Chapter XXXI: The Uchiha Brothers
"Let's get started," Sasuke says, his Sharingan eyes never leaving Gyatsō. He doesn't yet know who Gyatsō is, but the man's menacing aura and the chaos he's caused are enough to mark him as the enemy. In the short time Sasuke has observed the situation, he's already pieced together that Gyatsō is the one pulling the strings. His crimson Sharingan locks onto Gyatsō's similarly coloured Shaolin, the strange swirling cross pattern in the man's eyes sending a faint chill down Sasuke's spine. He quickly begins formulating an attack plan, his mind racing through strategies.
Zuko remains on his knees, his weakened body trembling as he stares at the thin line of blood trailing down his master's wrist. His loyalty to Gyatsō is unwavering, but his strength is fading fast.
"Akazo, Itachi," Sasuke starts, his voice calm yet commanding. "We'll charge at the one on the left. The one on the right looks too injured to pose a threat to us." With that, he unsheathes his sword, gripping the hilt tightly in his free hand.
Akazo nods silently, his expression focused as he draws his own weapon. His movements are precise, his readiness evident. Gyatsō, meanwhile, grits his teeth, the electricity coursing through his hand intensifying. The numbness spreads further through his body, but he refuses to show weakness, his evil glare fixed on the younger of the Uchiha brothers.
Itachi slowly rises to his feet. A knowing smile forms on his lips as he watches Sasuke take charge.It seems that you've grown to be quite the leader, Sasuke...he thinks, Uchiha pride flickering in his remaining eye.
"Yes, the one on the left is the one who orchestrated this attack on the village," Itachi explains. "His name is Gyatsō Mataba, and he wields the Shaolin. Up until now, he had an even more powerful version of that eye, but I made sure to strip that away from him." As he speaks, his Sharingan morphs into the Mangekyou, the intricate pattern spinning slowly.
"Shaolin?" Akazo interjects, his brow furrowing as he glances at Sasuke. "I've heard about those eyes when I was on a mission in the Hidden Grass Village." The Anbu's head tilts slightly in confusion. "But I was told the one who actually had them was the last member of the Taisega clan. So why do two people have them?"
Itachi points to Zuko, who is now glaring daggers at Sasuke, his loyalty to Gyatsō burning fiercely despite his weakened state. "That boy is the Taisega in question... Zuko Taisega," he replied. "Within Gyatsō's memories, I saw Zuko giving him his eyes. That would explain why Gyatsō, not of the Taisega clan, possesses the Shaolin. And I faced this child in battle earlier. His unique Curse Mark allows him to heal wounds instantaneously... it doesn't surprise me that his own eyes have regenerated."
Sasuke raises an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to his brother. "Why do you know so much about these two?" he asks, his tone laced with curiosity and suspicion.
Itachi's expression remains calm as he answers. "As I said, I've seen all of Gyatsō's memories. But that's not all... I've found a powerful new ally. Ketsueki Kuraiya, a rogue Leaf ninja, freed me from Gyatsō's clutches and told me everything he knew. Gyatsō plans on taking over the village, then the Land of Fire itself... and, eventually, the remaining Great Nations. What he seeks is global domination."
Sasuke chuckles softly, the sound almost amused. Kuraiya? Those guys haven't died out either? Memories of his past skirmishes with members of the Kuraiya clan flash through his mind, but he quickly pushes them aside. There's no time for reminiscing—not when the fate of the ninja world hangs in the balance. His grip tightens on his sword as he refocuses on Gyatsō, his Sharingan blazing with determination.
"Well, enough chitchat. Once we take these two down, this plan is finished," Sasuke says, his voice sharp and decisive. Without waiting for a response, he sprints forward, his eyes locking back onto Gyatsō. His movements turn into a blur, closing the distance by the second.
"Damnit, Sasuke, at least tell me when you're moving in!" Akazo complains, his voice tinged with frustration as he dashes to catch up with his partner. Despite his irritation, his focus remains clear, his weapon ready as he prepares to back Sasuke up.
Gyatsō's eye flickers purple for a moment, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He makes no move to defend himself, his confidence unnerving. Itachi, watching intently from a distance, notices the subtle shift in Gyatsō's demeanor and decides to hold back, his sharp eye analyzing the situation.
"He can't move right now, Akazo. I'll finish him off quickly," Sasuke yells, now standing directly in front of Gyatsō. With a quick flick of his wrist, he sends his blade slicing toward Gyatsō's chest. If the strike connects, it will be over—Gyatsō will be finished.
But before the blade can reach its target, Gyatsō's Rinnegan flares to life.
"Almighty Push!"
A powerful dome of air erupts from Gyatsō, the force slamming into Sasuke and sending him crashing back into Akazo. Both Anbu members are thrown through the air, their bodies tumbling uncontrollably until Itachi steps in, catching them effortlessly before they hit the ground.
