The battle with the young Batman had left the night air heavy with tension. Even though Itachi's overwhelming speed and technique forced the caped crusader to retreat, the System's familiar chime echoed in his mind.
Secret Quest Completed – Defeating a Major Teacher Hero.
A translucent panel appeared before him:
Template Synchronization Increased: 65%
Chakra Reserves Increased: +10%
New Abilities Unlocked:
Susanoo (Advanced Manifestation): Wielding the Totsuka Blade, a spectral sword capable of sealing any victim into an eternal dream.
Yata Mirror: An impenetrable defense, capable of nullifying all attacks by altering its chakra nature.
Genjutsu Ascension: Reaching godlike levels, able to weave perfect illusions from a mere glance or the flick of a finger.
Hand Seal Mastery: Execution speed increased to five seals per second.
Combat Experience Upgrade: Equivalent to a battle-hardened high-level Kage.
Itachi exhaled slowly, the weight of his new power settling on his shoulders. His chakra surged violently within him, far more vast than it had been before. For a moment, the world seemed to bend to his will. His eyes, glowing with the three tomoe that spiraled into the Mangekyō, burned with both sorrow and clarity.
He flexed his hands, feeling the sharpened edge of his taijutsu, ninjutsu, and swordsmanship converge into a flawless trinity. The Susanoo stirred within him, a towering phantom with armor of flame and chakra, its spectral hands gripping the Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror. Even as a partial manifestation, its oppressive presence warped the ground beneath his feet.
"This is…" he whispered, staring at his hands. "Power on a level even the Uchiha clan would fear."
Yet alongside the thrill of strength came the shadow of responsibility. He could not forget what this template demanded of him—the life he had taken, the family he had cut down. No matter how much the System rewarded him, the blood on his hands remained.
Still, the world beyond Konoha—and beyond even this universe—was vast. Heroes and villains alike walked paths he now intersected with. If Batman was considered a "major hero," then others of even greater caliber must exist.
His crimson gaze pierced the night sky."I'll need to prepare… the next encounter won't be so forgiving."
The sound of fluttering bats faded into the distance, but Itachi knew this was not the last time he would cross paths with Gotham's Dark Knight.
The hunt had only just begun.