Chapter 108: Aizen vs. Itachi
Uchiha Itachi stood on the high wooden palisade, his posture still and imposing. His cold, dark eyes looked down upon the sea of flames below, their expression unreadable, like frozen lakes. He gave away nothing.
Though he remained motionless, his body radiated a powerful, dense chakra that subtly warped the very air around him. He wore the iconic black cloak with red clouds, the pattern seeming to bleed sorrow against the dark fabric.
"It has been a long time, Konohagakure," Itachi finally spoke, his voice as cold and sharp as shards of ice. As his words fell, the temperature in the immediate area seemed to plummet, creating a pocket of frigid air that felt like a ten-thousand-year-old ice cave and raised the hairs on one's arms.
Itachi's gaze remained fixed on the blazing inferno, his calm as unshakable as a mountain. The powerful Great Fireball that had just roared through the air was indeed his doing. Though it was a standard Fire Style ninjutsu, in the hands of Uchiha Itachi, it was elevated to an art form, its power and precision far beyond the norm.
This man, who existed as a living nightmare in the hearts of countless Konoha shinobi, had once again set foot on the soil of the Land of Fire.
It was this same man whose hands were stained with the sin of slaughtering the entire Uchiha clan in a single night, erasing their glorious lineage from the pages of history in a storm of blood and betrayal.
The Uchiha clan, which had produced so many legendary figures, had fallen from the pinnacle of glory into utter ruin. The bright future that should have been theirs was extinguished, ending only in tragedy.
And the architect of it all was this very man, Uchiha Itachi, hailed as a once-in-a-century genius of the Uchiha clan.
A low, gruff chuckle sounded beside him, full of rough confidence.
"Heh. Taking a Great Fireball to the back like that... no matter how strong he is, he's bound to be heavily injured."
A figure flickered and landed solidly next to Itachi.
Hoshigaki Kisame stood with the bandage-wrapped Samehada slung over his shoulder, the giant sword adding to his already intimidating and muscular presence. The Akatsuki cloak he wore complemented his fierce, shark-like features.
"Do not be careless, Kisame," Uchiha Itachi replied, his tone level and calm. "You sensed that aura as well. It is impossible that we could eliminate someone of his caliber so easily."
Itachi's character was always collected and steady; he never boasted or spoke recklessly. Compared to others, he was a true genius, whose strength and intellect far surpassed his peers.
In some ways, Uchiha Itachi and Aizen Sōsuke shared similar traits.
Both were masters of illusion, both possessed unparalleled power, and both had minds of absolute, chilling clarity.
"There's no need to be so tense, Itachi," Kisame said, a note of arrogance in his voice. As Itachi's partner, he held the other man's power in high regard. "Now that we're in Konoha, it's time for your Mangekyō Sharingan to truly shine."
A memory flashed in Kisame's mind—the scene of their first meeting. It reminded him just how terrifying the calm man beside him truly was.
Memory: A Riverbank
Kisame stood behind Uchiha Itachi, the massive Samehada resting on his shoulder. A shallow river flowed peacefully before them.
"I am Hoshigaki Kisame, formerly of the Kirigakure Seven Ninja Swordsmen. From today on, I'll be your partner. Let's get along."
Uchiha Itachi did not acknowledge him. His clear, dark eyes were fixed calmly on the water's surface, the reflection of the river shimmering in his pupils.
This arrogant attitude caused Kisame's brow to furrow slightly.
"So... you're Uchiha Itachi, formerly of Konoha. I've heard the rumors about you. You slaughtered your entire Uchiha clan, didn't leave a single one alive?"
Hoshigaki Kisame grinned, revealing a grim, sorrowful smile that hid a sharp, probing intent.
He continued, "I know all about you. That's why I was paired with you in Akatsuki. The feeling of killing your own clansmen... must be hard to describe."
Uchiha Itachi still ignored him, replying in a flat, undisturbed tone, "You talk too much. You claim to know everything about me, but what of yourself?"
"A shinobi lost in the mist, a rogue who doesn't even know his own place... am I wrong?"
Itachi's counter-question caught Kisame off guard. He paused for a moment, then let out a cold sneer. "Let me tell you something interesting. Most fish are oviparous, hatching their eggs after they are laid. But sharks are different. A female shark gives birth to live young. Do you know how many pups from the same womb ultimately survive to be born?"
Uchiha Itachi remained silent, ignoring the provocation, his gaze still on the water.
"It's because they eat each other!" Kisame's voice grew sharp. "Soon after hatching inside the mother, the pups begin to kill and consume each other. They are born into a world of slaughter. Every individual aside from themselves is merely prey."
"From now on, you and I are partners in Akatsuki. Stay vigilant. Beware of me. And pray that you do not eventually become my opponent."
Hoshigaki Kisame's eyes were fierce, a clear killing intent emanating from him. Uchiha Itachi's aloofness grated on him.
"Those who betray their friends and raise a hand against their companions... such people never come to a good end. Remember that."
Uchiha Itachi turned his head slowly, his calm eyes finally meeting Kisame's. At that moment, his pupils underwent a terrifying change, shifting into the pattern that would make any shinobi's blood run cold—the Mangekyō Sharingan.
End of Memory
It was those demonic eyes that had truly shocked Kisame. From that moment on, he had fully acknowledged Itachi's power and held him in the highest respect.
Now, those fearsome eyes were about to be unveiled once more. Because Itachi knew, with absolute certainty, that Aizen had not died.
As the smoke and flames finally dissipated, the two Akatsuki members saw a sight that gave them pause.
A transparent, rectangular barrier of light, like a solid moat, stood between Aizen and the aftermath of the fireball. The raging flames had broken against it harmlessly, unable to penetrate its defense in the slightest.
Aizen stood within, utterly unscathed, his posture as calm and graceful as ever.
His gaze slid past Hoshigaki Kisame and settled squarely on Uchiha Itachi. A faint, knowing smile touched his lips.
"Those eyes... they are the same as Uchiha Sasuke's. If I am not mistaken, you must be Uchiha Itachi."
The two supreme geniuses of illusion stood facing each other at last.
💫 Liked the chapter?You can read 100+ extra chapters on Patreon, including the current
Patreon Chapter 208:Leviathan's Rise
👉 Patreon.com/KudosNey
Your support helps me write more and update faster 💖And don't forget to drop a Power Stone ⭐ — it really motivates me!
Special thanks to All our patreon members : DCor,Joe Mamma,C99mnt,RobbieRay😎
Thank you for reading and supporting! 🙌✨