Uchiha Itachi already knew from Hoshigaki Kisame that after he joined the Akatsuki, someone had been plotting against him and Sasuke's lives.
Uchiha Itachi never imagined that someone would continue to scheme against him and Sasuke's lives even after his death. It's a bit inappropriate, to say the least, to resurrect a miserable dead person just to use them.
"Looks like this battle is about to end."
Uchiha Itachi watched as the Water Giant summoned by Uehara Naraku had its joints burned away by Sasuke's Mighty Dragon Fire Jutsu, easily breaking a seemingly powerful jutsu.
Hoshigaki Kisame nodded and chuckled, "Uehara Naraku's jutsus have always relied on favorable terrain. It seems that if we want to deal with this kid in the future, we'll need to find a suitable battleground..."
"That's right."
Uchiha Itachi nodded slowly.
Perhaps due to not having a powerful kekkeigenkai, some ninja will do everything they can do to enhance their ninjutsu using favorable terrain.
Ninja...
For the sake of battle, they must resort to any means.
On the Nameless Lake.
Uchiha Sasuke, in order to defeat Uehara's Water Giant, nearly exhausted his chakra and could only helplessly watch as Uehara Naraku punched him down.
Uehara Naraku glanced at the defeated Sasuke, then at the reward for defeating him again, showing a surprised expression on his face.
Side Mission: Defeat Uchiha Sasuke [Akatsuki] (1/1), mission completed, reward: passive skill - Resilient Will.
Resilient Will: Passive skill, enhances life energy recovery effect by 100%.
This reward is a bit of a joke!
And it shouldn't really be appearing here, right? What's with Sasuke at this time?
Seems like he has no flaws, though he doesn't have much strength either.
No, he does have something, he possesses absolute confidence.
Is that why the system rewarded these things?
Uehara Naraku shook his head helplessly and slapped his hand onto Uchiha Sasuke's body, pouring a massive amount of life energy and chakra energy into him, instantly restoring Sasuke to his peak strength!
"This kind of healing ability..."
Uchiha Sasuke's face flashed with astonishment.
In the past, he had also received treatment, but it was only an ordinary healing technique. He never expected Uehara Naraku could so casually restore him to peak condition...
It's normal.
With the healing effect brought by Uehara Naraku's Star Infusion now, he can directly restore over twenty thousand points of life energy and chakra energy. Apart from Nagato, who can't be satisfied, this is almost overflowing for ordinary ninja.
With such a medical ninja, what opponent couldn't be defeated!
Moreover, Uehara Naraku also has a Summoning Beast like the Ancient Giant Dragon, and his taijutsu strength is extremely powerful, causing Uchiha Sasuke to suddenly feel a bit inadequate...
Damn, who wouldn't want a teammate like this?
Why should he become your teammate?
Truth be told, Uchiha Sasuke was genuinely a bit envious. Such a teammate is extremely beneficial for Sasuke, who now focuses more on benefits.
Uehara Naraku never expected that Uchiha Sasuke was secretly envious of him. He simply patted Sasuke's shoulder like a senior and said, "Alright, take a break and prepare for your decisive battle tomorrow! I believe you will definitely defeat Itachi!"
"Hmm..."
Uchiha Sasuke nodded contemplatively.
After their battle was over, Hoshigaki Kisame and Uchiha Itachi, who had been secretly observing from a distance, naturally withdrew from the area and returned to the Akatsuki's base.
After a night passed.
Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke woke up at dawn, and the two brothers silently dressed in separate rooms, prepared their ninja tools, and walked out of the Akatsuki's base.
Obviously, they planned to leave early before the other members of the Akatsuki woke up, avoiding being surrounded like yesterday's duel between the Hozuki brothers.
According to their calculations, if they set out by this time, they would only reach the Uchiha's secret base by noon.
Unfortunately.
All the members of the Akatsuki got up early.
Because today was the day for the duel between the Uchiha brothers. Nagato would reside in the Akatsuki and Hidden Rain's base, only sending Pain to oversee and watch.
Even Konan came to watch as an audience!
The life-and-death duel between the Uchiha brothers had clearly become a major event for the Akatsuki, looking more important than capturing the Tailed Beasts...
"What's going on here?"
Uchiha Itachi frowned, glancing at the line of Cloud Black Robes waiting for them at the entrance of the organization's base, unable to stop his forehead from twitching: "Is there a mission today?"
These people couldn't possibly be here to watch their brothers' duel, right?
Right? Right? Right?
Who would enjoy watching the tragic spectacle of brothers turning against each other?
"There's no special mission."
