"Agh..."
Kisame, who was in the middle of sealing the One-Tail, suddenly let out a cry of pain. The prismatic spectral image twisted violently for a moment and nearly disappeared.
Seeing this, Pain snapped coldly, "Kisame, get a grip! Stay calm!"
As one of the Rinnegan's abilities, the Projection Technique received the thought waves from Akatsuki members, amplified them, and projected them as illusions.
Yet Kisame's mental signal had nearly vanished entirely—obviously struck by a powerful impact. What had happened?
Hidan was the first to laugh mockingly, "Ha! I get it now. You got so scared by that guy, you nearly lost your projection. How pathetic, Kisame."
Kisame ignored Hidan's words, muttering unconsciously, "Just one slash… Only one slash? How is that even possible? How did he do it?"
By the end of it, Kisame couldn't help but glance toward Itachi.
Even though the Technique of Summoning an Ethereal Clone only possessed thirty percent of the original body's chakra, it perfectly replicated all weapons and ninja tools the original owned. Ninja techniques performed through the sacrifice were exactly the same as those used by the original body, including battle experience, awareness, and skill. Even if the original body had fought, the performance wouldn't have been much different.
This was what both shocked and terrified Kisame.
Itachi quickly answered Kisame's unspoken question: "You were caught in his genjutsu just now. His sword art contained illusionary elements, cutting off your five senses. Next time you meet him, either run away immediately or use ninjutsu to maintain distance. Don't give him any chance to close in on you."
Hidan, hearing this, became excited. "A close-range fighter, huh? That's totally my specialty! Hey, let me go face him. Lord of Evil will surely appreciate such a fine offering."
"Hidan, shut up."
Kakuzu finally cut in—it was unbearable to listen any longer. Not long ago, someone hadn't even seen their opponent's face before ending up lying on the ground riddled with wounds.
Annoyed, Hidan retorted, "Kakuzu, we're partners, whose side are you on anyway?"
"Enough," Pain interrupted everyone. Focusing on Itachi, he asked, "How's the situation outside? How much longer can you hold out?"
Itachi closed his eyes briefly in silence before opening them again, revealing his Sharingan. "Not much longer."
Outside the cave, Anya asked Itachi, "Have you kept practicing the sword techniques I taught you?"
Itachi gave a brief reply, "Yes."
"Good. Then let me see for myself."
Anya reached into thin air.
[Draw]
"Zheng..."
The ringing of a blade arose—the Blade of Indifference seemed to come alive, emitting a piercing hum as it leapt from its sheath. There wasn't the slightest difference compared to someone grabbing its hilt and drawing it manually. Itachi narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling a chill rise within him.
Even before the blade arrived, Itachi felt completely locked down by an invisible Sword Intent—a spectral rope seemed to pull at him, compelling him involuntarily toward the blade.
"What kind of sword art is this?"
Despite his high regard for Anya's sword techniques, Itachi had never expected something so terrifying. A wave of unease surged through him—he genuinely felt powerless to resist.
"Genjutsu? No… Definitely not. This is purely sword art alone—but the mastery behind it far surpasses anything I ever imagined."
As Anya grasped the Blade of Indifference, man and sword fused into an inseparable, perfectly unified whole. It was a profound and intense sensation—sharp and dazzling beyond approach.
Stepping forward in one stride, Anya's body spun rapidly. The tremendous aura surged violently, churning into powerful whirlwinds rushing downward. With his shifting form, cold and bone-piercing blade aura slashed through the air, sweeping toward Itachi like a storm.
"Clang!"
Just as Itachi was about to be sliced in two, a thin blade shot forth from his sleeve, intercepting the attack. Within a brief span, the two blades clashed dozens of times. Intangible rays of sword light continuously shifted within the confined space. Each transformation left behind only afterimages—dazzling and mesmerizing, filled with a unique beauty, as though carving intentions into the steel itself.
"Good."
A flicker of brilliance flashed in Anya's eyes as he couldn't help but praise: "To reach such a level with the Hidden Blade Technique… Itachi, it seems you truly haven't wasted your years practicing Sword Art."
Itachi replied coolly, "Of course. How could I forget the Sword Art you taught me?"
"Continue."
This was the first time since reshaping his body that Anya felt a surge of fighting spirit.
A smile tugged at his lips. The Blade of Indifference struck out swiftly. In an instant, wind and thunder erupted. The sword force was both overwhelmingly fierce and subtly graceful—an opposite fusion. On its rapid thrust forward, the technique transformed continuously. Even with Itachi's Sharingan, for a moment, he couldn't discern the exact point of attack.
Faced with such a sharp sword technique, Itachi sighed inwardly. His slender blade darted forward to block exactly at his throat and heart—the two most vulnerable points. Both shadowy slashes met the incoming blade precisely.
"Bang!"
Itachi grunted, retreating backward along with his blade, his body staggering dangerously close to falling over.
Anya didn't press the advantage; instead, he said with visible enthusiasm: "Your Sharingan can actually pierce through my sword techniques. Blocking preemptively with the Hidden Blade Technique—very impressive indeed."
Shaking his head, Itachi replied, "Even the Sharingan cannot fully track your speed. However, you once taught me that the key to mastering Sword Art lies in seizing opportunities. If one possesses the ability to kill decisively, there's no need for a second strike. That's why I chose to defend my two weakest spots."
Anya couldn't help but sigh, "Back then, I really should've imparted all Sword Techniques to you. Otherwise, this battle wouldn't have been so unsatisfyingly restrained."
Before his voice even faded, two jets of blood burst from Itachi's body, piercing through his throat and heart.
"What is this?"
Before the [Technique of Summoning an Ethereal Clone] (creates a puppet-like clone that can be remotely controlled) ended, Anya answered Itachi's unspoken question: "After all, this is just a sacrificial vessel, whose endurance has limits. Although it blocked my sword strike, the razor-sharp power generated by the sword force already penetrated deeply. It's no longer capable of further combat."
Nodding, Itachi said, "I see. Now I understand."
As soon as those words were spoken, the [Technique of Summoning an Ethereal Clone] completely dissolved. The fallen body transformed into another ninja on the ground—utterly lifeless.
Among the Akatsuki Organization members watching from outside, one exclaimed, "Itachi has also fallen. This person... truly formidable."
After finishing his words, Zetsu couldn't help but repeat once again: "Truly impressive."
Deidara finally broke his silence: "Now what? I say we abort this sealing operation. Let me and Brother Sasori go see just how strong that person really is."
Pain replied coldly: "No need. Continue with the sealing. Someone will stop him."
"Someone else?"
A flicker of doubt crept into everyone's minds.
After taking down the two opponents with ease, Anya made her way to the cave, blade in hand. Just as she was about to unleash the Single Blade Strike on the giant boulder blocking the entrance, a voice whispered in her ear.
"Can we talk?"
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