――Forbidden Art: Reaper's Hook-Chain!
WHOOSH!
A streak of black light descended from the sky, landing at the center of the sealing array. The light shattered into drifting black mist, and from it emerged the very embodiment of the ninja world's shadows—Danzō Shimura!
"This… what is this!?"
As expected, Danzō was completely thrown by this unexpected situation, his face a mask of shock and bewilderment.
The black mist dissipated. Danzō scanned his surroundings, bewildered.
He saw Kabuto. He saw an unfamiliar red-haired girl. He saw Sasuke, who had only recently defected from Konoha. And… he even saw Itachi—the very person Sasuke had betrayed Konoha and joined Orochimaru to kill!
This scene, defying all common sense, made him instantly suspect an illusion, not reality.
CRUNCH!
Without hesitation, he drove a kunai into the back of his own hand. Pain flared, blood welled. The illusion felt all too real.
SHLICK.
He pulled the kunai free, letting his arm hang. His gaze darkened.
"Not a dream. So… a reality more absurd than any dream?"
He looked down at the mysterious sealing formula beneath his feet, a design he'd never seen before. His eyes traced the chain-like patterns to the edge of the array, where a man stood wearing an ethereal white haori, horns curving from his head.
His appearance had changed. His chakra felt utterly different.
But Danzō recognized him instantly.
Clenching his bleeding fist, he snarled, "Orochimaru! Is this your doing!!!"
Orochimaru slowly lowered his hands from their seal, his form shifting back from the Reaper Release mode to its normal state.
"You are far too cautious, Danzō. I had to resort to such measures."
Danzō forcibly suppressed the unease churning inside him. "What is your purpose in summoning me here?"
"Stop playing dumb," Orochimaru said, his voice smooth as silk. "Hand over Shisui's right eye."
"Shisui's right eye? I have no idea what you're talking about!"
Then, Itachi, fist clenched, spoke in a low, heavy voice. "Do not bother with denials, Danzō. Shisui told me himself. You tricked him. You stole his right eye. To prevent his left eye from falling into your hands as well, he chose to drown himself."
Exposed, Danzō showed no shame. He lashed out instead. "Itachi, you traitor!! You swore to Hiruzen that you would act as Konoha's informant, to monitor Akatsuki! Then why are you here?! Conspiring with Orochimaru against me!!!"
Sasuke's eyes flashed cold. He moved to strike, but Itachi pressed a hand on his shoulder. "My resolve is set. I am leaving the past behind. You are a Konoha elder, Danzō. Relinquish Shisui's right eye, and I will ask Orochimaru to let you leave."
"Hah. Do you truly think I'd believe such naive drivel?"
Danzō sneered, ripping the bandage from his covered eye.
"You're afraid of Kotoamatsukami. That's why you haven't all rushed me at once, isn't it?"
SWISH!
His hands flew into the seals for Izanagi. As he charged forward, his mind raced: The means Orochimaru used to summon me aside, the greatest combat threat here is Itachi! I'll use Kotoamatsukami on him first, turn him to my side. Escape will be much simpler then!!!
Beside Itachi, Sasuke spoke. "See, brother? You offer mercy, but he has no use for it. Your body hasn't fully recovered. Let me handle this."
Itachi knew further words were pointless with Danzō. He simply nodded. "Be careful."
Sasuke's lips quirked slightly. "I fought Danzō in my past life. The only difference now is that this time, his Kotoamatsukami isn't on cooldown. As Orochimaru said… he's perfect for a warm-up before the Fifth Battle."
Danzō watched Sasuke step protectively in front of Itachi. Uchiha Sasuke. He and Itachi have reconciled. So, Itachi has told him the truth. Hmph! I was blind to have entrusted the annihilation of the Uchiha to Itachi!
But… Sasuke will do. Itachi, if your most beloved little brother falls into my hands, you will have no choice but to comply!
What Danzō witnessed next, however, defied all logic.
Sasuke produced a strip of black cloth and… tied it over his own eyes.
"Blinding himself? To guard against Kotoamatsukami?"
BOOM!
The next instant, dark purple chakra erupted from Sasuke's body, coalescing into a towering skeleton!
Danzō's pupils shrank to pinpricks. "Th-that is…!!!"
BOOM—!
A massive fist of pure chakra hammered down from the front, pulverizing Danzō—who was too stunned to even dodge—into a bloody pulp…!
Izanagi activated. Danzō's death became a forgotten dream. He reappeared in a position advantageous for another attack.
"So… that is the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan. Susano'o."
Danzō processed the information swiftly. Not long ago, during the attack at the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Hall, it was reported that Uchiha Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyō. That was the latest intel. But to think, in just half a year, he's already mastered it to this degree?
A clever move, blinding himself against Kotoamatsukami. But also a foolish one. He's sacrificed the pinpoint accuracy of his Sharingan. A foolish trade.
And besides…
A cold smile touched Danzō's lips. Why should I tangle with him at all!?
He tried to dart around the looming Susano'o, aiming straight for Itachi!
Itachi didn't flinch. He didn't move. He stood his ground, placing his complete trust in Sasuke.
Sasuke sensed the shift in the air currents, reading Danzō's intent.
SCRUNCH! Flesh, muscle, and sinew rapidly cloaked the skeletal frame of the Susano'o. It reached the muscle stage. A massive bow formed in its hand. An arrow was nocked, drawn, and released—all in one fluid motion aimed behind it.
BOOM—!!!
The gigantic arrow punched through Danzō's body before skewering into the ground.
Danzō was shaken. He can pinpoint my location even while blinded?! And that arrow from the Susano'o… he hit me?!
SWOOSH!
Izanagi triggered again. Danzō tried the same tactic, only to be intercepted once more by Sasuke's arrows.
Orochimaru watched, impressed. "Excellent. He understands the nature of Danzō's Izanagi perfectly. Blindly pursuing large-scale attacks is meaningless. Maintaining lethal pressure with precise, powerful arrows is the most energy-efficient strategy. With Sasuke's current chakra reserves, firing a hundred such arrows would be trivial… But Danzō must realize it now. Who his real opponent is."
After being sniped three times in a row, the truth finally dawned on Danzō.
He stared, aghast, at the young man standing resolute within his violet guardian.
"Uchiha Sasuke… How has his strength grown to such a level in such a short time!?"
SWISH.
A second eye on his arm closed forever.
Danzō, now like a startled bird, dared not advance or retreat recklessly. Damn it! I'm on the defensive. Itachi is one thing, but even his little brother has grown so powerful. And Orochimaru is here. And Kabuto. I can only use Kotoamatsukami once. With the remaining eight eyes… I have eight minutes of Izanagi. I must escape before they're consumed…
It seemed the presence of spectators was making Danzō hesitate, preventing him from being a proper opponent for Sasuke…
So, Orochimaru spoke. "Danzō. Get past Sasuke, and I will let you leave."
Danzō's expression sharpened. "Do you mean that?!"
Orochimaru smiled, a hint of mockery in it. "You have no other choice. You can only believe—and pray—that I am not a vile scoundrel like you!"
"Good… Very good…"
A savage grin split Danzō's face. Casting aside his caution, he turned fully to face Sasuke.
"…" Within the Susano'o, Uchiha Sasuke, his eyes bound by black cloth, remained utterly calm, his pale face an unreadable mask.
Danzō's gaze grew heavy. He uses the wind to track me. Then… I shall use the wind to confuse him.
He dipped his fingers into the blood still welling from the wound on his hand—the one he'd made before activating Izanagi—and formed a rapid series of hand seals.
――Summoning Jutsu
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