Azure and crimson swirled like life itself across their bodies, while an undercurrent of oppressive aura filled the air. Sasuke and Itachi watched as Logan's presence underwent a qualitative transformation, his words, absurd yet undeniably logical, echoing in their ears.
A hint of pressure weighed on them.
The fact that Logan had held nothing back in the earlier fight, coupled with his unwavering resolve to interfere, made both Sasuke and Itachi realize one thing: it seemed… they wouldn't be able to settle their battle unless they dealt with him first.
The unsettlingly placed kunai scattered across the battlefield, their seals faintly reflecting sunlight, were clearly not thrown randomly.
With their Sharingan, they recalled Logan's entrance… time itself seeming to slow as he weaved between the kunai mid-flight like a bullet. A bad premonition rose in their hearts.
"…No response, huh." Logan waited a moment before speaking.
Itachi and Sasuke warily scanned the field of scattered three-pronged kunai. Sasuke, in particular, having been sent flying earlier, had firsthand experience with Logan's sudden burst of speed and power. Even with the Cursed Seal activated, he couldn't help but feel a sliver of apprehension.
'But what had Hattori-sensei just said… Take you both on at once? With that man?'
As if sharing the same thought, Sasuke glanced sideways and somehow locked eyes with Itachi.
'Absolutely not. Never in this lifetime.' Their gazes broke apart instantly, Sasuke exhaling in disgust as he refocused.
"Since you won't make the first move, I will."
Seeing no reaction from the two, Logan calmly raised his hand, and in an instant, Senjutsu Chakra surged.
He didn't care either way. The outcome would be the same.
The tranquil buildup of energy erupted into chaos, like thunder finally cracking in a storm-laden sky.
In the eyes of Sasuke and Itachi's Sharingan, an overwhelming wave of Chakra descended upon them.
"Purple Fire Drift."
Without even forming hand seals, Logan brought his hand to his lips and exhaled lightly. Lightning and flames intertwined… though the motion suggested a Fire Release Ninjutsu, what shot forth were crackling orbs of electricity wreathed in fire.
The orbs streaked toward Itachi and Sasuke, only to burst midair with a bang, scattering into countless shimmering arcs of violet-blue lightning that rained down like a storm.
The spreading purple radiance nearly blanketed the entire battlefield, leaving no room to dodge. Forced to endure the seemingly harmless sparks, both Itachi and Sasuke stiffened as the electricity invaded their muscles, locking their bodies in place.
They immediately channeled their Chakra to resist, but it was too late.
Logan appeared behind Itachi in a flash, his Senjutsu-enhanced fist carrying monstrous force. Before Itachi could react, the punch sent him hurtling through the air.
The impact was like crashing into a mountain, and the pain blurred Itachi's consciousness. Mid-flight, Logan teleported above him again.
Though his Sharingan tracked the movement, Itachi's compromised stance couldn't hope to counter the raw power of Sage Mode.
With a deafening boom, he was smashed into the ground, rubble exploding outward.
"This is…" Itachi coughed up blood.
With cold expression Logan reached down to grab his collar, only for a rush of wind to force him back as several projectiles embedded themselves where he'd stood.
He glanced sideways and saw Sasuke.
"Dealt with the older one. Now for the younger."
With the unrestricted mobility of the Flying Thunder God Technique and the overwhelming boost of Sage Mode, the moment Logan's shadow clone finished gathering Natural Energy, the battle was effectively over.
The only remaining threats were the Mangekyo's abilities, but Itachi's failing body made them difficult to activate under relentless assault.
As for Sasuke, he's even less of a concern. Having already exhausted much of his Chakra, Logan could discipline him however he pleased.
"That Cursed Seal form of yours is really not flattering."
A voice drifted lazily from behind, causing Sasuke's pupils to shrink, 'When?!'
He spun around, lashing out with a desperate punch. Mid-swing, Chakra surged wildly as the Cursed Seal's second stage erupted. Grey, jagged protrusions crawling over his skin, his hair elongating…
Wings resembling grotesque hands unfurled as Sasuke's eyes gleamed with feral rage.
Boom!
Two fists collided, forces clashing violently.
'Hold him back, hold…'
Having witnessed Logan's power in Sage Mode, Sasuke refused to yield. The air itself split as their punches met, the opposing forces freezing for an instant.
A flicker of surprise crossed Logan's eyes.
"…!"
But before relief could even surface on Sasuke's face, an overwhelming tide of power crashed into him, wave after wave, endless and crushing.
Rip!
His right sleeve tore apart as his entire body was sent flying.
Lightning and flames flickered as Logan pursued. The suffocating pressure made it hard for Sasuke to breathe.
"See? That Cursed Seal isn't as amazing as you thought."
"Shut up!"
Sasuke's right arm trembled, covered in wounds and completely useless now. The humiliation of being mocked by his former teacher stoked his fury even higher.
With his left hand, he swept up the Kusanagi Sword, its edge singing with electricity as he forced his body into a counterattack.
Ding! Ding!
Sparks flew as the blade met Logan's short sword, Shimizu. Sasuke barely managed to parry midair, but the recoil sent him skidding across the ground in a graceless roll.
"I mastered this move long before you." A few stubborn arcs of lightning licked at Shimizu's tip, crawling up Logan's wrist, only to be effortlessly dispersed by Senjutsu Chakra.
Running a hand along Shimizu's blade, Logan ignited it. Flames roared to life, clinging to the metal like molten lava. Unlike ordinary fire, this blaze was a deep, concentrated crimson, its heat so intense it distorted the air.
In a breath, the cool, water-like short sword had transformed into an elegant yet deadly blade of molten fire.
"…"
Sasuke stared, teeth gritting at the flawless Chakra Nature and Form Manipulation.
"You can surrender now."
The gap in their strength was undeniable, but Sasuke clawed his way up from the rubble, his Cursed Seal's spikes drawing blood as they pierced his skin.
'Did I train all these years just for this?'
"In your dreams!"
Blue lightning erupted once more as the Kusanagi Sword lashed out in a desperate slash. Sasuke's eyes burned… every sleepless night of training, every ounce of power he'd sacrificed, 'This strength wasn't earned for you to dismiss so easily…!'
Logan said nothing. He simply dashed forward, Shimizu flashing silver.
For years, he had simplified his Kenjutsu to reduce strain on his body. But now, in Sage Mode, Logan unleashed 'Silver Flash' at its fullest potential.
A streak of red light carved through space, crossing paths with Sasuke's blue lightning in an instant.
A single, crystalline ding resonated across the battlefield.
Clang.
The Kusanagi Sword clattered uselessly to the ground.
Logan's foot snapped up, kicking Sasuke away. Sasuke gasped as he was sent flying like a broken doll, crashing into a pile of debris.
"Damn it… damn it…"
Approaching, Logan heard the muffled, furious muttering.
Whoosh!
A piercing blue-white beam shot from the rubble. Logan frowned, not even bothering to block with his sword. Instead, he extended his hand and used Chidori Sharp Spear to meet the attack head-on.
The two beams clashed, but one quickly overpowered the other.
Boom!
The explosion sent debris flying, pelting Sasuke and sending him tumbling out, blood trickling from his lips.