As the brothers faced each other on the battlefield, engaging in another clash, White Zetsu broke his silence.
"Here we go again? We've already witnessed Uchiha Sasuke's battle against Kakuzu, but a Sharingan duel still fills me with anticipation."
White Zetsu's gaze darted between the two combatants, not wanting to miss even the smallest detail.
"His chakra must be running low by now. He's already fought two Akatsuki members, killing one and critically injuring the other. I haven't seen an Uchiha this young and powerful in ages."
White Zetsu mused to himself, "Speaking of which, was Madara this strong at his age?"
'Madara at that age was still skipping stones by the river, competing with Senju Hashirama to see who could pee the farthest,' Black Zetsu sniped internally.
Though Uchiha Madara was the most talented Indra reincarnation Black Zetsu had witnessed in a millennium, his early years hadn't showcased extraordinary talent.
His meteoric rise to the pinnacle of the Shinobi World occurred closer to adulthood.
This generation of Uchiha Clan members displayed extraordinary talent from an early age, becoming absurdly powerful even as teenagers.
Uchiha Itachi awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan at the age of 11 and a half, while Uchiha Obito awakened his at 13.
Uchiha Shisui, similarly, awakened his Mangekyō around the same age.
Even Uchiha Sasuke, though yet to awaken his Mangekyō, had already demonstrated his prodigious talent and strength by consecutively defeating and severely injuring two Akatsuki members.
"Though these two Uchiha descendants are strong, they are mere grains of sand compared to Madara," Black Zetsu declared.
Knowing White Zetsu's question was directed at him, Black Zetsu spoke with the authority of Uchiha Madara's will incarnate, possessing complete knowledge of Madara's history and abilities.
"Madara at that age was far stronger than them," Black Zetsu continued, his tone carrying three parts admiration, three parts nostalgia, and four parts arrogant confidence—perfectly embodying the persona of the will incarnate of the Shinobi World's former Ashura.
White Zetsu's eyebrow twitched, sensing the situation was more complex than it appeared.
Just as he was about to press for clarification, Black Zetsu's deep voice reverberated again.
"Shut up, you fool. They're about to settle this. Focus on watching."
'Fine.'
White Zetsu suppressed his curiosity and reluctantly turned his gaze back to the battlefield.
'Boom!'
A blazing blade of fire, capable of cleaving through a small mountain, roared through the air, the very air crackling and exploding in its wake.
Yet Uchiha Itachi showed no sign of evading. Beneath his long sleeves, his hands moved in a seal formation so rapid it was nearly invisible to the naked eye.
Just before the fiery blade could tear him apart, his entire body transformed into countless jet-black crows that erupted from the flames.
The crows converged in the distance, coalescing and reforming into Itachi's figure.
'Sasuke's gotten incredibly strong.'
Itachi quietly observed the exploding flames in the distance. As if summoned by an unseen force, the flames surged inward from all directions, converging toward the Kagutsuchi in Sasuke's hand.
It was as if a revered god of fire were summoning his legion of soldiers.
Simultaneously, the light around the Kagutsuchi warped and dimmed, creating an eerie, unnatural effect.
Because he was using the Clone Technique, Uchiha Itachi realized instantly upon clashing that he was no match for Sasuke in his current state.
His only objective was to assess how far his younger brother's strength had progressed.
'The fire-attribute Chakra crystal within that Divine Artifact amplifies Sasuke's Fire Release techniques. Moreover, its material's ability to absorb light and heat significantly reduces Sasuke's Chakra consumption.'
'A truly troublesome weapon.'
Throughout their exchange, Sasuke hadn't formed a single hand seal. No wonder.
With such a Divine Artifact, capable of unleashing B-rank or even A-rank Fire Release Ninjutsu with a mere flick of the wrist, why bother with seals?
Furthermore, due to the weapon's unique properties, Sasuke's apparent Chakra expenditure was far greater than his actual consumption.
At this point, Uchiha Itachi remained unaware that Sasuke had fused Kagutsuchi into his Mangekyō Ethereal Weapon, making it an extension of his own body.
In environments with sufficient light and high temperatures, Sasuke's Chakra would theoretically become virtually limitless, as long as his body could endure the strain.
"Sasuke's Fire Release Blade Technique is derived from the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release and Brother Shisui's Three Blade Styles, but the Fire Release power he's displayed so far can't penetrate the Susanoo's defenses."
"That Lightning Release technique that nearly killed Kakuzu, on the other hand, is extremely dangerous and requires the Yata Mirror to defend against."
"Of course, I can't rule out the possibility that Sasuke possesses a Fire Release ultimate technique on par with that Lightning Release."
Though he hadn't witnessed Sasuke's Mahakala, Uchiha Itachi's keen mind and exceptional battle intelligence allowed him to deduce that Sasuke possessed another Fire Release ultimate technique.
