The fierce duel between the Uchiha brothers, Sasuke and Itachi, had finally come to an end.
Even though Sasuke had awakened Indra's power and unleashed overwhelming fury, he was still far from surpassing the might of Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan. Under the towering form of Susanoo, Sasuke's attacks seemed futile, his desperation growing with every failed strike.
When Orochimaru saw his chance, he broke through Sasuke's weakened body using the Yamata no Jutsu, intending to seize both Sasuke's body and Itachi's eyes.
But as Orochimaru's true serpent form emerged, Itachi smiled faintly—coldly, knowingly.
At last, the moment he had been waiting for arrived.
The Totsuka Blade pierced through Orochimaru's massive serpent body, sealing him forever within the blade's eternal dream.
The curse mark that had plagued Sasuke began to fade. The extraction of that dark power had been part of Itachi's plan all along.
"It's really well thought out… handsome guy," a voice echoed softly from the shadows.
From the distorted space, Kenya and Jin'narō stepped out. Watching Itachi's sacrifice, Jin'narō sighed quietly.
"To plan this far ahead for someone else… truly terrifying."
Kenya's eyes, calm and distant, shifted toward the fallen Sasuke. "Finally… it's time."
When Itachi touched Sasuke's forehead for the last time and collapsed, Kenya's gaze softened—just for a moment.
"Master Aizen," murmured Roland, frowning slightly.
"Jin'narō, take Sasuke and Itachi," Kenya ordered, turning away.
"Back to Konoha, Aizen-sama?"
"How could that be?" Kenya smiled faintly. "Sasuke still needs to merge with that power—to fulfill his brother's final wish. This… is the last gift I give to my own clan."
----
Above the Land of Fire, chaos reigned.
Entire blocks of Konoha were crumbling like sandcastles. Gigantic Summoning Beasts—each bearing Rinnegan in both eyes—rampaged across the village, black chakra rods impaled deep into their bodies.
"Rooaaar!!!"
A three-headed hound turned toward the towering Ninbu Headquarters. Its muscles tensed, and with an earth-shattering leap, it charged forward like a missile.
"Water Style: Tide Current Hydration Technique!"
A massive tidal wave surged from nowhere, engulfing the beast in a violent whirlpool.
"Whaaa!!!"
The hound burst from the wave, shaking off the water in fury—only to see the ocean itself twist and rise, forming a giant aquatic monster.
Inside stood Suigetsu, smirking.
"Man, I thought I could drown you for a second there."
"WROOOOAR!!!"
"Oh yeah? Then try this!" Suigetsu's giant water form began forming new seals.
"Water Style: Triple Water Dragon Bullets!"
From the swirling water around him, three massive water dragons shot forward, biting into the hound's necks.
But before they could tear through—three more heads sprouted from the wounds.
A six-headed hound glared back.
"What the—?!" Suigetsu's eyes widened. "You multiply when injured!?"
"ROOOAR!!!"
The monster lunged again.
"Tch! Then let's see how you handle this!"
"Ice Style: Blue Frost Burial!"
In an instant, the battlefield turned white. A storm of freezing wind encased the hound mid-air, solidifying it into an ice sculpture before it could strike.
Crash!
The frozen beast shattered into countless pieces, unable to regenerate.
Suigetsu wiped his forehead. "Finally… damn."
Nearby Konoha shinobi stared, stunned.
"That monster… he took it down alone?"
"Isn't he from the Ghost Lantern clan? Why's he using the Yuki clan's Ice Style!?"
No one had time to ponder before the air rumbled again.
The Vulture and Rhino Summons turned their focus toward Suigetsu, preparing to strike.
"Great," Suigetsu muttered, annoyed. "As if one wasn't bad enough…"
----
Across the battlefield, Full Moon grinned as he faced Preta Path Pain, whose Rinnegan glowed ominously.
"So, you absorb chakra, huh?" Full Moon smirked. "Too bad—I'm more of a swordsman anyway."
He unfurled a scroll midair, pressing his palm down.
Bang!Bang!Bang!
Smoke erupted, revealing three of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist—Shibuki (Blunt Blade), Nuibari (Needle Blade), and Kiba (Thunder Swords)—all floating before him.
Forming a single hand seal, he split into three Water Clones, each wielding one sword.
"How's that? Ever fought someone with three times the skill?"
----
Elsewhere, Naraka Path loomed over Hanabi Hyūga, his Rinnegan glowing like cold moons.
"Where is Uzumaki Naruto?" he demanded.
Hanabi clenched her fist, Byakugan veins flaring.
"That idiot Kenya—if he gave me the Hōgyoku's power earlier, this would be easier…" she muttered under her breath.
"Answer me, or die," the Hell Path intoned.
Hanabi snapped her stance, chakra bursting from her palms. "Kenya's orders were clear… defeat you all!"
"Wind Release: Gentle Fist Gale!"
"Shinra Tensei!"
The two forces collided, wind and gravity spiraling into chaos.
Temari, observing from afar, frowned. "That power… is that his true ability?"
Above them, Deva Path Pain stood motionless, watching.
"'Shinigami' Uchiha Kenya…" he murmured. "Truly, every one of his followers is a monster."