The grand hall of the Phenex estate buzzed with anticipation. Lords, Ladies, and distinguished guests from across the Underworld had gathered for a spectacle unlike any before—a human challenging the Phenex family in a Rating Game.
Itachi stood calm and unyielding at the center of the room, his expression unreadable. His enigmatic presence commanded attention, even among beings far older and more powerful.
The air crackled with tension as Sirzechs Lucifer, seated regally, announced, "Let the game preparations begin."
Riser Phenex, wearing his usual smug grin, stepped forward with his peerage in tow. "I'll admit, Itachi, you're brave to stand alone. I hope you don't underestimate me. I am immortal, after all."
Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. Without a word, he turned and walked toward the portal.
"System, summon Kisame Hoshigaki."
A shimmering blue portal materialized behind him, its edges swirling like turbulent water. The gathered devils froze, sensing an immense power spilling forth. The pressure was suffocating, as though the sea itself had risen to challenge the heavens.
From the portal stepped a towering figure, his appearance as unsettling as it was awe-inspiring. Kisame Hoshigaki, the "Tailless Beast," emerged, his shark-like features and massive blade, Samehada, immediately drawing attention.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Ajuka Beelzebub leaned forward, his analytical gaze sharpening. "His body resembles a human's, but his appearance and the Senjutsu he exudes are like that of a beast."
Even Sirzechs raised an eyebrow, impressed by the dense, overwhelming aura Kisame radiated. "Impressive. His Senjutsu is even denser than the Nine-Tails' chakra."
Kisame glanced around, his predatory smile widening as he took in the crowd. His voice was low and gravelly, yet filled with amusement. "So, this is the Underworld. Not bad, Itachi. Quite the lively place."
Itachi's voice echoed in Kisame's mind through their system-linked communication. "Focus. Your targets are Riser, his brother, and their peerage. I'll handle the rest."
Kisame chuckled mentally, his confidence unwavering. "Understood. This should be fun."
---
The portal teleported them to the game field—a sprawling volcanic landscape dotted with rivers of molten lava. The heat was stifling, but Kisame seemed invigorated, as if he thrived in such conditions.
Riser's peerage took their positions, each member radiating confidence. Lord Phenex observed from outside along with his family, his expression unreadable but his pride evident.
Riser smirked, crossing his arms. "This will be over quickly. My peerage, eliminate them!"
Riser's confidence was evident. He had instructed his peerage to avoid looking Itachi in the eyes after learning of his Sharingan's power. He himself focused on Itachi's feet, determined not to fall into the same trap.
As Riser's knights and pawns charged, Kisame stepped forward, cracking his neck. "Let's see how you handle this."
He slammed Samehada into the ground, and the battlefield shifted. A massive surge of water erupted from beneath him, extinguishing the lava rivers and transforming the volcanic terrain into a battlefield submerged ankle-deep in water.
"What—?!" Riser's peerage faltered, caught off guard.
Kisame's grin widened. "You're in my domain now."
With a burst of speed, Kisame engaged Riser's knights, his movements deceptively fast for his size. Samehada roared to life, draining the demonic energy of anyone it touched.
Riser's knight fell first, overwhelmed by the relentless assault. Kisame's mastery over water techniques turned the battlefield into a chaotic whirlpool, isolating Riser's pieces and disrupting their coordination.
Meanwhile, Itachi observed from the edge of the battlefield, his Sharingan analyzing every move. Through the system's interface, he monitored Kisame's energy levels and directed his actions when necessary.
Riser, frustrated, launched a barrage of fire attacks. "You can't beat me! I'm immortal!"
Kisame absorbed the flames with ease, his water techniques neutralizing the attacks. "Immortal or not, you're running out of energy. Let's see how long you can keep this up."
Seeing an opportunity, Itachi stepped forward. His Sharingan spun, sending a wave of genjutsu outward. Riser's remaining peerage members hesitated, their minds clouded by illusions.
One by one, they fell to Kisame's relentless assault.
---
As the battle wore on, Riser's frustration boiled over. "Enough! I'll end this myself!"
He launched himself at Kisame, flames erupting from his body in a desperate attempt to overpower the shark-like warrior. Kisame met the fiery assault head-on, Samehada devouring the flames with glee.
Riser's immortality posed a challenge. No matter how many times he fell, he regenerated, his flames reigniting with each revival.
Itachi, observing this, activated his unsealed Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. His voice was calm but firm. "Kisame, step back."
Kisame obeyed, retreating to let Itachi take the lead.
Itachi locked eyes with Riser, and the world around them shifted. In an instant, Riser found himself trapped in a world of crimson. The oppressive weight of Itachi's Tsukuyomi bore down on him.
"It's over," Itachi said softly.
In the illusion, Riser experienced a thousand deaths, each one more excruciating than the last. When the genjutsu ended, he collapsed to his knees, trembling and unable to stand.
---
The battlefield dissolved, and the participants were teleported back to the grand hall. The crowd was silent, stunned by the display they had witnessed.
Lord Phenex stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Impressive. To defeat Riser and his peerage is no small feat—and in such a short time."
Itachi inclined his head slightly. "Preparation determines the outcome."
Kisame, still grinning, leaned on Samehada. "That was a good warm-up. Let me know when the real fight starts."
The Devil Kings exchanged glances, each of them recognizing the potential threat Itachi and Kisame posed.
Sirzechs finally broke the silence, a small smile playing on his lips. "You've proven your strength, Itachi. But this is only the first round."
Itachi nodded, his eyes unwavering. "I am prepared."