After all, Sasuke had been studying Fire Release techniques for a longer period.
Sasuke's current growth in strength had far exceeded his expectations.
To perfectly maintain the elaborate web of lies he had spun, Itachi needed to gather as much information about Sasuke as possible.
One day, unnoticed, he would allow himself to be killed by Sasuke's hand.
As for the so-called truth and suffering, he alone would bear that burden.
His mind racing like lightning, Uchiha Itachi spoke, his tone still calm and measured:
"Your growth in strength is indeed impressive. You've finally earned the right to be killed by me."
As he spoke, Uchiha Itachi slowly raised a finger, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan locking onto Sasuke's face.
He said calmly, "But the Uchiha Clan's most prized combat style isn't this reckless, brute-force approach."
'Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death Technique!'
In an instant, the world spun violently. Within Itachi's vision, countless stakes pierced Sasuke's limbs, immobilizing him completely.
"Is this what you call the Uchiha Clan's fighting style?" Sasuke asked, his body pinned but showing no panic.
He gazed at Itachi's unfathomable eyes, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "What makes you think these illusory tricks define the Uchiha's true combat style?"
As the words left his mouth, Sasuke's eyes ignited like twin infernos.
Within the dim mental space, a blinding light erupted, and a vast sea of flames surged forth, engulfing everything in its path!
Then, in reality, a whistling sound tore through the air.
The raging flames coalesced into a fiery Kagutsuchi in Sasuke's hand, its overwhelming murderous intent and scorching heat streaking toward Itachi like a meteor.
"Dancing on the tip of sword, singing amidst the flames—that's the Uchiha Clan's true fighting style!"
Watching from the shadows, Black Zetsu nodded in approval. "Indeed," he murmured, "this is the Uchiha's true combat style."
In his millennia of existence, he had witnessed the two most powerful Uchiha: Indra and Uchiha Madara.
Those two never bothered with illusion techniques or any such frivolous nonsense.
Illusion techniques?
Too much trouble, too little use. Activate Susanoo, go berserk, and brute force your way through—that's the Uchiha way.
Pfft!
The blade pierced straight through Uchiha Itachi's heart, and a flame erupted almost simultaneously, threatening to devour him completely.
Itachi's lips moved as if he wanted to speak, but Sasuke cut him off, his gaze icy as he stared into Itachi's eyes. "I know this is just a clone, but it doesn't matter."
"My foolish brother, live on, wallowing in the pain of killing your own family and the guilt of betraying your comrades. Death would be too merciful for you. Eternal torment in the deepest hell, where suffering follows you every moment, is your true punishment."
Trash talk? Anyone could do that.
When Sasuke first crossed over, his mind still reeling from the transition, a stranger had tormented him in his mental space for days and nights.
Even a clay figure has its breaking point, let alone Sasuke, who had always been ruthlessly vengeful in his past life.
If the real Uchiha Itachi stood before him now, Sasuke might still harbor some fear.
But this was just a Clone Technique replica, lacking the Kotoamatsukami and unable to wield the Mangekyō. Sasuke had no reservations whatsoever.
It was like acting meek and humble against a powerful opponent, but then striking hard against a weaker foe.
"Run, run away! Never show your face before me again! Live on, tormented by pain and guilt! But if you dare appear before me again, I'll end your suffering without hesitation. Heh..."
Hearing these words, Uchiha Itachi felt a momentary daze, finding Sasuke's words strangely familiar.
But in the next instant, Sasuke drew his blade, incinerating the Clone Technique manifestation in a burst of flames.
"Is that it?" White Zetsu murmured, staring at the battlefield where the Clone Technique had been reduced to cinders, his tone bewildered.
"What else would you expect?" Black Zetsu sneered. "Uchiha Itachi is merely a Clone Technique manifestation now, possessing only thirty percent of his original Chakra and unable to use his Mangekyō Sharingan. It's only natural he would fall to Uchiha Sasuke."
"He might finally be worthy of becoming one of my pawns now," Uchiha Obito murmured softly, then shifted his gaze to where Kakashi had collapsed unconscious earlier.
"Let's go. There's nothing more to see here."
Uchiha Obito cast one last lingering look in that direction before disappearing into a spatial vortex.
"That was quite a show today. Heh heh."
Zetsu glanced at Sasuke, who stood motionless as if deep in thought, chuckled, and his pitcher plant-like head slowly closed, gradually submerging him into the earth.
On the battlefield, Sasuke finally exhaled deeply once he sensed Zetsu and Uchiha Obito's gazes vanish.
Since his arrival in this world, he had never felt such intense pressure.
After facing two Akatsuki members in quick succession, he now had to confront Uchiha Itachi, whom he had long feared.
And all this under the constant scrutiny of the two masterminds pulling the strings.
Forced to fight without his Mangekyō Sharingan, his narrow victory felt like dancing in shackles—utterly stifling.
