"How did you get behind me?!"
Uchiha Itachi frowned as he turned his massive figure, only to see Genya standing behind him.
At this moment, Genya was soothing Hoshiko, his tone comforting.
Hearing the shock in Uchiha Itachi's voice, Genya's brows furrowed deeply. But he ignored Itachi and instead spoke to Hoshiko:
"Hoshiko, go over there and rest. He will protect you."
Genya pointed to where his clone was stationed, signaling for Hoshiko to move there.
Masked Obito wouldn't attack the clone—over there was the safest place.
Uchiha Itachi had already tried to kill Hoshiko three times. This time, Genya was determined to protect her.
"You're not going to talk? Then I'll see just how many tricks you've got up your sleeve!"
Itachi, met with cold indifference, didn't press further. Controlling his massive Susanoo, he sent its giant hand crashing toward Genya again—this time with all his strength.
At that moment, Itachi felt his vision weakening and his ocular power rapidly draining. If he couldn't end this quickly, he feared he'd be the first to fall.
"Itachi, you're still so stubborn!"
Genya's icy voice rang out as his aura surged once more.
"Then I'll make you see reason…"
"Gate of View—open!"
"Gate of Shock—open!"
With those words, blue chakra erupted from Genya's body once again.
At the same time, his black robe began to seep blood. Opening seven gates in quick succession was pushing even his enhanced body to its limit.
The surging energy roared through his body, so intense that it felt like he might explode from the sheer force.
It seemed his physical body still needed more refinement—to grow stronger.
However,
He could feel the terrifying power within himself, a strength so overwhelming it felt as if the earth would quake with just a single move.
"Fight!"
With a low growl, Genya's toes pressed against the ground.
The ground caved in!
Like a cannonball, he shot forward, colliding head-on with the massive hand of Susano'o.
Boom!
The small figure clashed with the enormous hand.
In an instant!
The colossal hand shattered and bent under the impact.
Genya returned to the ground, his expression calm and focused.
Although this strike didn't completely destroy Susano'o's hand, it showcased the sheer terror of his current physical prowess.
Once he regained his footing, Genya stomped the ground again. His fist shot forward, aiming directly for Susano'o's chest. The speed was so extreme that Uchiha Itachi had no chance to react.
"Damn it!"
Itachi wanted to block, but it was already too late. Genya's fist struck the armored chest of Susano'o!
In that instant,
The armor covering Susano'o's abdomen shattered, and the immense force sent Susano'o staggering back.
As Genya prepared for a second punch, Itachi's hand moved to grab him, forcing Genya to dodge swiftly!
And so,
Genya and Uchiha Itachi became locked in another clash. This time, however, Itachi was the one being toyed with.
Genya's movements were far too agile, and each of his punches caused more damage to Susano'o, forcing Itachi to expend precious ocular energy to repair it.
"Damn it, how is this assassin so strong?" Itachi could no longer contain the anger boiling inside him.
After all, he was still just a 13-year-old shinobi.
From genjutsu to taijutsu to Susano'o, it felt as though he was no match for the man in the black cloak standing before him.
This assassin seemed like an endless abyss, impossible to determine his limits.
It left Uchiha Itachi feeling powerless!
Uchiha Itachi prided himself on being the genius of the Uchiha clan. Aside from Shisui, no one in the clan was his match!
But now, before even leaving the village, he had encountered such a powerful opponent.
It was affecting his mindset.
Boom! Boom! Boom~~
The battle continued.
As Genya's attacks once again struck the defense of Susanoo with full force.
This time, the armor of Susanoo shattered once again, leaving only a layer of defense. If Genya landed another punch, there was a high chance he could create a gap in the defense!
However.
This time, Uchiha Itachi didn't try to drive Genya away but instead fixed his gaze on him!
His eyes were spinning wildly!
"Tsukuyomi."
Uchiha Itachi knew that regular methods wouldn't be enough to defeat the black-clad man in front of him, so he had no choice but to take a risky move.
He channeled his ocular power to its peak and activated
Tsukuyomi!
If he could control this black-clad assassin, then this battle could still be his victory. If he failed, however...
The outcome after that was something he couldn't even dare to imagine. He could not afford to lose!
At the same time!
Behind the mask, Genya locked eyes with Uchiha Itachi. Though separated by a layer of black flame, Genya could still see his pupils!
Not good.
Genya's heart sank as he realized that Uchiha Itachi was using his full power to unleash an illusion. He tried to close his eyes, but it was too late.
Looks like his battle experience still wasn't enough.
Just as he thought that, his head began to feel fuzzy, and the scene before his eyes started to distort!
His expression turned blank.
His mind was being assaulted!
He quickly activated his Sharingan, and the five tomoe spun simultaneously, amplifying his illusion resistance and mental strength.
He was barely able to resist Uchiha Itachi's Tsukuyomi, preventing himself from being pulled into the illusionary world!
No wonder...
Itachi had tried to use the Infinite Tsukuyomi to hypnotize him. This illusion was truly terrifying.
Even so,
Due to the extreme mental strain, the black flames emanating from Genya began to dissipate. Even the black flames that had been covering his eyes almost entirely faded away.
He revealed those Dual Pupils, shining with a deep, profound light!
Dual Pupils?
At this moment, Genya's back was turned to the masked Obito, and only Uchiha Itachi saw those eyes.
A sudden jolt ran through his heart.
He was very familiar with those eyes—those of the "monster kid" from Konoha, Uchiha Kinya's son, Uchiha Genya.
And...
These eyes were so youthful, yet so familiar!
These eyes in front of him were Uchiha Genya's. So... the one fighting him was Uchiha Genya?
How could this be?
Genya was only six years old! How could he possess such strength? How could he fight against him, even seeming to suppress him a bit, without even having the Mangekyō Sharingan?
Unsure, he looked again, trying to peer through the black-robed man before him with those eyes.
The Dual Pupils were incredibly eye-catching, especially as the five tomo in the eyes slowly rotated, drawing even more attention. At this moment, Itachi was certain—this assassin before him was Uchiha Genya.
Itachi's heart was turbulent, waves crashing wildly inside him.
Haha, now it all made sense. Why did this assassin hate him so much? Why was he willing to risk his life to save an Uchiha clan member?
When the Uchiha clan faced annihilation, he was the first to stand up.
Uchiha Genya was an Uchiha, and his opposition to Itachi was to save his clan!
No wonder he stood unwaveringly on the opposite side!
"Are you done looking, Itachi?" Genya had broken free from the genjutsu, his gaze now locked on Uchiha Itachi.
As he spoke, black flames once again erupted from his eyes.
****
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