"What the hell is this…?! That killing intent, how many people do you have to kill to build up something like this?!"
One moment ago, Sasuke had been brimming with righteous fury. The next, he was crushed beneath the sheer weight of Hidan's bloodlust. This wasn't just a difference in strength, it was like they weren't even in the same dimension.
This was true Kage-level power.
And for Sasuke right now, it was still far, far out of reach.
With a bored look, Hidan hoisted Sasuke into the air like a piece of trash. Sasuke's limbs trembled uncontrollably, and all that remained in his wide eyes was pure fear.
Staring hard at Sasuke's face, Hidan narrowed his eyes.
"...This face…"
As if remembering something, he turned to Kakuzu.
"Hey, Kakuzu, don't you think this brat looks a bit like Itachi?"
"Hm?" Kakuzu's cold gaze swept across Sasuke's features. After a brief stop, he replied flatly,
"There's a resemblance, I suppose. But their auras are completely different."
"Itachi?!"
Just hearing that name snapped something in Sasuke's mind. His body, previously paralyzed by fear, suddenly began to thrash as a fiery rage surged through him. His eyes turned blood-red.
"You! That name you just said, are you talking about Uchiha Itachi?!"
"Oh?"
Hidan ignored the outburst, simply pointing at Sasuke's eyes. Then, as if showing off a prize, he held the boy up for Kakuzu to see.
"Look at these, what were they called again? Sharing, something?"
"Sharingan," Kakuzu replied with a squint. "Same bloodline limit as Itachi's. Uchiha clan's signature."
"Yeah, yeah, that's the one!" Hidan scratched his head. "But wait a minute… I thought Itachi killed his entire clan? So how's this brat still alive?"
"He did," Kakuzu said. "But from what I've heard, he left one survivor."
"…What?! You mean he let this kid live? That was intentional?!" Hidan's tone was furious.
Kakuzu gave him a puzzled glance. "Why are you mad? What's it got to do with you?"
"Everything!" Hidan yelled. "I only admired the guy because I thought he wiped out everyone. I saw him as a fellow follower of my faith, turns out I was lied to!"
Kakuzu's tone was ice. "I doubt anyone wants to be compared to you."
"Hey hey hey, way harsh, Kakuzu!" Hidan said, mock-offended. Then he looked at Sasuke again and sneered,
"And why bother sparing trash like this? Should've just killed him."
"Bastard!!"
Just the mention of Itachi had already sent Sasuke into a frenzy. Now, being ridiculed like this made his anger boil over.
A surge of chaotic chakra burst from his shoulder, the very spot where Kakashi's "Evil Sealing Method" had been placed to suppress the Cursed Seal. Triggered by Sasuke's emotional instability and the surge of negative chakra, the seal shattered completely.
Sinister, coiling patterns of the cursed seal spread rapidly across Sasuke's body.
Fueled by its savage power, Sasuke momentarily broke free from the suffocating killing intent and tore himself out of Hidan's grasp, leaping backward.
Dark purple-black chakra wrapped around him like a violent storm. For the first time, Sasuke felt a twisted sense of euphoria. He let the cursed energy consume him, and in the blink of an eye, the sinister markings had engulfed his entire body.
Ssszzzzttt!
Crackling lightning erupted violently in his hand.
This wasn't just any Chidori. With the cursed seal's influence, the chakra turned black, a corrupted, demonic variant.
"Let's see you take this!" Sasuke roared like a maddened beast and lunged at Hidan.
He thought this was his ultimate strike. His power was at its peak. He would tear Hidan apart.
But Hidan… barely flinched.
"Hey, Kakuzu, if I kill this brat, you think Itachi'll care?"
Kakuzu snorted.
"Doesn't matter. Just don't mess up the eyes. Sharingan fetches a high price on the black market."
"Hahaha, always the greedy one," Hidan chuckled, casually picking up his massive triple-bladed scythe, raising it high.
"Time to die, brat."
"CHIDORI!!"
Sasuke charged, lightning screaming from his hand.
But,
"And who said you're the one deciding who dies?"
A calm voice cut through the chaos.
Kirito.
Just as the two attacks were about to collide, he stepped between them like a phantom.
Kakuzu's pupils narrowed.
CLANG!
With one hand, Kirito seized Sasuke's arm, completely stopping his cursed Chidori.
With the other, he drew his blade in reverse, meeting Hidan's scythe mid-swing and blocking it effortlessly.
"Wha-?"
Sasuke was stunned. His strongest attack, enhanced by the cursed seal… stopped cold?
The overwhelming force he had just summoned was nothing against this one hand?
His frenzied mind began to calm under the crushing weight of reality.
"W-What…?"
Even Hidan looked surprised. His strike had been backed by immense strength, yet Kirito's blade didn't even tremble.
"Just who the hell are you?"
Kirito said nothing. He simply flicked his arm and tossed the dazed Sasuke aside like a sack of rice.
Then he turned his back to the group and said calmly,
"Neji, you're now team leader. Take everyone and go. I'll handle this."
"W-Wait, Kirito, these two look really strong. Can you really take them alone?"
Tenten asked nervously.
Kirito raised a hand in reply, waving gently.
"Relax. Trust me, okay?"
Tenten still looked worried, but Neji put a hand on her shoulder.
"Let's go, Tenten," he said with a bitter smile.
"Much as I hate to admit it… that guy's far stronger than us. Staying behind would only slow him down."
A quiet acknowledgment of defeat.
There's always someone stronger.
And Kirito, right now, was standing at that unreachable summit.
<><>---------------------------------------
Every 200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
45 Advanced Chapters on p(a)treon
p(a)treon.com/Aaltairr