On the screen, Itachi had established an overwhelming dominance. Having activated his Susanoo, Sasuke on the opposing side appeared incapable of even executing high-level ninjutsu.
The Yata Mirror and the absolute defense afforded by Susanoo seemed to render Itachi impervious to any of Sasuke's attacks.
At this moment, the Fourth Raikage's gaze was fixed on the imposing Susanoo in the image.
He recognized that even his own formidable strength might fail to breach such a defense.
Upon further reflection, he mused that perhaps only individuals like Ōnoki, wielding the pulverizing might of his Particle Style, the Edo Tensei Minato, now harmonized with Nine tails chakra, or the formidable Deva Path of Pain, with his ability to 'lift all creation,' might possess a chance to overcome such a barrier.
However, the inability to break the defense didn't necessarily equate to an inability to defeat Itachi.
The activation of Susanoo, akin to piloting a massive construct, placed immense strain on the user's chakra reserves and physical condition. The visibly unwell Itachi in the image surely couldn't sustain it indefinitely.
Having reasoned this to himself, the Fourth Raikage refocused his attention on the unfolding drama.
[On the screen, a visibly distressed Sasuke recoiled two steps in alarm upon witnessing Itachi's Susanoo. Suddenly, a wave of agonizing pain coursed through his body, causing him to drop to his knees.]
[In that instant, Sasuke's form underwent a grotesque transformation. A colossal Eight-Headed Serpent, comparable in size to Susanoo itself, erupted from his left shoulder, its serpentine tongues lashing out towards the armored giant.]
Witnessing this unexpected technique, Jiraiya cast a sharp glance at Orochimaru. "That jutsu… that's your Yamata no Orochi, isn't it? How is Sasuke able to wield it?"
Orochimaru himself displayed utter disbelief, muttering in a bewildered tone, "My control… it should have been suppressed when he absorbed my essence."
"Perhaps this will finally dissuade you from dabbling in such forbidden arts," Jiraiya retorted, a hint of his characteristic exasperation in his voice. "Twisting yourself into some grotesque imitation of a serpent… neither fully snake nor fully human."
"And you don't find your affinity for giant toads equally… peculiar?" Orochimaru shot back, a flicker of his usual sardonic wit returning.
The rest of the Ninja World watched in stunned silence, utterly bewildered by this turn of events.
"This time, victory surely belongs to Itachi!" one voice declared with conviction.
"But if that were true," another countered, doubt clouding their features, "how could Uchiha Itachi possibly die?"
"The legends speak of Susanoo slaying the Yamata no Orochi!" a third voice exclaimed, clinging to the familiar narrative.
"Keep watching!" someone urged, their eyes glued to the screen.
[On the screen, the monstrous Yamata no Orochi and the majestic Susanoo clashed in a furious battle. Yet, as if bound by the threads of destiny, the eight serpentine heads were swiftly severed one by one, until only a single head remained. At this precise moment, Orochimaru's spectral form was violently expelled from Sasuke's body.]
["Orochimaru," Itachi said, a hint of grim satisfaction in his voice, "you've finally made your appearance."]
[Orochimaru, his ethereal form flickering, looked at Uchiha Itachi with a twisted gratitude, a sinister smile stretching across his face. "I've been patiently waiting for this very moment! I can finally seize Sasuke's body for my own!"]
[Before Orochimaru could complete his triumphant declaration, Susanoo's Totsuka Blade, a legendary sword of sealing, pierced through his spectral form. With a swift, inexorable motion, the blade drew Orochimaru and the remnants of the colossal white serpent into the enchanted Sake Jar, effectively sealing him away completely.]
The depicted clash of fate was less a balanced struggle and more a decisive, one-sided annihilation orchestrated by Susanoo.
It appeared that no matter how cunningly Orochimaru schemed, he remained utterly outmatched by Itachi's power.
Just as before, Orochimaru was defeated in the final, crucial moment, his ambitions crushed with a single, decisive strike.
With Orochimaru's definitive defeat, Uchiha Sasuke appeared utterly deflated.
He couldn't fathom it.
After enduring so much hardship, after pushing himself to his absolute limit, he still faced utter defeat.
Lowering his weapon, Sasuke sank to the ground, his head bowed in a crushing wave of despair and frustration.
Why, even after reaching this level of power, after finally confronting Uchiha Itachi, was victory still so utterly unattainable?
He had endured so much suffering. In his desperate pursuit of power, he hadn't hesitated to sever his ties with Konohagakure, to sever his precious bond with Naruto, to even debase himself by becoming Orochimaru's subordinate.
And yet… in the end, it amounted to nothing.
Ha ha… This utterly helpless existence.
The image on the sky continued to play, the battle far from its conclusion.
[On the screen, Sasuke's physical form returned to normal, the grotesque influence of Orochimaru's curse mark finally purged. However, this liberation came at a steep price; he was now visibly weakened and exhausted.]
...
______________________________
T/N: Sorry guys this chapter have less WC compared to others.
T/N: +1 Extra Chapter per 100 power stones.
Visit my p@treon for advance chapters.
https://patreon.com/Supreme_1_Raushan