Akatsuki Hideout.
Everyone was as excited as if it were New Year's.
The members of Akatsuki had been munching on sunflower seeds for years, watching the Uchiha Brothers' family drama, and now they were finally going to witness the grand finale between these two siblings.
Deidara was undoubtedly the happiest among them.
As one of the victims of Uchiha Itachi, Deidara couldn't wait to release a bunch of Clay Bombs to celebrate the self-destructive finale of Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke.
"Can't wait for it to start!"
Deidara cradled his face, looking at Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke with eyes full of anticipation: "I definitely want to detonate a Garuda to celebrate the world being one Uchiha less!"
"..."
Sasori of the Red Sand looked at his companion speechlessly, couldn't help but knock on his head: "Deidara, be rational, their duel hasn't been scheduled yet!"
"It should be in the next few days!"
Kakuzu shook his head, muttering a few words under his breath.
Kakuzu didn't really like the two Uchiha Brothers; both Uchihas in the organization were quite extravagant spenders.
Especially for this duel, Uchiha Itachi went to Konoha's Granny Cat's Ninja Tool Shop and spent 4 million ryo to buy double sets of Ninja Tools.
Four million ryo, just for the members to watch a show?
Damn, a bit wasteful!
Can't we just watch a free show?
Deva Path of Pain stood on the finger of the Gedo Statue and spoke in a muffled voice: "Uchiha Itachi, when do you plan to settle things with Uchiha Sasuke?
You and Sasuke can discuss it freely between yourselves, and I will ensure that your duel won't be disturbed by anyone."
"Thank you very much."
Uchiha Itachi slowly closed his eyes, contemplated for a while, then softly spoke: "Let's schedule the duel for the day after tomorrow, at one of our Uchiha Clan's former strongholds."
"Very well."
Uchiha Sasuke grinned, revealing a wild smile: "Then the day after tomorrow, after I kill you, I'll commemorate our deceased clan members there!"
"Geez, don't be so hasty!"
A figure suddenly appeared beside Uchiha Sasuke, patting Sasuke's shoulder—it was Uehara Naraku.
Uehara Naraku glanced at everyone present, chuckling lightly: "To set the mood for Mr. Itachi and Sasuke-kun, why don't we first watch another sibling battle to warm things up?"
Two figures slowly walked in.
One of them was hooded, none other than Yakushi Kabuto.
The other, looking rather ragged yet somewhat familiar, was Hozuki Mangetsu's younger brother, Hozuki Suigetsu.
Deidara's eyes sparked with excitement upon seeing Hozuki Suigetsu: "Oh oh oh, is another sibling showdown about to start?"
Hozuki Suigetsu grumbled incessantly: "Hey, didn't you say you'd bring me here to kill that bastard Hozuki Mangetsu? Where is he now..."
Bam!
Hozuki Suigetsu, still talking, was kicked in the face, instantly splashing a large amount of water, showcasing the Water Transformation Jutsu that can defend against physical attacks!
Hozuki Suigetsu's face gradually returned to normal, grabbing the leg that attacked him, he chuckled at the man attacking him: "Hey, big brother, our family's Water Transformation Jutsu isn't exclusive to you. Wasn't it a bit reckless to attack me?"
"Still haven't grown up, Suigetsu!"
Hozuki Mangetsu sighed and slowly shook his head: "Do you not realize what it means to appear here alone? Summoning Jutsu: Lighting Blade: Fang!"
The next moment, Ringo Ameyuri's Lighting Blade appeared in Hozuki Mangetsu's hand, striking directly at Hozuki Suigetsu!
A string of electricity enveloped Hozuki Suigetsu!
The next second, Hozuki Suigetsu was already sprawled embarrassingly on the ground.
In a mere instant, this sibling battle ended again with the brother beating the younger brother.
There was really nothing to be done.
The Water Transformation Jutsu was critically countered by Lightning Release.
"That's too unfair!"
