"Much obliged." After Uchiha Musashi's right eye absorbed the black flames of Amaterasu released by Itachi, a strange black ring slowly formed around that eye. A closer look revealed the pattern was identical to the image of the Amaterasu flames Itachi had unleashed.
Yet even after this, Musashi's right eye remained pitch-black, showing no glint of light.
What on earth is with those eyes? This doesn't feel like Mangekyo Sharingan—why does it have such a powerful ability?
Itachi stared fixedly at Musashi's eyes, as if trying to read something from them.
Strictly speaking, Uchiha Musashi could no longer be considered human. Although Meruem hadn't deliberately remodeled Musashi's body into a Chimera Ant form, after years of careful cultivation, Musashi's body had long since become different from human.
The density of muscle tissue, the hardness of bone, and the overall physical robustness had all been enhanced to a terrifying degree.
The better the physique, the stronger the transformation after a Chimera Ant-style enhancement. Some exceptionally gifted humans, after such alteration, could even exceed squadron leaders in power.
But cases like that were exceedingly rare—there were only a handful in the whole Naruto world who could reach it.
Though Musashi wasn't literally Chimera Ant–modified, the principle was the same.
And Uchiha Musashi's talent could only be described as terrifying. He yielded little even to Sasuke and Naruto, the reincarnations of Asura and Indra.
Those mutated Mangekyo Sharingan were the best proof. A true Mangekyo, even with an absorption ability, wouldn't be this strong.
Because Musashi was a clone of Meruem, his mutated Mangekyo Sharingan became even stronger—a different kind of evolution.
Chimera Ants are a branch of human evolution. Though non-human in form, once transformed they are far superior to ordinary humans in every respect.
Most importantly, Musashi's Sharingan didn't need an eye transplant. With one more step, those Mangekyo would automatically upgrade to Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Think about it: the Uchiha's progenitor, Indra, didn't have a younger brother's eyes to transplant. His brother was directly Asura—the man who inherited the Sage's body.
In a sense, swapping eyes is putting the cart before the horse—an expedient, not the true path.
So Musashi's no-transplant Sharingan was closer to Indra's original eyes—only with one difference: these were mutated.
Looking at Musashi's pitch-black right pupil, a very bad feeling rose in Itachi's heart.
No—have to leave here, fast! Looks like I'll have to...
"Tsukuyomi!" Itachi slowly closed his right eye that released Amaterasu, then widened his left at Musashi.
He tried to trap Musashi in a Tsukuyomi interval to escape.
Too bad genjutsu is also a form of energy—spiritual energy.
And anything that's energy—can be absorbed.
"Petty tricks. Break!" The Tsukuyomi space had no effect on Musashi. He merely glared hard at Itachi's eye with that pitch-black pupil.
A suffocating dizziness surged at Itachi. If Kisame hadn't noticed and rushed to support him, Itachi would already be on the ground.
Even so, twin trails of blood tears ran from Itachi's eyes—consequence of overusing the Mangekyo.
"A fine supplement, truly." Feeling his eye brimming with energy, Musashi threw a taunting glance at Itachi.
Aside from Itachi and Musashi, everyone else was baffled. Musashi hadn't seemed to do anything, yet after they just glared at each other, Itachi crumpled—and both his eyes were bleeding. It looked like he'd been defeated.
Did something happen between them just now? Why didn't we sense a thing?
Only the other Uchiha and Jiraiya had a vague sense of it.
That had been a genjutsu duel—and Itachi had lost.
This young Uchiha was frightening indeed—able to absorb those ominous black flames and defeat Itachi, a Kage-level fighter whose skill and strength were in no way inferior to his own, head-on. Hopefully, for Konoha's sake, this wouldn't be a disaster. Jiraiya looked worriedly at Musashi. A powerhouse of this level—he might not be able to handle him even going all out.
Supported by Naruto, Sasuke wore a disbelieving expression. The Itachi who had manhandled him and Kakashi, the Itachi who was like a god or demon in his heart—had lost.
