Chapter 75
In the hot spring, Sasuke could no longer suppress his murderous intent. Lightning crackled around his arms as he prepared to strike down the man responsible for his clan's annihilation. Jiraiya and Naruto, hearing the sound of electricity surging behind them, turned toward Sasuke.
The surrounding humidity was high due to the hot spring, filling the air with moisture—an ideal conductor for his Lightning Release. The already powerful Chidori Stream expanded into a web of electricity, filling the air with a sound reminiscent of birds chirping. The lightning illuminated Sasuke's face, making him look terrifying as he laughed maniacally and charged toward Itachi, his Chidori in hand.
Itachi, seemingly unfazed by his younger brother's reckless attack, tilted his head slightly toward Kisame, who stood beside him. Understanding the silent signal, Kisame swung his massive Samehada forward. Rather than striking Sasuke directly, the grotesque blade's bloodthirsty maw opened wide as if it had just caught a feast. The moment Samehada made contact, the crackling electricity surrounding Sasuke's body vanished without a trace. The once-roaring Chidori Stream was devoured by the sword as if it were nothing more than a small flickering flame.
Without his Chidori's enhancement, Sasuke's momentum dropped significantly. However, he didn't stop. Instead, he pushed forward with even more speed, recalling the Taijutsu he had copied from Rock Lee and Might Guy. His fist shot toward Itachi with incredible force.
Yet, Itachi remained still, watching Sasuke's movements as if humoring a child playing at being a warrior. As the punch neared, he casually lifted a leg and delivered a sharp sideways kick. Sasuke's attack was knocked off course before it could even reach him.
In the blink of an eye, Itachi closed the distance, his fist sinking mercilessly into Sasuke's abdomen. The sheer force sent Sasuke reeling, blood spewing from his mouth. Before he could recover, Itachi's hand gripped his throat and slammed him against the wall of the hot spring inn with a loud "Bang!"
Sasuke's mind reeled. His vision blurred as he struggled to comprehend what had just happened. This... This isn't right. Why is Itachi so strong? I should be able to kill him... Why did I get taken down in just two moves?!
Coughing up more blood, Sasuke's Sharingan flared with intensity, the tomoe spinning wildly as if they might bleed from his eyes. But staring back at him were a different pair of scarlet eyes—ones far more sinister and intricate. Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan gleamed with an eerie brilliance, locking Sasuke in place.
"My foolish little brother... You are too weak, and your hatred for me is not strong enough." Itachi's voice was chilling, his grip tightening around Sasuke's throat. "Hate me. Cling to that hatred and live pathetically. Only when you awaken the same eyes as mine will you be able to stand before me again..."