest.
But instead of the final blow, Itachi reached out, his hand trembling. His bloodied fingers touched Sasuke's forehead in a gesture that was achingly familiar.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke," Itachi said softly, his voice filled with something Sasuke couldn't comprehend—regret. "There won't be a next time."
Sasuke's eyes widened as he stared at his brother, confusion and disbelief etched across his face. Itachi's hand fell to his side, his body swaying unsteadily. Then, without another word, Itachi collapsed to the ground.
The silence was deafening.
Sasuke remained frozen, his mind unable to process what had just happened. His brother—the man he had spent his entire life hating, the man who had destroyed their clan—lay motionless before him. Itachi was dead.
Tears blurred Sasuke's vision as he stared at his brother's lifeless body. He didn't understand—he couldn't understand. All he could feel was the crushing weight of emptiness, a void that threatened to consume him.
The sky above them darkened, clouds gathering as if mourning the end of a battle that had been written in fate itself. For the first time in years, Sasuke felt truly alone.
Atop the makeshift lake of the nearby battlefield, Kisame stood shirtless amidst the chaos, his robe discarded and his body scarred from the ferocity of the battle. Samehada had grown grotesquely large, its scales quivering with hunger as it devoured the chakra it had stolen. A strange, almost gleeful chirping echoed from the sword, a sound that unsettled Yugito. She narrowed her eyes as she realized what was happening—the blade was thriving on her chakra, growing stronger with every passing moment.
Kimimaro stood beside her, balanced delicately on the water's surface. His Curse Mark Second Form was a terrifying spectacle—his spiked vertebrae protruded like jagged blades, shielding his body while simultaneously serving as weapons. He was a monstrous image of resilience, a warrior who had pushed beyond ordinary human limitations.
But even Kimimaro's grotesque appearance paled in comparison to what Yugito was about to become. She grimaced, realizing she had no other choice. With a scream that echoed across the battlefield, she surrendered to the power within her. Her Demon Chakra suffused the area in a heavy blanket. Her form expanded, twisting and warping into the fiery, spectral figure of Matatabi, the Two-Tails. Blue and black flames flickered with intense heat, and her heterochromatic eyes—one yellow, the other green—glowed with an ethereal, piercing light. The enormous, feline figure let out a guttural roar, shaking the very earth beneath them.
Kisame grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the light of Matatabi's flames. "Now that's more like it. Samehada, you've got yourself a feast."
Matatabi lunged forward, her massive claws swiping with terrifying force. Kisame raised Samehada, the sword vibrating with glee as it absorbed the Tailed Beast Chakra in a violent burst. For the first time, Yugito noticed the strange, almost loving interaction between Kisame and his sword. His grin faltered briefly as he muttered, "Samehada, do you prefer her chakra over mine?"
Matatabi growled in response, her flaming form retreating as she began to charge a Bijūdama. The orb of compressed energy and chakra swirled with ominous power, growing larger with each second. Kimimaro, watching from the side, marveled at its construction, noting its resemblance to Naruto's Rasengan, albeit it seemed far more destructive.
Kisame, undeterred, formed a series of rapid hand seals. His immense chakra surged, almost reaching the heights of Matatabi's. "Water Release: Great Water Prison Dome Technique!"
The water beneath them surged upward, forming an enormous sphere that enveloped both Matatabi and Kisame. The sheer size of the water prison was staggering, a testament to Kisame's monstrous chakra reserves. The fiery form of Matatabi flickered and dimmed as the water began to smother her flames, extinguishing her power bit by bit. Kisame melded together with his sword, morphing into a grotesquery of man and shark. His long fins allowed him to glide effortlessly through the water prison.
Kimimaro's eyes widened as he realized the dire situation. He screamed, pouring every ounce of his waning strength into his most devastating technique. "Dance of the Seedling Fern!"
Using his body as a seed, an immense forest of bone erupted in all direction, filling the space of the water prison. Thousands of jagged bone blades surged outward, slicing through everything in their path. The grotesque hybrid form of Kisame and Samehada was pierced dozens of times, blood spilling from his mouth as his laughter turned to a guttural choke. The forest of bones even impaled Matatabi, forcing her to dispel her Tailed Beast form. Yugito's scream was muffled by the sound of the water prison bursting apart, a massive torrent of liquid cascading downward onto the forest floor.
When the water settled, Kisame lay sprawled on the ground, blood pooling beneath him. His hybrid form flickered and faded as he reverted back to his human appearance. Samehada lay beside him, unmoving.
Kimimaro staggered, his curse mark receding as he fell to one knee. He spit out blood. Yugito coughed violently, expelling the water from her lungs. She forced herself to her feet, her eyes blazing with fury. Snatching one of Kimimaro's discarded bone swords, she marched toward Kisame. The rogue swordsman coughed, blood dribbling from his lips as he chuckled weakly.
