Chapter 8 – Crow's Calm
The obsidian arena rose like it was summoned from another world. Dozens of jagged black spires formed a twisted maze—thin as blades, high as trees. The sky above was clouded in gray. Every sound echoed. Every step could betray your position.
On the right platform stood Itachi Uchiha—calm, still, his Sharingan already glowing faintly crimson.
On the opposite side: Kurotsuchi, granddaughter of the Tsuchikage. She bounced on her toes, sharp eyes scanning the terrain. Unlike the others, she didn't underestimate the Uchiha.
[SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT]
"MATCH START: Group E – Round One
Combatants: Itachi Uchiha vs. Kurotsuchi.
Arena: Blade Maze.
Elimination Rules: Non-lethal. Winner absorbs chakra and skill percentages.
Timer: Unlimited. Begin."
Kurotsuchi acted instantly.
Lava Style: Quicklime Barrage!
She spewed a volley of hissing green orbs—each one glowing, bubbling, acidic. The projectiles sliced through the air, hitting spires and sizzling holes into them.
But Itachi didn't move.
The orbs passed through him.
Kurotsuchi's heart sank.
Genjutsu.
She surged her chakra, dispelled it.
Itachi was no longer where she thought.
Then—
A whisper of feathers.
She turned. Too late.
He stood behind her, fingers raised.
Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion – Shackling Stakes.
She screamed inside her mind as invisible stakes nailed her limbs to the ground. Illusionary crows pecked at her body, their wings heavy like chains.
"Not real. Focus!" she shouted.
Her chakra flared.
The illusion shattered.
She staggered, panting, heart racing.
But Itachi was gone again.
She rolled aside and slammed a palm on the ground.
Earth Style: Bedrock Coffin!
The ground exploded in stone columns from six sides—trapping where she sensed his chakra. The pillars slammed shut, cracking together with a brutal boom.
Silence.
Dust fell.
Suddenly—
A crow cawed.
Then another.
Hundreds.
The stone coffin broke apart into a murder of black crows. They swirled around her, pecking and spinning until her vision blurred.
Another genjutsu?!
She gritted her teeth, forming the Ram sign.
Chakra spike. Dispel!
The illusion broke.
Itachi stood a foot away. Blade drawn. Edge at her throat.
She froze.
[SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT]
"Victory Registered – Itachi Uchiha.
Opponent subdued by Genjutsu Capture.
Commencing Absorption Protocol…"
The voice changed into a chiming tone as numbers flickered into the air like glowing data.
[POST-BATTLE SYNC COMPLETE]
+11% Chakra Reserve
+6% Earth Style Mastery
+4% Lava Style Resistance
+3% Genjutsu Disruption Awareness
+9 EXP – Sharingan Path
Skill Threshold Nearing Upgrade: Genjutsu Precision
Kurotsuchi exhaled hard.
"That fast…"
Itachi lowered his blade.
"You have power. But too much force, not enough precision."
She frowned but said nothing.
The obsidian pillars dissolved. The sky above turned white. Both of them were now standing on a flat light platform that would soon vanish.
Itachi turned silently, already walking away as the system prepared the next match.
A crow perched briefly on his shoulder, then disappeared into black smoke.
[NEXT MATCH IN GROUP E BEGINS IN 3 MINUTES]
Return to Position or Observe From Spectator Mode.
Itachi did neither.
He just watched the digital sky, unblinking.