Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 60

I feel it immediately—Itachi's words are not just an act; they carry a genuine desire within them. His tone reveals more than he might have intended, and for a brief second, I wonder if even he believes that there could still be another way.

But there is no turning back.

My gaze flickers one last time to Naruto, who is now surrounded by Yamato's wooden barrier, while Sakura watches him with concern. Yamato stands ready, keeping a close eye on my every move. I take a deep breath, my body tensing, my chakra boiling inside me.

"I'm sorry, brother... but it's too late for that."

With those words, I charge at Itachi.

Before I can reach him, Sakura suddenly jumps in my way, her fist cutting through the air with a force that should never be underestimated. But she hits nothing but empty space as I shift to the side with a smooth motion, keeping my focus on my true target.

"Don't stop now!"

My first strike crashes into Itachi's block—his arms skillfully absorb the impact of my fist. In an instant, we are locked in a breathtakingly fast exchange of blows, too quick for outsiders to follow. Every attack, every block, every movement is a mix of instinctive skill and years of experience. And although this is a serious battle, I feel a strange sense of familiarity in it.

My fists cut through the air, my legs execute precise kicks, yet Itachi remains one step ahead, using every opening to counter and gradually push me farther away from Naruto. But I refuse to let him separate me from my goal—I keep the fight as close to Naruto as possible while Itachi tries to adjust his tactics.

"You won't get rid of me that easily!" I call out with a defiant grin, catching his next strike. "I will take Naruto with me!"

But even as my body fights, a thought flickers in the back of my mind—it feels so familiar, yet so foreign at the same time. Back when we were children, we often sparred against each other, full of curiosity and ambition. Now, we have to pretend to be enemies, and even though I know it's necessary, I hate that we have to strike each other like this.

"How long has it been since we last fought like this?" I ask between two rapid attacks, my tone almost playful despite the deadly precision of my strikes.

A barely noticeable smirk flashes across Itachi's face, and for a moment, it seems as though he enjoys this fight just as much as I do.

But then, he suddenly dissolves into a swarm of black crows.

My body freezes for a fraction of a second.

A Genjutsu?! But how?!

I sense the flickering of the illusion around me, but my Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan immediately detects the deception. Still, a Genjutsu alone would never have caught me...

Then, realization hits me like a blow.

"Kitsune!"

My gaze sharpens as I tear myself from the illusion with a burst of chakra. She had strengthened Itachi's Genjutsu, making it momentarily impossible for me to resist.

But it's too late.

There's no need to look at Naruto—within the few seconds of my distraction, Yamato and Sakura have already grabbed him and are retreating.

My heart pounds in my chest. Zetsu is here. I can clearly sense his presence. He is watching us. The fight must continue.

I lift my gaze to Itachi, my eyes glowing with power.

"Then I'll just remove you from my path, little brother."

With those words, my Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan fully unfurls.