Sasuke yearned for that moment to arrive, longing to kill his enemy with his own hands and use that man's blood to offer a sacrifice to the dead souls of the Uchiha Clan!
The images on the heavenly screen finally advanced to that moment that gripped the attention of countless people.
The background was a desolate, dark place filled with jagged rocks, as if symbolizing the twisted and broken relationship and destiny of these two brothers.
Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi, the two brothers, finally stood facing each other.
There were no superfluous words, no imagined interrogations or accusations, and not even a hint of the warmth of past familial affection.
Permeating the air was only thick, cold killing intent and a blood feud that had settled over several years.
In Sasuke's eyes was the crimson and hatred brought by the frantic spinning of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
In Itachi's eyes was the deep, abyss-like calm of the Mangekyo Sharingan and... a trace of indescribable exhaustion and resolve.
The battle erupted suddenly in silence!
Taijutsu!
Their figures flickered like ghosts as they crossed and collided; Kunai and shuriken sliced through the air, letting out sharp whistles.
Every exchange of fists and kicks contained the power to kill the opponent.
Sasuke's movements were swift and sharp, carrying the ruthlessness bred from years of bitter cultivation and hatred;
Itachi's response was like a stroll in a courtyard—precise and elegant, resolving crises at every critical moment, demonstrating combat experience and a realm far beyond Sasuke's.
Genjutsu!
The ocular power of the Sharingan and the Mangekyo Sharingan clashed fiercely on an invisible level!
Ninjutsu!
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A huge fireball spewed from Sasuke's mouth, its blazing light illuminating the dark cavern.
The brothers' death match on the heavenly screen presented entirely different scenes in the eyes of viewers at different levels.
For ordinary Ninjas and civilians, this was an evenly matched, brilliant, and peak showdown!
The two went back and forth with dazzling Ninjutsu, exquisite Taijutsu, and treacherous Genjutsu; the fight was so intense that their hearts surged with excitement, and they cheered in delight.
However, in the eyes of the Kage-level powerhouses of various hidden villages, experienced elite Jonin, and top experts like the members of the Akatsuki Organization, the truth of this battle was not so.
"This Uchiha Itachi... is clearly acting."
Fourth Raikage A crossed his arms, his thick brows furrowed, his tone carrying undisguised confusion.
"His movements, rhythm, and even his use of Chakra are completely effortless, yet he consistently keeps the battle within the limit of what that kid can withstand and counter. What exactly is he trying to do?"
"It's like... he's guiding him?" A look of contemplation flashed in Mei Terumī's beautiful eyes.
Uchiha Itachi was like a patient mentor, yet also like a cold executioner, guiding and forcing Sasuke step by step.
He was drawing out all of his strength, all of his potential, and all of his hatred without reservation.
Ōnoki floated in mid-air, his old face also full of solemnity: "Forcing the opponent to exhaust all their trump cards, and then... giving them despair? Doesn't look like it; there's no pleasure of playing with prey in his eyes."
Everyone held their breath, staring unblinkingly at this duel between brothers.
In the Ninja Academy, Sasuke's fists were clenched tight, his body trembling slightly from excitement and a sense of immersion; he felt as if he were there, fighting alongside his self on the heavenly screen.
The progress of the battle seemed to confirm the views of the strong.
When Sasuke exhausted all his Chakra to draw upon the power of heaven and earth, performing the S-Rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu 'Kirin,' and that world-destroying beast of lightning roared as it struck toward Uchiha Itachi, everyone thought the victory was decided!
However—
A giant skeletal frame emitting an ominous red light appeared out of thin air, firmly protecting Uchiha Itachi within it!
Susanoo!
Kirin's terrifying lightning strike, capable of destroying mountains, struck the Susanoo, yet only caused it to shake slightly, unable to shake its foundation!
Seeing this power that completely transcended understanding, the Sasuke on the heavenly screen, as well as the countless viewers in reality, were dumbfounded!
"This... how can one even fight this?"
"It's power on a completely different dimension!"
"This is Susanoo, the god-like power of the Uchiha Clan."
"The Uchiha's Bloodline Limit is terrifyingly powerful!"
Just as everyone was wondering how Sasuke would turn the tables, the plot took another sharp turn!
Uchiha Itachi controlled the Susanoo, but his target was not Sasuke, but... the white snake-shaped true body of Orochimaru that was forced to emerge from Sasuke's body!
"Argh—!" Orochimaru's shrill and unwilling scream echoed once again on the heavenly screen.
Having finally taken the chance when Sasuke's Chakra was exhausted to prepare to occupy Sasuke's body again, he instead dissolved like melting snow under the seal of the Totsuka Blade, being completely sealed once more!
"This Orochimaru... is way too miserable, isn't he?"
Similar complaints rang out throughout the Ninja World.
"Killed by the younger brother and then killed by the older brother, and after being killed, he still gets sealed..."
The successive changes left people overwhelmed.
Just as everyone was incredulous, desperately guessing how Sasuke, who had been pushed into a dead end, would turn the situation around and stage a shocking reversal.
The image on the heavenly screen froze once again.
Uchiha Itachi, dragging his broken body that had already reached its limit, stumbled toward Sasuke, who was unable to move due to Chakra exhaustion.
He did not deliver the final blow, but instead slowly and with difficulty reached out his finger, as if wanting to touch his younger brother's forehead one last time.
Then, his movement stopped.
His arm hung down powerlessly.
His body slowly fell backward.
On his face was an indescribably complex expression that seemed to carry a trace of relief, yet also infinite regret and tenderness.
He just... died like that?
Silence.
A deathly silence enveloped the entire Ninja World.
It took several full seconds before a tsunami-like uproar suddenly erupted!
"Wait? He's just dead?"
"Uchiha Itachi? Are you fucking kidding me?"
"One moment he was using Susanoo to massacre everything, and the next he just died of exhaustion?"
"Can this acting be any more exaggerated? Do you really take us for fools who can't see through it?"
"He definitely did it on purpose! He never intended to kill Uchiha Sasuke at all!"
"What exactly is going on? What on earth was he trying to do?"
Incredulous exclamations almost shook the sky!
This death match between brothers, watched by the entire Ninja World, ended in such a nearly 'farcical' and doubt-filled manner, leaving everyone in a state of extreme confusion.
Uchiha Itachi, the S-Rank Rogue Ninja burdened with the name of clan exterminator.
What exactly was his true purpose?
At the Akatsuki Organization base, the atmosphere was eerie.
These Rogue Ninjas standing at the peak of the Ninja World—which one of them wasn't arrogant and possessed of startling insight?
In their eyes, Uchiha Itachi's almost 'blatant' acting of holding back on the heavenly screen was simply like child's play.
No, this wasn't just holding back!
This was releasing an entire ocean!