Now, even Shigure couldn't help but feel curious about Itachi.
To use genjutsu so subtly—placing an object directly into someone's hand without them noticing—this man truly deserved the title "Itachi God."
[Great Sage: Analysis and calculation complete. By using genjutsu to obscure perception, the item is concealed at the precise moment the host makes contact. What is grasped is the real object.]
Shigure was still marveling at Itachi's skill, but once the Great Sage explained it, a trace of dissatisfaction surfaced.
Sure enough, anything that seemed "magical" lost its mystique once the mechanism was laid bare.
"So that's how it works."
[Great Sage: Do you wish to devour and analyze Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan?]
Shigure looked down at the eye in his hand.
Of course he did.
Wasn't that the entire reason he had come here?
A black substance surged forth, instantly enveloping the Mangekyō Sharingan. In less than a heartbeat, Gluttony completed the devouring.
[Great Sage: Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the complete dōjutsu Kotoamatsukami and Shisui's Susanoo.]
The complete Kotoamatsukami.
Just like that… it was his.
The strongest genjutsu—now fully mastered.
And yet—
Shigure felt nothing change.
[Great Sage: Alteration activated.]
[Alteration is currently modifying the Host's dōjutsu.]
Shigure's expression shifted instantly.
"Hey—wait! Don't change it!"
He had gone through too much to obtain Kotoamatsukami. If something went wrong now—if the dōjutsu disappeared—it would be an unbearable loss.
He hadn't even had the chance to use it once.
[Great Sage: In accordance with the Host's will, Alteration's function has been adjusted from 'change skill' to 'enhance skill'.]
"…Huh?"
[Great Sage: Alteration has two operational modes. The first restructures a skill into a new, stronger ability. The second derives additional effects while preserving the original skill.]
Shigure frowned.
"So it strengthens the ability without altering its nature?"
[Great Sage: Correct.]
[Estimated completion time: 24 hours.]
Twenty-four hours.
That actually aligned with Shigure's expectations.
After all, this was Kotoamatsukami—the strongest genjutsu. Something like this wouldn't evolve so easily.
Still, he couldn't help but feel a trace of anticipation for what Alteration might unlock.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
At that moment, the battle on the rooftop reached its climax.
Sasuke had fully entered Cursed Seal Level Two, while Itachi, pushed to his limits by continuous use of his dōjutsu, was coughing up blood. His body swayed unsteadily, as if collapse was imminent.
"Sasuke… let me show you the true power of the Uchiha Clan!"
Susanoo!
A massive crimson figure erupted from the ground. The overwhelming pressure snapped Shigure back to reality.
"So this is Susanoo…"
"The power of the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
[Great Sage: Analysis and calculation complete. This ability originates from a special chakra unique to the Uchiha bloodline and does not belong exclusively to the Mangekyō Sharingan.]
Shigure paused.
That made sense.
In the original history, Madara could use Susanoo even without eyes, proving that it wasn't strictly tied to the Mangekyō. Even Indra had manifested Susanoo with only a three-tomoe Sharingan.
Still, Itachi's use of Susanoo meant one thing.
He was preparing to erase every remaining threat—for Sasuke's sake.
At that moment, Shigure thought of Shisui's Kotoamatsukami.
If he used it now… could he change Itachi's will and stop this battle?
He looked up at Itachi.
Then he noticed it.
Joy.
There was no smile, no laughter—but within Itachi's eyes was unmistakable fulfillment.
For him, sacrificing his life for his younger brother was not tragedy.
It was closure.
This was Itachi's resolve.
To interfere now might save his life—but it would trample on the resolve of a man who had already chosen his end.
Shigure let out a silent sigh.
[Great Sage: Analysis and calculation of the dōjutsu Tsukuyomi complete.]
Just as Shigure let out a quiet sigh, the Great Sage's voice suddenly rang out, startling him.
Tsukuyomi?
Tsukuyomi analysis successful—what did that mean?
Had he… mastered Tsukuyomi?
[Great Sage: Due to the Host previously being drawn into the Tsukuyomi dimension by the Tsukuyomi genjutsu, and now having obtained Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan, the analysis has been completed.]
[Great Sage: The Host has acquired a new ocular ninjutsu — Tsukuyomi.]
So that was it.
Shigure nodded in realization.
"Then what about Amaterasu?"
[Great Sage: Amaterasu flames are currently under analysis.]
[Estimated completion time: 17 hours.]
Seventeen hours?
Did the Amaterasu flames really require that much time?
Then again… Amaterasu was anything but ordinary.
Flames that never extinguished.
Black fire that would burn relentlessly until its target was completely reduced to nothing.
Shigure hadn't expected to obtain Tsukuyomi this time—let alone possibly acquire Amaterasu as well.
Normally, ocular ninjutsu should be impossible to replicate. Even with analysis, such abilities were considered unique and irreplaceable.
But perhaps…
Abilities of a similar nature could still be derived.
"Sasuke!"
"This will be my final attack. Can you block it?"
Itachi's voice echoed across the battlefield.
In the next instant, Sasuke's body underwent a terrifying transformation.
A colossal Eight-Headed Serpent burst forth.
At this moment, it was no longer just Sasuke controlling his body—Orochimaru's will had surfaced as well.
This was Orochimaru's technique.
The lingering will he had left behind inside Sasuke had finally emerged.
Seeing this, Itachi's eyes sharpened, his lethargy vanishing in an instant.
The blazing blade in his hand thrust forward.
The Totsuka Blade.
It pierced straight through the Eight-Headed Serpent's body.
Orochimaru froze.
"So this is the Totsuka Blade… It's in your hands…"
Itachi wore a cold smile.
The Totsuka Blade did not destroy—it sealed.
The Eight-Headed Serpent, along with every remnant of Orochimaru's will inside Sasuke, was pulled into the blade.
Completely sealed.
At the same time, Sasuke was forced out of the serpent form.
He collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted.
Looking at Itachi standing before him, fear flickered in his eyes.
And Itachi… staggered toward him.
Step by step, he drew closer.
Sasuke scrambled backward, retreating until his back struck a shattered wall. There was nowhere left to go.
Itachi stopped in front of him.
He slowly raised his hand and placed two fingers gently against Sasuke's forehead.
Shigure watched this scene in silence.
An indescribable emotion welled up inside him.
To witness this moment with his own eyes…
It was impossible not to be moved.
Shigure lowered his head quietly.
And then—
Itachi suddenly turned his gaze toward him.
"One last request…"
"…about Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan…"
"I'll leave it to you, Shigure."