At this time, the battle between the two pillars and Obito had reached a white-hot stage, moving from indoors to outdoors.
The ceiling of the Uchiha stronghold building was pierced by them.
Uchiha Itachi's figure was the first to jump out from the pierced ceiling. As if afraid of killing Ototo, he slowed down his hand seals from five per second to one every five seconds, and cast a Great Fireball slowly in the air.
Sasukae, who was chasing him, also cast a Great Fireball to counter it.
Watching the battle between the two, Obito, who had just cast the Uchiha Fire Formation, knew that Itachi had gone easy, and no matter what, this battle was destined to be Sasukae's victory.
"It's really embarrassing, Mr. Madara. Oh no, Afei." At this moment, Fujiwara Kirito's teasing voice suddenly sounded beside Obito's ear.
With the broken sleeve of his left hand flying, Obito tilted his head and saw Fujiwara Kirito's figure slowly rising from the ground.
At the same time, Zetsu also emerged.
Obito snorted coldly and said proudly, "If I hadn't been seriously injured in the battle at the Valley of the End, and my strength hasn't recovered yet, how could the group from Konoha be so arrogant?"
Pretend. You keep pretending.
Fujiwara Kirito scoffed in his heart, but didn't show it on the surface. "That's right, how could Uchiha Madara, who was as famous as the First Hokage and known as the Shura of the Ninja World, be so weak?"
"In that case, it makes sense. To be honest, someone like me who enjoys watching the fun is looking forward to seeing how powerful Uchiha Madara was in his prime."
"Then just wait and see." Obito replied in a deep voice.
In his eyes, Fujiwara Kirito's strength had grown beyond his control, and even a girl he casually trained had become formidable.
He was already impatient to gather the nine Tailed Beasts and revive the Ten Tails to become the second Sage of Six Paths.
"Afei, the Konoha group is coming. What do you plan to do?" Black Zetsu didn't know what Obito was thinking. He just sensed Konoha's approach and warned him.
As he spoke, he glanced at Fujiwara Kirito. With this guy here, the Konoha group didn't seem like a big deal.
"Sixth brother, don't look at me like that. I'm just here to watch the show. You have to deal with your own enemies. I don't think you want Lord Madara's name to be ruined instantly." Fujiwara Kirito said playfully.
Black Zetsu was momentarily speechless, and White Zetsu sneered gloatingly, "Afei, looks like you're really underestimated."
"Hmph, no need for you to worry." Obito snorted coldly. Red flames ignited from the five fingers of his left hand, then slammed down.
Uchiha Fire Formation.
In an instant, a massive flame erupted from the ground surrounding the Uchiha base and formed a circular barrier. In the blink of an eye, a huge fire barrier was created.
"Wow, Uchiha Flame Array, that's a bit like Uchiha Madara." Fujiwara Kirito shrugged slightly.
At the same time, the battling brothers Itachi and Sasukae were also drawn by the flame barrier. They looked toward Fujiwara Kirito and the others. Upon seeing him, they assumed the barrier was his doing.
They ignored it and continued fighting.
In the distance, two groups — Konoha's team and the Snake Team — stopped simultaneously, along with their battle over Samehada.
"What is that?" Naruto exclaimed.
Kakashi and Shino, among the few from Konoha who had seen Fujiwara Kirito use the Uchiha Flame Array, recalled the Chūnin Exam moment vividly. Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.
"It can't be wrong, that move is..." Shino glanced at Kakashi and swallowed hard.
"Yeah." Kakashi turned and told everyone, "Since he's there, our mission ends here."
"Why?" Naruto asked, clearly unwilling. Sasuke was right in front of him.
"This is the Uchiha clan's Fire Array," Kakashi explained patiently. "It converts the chakra from the user's five fingers into fire to create a fire barrier around the target.
The fire, enhanced by the earth, burns along the chakra trail laid by the caster.
Anyone approaching the target gets burned. The heat is intense enough to repel even tailed beasts... It's called the Hellfire Protection Wall.
Naruto, you've seen this move before — so I don't need to say who cast it."
Kakashi paused, pulled down his forehead protector to cover his Sharingan, and added slowly, "Yes, it was Fujiwara Chika. His strength defies common sense. If we charge in, we'll all be wiped out, especially you, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
"How could this happen..." Naruto's pupils dilated, and he clutched his throat, overwhelmed and almost suffocating.
"Naruto!" Kakashi hurried over and rubbed his back. "Deep breaths, relax."
After a while, Naruto calmed down.
Inuzuka Kiba, Shino, Yamato and the others were concerned for Naruto, but only Chinatsu, Karin, and Hinata kept their eyes on the Uchiha Flame Array.
Hinata activated her Byakugan and stared at Fujiwara Chika standing with Obito and Zetsu, worry flickering in her eyes.
Chinatsu and Karin looked puzzled. They sensed the chakra from the barrier wasn't from Chika at all, but the masked man.
Chinatsu turned and said to Kakashi, "Kakashi, that barrier wasn't released by Fujiwara Kirito. The chakra nature is more like the masked guy who got wrecked by me."