And he had been suppressed in every way.
Moments ago, Musashi and Itachi had crossed taijutsu, projectile arts, ninjutsu, and then Sharingan secret techniques. In every aspect, Itachi had fallen behind—and in the secret arts, he'd taken a heavy loss.
Who was this so-called new Uchiha clan head? Why was he so strong? Even Itachi...
"Itachi, is that all you've got? Truly disappointing. With just this level of strength, you dare claim to have wiped out my Uchiha clan?" Musashi mocked, looking at Itachi leaning against Kisame. "Get lost. I don't even deign to kill you... But from now on, don't call yourself Uchiha. You're a betrayer of the clan. From this day, by the authority of the current Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Musashi, I expel Uchiha Itachi from the clan. In other words, from now on, you don't bear the Uchiha name. Be whatever you like. If I hear you call yourself Uchiha again, I'll destroy what you hold most dear. I mean what I say... hmhm, hahahaha." He laughed wildly, every inch the movie villain, a feral look on his face, while Itachi, propped by Kisame, watched him in silence, expression complicated.
Even as a traitor, Itachi had always called himself Uchiha. Being expelled—this was truly a final severing with the clan.
In Itachi's heart, the surname still mattered—he simply loved the village more.
But now he couldn't return to the village, couldn't meet Sasuke—and even his only remaining surname had been stripped away.
Itachi knew—the man he faced was one who kept his word. Had he been wrong back then?
No—I wasn't wrong. Peace matters more than anything. Only those who have experienced war understand—that peace is what's most beautiful. And this is what Shisui taught me, isn't it?
"Kisame, let's go." After recovering a bit of strength, Itachi stood straight. He said nothing—just looked quietly at Musashi, and spoke.
Aside from eye overuse, he'd suffered no physical injury—just mental strain and a considerable drop in ability. It meant that for a long while, Itachi couldn't lightly use the Mangekyo.
"Got it, Itachi." Kisame didn't waste words. He simply cast a curious look between Itachi and Musashi, then hefted Samehada.
"Wait, that's a Mist S-rank rogue and a Konoha S-rank rogue—extremely dangerous men! How can we just let them go so easily?" Kurenai Yuhi spoke. A beauty, yes—but a newly promoted jonin. There was much she didn't understand. Didn't she notice that foolhardy hothead Guy hadn't said a word? Clearly, an elite jonin like Guy knew a lot more of the inside story.
So—though quite pretty—no one present bothered to answer her. Itachi and Kisame kept walking away. She was just a jonin... Never mind anyone else—even Kisame could end her in a few moves. She wasn't one of those Uchiha with hack eyes turned on.
"Oh? If you have the ability to stop them, by all means—try." Musashi glanced at Kurenai, tone cool and indifferent.
Kurenai was indeed pretty—but what did that matter to him? She wasn't his type. If not for avoiding further conflict upon arriving in Konoha, Musashi might well have struck her down.
Biting her lip, Kurenai looked unpleasant. If she had that ability, she'd already have acted. Didn't she see Kakashi was still out cold? And even if Itachi didn't use the Sharingan, she'd likely lose. Asuma hurried over to speak to her—whatever he said made her face ease a little.
"I don't know what your aim is, but I hope you won't do anything that harms Konoha. Otherwise, I will take you down—even if it costs my life." That was Jiraiya's parting line to Musashi and the others—an oblique warning.
Jiraiya did have some claim to say it—his strength was considerable. With Sage Mode and the two elder toads of Mount Myoboku, he was no weaker than Itachi at full power.
"Hey, you brat over there—Uchiha Sasuke, right? We meet again." After Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai had left with the still-unconscious Kakashi and the other nonessentials, Musashi turned to the lingering Sasuke.
Sasuke remembered what this man had told him when they met in the Land of Waves. He wanted to know the truth he'd spoken of.
(End of Chapter)
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