Uehara Naraku glanced at Ringo Ameyuri, who lent out the Ninja Blade, then sympathetically looked at the fallen Hozuki Suigetsu, chuckling lightly: "Suigetsu is a newbie in our organization, Senior Sasori, please give me that Ninja Blade!"
"Got it."
Sasori of the Red Sand nodded and then took out the Decapitating Carving Knife previously acquired from Zabuza, tossing it to Uehara Naraku.
"Isn't this too dangerous!"
Uehara Naraku caught the Ninja Blade, squatted beside Hozuki Suigetsu, and placed the Decapitating Carving Knife before him: "I promised you I would make it happen… but don't let me down too much, kid!"
After placing down the Decapitating Carving Knife, Uehara Naraku looked at Hozuki Mangetsu: "Since the duel between the Uchiha Brothers is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, why not resolve issues between you two by tomorrow, how about that?"
"This…"
Hozuki Mangetsu hesitated a bit.
Ever since Hozuki Mangetsu brought Ringo Ameyuri back to the Akatsuki organization, he hadn't seen Suigetsu for a long time.
But Hozuki Mangetsu knew his brother was being protected in the Ninja World, which evidently seemed to be Uehara Naraku's arrangement.
During their brief encounter, Hozuki Mangetsu realized that his brother didn't appear to have made much progress, which saddened him a bit.
Uehara Naraku patted Hozuki Mangetsu's shoulder and chuckled gently: "Make sure to fight seriously, so you don't accidentally kill your brother, just give him a lesson, won't you?"
"Yes."
Hozuki Mangetsu nodded, consenting.
The next day.
The entire Akatsuki was present to witness the internal conflict of the Hozuki Brothers.
Uehara Naraku originally thought Hozuki Mangetsu would seriously hold back, deliberately fighting intensely only to ultimately lose to his younger brother, ready to intervene at any moment.
Unexpectedly, Hozuki Mangetsu didn't hold back at all, beating his brother Hozuki Suigetsu mercilessly. Even though Hozuki Suigetsu wielded the Decapitating Carving Knife, he was easily defeated by Hozuki Mangetsu with the Hiramekarei.
What was supposed to be a play of a brother's revenge turned into a comedic sketch where the younger brother could only ever remain a little brother, performed by the Hozuki brothers.
Uehara Naraku watched with a face full of confusion.
Why didn't Hozuki Mangetsu go easy on him!
It does seem right; Hozuki Mangetsu had no reason to hold back. He wasn't sick anymore, nor was there a melodramatic storyline of giving his eyes to his brother.
"Is that really his biological brother?"
"Wasn't it said that Hozuki Mangetsu sacrificed a lot for his brother?"
"What's going on here? Why was he so ruthless to his brother?"
"Was Hozuki Mangetsu just tricking us?"
The members of Akatsuki were also full of bewilderment.
Back when Hozuki Mangetsu joined Akatsuki, he had mentioned that he wanted to train his brother, hoping everyone would show mercy when they encountered his brother.
Ringo Ameyuri, who knew the truth, explained: "Maybe Suigetsu's skill is just too poor to satisfy Mangetsu, brother."
Hoshigaki Kisame grinned and said: "It seems that in the first brotherly battle within our group, the elder brother came out on top!"
After saying that, Hoshigaki Kisame glanced meaningfully at Uchiha Itachi and continued with a chuckle: "Will it be the same for the second match?"
It probably will be, right?
The members of Akatsuki had long acknowledged Uchiha Itachi's strength, believing that he would also win in a life-and-death duel.
After all, Hozuki Mangetsu, who claimed to love his brother dearly, beat his brother terribly, so wouldn't Uchiha Itachi, who constantly used his younger brother to practice Genjutsu, end up chopping Sasuke into bits?
After pondering for a moment, Kakuzu suddenly suggested: "Tomorrow I'm opening a betting pool. I'll host it. Does anyone want to place a bet?"