Uehara Naraku spread his fingers, glanced around at everyone present, and said softly, "Everyone came voluntarily to help you, to drive away any ninja approaching the battle area, to prevent any disturbances."
"Naraku is right."
Konan stood beside Uehara Naraku, holding an umbrella for her disciple. The woman seemed increasingly fond of her student.
"Yeah, that's right, that's right."
Deidara laughed so hard his eyes narrowed.
Anyone who didn't know better might actually think this bastard was charitable!
Kakuzu folded his arms, hummed indifferently, "Hmph, I'm bored anyway..."
"Yeah!"
Hidan nodded, gripping the strange religious ornament on his chest, slowly closing his eyes as he spoke devoutly, "I will pray to the Evil God for you, wishing you brothers mutual destruction."
Hidan really is quite ruthless.
He even has such an incredible prayer.
Sasori of the Red Sand glanced at Uchiha Itachi, then at Uchiha Sasuke, speaking softly, "If you two are interested, you can sign an organ donation agreement with me in advance. After one of you is killed, I can help turn you into puppets for immortality."
Clearly, Sasori is ruthless too.
Slightly more normal was Yakushi Kabuto, who had joined the Akatsuki just a few days prior. He pushed up his glasses and spoke quietly, "Orochimaru was particularly obsessed with the Uchiha before his death, so I'm here to send off old friends from my hometown of Konoha on his behalf..."
Everyone knew why Orochimaru was obsessed with the Uchiha...
This guy Kabuto is certainly skilled at telling lies with a straight face!
Haku's response was more tactful. He simply looked at Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi and said, "We occasionally have chilled fruit juice together. Honestly, we feel sad for any comrade who might pass away."
"I'm with Haku."
Kaguya Kimimaro replied succinctly.
White Zetsu's smile appeared on half of his face, and he whispered, "A Mangekyo Sharingan battle is not something anyone would want to miss, right?"
Black Zetsu's face carried a sinister smile, quietly adding, "After all, you might witness Jutsu of the caliber of Amaterasu!"
Yesterday's new member, who had just been beaten up, Hozuki Suigetsu, grinned at Uchiha Sasuke and said, "Hey, Sasuke! I'm betting on you to win, so make sure to take down your brother!"
"Uchiha Itachi..."
Hozuki Mangetsu glanced meaningfully at Uchiha Itachi and said softly, "Don't embarrass us older brothers; kill your brother mercilessly!"
"Tsk..."
Ringo Ameyuri shook her head, not saying more.
Hoshigaki Kisame carried his Shark Skin Greatsword and bared his shark teeth in a grin, "If Mr. Itachi survives, I'll bring him back to look after him; if he dies, I'll help you gather his remains!"
Uchiha Itachi: "..."
Uchiha Sasuke: "..."
The Uchiha Brothers exchanged a glance. At that moment, they suddenly didn't want to duel and felt like killing these trouble-seeking guys instead!
The Akatsuki members indeed are quite curious.
Since Uchiha Sasuke joined the Akatsuki, they had been eagerly awaiting today's event, constantly watching for when Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke would duel.
At last, the day had arrived!
It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle!
It's a bit of a pity for Momochi Zabuza, who waited all these years only to die during a mission to capture the Three-tailed Beast right before the climax of this show.
"Alright."
Pain finally stepped in to say something fair-minded, looking at Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke, "Itachi, Sasuke, apart from helping drive away potential enemies, we're also here to send off the vanquished; after all, we're technically comrades."
Even nominal comrades are still comrades!
Uehara Naraku nodded, clasped his hands, and spoke softly, "With so many of us here, it looks like we'll need to Summon the Ancient Giant Dragon as transport, so we don't waste your duel time..."
"We can do that."
Deidara quickly nodded.
"..."
Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke exchanged a look. It seemed they had no way to refuse this group's prying eyes; in the face of the impending deadly duel, the brothers began to feel a twinge of sympathy for each other.
An Ancient Giant Dragon descended through the stormy sky.
All the Akatsuki members lined up, boarding the Ancient Giant Dragon one by one, seating themselves on its back without disturbing the formation.
The best seats, naturally, were reserved for today's main attractions.
Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke sat amidst the Akatsuki members, all eyes on them, making them feel as if thorned on their backs.
Uehara Naraku landed beside Konan, knocked on the dragon's scales, and chuckled lightly, "Alright, let's go!"
"Roar!"
The Ancient Giant Dragon roared toward the sky!
In the next moment, the Ancient Giant Dragon spread its wings to the sky, flapping slowly, carrying a dozen Akatsuki members toward the duel destination!