On a narrow road near the river outside Konoha, two men dressed in black cloaks with red clouds stood in the middle of the path. Facing them were Konoha's Jonin, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi.
Following the habit passed down from the Third Hokage, Asuma, with a cigarette in his mouth, was about to speak when the shorter of the two cloaked men slightly lifted his straw hat, revealing a pair of Sharingan with three tomoe spinning within.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it, Asuma, Kurenai?"
Upon seeing those eyes, Asuma and Kurenai were shocked, and they blurted out in disbelief, "It's you... Itachi!"
Uchiha Itachi said nothing as he slowly removed his straw hat and set it aside, revealing his full face.
Once Itachi took off his hat, his tall, blue-skinned companion also removed his hat, showing a face with gills, like a fish.
"So, you both know Itachi. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Kisame Hoshigaki. Pleased to meet you," Kisame said with a grin.
Recognizing Itachi, Asuma began to sweat profusely. He cautiously pulled out his chakra blades, Feiyan. "No need for introductions! All I need to do is take you both down!"
Asuma's eyes were fixed on Itachi. "Itachi, after what you did, you dare come back to the village? Did you think Konoha would let you off?!"
"Tch!" Kisame scoffed, and with lightning speed, he pulled the massive Samehada from his back, swinging it toward Asuma.
Asuma quickly raised his Feiyan to block the strike.
While Kisame and Asuma clashed, Kurenai silently prepared her move, her hands forming seals at a rapid pace.
"A genjutsu..." Itachi muttered under his breath.
After completing her seals, Kurenai's genjutsu took hold. In Itachi's eyes, the scene shifted as trees began to wrap around him, binding his movements. Kurenai emerged from the branches, ready to strike with a kunai.
"This level of genjutsu won't work on me," Itachi calmly remarked.
Just as Kurenai was about to land her blow, Itachi's Sharingan spun, and in an instant, the genjutsu was reflected back onto her. She gasped in shock as she found herself trapped in her own illusion.
"Genjutsu reflection..." Kurenai thought, realizing the peril she was in.
As Itachi's sleeve slipped to reveal a kunai, he prepared to strike her down. But before he could land the blow—
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A massive dragon made of water surged up from the river, crashing between the four combatants, separating them and saving both Kurenai and Asuma.
"Kakashi, what are you doing here?" Asuma asked, breathing heavily.
Kakashi didn't answer, his eyes locked on the two Akatsuki members. "Sasuke, stand back! This isn't a fight you can handle!"
In the distance, Uchiha Sasuke stood, his Sharingan ablaze, glaring at one person: Uchiha Itachi.
"It's been a while, Sasuke," Itachi said, his eyes meeting Sasuke's. Kakashi's Water Dragon Bullet hadn't even touched Itachi's cloak.
"Uchiha Itachi..." Sasuke growled, his voice filled with rage. His Sharingan spun with three tomoe, and dark curse marks began to spread across his skin from his left shoulder.
"I'm going to kill you!" Sasuke roared as electricity crackled around his hand, the sound resembling a thousand birds chirping.
Chidori.
Sasuke, his left hand glowing with the piercing light of Chidori, charged straight at Itachi.
"So, you've reached the level of three tomoe... and that curse mark from Orochimaru," Itachi observed, narrowing his eyes at Sasuke. Then, in a swift motion, he caught Sasuke by the throat, lifting him effortlessly.
To Itachi, Sasuke's attack was insignificant.
"My foolish little brother..." Itachi stared into Sasuke's eyes as his own Sharingan morphed into the Mangekyō Sharingan. "You will relive that night over and over again."
"AAAAAHHHH!!!" Sasuke's screams echoed as he found himself once again trapped in the nightmare of their clan's massacre.
Tsukuyomi.
Itachi's left eye activated the ultimate genjutsu, a technique said to be impossible to break.
As Sasuke collapsed in agony, Kakashi quickly formed a seal and slammed his hand onto the ground. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A wall bearing the image of dogs rose from the ground, forcing Itachi to release his hold on Sasuke. In a flash, Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique to bring Sasuke to safety.
Seeing the change in Itachi's eyes, Kakashi hurriedly called out to Asuma and Kurenai, who were still standing with their eyes closed.
"Listen up! Don't open your eyes! If you look into his eyes, it's over!" Kakashi warned, covering his right eye with his forehead protector, leaving only his Sharingan uncovered.
Itachi, his Mangekyō Sharingan locked on Kakashi, spoke with a hint of mockery. "Yes, having the Sharingan gives you some resistance to the Mangekyō. But... shouldn't you be more concerned about Uchiha Sasuke behind you?"
Kakashi's heart raced. He quickly tried to cover his left eye, but it was too late.
In Kakashi's vision, he was bound to a cross in an endless void. Surrounding him were countless versions of Itachi, each holding a long sword.
Squelch.
The sound of a blade piercing flesh echoed. A sword stabbed through Kakashi's body, followed by another, and another, until his blood soaked the cross completely.
"AAAAAHHHH!!!" Kakashi screamed, falling to the ground in torment, just as Sasuke had moments earlier.
Behind them, Kurenai and Asuma stood frozen, their eyes tightly shut, too terrified to look.
Kisame, with Samehada resting on his shoulder, glanced at Itachi. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Itachi, using that technique twice in a day... isn't that pushing it a little too far?"
Itachi slowly closed his eyes, not responding. When he reopened them, his Mangekyō Sharingan had faded, leaving only his normal eyes—no longer even the three-tomoe Sharingan.
"So, you've already used that technique twice today? Looks like I'm a bit late to the party..." A voice came from behind Kisame and Itachi.
Slowly, Furen stepped forward, having just arrived from the Ryokan at Sōzan Hill.
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T/N:
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