"You betrayed me," he murmured, staring at Samehada. His grin remained, even as life faded from his eyes.
Without a word, Yugito plunged the bone sword into his face, silencing him for good. The grin never left his bloodied lips. She reached down and picked up Samehada, slinging it over her shoulder. The sword vibrated faintly, purring in response to her chakra.
"It's over," she said, her voice cold and resolute.
Kimimaro nodded weakly, his eyes scanning the battlefield littered with the remnants of their battle. The rain began to fall, washing away the blood and grime as the two stood victorious. But in the distance, a dark silhouette loomed—the battle was far from over. But at that moment, the form dissipated. They moved slowly to investigate.
Kimimaro leaned heavily on one of his bone swords for support, his curse mark receding back into his pale skin. His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield, taking in the destruction around them. It was over—the eerie red glow of Susanoo had faded, and the once-dominating presence of Itachi Uchiha was no more. His body lay crumpled in the dirt, lifeless.
Yugito clutched her bleeding side, swaying unsteadily as her Demon Chakra retreated. The flickering blue flames of Matatabi were gone, leaving only the battered form of Yugito Nii. She and Kimimaro exchanged a glance, an unspoken acknowledgment of their shared battle, and its consequent exhaustion and relief. Suddenly, a sharp cry broke the silence.
"Sasuke!" Karin ran past them, her red hair whipping behind her as she skidded to a halt beside the barely-standing Uchiha. "Bite me, Sasuke!" she demanded, shoving her wrist toward his face. Yugito winced, taken aback by the sudden and strange request.
"Is this… normal?" Yugito asked, her voice weak but laced with confusion.
Kabuto stepped forward from the shadows, adjusting his glasses calmly. "Yes, if you recall, It's part of her technique," he explained. "She has an incredible healing ability. Sasuke simply needs to ingest some of her blood."
Sasuke didn't respond immediately. He swayed on his feet, his gaze fixed on his brother's lifeless body. The weight of Itachi's final words, the revelations of the Mangekyōu sharingan, and the battle's toll all pressed down on him. Slowly, reluctantly, he leaned forward and bit Karin's wrist.
Karin winced but didn't move, her chakra flaring as she transferred her healing ability to Sasuke. His wounds began to knit themselves back together, his breaths evening out. When he finally straightened, his crimson eyes gleamed with a new, sinister power.
"The Mangekyōu sharingan." Kimimaro's voice cut through the moment. His tone was even, though there was an edge of respect in his words. "Itachi's death has unlocked the latent potential of your eyes."
Sasuke frowned, saying nothing. His gaze flicked briefly to Yugito, who was still swaying on her feet, blood dripping from her side. She met his eyes and smirked faintly, as if to say, I'm fine. But her legs buckled slightly, and Kimimaro moved to steady her.
"Let's go," Sasuke said finally, his voice low and detached. He turned and began walking, not sparing another glance at his brother's body. Yugito and Kimimaro followed, Karin still clinging to Sasuke's arm, fussing over his injuries.
But none of them noticed the faint shimmer in the air as Itachi's body disappeared, as if sucked into a vortex.
When they returned to the Sound Village, the atmosphere felt tense. The villagers watched them with a mix of awe and fear, their eyes lingering on the battered forms of their leader and his companions. The terrible sounds of the battle had traveled ahead of their return, and many had feared the worst. Sasuke's focus sharpened as he spotted Kabuto standing at the entrance to the main building, speaking to an Akatsuki-cloaked figure with an orange mask.
The figure exuded an ominous aura, his stance commanding yet casual. As they approached, the masked man turned to face them, his single visible eye gleaming with malice.
"Sasuke Uchiha," the man said, his voice deep and resonant. "You've done well."
"Who are you?" Sasuke's sharingan flared instinctively, his hand twitching toward his sword.
The man chuckled darkly. "I am Madara Uchiha," he said, his voice calm but weighted with authority. "And I have been waiting for you."
The air seemed to grow colder, the weight of his words settling heavily over the group. Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as the name echoed in his mind. Madara Uchiha... The name was legendary, tied to the origins of the Uchiha clan and the foundation of Konoha. But how could this man be standing before him now? He couldn't. Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
Yugito stepped forward slightly, her stance defensive despite her injuries. "What do you want with him?" she asked sharply.
Madara tilted his head, his mask tilting just slightly to the side. "Everything," he said simply. His sole eye focused on Sasuke. "But for now, I want to tell him the truth—about his brother, about the Uchiha, and about the world."
"Talk," Sasuke said, his voice cold, his posture stiff.
Madara chuckled again, the sound low and sinister. "Oh, we'll talk. But first…" He turned his attention to Kabuto. "Prepare the others. We have work to do."
As Kabuto nodded and disappeared into the building, Madara looked back at Sasuke. "Welcome to the real war, Uchiha."