Reality.
Itachi Uchiha maintained his dominion over Kakashi through the Tsukuyomi. Nevertheless, even he couldn't entirely conceal the strain manifesting in his eyes after deploying the Mangekyō Sharingan.
This constituted a calculated element of his strategy. Activating Tsukuyomi provided him with a legitimate justification for being unable to sustain combat, sparing him from the necessity of terminating Kakashi directly.
Naturally, should Kakashi prove unable to withstand the technique, or if Jūzō Biwa succeeded in eliminating Kakashi's student and arrived to render assistance, the subsequent consequences would transcend his sphere of responsibility.
As an operative for Konohagakure, Itachi believed he had fulfilled his obligation. For his younger brother's welfare, maintaining his position within the Akatsuki remained imperative.
Even if, to this day, he had been unable to transmit substantial intelligence back to Konoha...
"Kakashi possesses the Sharingan, and I've deliberately attenuated the attack within the Tsukuyomi. His survival is probable."
Itachi murmured softly to himself. Suddenly, a thunderous reverberation disrupted his contemplation, and he instinctively oriented toward the source of the disturbance.
What entered his field of vision momentarily suspended his cognitive processes.
"That's..."
Not far distant, amidst the pervasive mist, violent electrical currents crackled and illuminated the surroundings, accompanied by resonant concussive sounds.
The surreal spectacle possessed an almost ethereal quality.
Through the atmospheric obscuration, Itachi discerned Kitagawa Minamoto's form executing rapid maneuvers, relentlessly engaging Jūzō Biwa.
Meanwhile, Jūzō Biwa displayed evident frustration as circumstances forced him into a defensive posture.
The confrontation between the two combatants resembled the convergence of two fundamentally disparate taijutsu methodologies.
One exhibited agility and unpredictability, while the other manifested raw, overwhelming power.
As their engagement intensified, the cacophony of concussive waves, colliding armaments, and fracturing terrain permeated the atmosphere.
Vegetation and geological formations alike succumbed to obliteration in their wake.
Yet Itachi perceived a discordant element within this confrontation.
"This diverges significantly from Jūzō Biwa's characteristic combat methodology."
"What phenomenon is transpiring?"
Itachi's Sharingan eyes widened marginally as he focused his perception on the unfolding scenario.
In an instant of clarity, comprehension dawned.
"Jūzō Biwa has been ensnared within a tactical deception."
Observing the fluctuating purple lightning and Jūzō Biwa's increasingly compromised mobility, Itachi rapidly synthesized the situation.
Evidently, Jūzō Biwa's own Water Release technique had been strategically subverted by Kitagawa Minamoto.
"But what technique manifests such properties?"
Itachi's gaze narrowed at the sight of purple lightning crackling within Kitagawa Minamoto's hands.
Initial assessment suggested similarity to Kakashi's Lightning Cutter.
But having served under Kakashi previously, Itachi possessed intimate familiarity with the Lightning Cutter.
This technique exhibited distinct characteristics. In fact...
"It demonstrates greater versatility than the Lightning Cutter. It doesn't necessitate high-velocity movement to achieve devastating efficacy!"
Under the analytical scrutiny of his Sharingan, Itachi began to discern the fundamental mechanics of the technique.
Yet the progressive understanding only intensified his astonishment.
This technique transcended conventional parameters of Lightning Release Chakra manipulation—both in its structural manifestation and its nature transformation.
It demanded extraordinary affinity with Lightning Chakra and unparalleled precision in Chakra control.
Although Kitagawa Minamoto evidently hadn't achieved complete mastery of the technique, the mere capacity to employ it represented a remarkable achievement.
"It appears... only the Third Raikage has developed something of comparable sophistication."
Itachi's thoughts momentarily diverged into theoretical analysis.
But during that brief cognitive lapse, he suddenly detected Jūzō Biwa emerging from the mist at high velocity—advancing directly toward his position!
In Jūzō Biwa's wake, arcs of purple lightning surged with predatory intent, rapidly diminishing the intervening distance.
Simultaneously, Kakashi abruptly regained consciousness.
BOOM!!
A piercing thunderclap reverberated across the battlefield, and the atmospheric conditions appeared to darken ominously.
Amidst the chaotic aftermath, the combatants found themselves at an impasse, confronting one another from respective positions.
The surrounding terrain exhibited extensive cratering.
Arboreal structures lay toppled, and illumination derived solely from the persistent purple lightning that continued to crackle through the atmosphere.
