Madara stood silently beside Sasuke, deep in thought. Based on his understanding of Itachi, he knew his nephew to be calm, composed, and rational. For such a man to be forced into a direct clash meant that the situation was far from ordinary.
Sasuke, however, was far from calm. His heart pounded with worry. He knew Yamato's strength; she was a monster in every sense of the word. His body, wrapped in layers of bandages, resisted his every movement, but the urge to rush to his brother's side consumed him.
For once, pride didn't cloud Sasuke's judgment. With no words, he looked at Madara, his eyes pleading.
Madara didn't waste time with discussion. He lifted Sasuke onto his shoulder, opened the window, and leapt out into the night. The air cut against them as they sped across the village.
The rough movement was agony for Sasuke, but he bit down on his pain and stayed silent.
As they neared the Uchiha compound, the clash of battle erupted before them.
Boom!
Several crimson tomoe streaked through the sky, chasing a figure that soared upward—Yamato. She swung her massive kanabo, the weapon colliding with the incoming force. Explosions shook the air, sending waves of dust across the compound.
Landing gracefully, Yamato exhaled, her blackened form receding. Itachi's relentless assault had forced her to use Armament Haki to withstand him.
Madara's eyes sharpened. Itachi's body bore the strain, swaying slightly. Thanks to Hashirama cells implanted within him, he could now wield Susanoo without immediate fatal risk. Still, the toll was clear.
Sasuke arrived just in time to witness his brother stagger, and his voice cracked with urgency.
"Itachi!"
The cry made Itachi tremble. His Susanoo flickered, becoming faint and unstable.
Sasuke panicked, turning desperately toward Madara.
"Save him! He can't last much longer!"
But Madara merely crossed his arms.
"Why should I listen to you? This is his battle. I will not interfere."
Though his words were cold, his eyes never left Itachi. He had noticed the subtle shake of his nephew's head. This was no mistake—it was a stratagem, a bitter play meant to push Sasuke beyond his limits.
Madara decided to add to the performance.
"Where is Chiga? Does he know what's happening here?"
Yamato's voice rang out over the chaos, sharp and defiant.
"Don't try to intimidate me with Master! He isn't here. The older brother fighting for the younger's revenge? Then let's see if you have the strength to protect him!"
She lunged forward, her kanabo slamming against Susanoo's chest. Red cracks spread across the ethereal armor.
Sasuke's panic worsened. Despite his injuries, he activated his Sharingan, though his power was pitiful against the force before him.
Another crushing blow from Yamato's weapon shattered Susanoo completely. Itachi collapsed to one knee, but determination still burned in his eyes.
"I won't forgive anyone who harms Sasuke. Amaterasu!"
Black flames erupted, striking the ground near Yamato rather than her body. He had aimed away deliberately, unwilling to risk killing her outright.
Yamato scoffed, her Observation Haki easily predicting the strike. "Intimidating flames… but let's see how you handle this."
Her body transformed, fur sprouting white and wild, ears lengthening as her form shifted into a beastly hybrid. Cold mist spilled from her lips as she inhaled deeply.
"Nameless Ice Fang!"
A torrent of frigid air erupted from her mouth, engulfing Itachi. In seconds, his body was encased in ice, his final expression frozen in shock.
"Brother!" Sasuke's scream tore through the night. His chest tightened as despair crushed him.
Madara seized the moment.
"Do you see? This is because of you. You are too weak. Your brother paid the price for your weakness!"
The words sliced deeper than any blade. Sasuke trembled violently, the truth stabbing at his heart. He clenched his fists, his eyes burning.
"They're right… I'm too weak. If I had Itachi's power, this ice would be nothing!"
An oppressive aura spread from him, raw and suffocating. Madara's gaze narrowed.
"So, it begins. He's going to awaken. Just like Obito… a sudden leap forward."
Sasuke's head snapped upward. His Sharingan twisted, reshaping into a six-pointed star. Blood dripped from his left eye as his Mangekyo awakened.
"Amaterasu!"
Black flames burst forth, devouring the ice imprisoning Itachi. At the brink of burning his brother's flesh, Sasuke's right eye activated, using Kagutsuchi to extinguish the flames.
The ice cracked apart. Itachi, who had been conscious inside, rushed free and pulled Sasuke into his arms.
"You did it, Sasuke. You've awakened."
Yamato tilted her head, observing with childlike curiosity. "It really changed… incredible. But Master's eyes are still more beautiful."
Madara appeared at Sasuke's side, his tone calm yet edged with approval. "You inherited Amaterasu, like your brother. Not bad. Itachi's efforts weren't wasted."
Sasuke blinked, confused. "Efforts? You mean… all of this was staged?"
Yamato laughed, lips curling mischievously. "Of course. Did you really think my ice could trap him forever?"
The realization washed over him. "So… it was all an act?" His weak chuckle ended in exhaustion. Darkness closed in, and he collapsed into unconsciousness.
_____
The rate at which I get little to no power stones, lol💀
Well, if you want to at least read (60+ to 90+) chapters in advance.
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