Itachi Uchiha held a katana, the blade sharp and pointed.
He wore an expressionless face, channeling all his strength into his attack.
Yet, when the tip of his sword met Naruto's chest, it merely made a resounding "clang," as though striking metal.
No matter how much force Itachi exerted, the blade did not penetrate even an inch.
Confused, Itachi looked up.
Tied to the post, Naruto grinned, "You were able to pull me into this world."
"I was looking forward to your technique."
"But if this is the extent of your blade's prowess, it's far too weak."
Itachi lifted his sword once more and lunged again.
The result was no different; there was no damage at all.
What is going on?
Despite using the "Tsukuyomi" technique numerous times, this was the first encounter with such an anomaly.
The technique had clearly been executed successfully, yet it failed to harm him.
"It's a matter of soul essence," Naruto quietly explained. "My soul is far stronger than yours."
"Your already weak soul, split into so many parts."
"You are nowhere near capable of harming me."
This space, though it drew in the "spirit," had a noticeable gap from the "soul," but that gap was not insurmountably large.
Here, Naruto's advantage in soul strength was even more apparent.
Numerous manifestations of "Itachi Uchiha" gathered.
He was inclined to believe that Naruto inherently possessed some ability to resist the "Mangekyō Sharingan" to some degree.
Countless swords thrust simultaneously.
But no amount of quantity could compensate for the disparity in quality.
They still failed to cause harm.
The Tsukuyomi was entirely ineffective.
Without hesitation, Itachi dispelled the technique immediately, returning to reality.
He was gasping for breath.
Naruto's expression remained unchanged.
Kisame Hoshigaki was stunned, his eyes darting between the two.
He was aware that Itachi possessed a visual jutsu that burdened the body significantly but could inflict enormous damage on an opponent within a short time, even incapacitating them utterly.
Yet, Itachi seldom employed it.
Every time he did, however, it always yielded remarkable results—Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Sasuke Uchiha, these individuals were the ultimate proof of its effectiveness.
"What's going on here?" Itachi looked strained, clearly having already used his ocular technique known as "Tsukuyomi."
However, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki seemed entirely unaffected, brimming with energy, as if he had turned Itachi's own technique back on him.
"What's happening?" he couldn't help but ask.
Uchiha Itachi frowned, "He's very peculiar."
Indeed, this was perhaps the most troublesome opponent he had ever faced.
While ordinary illusions could take effect, they only caused a fleeting impact before being disrupted and broken by the tailed beast's chakra.
Even the advanced illusion "Tsukuyomi" could drag him into the mental realm.
But within that world, where Itachi had control, it bizarrely failed to harm him.
With only his current abilities, he couldn't overcome him.
But if he were to employ other techniques...
his own body...
"Do you need me to step in?" Kisame grinned widely.
Itachi nodded.
Gazing at the golden figure charging toward him, he wore a grave expression.
His Mangekyō Sharingan rotated.
Another ocular technique activated.
"Amaterasu"!
Where his gaze landed, black flames erupted around Naruto, burning fiercely.
Startled, Naruto stopped in his tracks.
What kind of Fire Release technique was this?
He stomped the ground, splashing water onto the black flames, but with a hiss, steam rose, and the fire wasn't extinguished in the slightest.
In that instant, the flames already burned through his clothes and corroded his skin, charring it black.
"Jinchūriki brat!" Kisame laughed distortedly as he charged, "This fire can't be quenched until you meet your end."
Drawing the great sword bound to his back by bandages, he swung it down with force.
"Speaking of which,"
"That Zabuza Momochi you defeated was like me, formerly one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
"Now let me test your mettle with this blade."
Naruto gritted his teeth, raising his own sword to counter.
Kisame grinned fiercely, seizing the moment as Naruto endured the searing pain of 'Amaterasu'. He pressed down forcefully, his chakra surging as the bandages burst open, revealing the true form of his sword.
Rather than calling it a "sword", perhaps describing it as an "exotic weapon" fits better. It was entirely deep blue, covered in barbs, and exuded an aura of "life".
"Kid, you're really young," Kisame jerked the weapon back, triggering its trap. "Gotcha!"
"The Great Sword Samehada," "It's more about shredding than cutting!" The barbs hooked onto Naruto, shredding his clothes and slicing off a piece of flesh.
He swung the sword again.
For some reason, a sudden battle instinct brought unease to his heart. This kid in front of him seemed too calm.
Naruto was clearly at a disadvantage, being burned by Amaterasu and heavily injured, yet he maintained his stance, his voice light, "Worthy of praise for drawing blood. But are you getting complacent at just this level?"
The chakra within him surged.
Words of power spilled from his lips. Naruto kept his promise, not forcibly drawing on the Nine-Tails' strength.
Even though the agreement had been somewhat ambiguous, with the Nine-Tails grumbling "Let me think about it", at this crucial moment, it had quietly lent its power, syncing it with the Asura's power, flowing it into Naruto.
A long crimson blade, a short golden blade.
Six arms of a golden body.
Kisame swung his sword down, but Naruto raised an arm clad in the "Nine-Tails" to counter.
A resounding clash!