Kakuzu was a little eager to make some money.
Unfortunately, gambling was prohibited within Akatsuki.
The direct result after the Hozuki brothers' battle was that Uehara Naraku received an invitation from Uchiha Sasuke. This brat was indeed feeling a bit unconfident.
Uchiha Sasuke knocked on Uehara Naraku's door: "Hey, Uehara, didn't you mention fighting me last time to test my strength?"
"Yeah."
Uehara Naraku nodded.
Who doesn't enjoy cutting down some fresh 'weeds'!
Sasuke had just grown a fresh crop of 'weeds,' perfect for cutting down!
Uchiha Sasuke clenched his fist and said in a deep voice: "How about this afternoon? Let's find a place where others won't discover us."
"Sure."
Uehara Naraku agreed readily.
To avoid delaying the duel between Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi, Uehara even kindly offered medical services, ensuring their duel wouldn't be postponed.
After agreeing with Sasuke, Uehara immediately told Hoshigaki Kisame, who secretly informed Uchiha Itachi.
At the Nameless Lake outside the Akatsuki Hideout.
Besides the duelists Uehara Naraku and Uchiha Sasuke, there were also the secret onlookers, Hoshigaki Kisame and Uchiha Itachi.
Uehara Naraku stood by the lake and slowly sat down, a watery seat appeared beneath him to support his body.
Not to mention, this mastery of Water Release Ninjutsu was indeed astounding.
Even Uchiha Sasuke couldn't help but look at this scene with some surprise on his face.
Uehara Naraku leisurely tilted his head against the chair, speaking softly: "Aside from the Mangekyo Sharingan Dojutsu, which I can't mimic, I can simulate any other Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu to the fullest extent."
"Very well."
Uchiha Sasuke nodded, speaking in a deep voice: "Anyway, I've already figured out how to break that guy Itachi's Tsukuyomi..."
"Then let me test it!"
Uehara Naraku slowly raised his head to gaze at Uchiha Sasuke, as two blue Chakra strands flew towards Uchiha Sasuke like threads, and under Sasuke's somewhat startled gaze, entered his brain!
Uehara Naraku leisurely moved his fingers, controlling the two strands of blue Chakra, his voice gradually becoming ethereal: "Sasuke, this Genjutsu will make you experience the most terrifying nightmare of your life in just two seconds. Can you truly break it?"
"Aaaaaaaa..."
Uchiha Sasuke screamed in agony.
The next moment, Sasuke fell to one knee!
An endless sea of blood stained his mind, and the unforgettable nightmare once again attacked Uchiha Sasuke's brain!
Uchiha Sasuke never expected that as the battle just began, he would fall into Uehara Naraku's Genjutsu, the scene still that fateful night of the clan's annihilation!
What kind of crazy plot twist is this!
Who uses their trump card right off the bat!
Two seconds later.
Uchiha Sasuke glared at Uehara Naraku with angry, panting breaths, his eyes almost oozing with fury: "Uehara Naraku, what kind of Genjutsu is this?"
"Silent Fear, just a trivial Genjutsu, much weaker than Uchiha Itachi's Tsukuyomi."
Uehara Naraku sat lazily on the water chair, waving his fingers slowly to disperse the Chakra, his cold gaze fixed on Uchiha Sasuke, curling his lips: "Do you truly believe you can break Tsukuyomi now?"
"You got one thing right."
Uchiha Sasuke slowly stood up, drawing his Ninja Blade again: "Your Genjutsu indeed falls short of Tsukuyomi, but I'm no longer the person I used to be; I'm already used to this level of Genjutsu attack!"
Uchiha Sasuke's eyes gradually turned into a pair of crimson blood eyes, firmly staring at Uehara Naraku: "Stop using these little tricks, bring it on! That night's fear, I almost dream of it every day!"
"Very good."
Uehara Naraku applauded slowly, softly praising: "That's the indomitable spirit, Sasuke. I'm beginning to admire you a little."