Under Musashi's grave expression, a voice void of any emotion drifted from beneath the mask: "Do you need me to step in, Itachi?"
"Although the timing isn't perfect, if you say the word, I can resolve this trouble for you."
Itachi Uchiha remained silent.
Musashi's mind raced, trying to figure out how to save the two girls if this new opponent attacked.
He had no leads.
Kamui, capable of intangibility.
Plus Itachi Uchiha.
If they want to kill two weak targets, I can't stop them.
His clenched fist cracked under the pressure.
Musashi turned his gaze to Itachi.
Are you really going to exterminate everyone? Itachi.
If they die right in front of my eyes, I swear.
As long as I'm still breathing, I will kill you!
Not even Naruto will be able to save you.
"Musashi," Itachi spoke.
His tone was unexpectedly calm.
The earlier embarrassment and rage had vanished.
"You are excellent. More excellent than I imagined."
"I didn't expect you to push me to this point in battle."
"This is the strongest power I can currently unleash. This will be my final attack."
"If you can withstand it, I will acknowledge your strength. Take them and go."
"If you die, they will join you."
Musashi panted heavily and nodded.
"Deal."
The red Susanoo began to straighten its body.
In Musashi's horrified gaze, it grew continuously, raising its hands as it became more solid.
Faint light seemed ready to manifest from it.
Suddenly, Itachi covered his eye.
The red, half-body Susanoo instantly shrank, revealing the skeletal structure beneath.
His visual prowess is nearing its limit.
With his remaining ocular power surging out, the flesh and muscle gathered again, forming a figure about ten meters tall.
Fortunately, its form didn't advance to the next stage; it remained a half-body of flesh and muscle, without armor or weapons.
Even so, the massive raised hands gave Musashi a sense of fatal danger.
He took a deep breath, trying his best to enhance his control over the chakra within him.
The giant Susanoo hands slammed down violently!
Invisible ocular power locked onto Musashi, the two palms whipping up a screaming hurricane.
Looking up, it looked like a strike that could destroy heaven and earth.
Musashi stared directly at the approaching palms.
Feeling the natural fear radiating from his flesh.
His will stood firm like a reef in a storm.
A low whisper echoed in his heart.
Eight Gates Released: Seventh Gate, Gate of Shock... OPEN.
Blue vapor rose into the air.
The ground shattered instantly, sending massive amounts of stone and soil drifting into the air from the tremors.
Energy swept through everything in sight like a raging tsunami.
The aura he emitted was no weaker than the giant figure before him.
One arm is broken; I can't perform the Daytime Tiger.
So, I have to choose the move I've practiced the longest, the one I'm most familiar with.
"Leaf... Strong Whirlwind!"
His figure vanished.
In mid-air, only a massive blue arc could be seen.
It collided with the rapidly descending giant palms in an instant.
Time seemed to pause between heaven and earth.
Silence held for a split second.
Then, light blossomed.
Fire exploded, rising into the sky!
The earth trembled, web-like cracks spreading infinitely!
A roar that resounded through the heavens rolled out like ocean waves, deafening many of Konoha's civilians the moment the shockwave hit them.
Villagers stared at the distant scene, their mouths hanging open.
"That commotion... it's not any weaker than when the Nine-Tails attacked."
"Run! Go to the shelter first!"
"Run! Run!~"
Civilians began to flee in panic.
Some ninjas, however, watched the distant scene with turmoil in their hearts.
"Is that... ninjutsu?"
"Such powerful chakra! It's terrifying."
"If we get too close, the shockwave alone could kill us, right?"
"With such a huge disturbance, why hasn't Lord Hokage appeared yet?"
"What about the Konoha Military Police Force? Where the hell did the Uchiha go?!"
"I don't know. Someone must have reported it to Lord Hokage. Let's wait."
"Alright, let's set up a perimeter, evacuate the civilians, and keep watching!"
Although they were curious why the Hokage, the high-ranking ninjas, and the Uchiha were nowhere to be seen despite the noise...
The priority was everyone's safety.
Some Chunin and Genin spontaneously took action, evacuating civilians and maintaining order.
However, the commotion in the distance finally subsided.
Uchiha District.
Musashi stood alone in a clearing.
The surrounding buildings and ground were unrecognizable—completely "renovated," one might say.
He let out a sigh of relief.
Glancing at the black flames still burning here and there, he gathered his meager remaining chakra to form seals.
"Fire Sealing Method!"
"Ninja Art: River Flow Seal!"
The sealing jutsu locked down the remaining energy, closing the Eight Gates.
He walked slowly out of the deep crater.
One step, two steps.
It took him a long time to reach Izumi Uchiha, who was hiding in a corner.
He reached out his hand.
"Come with me."
Izumi picked up her sister and followed Musashi.
They hadn't gone far when several figures whoosh-whooshed down around them.
Under the masks, that familiar gloomy aura.
Several people surrounded Musashi, but no one spoke, nor did they make the next move.
Musashi spoke first.
He looked at the people in front of him expressionlessly, his voice carrying a rare chill.
"A massive change has occurred in the Uchiha clan. I am going to report the situation to Lord Hokage now."
"Are you sure you want to stop me? Or should you go deal with other matters first?"
The masked figures looked at each other.
Finally, with a tacit understanding, they retreated slightly.
Musashi strode away.
Once his figure disappeared, the group looked at one another.
"Fire Wolf, why didn't you stop him?"
"Sky Dog, you didn't either. Why didn't you stop him?"
"Enough." A person wearing a fox mask spoke up. "That man isn't someone we can handle. Did you not see the commotion just now? Even if we all attacked together, we wouldn't stand a chance."
"Don't forget the mission Lord Danzo gave us."
"Yes!"
The figures flickered and vanished from the spot.
There were many eyes watching; Lord Danzo was still waiting.
---
A few minutes later, inside an office in Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was hidden in the dim light.
He watched the figure kneeling before him quietly.
"First, I must thank you, Itachi. Because of this, Konoha has avoided a civil war. The peace of the village has been protected. However, I still regret that we couldn't find another way."
Itachi Uchiha knelt on one knee. "I am sorry."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "I am the one who should be sorry. From today on, Konoha will view you as a rogue ninja who massacred his clan. You will be placed on the Bingo Book and hunted, dead or alive. Itachi, what are your plans for the future?"
"I have joined an organization called the Akatsuki. I will follow that man and protect the village from the shadows, even if it costs my life."
Hiruzen was very gratified.
Itachi Uchiha was truly a good young man.