Karin nodded in agreement and heard Kakashi ask, "Is Fujiwara Kirito there?"
Out of selfishness, the two girls shook their heads. Karin said, "Fujiwara Kirito can suppress chakra perception. We didn't sense his chakra, so we can't rule out he's there."
Kakashi winced. He didn't want to give up the mission, but he prioritized his team's lives.
He turned to Hinata: "Hinata, use your Byakugan. If Fujiwara Kirito is there, for the safety of everyone, I'll call off the mission."
"Brother Kirito won't hurt anyone."
Her words made it clear — Fujiwara Kirito was there, but harmless.
Everyone except Chinatsu cast suspicious glances at Hinata.
Especially Karin, who eyed her with deep jealousy, muttering, "So suspicious! Did Master Kirito betray me... no, betray Lady Tsunade?"
Flustered by their stares, Hinata blushed and confessed her past with Fujiwara Kirito.
Of course, she hid the part about him quitting Akatsuki — she didn't want him in danger.
She also left out personal details, like him doing checkups for her, or his relationship with Kurenai.
After hearing all this, everyone felt enlightened. They figured Kirito had spared Konoha's ninjas multiple times for Hinata's sake.
Except Karin and Chinatsu.
Karin fumed with tears of envy, sizing Hinata up. "Why is this girl so lucky to meet him during his Shōta phase—and so big?"
Chinatsu sighed. "Another stepmother? And she's almost as big as my mom…"
"Sorry for hiding this so long. But Brother Kirito is really not a bad person." Hinata bowed.
Naruto perked up, stood, and said, "You're right, Hinata. Brother Kirito isn't bad. Let's go bring Sasuke back."
He channeled chakra under his feet and rushed forward.
Seeing him go, Kakashi and the others followed.
Elsewhere, Jūgo and Suigetsu, intending to help, were blocked by Kisame.
When Kakashi's team arrived, Sasukae and Obito's battle had reached its peak.
Sasukae stood atop the building, a Chidori in hand, connecting with atmospheric lightning, glaring at a weakened, coughing Obito.
Fujiwara Kirito, Obito, and Zetsu stood not far off.
"Isn't that Kirito's old move? Didn't expect Sasuke to learn it." Zetsu merged into the ground, saying, "He's aiming at us. What will you do, Kirito?"
It didn't ask Obito — with Kamui, he could ignore physical attacks for five minutes.
"It's fine. Just watch." Kirito stood unfazed.
Kakashi recognized the ninjutsu. Recalling Kirito's powerful display before, he stopped himself from using Kamui to open the barrier.
"Kakashi-sensei, open the barrier!" Naruto shouted, eyes on Sasuke.
"Not now." Kakashi shook his head. "Remember the move Kirito used?"
"What?" Everyone froze. They noticed the gathering lightning above.
"Yes, Sasuke's move might be the same one Kirito used. If we go in, we'll all be wiped out," Kakashi warned.
"What about Kirito… brother?" Naruto looked toward Kirito near Obito, worried.
Meanwhile, Sasukae's lightning attack was ready.
"So this is what Fujiwara Kirito felt?"
Sasukae felt proud.
Dark clouds now loomed, rain fell heavily.
Even if all his jutsu were once Kirito's creations…
He believed he could defeat Obito, Kirito, and more.
"Itachi, I've gained power. You came with hatred, but you'll die here. And Kirito—I'll never forget the humiliation. It's payback time."
But he didn't dare say it aloud.
If it failed to kill Kirito… and Kirito countered… he couldn't take it.
Without hesitation, Sasukae gathered the lightning into a Kirin and hurled it.
Boom.
Thunder and explosion echoed together.
The Uchiha stronghold vanished in an instant. Rubble everywhere, dust rising.
When the dust settled, Obito and Zetsu climbed from the ground.
Obito lay among debris, his Akatsuki robe gone.
But Fujiwara Kirito stood exactly where he was.
An invisible light shield protected him and the ground beneath. Faint arcs still sparked.
He looked like he was calmly standing on a pillar.
"Damn it, I really can't hurt him?" Sasukae stood among the ruins, watching Kirito with frustration.
Then he saw Itachi had fallen—finally some comfort.
At least he had avenged his parents and clan.
His Chidori faded, Sharingan deactivated. Chakra drained, he collapsed to his knees.
Just as he thought Itachi was dead, Itachi rose again.
A massive red skeleton formed around him.
It gained flesh, armor — the Karasu Tengu form — a half-giant with a shield and flaming blade.
"This is my last trump card — Susanoo, activated only when both Mangekyō eyes awaken. Sasuke, it's a pity. If your Mangekyō wasn't sealed, you might've used it. That should've been your last jutsu. If not, don't hold back."
Inside Susanoo, Itachi still lectured Sasukae, partly to lure Orochimaru.
Poor Uncle Snake had just transformed into Yamata no Orochi, but before he could act, Itachi Totsuka Blade sealed him instantly.
(End of this chapter)
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