"An error on my part. I forgot to inform you that Gyatsō also has the Rinnegan," Itachi says, his tone calm but his eyes narrowed in concentration. He sets Sasuke and Akazo down gently before stepping to the side, his gaze shifting to his brother. "I saw him switch to it as you were coming toward him. Since he's paralyzed from that Chidori, he'll keep using those eyes to push you away. Sasuke, you know what that means, yes?"
Sasuke nods, his jaw clenched as he gets back to his feet. His mind races, calculating the risks. Any long-range jutsu he attacks with will be useless—Gyatsō will simply absorb it with the Gakido. "Of course I do," Sasuke replies, his voice tight with frustration. "But if I don't stop him from moving, he'll be an even bigger problem for us."
Akazo frowns, his mind working quickly. He has an idea, but before he can voice it, he notices Itachi is still deep in thought, clearly formulating a plan of his own. Just as Akazo opens his mouth to speak, a familiar voice cuts through the tension.
Everyone turns their attention to the figure approaching from the background. It's Shikamaru Nara, the new head of the Nara clan, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. His sharp eyes scan the scene, taking in every detail. He's been watching the entire ordeal, and it's clear he's already devised a strategy.
"Oh hey, it's you, Shikamaru! Just who I needed," Akazo chimes, a hint of relief in his voice.
Shikamaru smirks slightly, his expression calm but confident. "Looks like you could use a hand," he says, his tone casual despite the gravity of the situation. "I've got a plan, but we'll need to move quickly."
The group exchanges quick glances, their focus sharpening as Shikamaru steps forward. With his intellect and their combined strength, they might just have a chance to turn the tide against Gyatsō.
"It's a drag seeing our most capable shinobi in such a bind," Shikamaru sighs, his voice tinged with exhaustion but laced with determination. He crouches to a knee and performs a single hand sign, his shadow slowly stretching out across the ground in a thin, deliberate line toward Gyatsō. "Speaking of which..." he mutters, his sharp eyes narrowing as he focuses on his target.
"Sasuke," Shikamaru calls out, his tone calm but urgent, "you're gonna need perfect timing for this. Release your jutsu just before my Shadow Possession Jutsu hits him." His dark eyes flicker to Akazo, a hint of respect in his gaze. "I've heard stories about your genjutsu, Nimiah. Do us a solid and hit him with one to make sure he doesn't break away from my hold. Then, you and I will move him away from the area. The Uchihas can make quick work of the younger one, then aid us in finishing this manic off for good."
Gyatsō's eye twitches, his face contorting with rage. "Do you weaklings really still think you can take me on?!" he demands, his voice booming with fury. The idea of being manipulated by Shikamaru's jutsu is unbearable to him, and his pride refuses to accept it.
"Well, let's find out," Shikamaru chuckles, his shadow now speeding toward Gyatsō with increasing velocity. The electricity coursing through Gyatsō's body suddenly dissipates, but his brief moment of freedom is short-lived. Shikamaru's shadow connects, and in an instant, Gyatsō's movements are no longer his own.
"Good work, Shikamaru!" Akazo says as he steps forward. "I'll perform the genjutsu before he tries to resist." He moves toward Gyatsō, his hands already forming the necessary signs. Shikamaru follows closely behind, his brow furrowed with concentration as he fights to maintain control over Gyatsō's body. The strain is evident—earlier battles have already worn him down, and sweat beads on his forehead.
With a final hand sign, Akazo's genjutsu takes hold. Illusionary tigers materialize in Gyatsō's mind, their fangs sinking deep into his flesh. The pain is vivid, paralyzing, and Gyatsō's Shaolin deactivates as his body slumps forward, now entirely under Shikamaru's control.
"Quick, Akazo. Come on!" Shikamaru urges. He begins moving, guiding Gyatsō's body away from the battlefield. Akazo follows close behind, his eyes darting back to Sasuke and Itachi. "Sasuke, Itachi, I'll handle Gyatsō. You two take out Zuko!"
As Shikamaru and Akazo disappear from sight with Gyatsō in tow, Zuko coughs violently, blood spilling from his lips. He tries to rise to his feet, his body trembling with the effort, but the pain is too much. His legs buckle, and he collapses back to the ground. A single tear streams down his cheek as he realizes he won't die in Gyatsō's presence. In his eyes, he has failed his master, and the weight of that failure is crushing.
The battlefield grows quieter, but the tension remains palpable. Sasuke and Itachi exchange a glance, their shared understanding clear. With Gyatsō out of the picture for now, their focus shifts to Zuko.
