The two Susano'o clashed together with a deafening roar.
Sasuke Uchiha gritted his teeth, feeling reluctant and frustrated.
In terms of ocular power, he had absorbed the Satori from the Box of Supreme Bliss, giving him the advantage.
However, Itachi Uchiha was more skilled in using the Mangekyo Sharingan and Susano'o.
Thus, they were now stuck in this awkward stalemate.
He couldn't defeat Itachi Uchiha.
[Fire Release: Flame Bullet!]
Blistering heat surged forward.
Itachi Uchiha hurled several kunai and shuriken.
They were engulfed in crimson flames, instantly covering Sasuke Uchiha completely.
"It's useless!"
[Let out a Light Snort]
Sasuke drew his own kunai and shuriken as well.
In the next moment, a continuous ringing sound filled the air.
[Yasaka Magatama!]
Seeing his attack fail, Itachi Uchiha's expression remained calm. His crimson Mangekyo Sharingan slightly rotated.
The Susano'o behind him clenched its fist suddenly, performing a throwing motion.
Then, three colossal magatama spiraled outward.
Sasuke Uchiha narrowed his eyes.
[Futsu-Kami!]
He activated the dojutsu of his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Before him, space rippled. Even the flying magatama were affected, slowing down.
In an instant, countless invisible blades and swords shot forth, slicing through the magatama.
CRASH!
Violent shockwaves spread outward.
Itachi Uchiha hesitated for a moment.
His two main ocular techniques—Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu.
Among them, Tsukuyomi had already proven ineffective during their earlier fight.
Due to Sasuke's superior ocular power.
Amaterasu was the only viable option left.
But he hesitated because using it would place even heavier strain on his eyes.
If he went blind, he might no longer be able to achieve the fusion required for the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Since leaving the Uchiha clan, his illness had become increasingly severe.
Although due to Natsume's butterfly effect, the battle between the two brothers occurred earlier than expected, his illness still persisted.
[Watatsumi-Kami!]
Sasuke Uchiha activated his second ocular technique.
He transformed into the god of calamity, bringing misfortunes upon those nearby.
This was a gamble—a luck-based ocular ability.
Earlier, he hadn't used it because he believed he could defeat Itachi Uchiha with sheer strength.
But now, that seemed impossible.
Plus, he could sense that Itachi still held unplayed trump cards—like Totsuka Sword and Yata Mirror within his Susano'o.
[Itachi Uchiha slightly frowned.]
Itachi Uchiha stared ahead.
He clearly felt Sasuke had just used some ocular technique.
But why was there no noticeable effect?
By now, the three colossal magatama had been completely destroyed.
Without further thought, Itachi's right eye Mangekyo Sharingan started spinning rapidly.
[Amaterasu!]
At that moment, he suddenly felt intense pain in his eyes, causing him to clutch at them.
A warm stream of blood trickled down.
The black flames flickered briefly before vanishing entirely.
"What did you do?"
Itachi Uchiha stared at Sasuke Uchiha, his voice betraying rare surprise.
His sight began to fade.
This symptom was a result of overusing his eyes.
Yet he had used only two ocular techniques so far.
Logically, it shouldn't have ended so quickly.
There could be only one explanation: Sasuke Uchiha.
[Mangekyo Sharingan Dojutsu].
Sasuke Uchiha stepped forward, gripping his samurai sword, and said, "Looks like luck is on my side this time."
Itachi Uchiha silently dispelled his Susanoo. At this point, there was no need to keep fighting. Besides, the situation had turned out exactly as he'd hoped.
"You've grown," Itachi allowed a faint smile to cross his face.
"Stop talking to me like that!" Sasuke Uchiha replied coldly, his expression stern. "You don't deserve to say that!"
"You're right," Itachi said calmly without a trace of concern. "Before I die, let me tell you one thing—transplant two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan, and you'll obtain the [Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan]."
Sasuke Uchiha was momentarily taken aback. But shortly afterward, he regained his composure.
"So everything you've done was just for these eyes?" he shouted furiously, his face darkening.
Didn't you already know that? Itachi remained calm, asking, "Kill me… and avenge the others."
Sasuke raised his sword—but at the last moment, switched to striking with the flat side of the blade instead. As Itachi looked on in shock, Sasuke knocked him unconscious.
"Do you really think it's that simple?" Sasuke thought, recalling Mikoto Uchiha. Regardless of what happened next, the final decision belonged to her. But she was currently in the Land of Fire carrying her pregnancy to term, and he couldn't bring himself to disturb her now. He didn't want anything unexpected to happen to his younger sister.
"Teacher," Sasuke said, sheathing his sword and turning to Natsume, who had approached.
"You don't want to kill him?" Natsume asked curiously. He had assumed Itachi would be dead by now. Never did he expect Sasuke—who had always been obsessed with revenge—to show such rare restraint.
"I want to wait until Mother returns," Sasuke explained. "So many people have died—this vengeance shouldn't rest on my shoulders alone."
"You made the right call," Natsume smiled slightly and nodded. "Take him back to the Uchiha clan and imprison him there."
"Mm."
Sasuke gazed at the unconscious Itachi with a storm of conflicting emotions. Once a brother, now an enemy—the transformation still defied understanding.
This chapter isn't over—more excitement coming!
"But no matter what," he thought, "the facts are clear before us."
"Sister Kurenai," Natsume gestured closer.
Kurenai Yuhi approached immediately.
"Gather everyone here," Natsume said after a moment's thought. "I'll send all of you back. Everyone who participated today has effectively completed an S-rank mission. You can handle the rest."
"Yes!"
Kurenai Yuhi turned away to make arrangements.
Not long after, Yugao Uzuki, Might Guy, Naruto Uzumaki, and the others gathered together. Also present were Kisame Hoshigaki and Sasori, both tightly bound. As for Deidara, he had already self-destructed and died.
[Flying Thunder God Technique] flared to life as Natsume activated it. The group vanished into thin air.
At the same time, a chime echoed from the Tamaki of Destiny.
He had gained 1,300 Destiny Points in a single reward. That was quite the bounty.
Among the participants were also Hoshigaki Kisame, Uchiha Itachi, and Deidara, as well as Sasuke Uchiha, Mei Terumī, and Zabuza Momochi, among others. It had practically involved every ninja who took part today.
At this point, Natsume's total destiny value broke through seven thousand points, enough to exchange for many things—for example, the bloodline of the Otsutsuki Clan. However, with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki around, he didn't plan to waste it. He wanted to save it for Mei Terumī and the others, intending to exchange it later for items that could preserve youth indefinitely.
"Congratulations."
Mei walked up alone and said, "From now on, Konoha Village will have no equal in the ninja world."
"You worried?"
Natsume took her hand—it felt soft—so he gave it a couple of squeezes.
"What are you doing?"
Mei quickly pulled away. "Someone might catch us."
Zabuza Momochi and Ephemeral were just nearby.
"Then let's talk when we're alone."
Natsume winked and said, "Just after the battle, you must be exhausted. Let me give you a shoulder rub."
"Bastard!"
Mei immediately glared at him. "Can't you take anything seriously for once? I'm trying to talk to you!"
"The Mist will always endure."
Natsume told her directly.
Mei hesitated briefly before bursting into laughter. She bared two rows of white teeth, threateningly adding, "If you're lying to me, you'll die a very painful death!"
The main plot had largely concluded, leaving only everyday life ahead.
(Chapter End)
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