Kitagawa Minamoto maintained his stance with purple electrical arcs traversing his physical form.
His attire displayed significant damage, and multiple lacerations marked his epidermis, tangible evidence of the intense confrontation he had endured.
Jūzō Biwa, though partially immobilized by the electrical discharge, had successfully executed countermeasures through superior physical capacity and combat experience.
Nevertheless, he had avoided sustaining critical injuries.
But Jūzō Biwa's external appearance had deteriorated substantially.
His forehead protector had been dislodged, and his hair projected outward in a chaotic, electrified configuration.
The formerly immaculate Akatsuki cloak adorning his form had degraded to fragmentary remnants, barely maintaining adherence to his physique.
Burn patterns and lacerations marred his epidermal surface, some exhibiting characteristics consistent with blade-induced trauma, while others displayed unmistakable indicators of electrical cauterization.
Kakashi and Itachi, conversely, both exhibited signs of substantial energy depletion.
Kakashi, particularly, displayed visible debilitation.
"Are you maintaining functional capacity, Kakashi-sensei?" Kitagawa Minamoto inquired softly, regulating his respiratory pattern.
"I retain sufficient resilience..." Kakashi responded, executing a negative cranial gesture.
He experienced profound exhaustion.
As he articulated his response, his visual focus lingered on the purple lightning encompassing Kitagawa Minamoto.
"Was it that Lightning Release technique that disrupted Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan Genjutsu?"
He retained clear recollection of the anomalous phenomenon he had witnessed within the illusory realm.
Evidently, Kitagawa Minamoto had been responsible for the intervention.
And judging by Jūzō Biwa's disheveled condition, the youth's Lightning Release capabilities were undeniably extraordinary.
"This young shinobi actually achieved success?"
Kakashi's eyes reflected a complex amalgamation of astonishment and incredulity.
While specific details of the confrontation remained unknown to him, he comprehended Kitagawa Minamoto's strategic intentions and the formidable difficulty of his accomplishment.
However...
Despite their tactical success, the presence of Itachi Uchiha remained a significant concern.
The Mangekyō Sharingan's incorporeal yet profoundly disturbing Genjutsu had left Kakashi deeply unsettled.
"We must delay their advance sufficiently for Minamoto to effect escape."
Kakashi resolved silently, advancing to interpose himself between Kitagawa Minamoto and potential harm.
But before he could articulate his intentions, Jūzō Biwa expelled a cough and addressed them.
"Young shinobi, that technique merits recognition. I acknowledge your considerable skill. However, what subsequent strategy have you formulated?"
"My strategy?"
Kitagawa Minamoto extended his hands laterally, allowing the surrounding purple lightning to intensify its luminescence.
"You appear to have misinterpreted our objective. We require only to delay your progress. Once the Anbu reinforcements arrive, your tactical options become severely constrained. And consider this critical factor—the numerical balance now stands at equilibrium."
"Anbu..."
Jūzō Biwa's expression exhibited momentary destabilization.
Even at optimal combat capacity, confronting an Anbu contingent represented a formidable challenge.
In his current compromised state, such an engagement approached impossibility.
His visual focus shifted toward Itachi Uchiha.
Although Itachi typically deferred to his authority, Jūzō possessed sufficient acumen to avoid underestimating the "rookie's" capabilities.
"We're withdrawing."
Itachi briefly closed his eyes before articulating his assessment.
"I deployed the Mangekyō previously, but that purple Lightning Release interrupted the process, preventing Kakashi's neutralization.
Given the current tactical parity, expeditious resolution appears improbable.
Should our progress be further impeded until Anbu reinforcements arrive, our strategic position becomes untenable."
Jūzō Biwa exhaled resignedly, acknowledging the logical conclusion.
He directed a prolonged gaze toward Kitagawa Minamoto.
Though this mission lacked critical priority, he hadn't anticipated that a mere youth would disrupt their operational parameters so comprehensively.
Both he and Itachi had encountered unexpected resistance from this young shinobi.
"Young one, I trust your fortuitous circumstances persist during our subsequent encounter."
Jūzō Biwa emitted a derisive exhalation before initiating withdrawal alongside Itachi, clearly disinclined to extend the confrontation.
As they receded into the distance, Kitagawa Minamoto finally released a sigh of relief.
Yet he couldn't suppress a murmured observation.
"Subsequent encounter? Perhaps you should prioritize surviving your confrontation with the Fourth Mizukage..."