"Tch, how pathetic," Sasuke mutters, his voice full of disdain as he retrieves his sword from the rubble. He brushes off the dust, then looks over at the wounded child. "This guy reminds me of Kimimaro. Swearing loyalty to such trash."
Itachi glances over at Zuko, his expression weary. The gentle Uchiha knows the boy's story, having seen Gyatsō's memories. Given that, for the ninja world, he would have to be put down. Seeing no further threat from the weakened Taisega, he deactivates his Mangekyou Sharingan, the intricate pattern fading from his eye.
"Just like us, Zuko was a prodigy from a notable shinobi clan," Itachi says, his voice quiet. "Well, the Taisega clan bloodline ends today. So too will Gyatsō. The Shaolin will become a relic of our shinobi world... but it must be done to preserve the peace many lives were sacrificed to obtain." He somberly thinks back to the monstrosities of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Sasuke steps closer to Zuko, his sword held loosely at his side. The faint light catches the edge of the blade, casting a cold gleam. He raises the sword slowly, positioning it above Zuko's head. His expression is dark, his Sharingan eyes locked onto his opponent. "Any last words?" Sasuke asks, his tone cold and detached.
Zuko coughs weakly, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His voice is soft but filled with defiance. "I did... indeed fail... Lord Gyatsō... but... I will keep... f-fighting... forhissake!" His eyes burn with anger as he glares up at Sasuke, his loyalty unrelenting even in the face of death.
Sasuke stares into Zuko's cold, determined eyes for a moment before tightening his grip on the sword. "Dead men can't fight," he says flatly. With a swift motion, he brings the blade down.
But instead of meeting flesh, the sword is caught—Zuko's hand shoots up, gripping the blade tightly. Blood drips from his palm, pooling on the ground below. Sasuke's eyes widen in shock as Zuko's grip tightens, the blade slicing deeper into his hand but failing to deter him.
"The one who's going to die... isyou!"Zuko roars, his voice echoing with a primal fury. His white hair whips around wildly as dark, malevolent chakra erupts from his body, engulfing the area in an oppressive aura. With a brutal twist, Zuko shatters Sasuke's sword, the blade snapping into pieces. He lunges forward, a shard of the broken blade clutched in his hand.
Itachi moves like a shadow, appearing directly in front of Zuko in an instant. He blocks the attack with a kunai, the clash of metal ringing out sharply. Zuko's maniacal laughter fills the air, the ground trembling beneath their feet as his Mūgetsu Shaolin flares with blinding intensity. The sheer force of his chakra pushes Itachi and Sasuke back, forcing them to leap away to create distance.
"Be wary, brother. This is the power of his Curse Mark and his Mūgetsu, used in tandem. It's unlike anything you've ever faced," Itachi gasps out, his Sharingan spinning rapidly as he recalls their earlier battle. He had seen Zuko in this monstrous state before, but the raw, unchecked fury now is even more terrifying.
Sasuke grits his teeth, black markings beginning to spread across his skin as he activates his own Curse Mark. The dark energy surges through him, matching Zuko's intensity.
Zuko stands, his body trembling but his resolve unshaken. He wipes the tears from his face with the back of his hand, his expression twisted with rage and desperation. Without hesitation, he charges at the Uchiha brothers, his movements fueled by sheer willpower and the dark power coursing through him.
"I'll spend my... last moments in this life...ripping you both to shreds!" Zuko screams, his voice quaking the ground beneath their feet. His Mūgetsu Shaolin glows brighter, the air around him crackling with energy as he closes the distance, ready to unleash everything he has left.
Orochimaru smirks to himself, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement as he slowly turns around. He crosses his arms, his gaze locking onto Nori's with a mix of curiosity and mockery. The large markings on her forehead and under her eyes catch his attention—they resemble the Sage Mode of her great-grandfather, Hashirama Senju. The power radiating from her is palpable, and Orochimaru can't help but feel a twisted sense of excitement.
"Orochimaru... you... bastard...!" Nori growls, her voice trembling with rage. She clenches her fists, her body surging forward as she charges toward him. Despite the fatal wounds struck to her head, they are healing at an astonishing rate, her chakra reserves swelling with the intense energy of Sage Mode. The ground cracks beneath her feet as she moves, her determination burning brighter than ever.
"I didn't know you mastered Sage Mode, Nori!" Orochimaru cackles, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He tilts his head, his smirk widening as he taunts her. "Well then, let's have some fun, shall we?"
His words only fuel Nori's fury. Her villagers are dying around her, their cries echoing in the distance, but her focus remains razor-sharp. She knows Orochimaru is the root of this chaos, and she's determined to end him before turning her attention to healing the wounded.
"You shut your damn mouth...!" Nori snarls, her voice low and venomous. Her Sage Mode markings glow brighter, her chakra flaring like a storm. "I swear on my life, I'm going to take you down, once and for all!"