'Fifty percent!'
Sasuke silently estimated his remaining Chakra reserves.
Throughout these battles, he had only used two of his signature techniques: Mahakala and Heavenly Cloth Flowing Clouds.
However, these moves primarily harnessed environmental and natural energies, minimizing their Chakra consumption.
Instead, the constant use of Body Flicker and Substitution Techniques during his prolonged engagement with Kakuzu had drained his Chakra reserves.
'One more enemy remains!'
Sasuke's gaze sharpened. Akatsuki operatives typically moved in pairs.
If Uchiha Itachi had arrived, then Kisame Hoshigaki must also be nearby, likely within Takigakure.
Moreover, Kisame Hoshigaki's Clone Technique was even more formidable than Uchiha Itachi's.
In the original timeline, Tendō Pain himself had stated that the Clone Technique was the Ninjutsu best suited for Kisame Hoshigaki.
Although the Clone Technique only utilized thirty percent of the user's original Chakra, for Kisame Hoshigaki, the man known as the "Human Tailed Beast," that thirty percent still surpassed ninety-nine percent of the Shinobi World's population.
Thus, when Uchiha Itachi faced Team Seven, perhaps he held back, but he resolved the situation with relative ease.
In contrast, Kisame Hoshigaki could only be defeated when Might Guy opened the Seventh Gate.
Lost in thought, Sasuke's figure flashed, arriving at the spot where his Shadow Clone had carried Kakashi away earlier.
After a quick glance at the still-unconscious Kakashi, Sasuke's gaze shifted to the figure beside him—a person covered head-to-toe in dark brown scales.
The scales were gradually cracking, with a few already flaking off to reveal the tender skin beneath.
Though still unconscious, the figure's breathing had stabilized.
Seeing this, Sasuke's eyes flickered slightly, and a syringe suddenly materialized in his palm.
Meanwhile, on the other battlefield, in Takigakure:
Just as Sasuke's battle concluded, the clash between Sakura, Naruto, and Kisame Hoshigaki had reached its climax.
Endless, torrential rain began to pour down, forming thick, impenetrable curtains of water.
Waterfall Village, a place already crisscrossed by rivers, had been transformed into a vast, surging sea.
'Whoosh!'
The shark-faced ninja burst from the rain-soaked haze, his massive blade whistling through the air as he swung it at the pale-faced, pink-haired girl.
Sakura's eyes widened, and she instinctively tried to dodge, but there was no time.
"Sakura!" Naruto shouted desperately. He was trapped within Kisame's Water Prison Technique, bound tightly by the swirling water.
Fueled by panic, Naruto's eyes flared crimson, and a deep-red chakra surged around him.
"Hmm?"
A flicker of surprise crossed the eyes of Kisame's water clone. He grinned. "A Jinchūriki, huh? Can't let you ruin my fun."
With that, several small sharks emerged from the Water Prison, biting into Naruto's limbs and draining his chakra. The Jinchūriki, who had been about to explode with power, instantly slumped, drained and helpless.
"Damn it!"
Naruto gritted his teeth, his eyes burning crimson as he glared fiercely in Sakura's direction.
'Boom!'
Just as Kisame Hoshigaki was about to strike the killing blow, a dark red tail lashed out with lightning speed, slamming heavily against the Samehada blade.
Simultaneously, another tail coiled around Sakura, snatching her away from the battlefield.
'Fu!'
By now, Fu had entered a semi-Tailed Beast transformation, her body enveloped in a dark red cloak of Tailed Beast Chakra.
"You ugly freak! You won't lay a hand on my friends!"
Fu's voice was hoarse, but she maintained her composure.
"Thank you, Fu," Sakura murmured, exhaling in relief.
Once Kisame Hoshigaki grew serious, she and Naruto quickly found themselves at a disadvantage.
When Naruto was trapped, she was left alone against Kisame, utterly defenseless.
Fortunately, Fu arrived swiftly to reinforce her, bringing the battle to a stalemate.
"Heh heh," Kisame Hoshigaki chuckled, casually retracting Samehada. He glanced briefly at Fu before fixing his gaze entirely on the pink-haired girl in the distance.
"Looks like the Second Hokage's Water Release techniques aren't all they're praised up to be."
___
This Sasuke Is Strange 300 advanced chapters: (5 ch updates everyday)
Patreon.com/rashta
Be a member so you can also read:
1. 345 adv ch of Talent System In Naruto (Completed)
2. 487 adv ch of This Danzo Is Weird
3. 270 adv ch of Uchiha Madara's Cousin
4. 163 adv ch of WDQK: Divorcing Ling Qingzhu (Completed)
5. 560 adv ch of Qian Renxue's Younger Brother
6. 274 adv ch of I'm Huo Yuhao's System
7. Adv chapters of Naruto: Galgame System (Upcoming)