The sky over Metropolis and the dimensional Konoha shimmered unnaturally. A massive portal cracked open near the outskirts of the city, spitting dozens of Parademons into the streets. The sound of their wings and guttural roars echoed across the skyscrapers.
Itachi stood at the edge of the dimensional portal, crimson eyes surveying the swarm. Eight ANBU moved at his command, perfectly synchronized. Beside him, Sasuke activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, eyes glowing with focus.
"They're faster than usual," Sasuke noted, scanning the Parademons. "And there's… someone else. Someone strong."
Itachi's gaze shifted. Across the battlefield, the massive, armored figure of Steppenwolf strode into view, his weapon gleaming under the broken sunlight. Even from a distance, the aura of raw power radiated off him, pressing down on every living thing nearby.
Itachi's expression was calm, but inside, calculations raced. This will not be easy. My chakra is immense, but his strength… exceeds even elite ninjas by a wide margin. I cannot afford to waste energy.
He gave the first order.
"ANBU, split into strike teams. Cover all angles. Kill the Parademons before they overwhelm civilians. Sasuke, with me. Steppenwolf will be our target, but conserve energy. Focus on openings."
The ANBU surged forward, elemental jutsu tearing through the first wave of Parademons. Fire, water, and wind combined with shuriken and taijutsu to annihilate dozens within seconds. System points flickered rapidly as the kills were confirmed.
[System Notification: +5,000 points — Parademons eliminated]
Sasuke moved beside Itachi, Chidori crackling in his hand, slashing through a dozen Parademons that had broken through the ANBU line. Together, the brothers moved with lethal precision, coordinating attacks seamlessly.
Steppenwolf raised his massive sword, and the battlefield quaked with each step. He lashed out at an approaching ANBU squad, sending them flying with a single, brutal swing. Even the seasoned elite Jonin were barely holding.
Itachi shifted into Kamui, phasing through the first wave of attacks, but his chakra reserves immediately began to drain. He had underestimated the raw destructive power of Steppenwolf's attacks.
This is going to be different… I can't simply overwhelm him like other enemies, he thought. I'll need to time my attacks perfectly and rely on strategy more than brute force.
The brothers coordinated: Sasuke used lightning-style attacks to keep Steppenwolf off balance, while Itachi used Susanoo partially manifested, throwing out fire and wind projectiles, striking from multiple angles. But Steppenwolf adapted quickly, swinging his massive sword with precision that chipped away at their defenses.
Itachi's eyes narrowed, crimson Sharingan spinning as he analyzed the pattern. He's fast… but predictable. If I bait him, I can exploit a momentary opening. But I must conserve chakra — Susanoo at full power will not last long against him.
Despite their combined efforts, the brothers and their ANBU were pushed back, forced to retreat strategically while eliminating as many Parademons as possible. The ground around them was scarred from chakra explosions, fireballs, and massive impacts from Steppenwolf's weapon.
Itachi breathed heavily, scanning the battlefield.
"We're not done. This is only the beginning. His strength exceeds anyone we've faced in this world… but he will not survive long. We'll adapt, and we'll strike at the right moment. Sasuke… we fight smart, or we die."
Sasuke's eyes hardened, Sharingan glowing as he readied his stance. "I'm ready."
[System Notification: Combat Progress — High-Level Enemy Encounter][Points Pending: Determined by outcome]
Itachi closed his eyes briefly, letting the crows disperse into the sky, gathering reconnaissance. This is a fight across multiple engagements. Steppenwolf is not invincible — I just need to find the right moment to exploit. Patience and strategy will win this war.
The battle had begun, and Metropolis itself would become the arena for one of the most brutal, chakra-fueled confrontations Earth had ever seen.