Kisame's shark-like face twisted in surprise as he gaped at Naruto. What was this sudden transformation? Four additional arms! He's harnessing the power of a tailed beast?
But he had seen Jinchūriki battle before, and none had ever displayed such a form. And the strength—it had increased so much in an instant. Where he could once faintly suppress Naruto, now he found himself only able to contend with him evenly.
Naruto's remaining four arms stood poised.
Naruto summoned a scroll with both hands, performing a "Sealing Jutsu" to enclose the black flames entirely before commencing healing with recovery techniques.
The resilience of his own body, bolstered by the Nine-Tails' chakra, accelerated the healing process.
Wounds burnt nearly to the bone mended at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Finally, aiming his arms at Itachi Uchiha, Naruto's gaze remained fixated on him.
The feeling this man gave him was far more dangerous than that shark-faced guy.
Bringing his palms together and clapping once, "Diamond Seal!"
Golden chains clinked and surged towards Itachi Uchiha.
He seemed slightly caught off guard, becoming tightly bound.
Naruto seized the opportunity, diverting one hand to recite an incantation.
"O sovereign! Mask of flesh and blood, all creation, fluttering in the air crowned in humanity's name!"
"Mark the twin lotus on the wall of blue flame, sitting in the abyss of far-flung skyfire!"
In the eyes of Itachi, the Sharingan spun furiously, attempting to "copy" this technique.
However, this was not ninjutsu; there were no hand signs nor any discernible flow of "chakra".
Kisame perceived the overwhelming aura.
Beneath these poetic words lay power far from "serene and understated."
This was an immensely powerful technique.
He swung his sword again, clashing with the "Nine-Tails".
Rather than retreating after contact, he twisted his wrist, using a reverse stab to lock the crimson blade tightly.
Samehada's other ability activated.
Chakra absorption!
He aimed to drain Naruto's chakra in this instant, hoping to disrupt the technique.
But there was no effect.
Kisame's face was aghast.
The chakra within this blond brat was remarkably solid and immensely vast.
Samehada's bite was like casting a grain of sand into the ocean; the ripple it caused was less than the waves stirred by the sea itself.
The fully chant-completed high-numbered Hadō.
In Naruto's palm, brilliant light burst forth.
Flames raged fiercely.
"Hadō number 73, Twin Lotus Blue Fire, Crash Down."
A burst of blue flames, as thick as a person's waist, shot through with unstoppable force.
The waterway was swept dry, steam billowing into the sky.
In a critical moment, the body of Uchiha Itachi suddenly scattered, transforming into a flock of crows.
Naruto was stunned.
A clone?
Not an ordinary clone.
Each crow carried the aura of Uchiha Itachi, a ninjutsu akin to the "Shadow Clone Technique."
When did he cast the jutsu?
Before the adamantine sealing?
Thoughts whirled as the battle continued. The adamantine chains swung, precisely lashing at each crow.
Each one dispersed into smoke.
Yet, more converged, reconstituting the form of Uchiha Itachi.
But he was not unscathed, half of his face reddened by burns.
Kisame looked horrified.
He wasn't amazed by Naruto's techniques.
Rather, he noticed something changing in the sword he held.
The Seven Swords of the Mist, each unique, bear extraordinary abilities. And among them, the "Great Sword: Samehada" is undoubtedly the most special, as unlike others with unique powers, "Samehada" could actually be considered a living creature.
It chooses its own master.
And its criteria for choosing a master depend on "chakra."
The more powerful the chakra, the more it likes it.
Having coexisted with Samehada for so many years, he had learned its temperament inside out.
Without a doubt, it now favored the chakra of the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki.
No longer heeding his command to absorb Naruto's chakra, it instead spat out all that it had just absorbed, even attempting to return the chakra stored within it to Naruto.
But Naruto's body rejected it, and each attempt to infuse chakra failed.
Horrified, Kisame withdrew the sword.
What was going on with this person!
Samehada, after all these years and countless battles, had never once hinted at betrayal.
Yet after crossing blades with this person, it ended up like this.
If they clashed a few more times,
wouldn't Samehada eventually run off with him?
In the aftermath of the battle, Kisame Hoshigaki stood still, his eyes fixed on the sword in his hand—Samehada.
The bond between weapon and wielder had been tested: Samehada, drawn more to Naruto's vibrant chakra than Kisame's own. It was a troubling revelation.
"Samehada," Kisame murmured, his expression torn between frustration and wonder. "It seems you've found something more appealing."
The sword quivered slightly, as if in response to its owner's voice. Within his grip, it felt almost alive, a sentient being craving the chakra it had tasted.
Naruto Uzumaki stood a few meters away, the lingering aura of the Nine-Tails palpable around him. His gaze met Kisame's, and they exchanged a silent understanding of the power within him.
"Naruto," Kisame called out, his voice carrying a hint of respect. "Your chakra is like a siren's song to Samehada. It wants more of it."
Naruto's expression softened. He was beginning to accept the reality of what it meant to house the Kyuubi. "I guess it's just something I'll have to live with," Naruto replied, a quiet determination in his tone.
With a resigned sigh, Kisame nodded. There was a mutual respect forged in the heat of battle, an understanding that sometimes, power chose its own path.
(End of Chapter)