[Sponsored] Chapter 67: My Samehada!

[This chapter is proudly sponsored by "terrance smith." Please join me in expressing your thanks in the comments! If you're interested in sponsoring a chapter, consider joining the Patreon.]

The sword in Uchiha Itachi's hand was a traditional katana.

The tip was razor-sharp.

His face expressionless, he struck with all his might.

However, when the blade collided with Naruto's chest, it merely made a "clang" sound, as if striking against metal. No matter how much force he applied, the sword could not penetrate.

Uchiha Itachi looked up, bewildered.

Bound to the rack, Naruto grinned. "You managed to drag me into this world."

"I was looking forward to your technique."

"But if this is the extent of your slashes, it's far too weak."

Uchiha Itachi raised his sword and stabbed again.

The result was no different than the first time—he couldn't inflict any damage.

What's going on?

He had used "Tsukuyomi" countless times, yet this was the first time he'd encountered such a situation.

The technique had clearly been successfully cast, but it couldn't harm him.

"This is a matter of the essence of the soul," Naruto said softly. "My soul is far stronger than yours."

"Your already weak soul has been divided into so many parts."

"You don't even qualify to harm me."

In this space, it was the "mind" that had been drawn in, which had some difference from the "soul." However, the gap was no longer vast.

Here, the advantage of Naruto's stronger soul was even more apparent.

Numerous "Uchiha Itachis" gathered around.

He preferred to believe that Naruto naturally possessed some ability to resist the Mangekyō Sharingan to some extent.

Many swords thrust at him simultaneously.

But quantity couldn't compensate for the disparity in quality.

Still, no damage was inflicted.

Tsukuyomi was completely ineffective.

Without hesitation, Uchiha Itachi dissolved the technique and returned to reality.

He was gasping for breath.

Naruto's expression remained unchanged.

Kisame was astonished, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two.

He knew that Uchiha Itachi had an ocular technique that exerted a significant toll on his body but could inflict massive damage on an enemy in a short period, even rendering them completely incapable of fighting.

He didn't use this technique often.

But every time he did, it yielded excellent results.

Yuhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Asuma, Uchiha Sasuke —these individuals were proof of its effectiveness.

But now, what was happening?

It was clear from Itachi's strained appearance that he had already used the technique known as "Tsukuyomi."

But the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki remained completely unaffected, alive and kicking.

It was as if Naruto had used "Tsukuyomi" on Itachi instead.

"What's going on?" Kisame couldn't help but ask.

Uchiha Itachi frowned. "He's very unusual."

This might be the toughest enemy he had ever faced.

Ordinary genjutsu could work, but it would only have an effect for a moment before being disrupted and broken by the chakra of the tailed beast.

Even the advanced genjutsu "Tsukuyomi" could indeed draw him into the mental world.

But in that world where Itachi had complete control, he couldn't harm him.

With his current abilities, he couldn't defeat Naruto.

But if he used those techniques...

His body...

"Need my help?" Kisame grinned.

Uchiha Itachi nodded.

Staring at the golden figure rushing toward him, his expression turned serious.

The Mangekyō Sharingan spun.

Another ocular technique was activated.

"Amaterasu!"

Where his gaze fell, pitch-black flames suddenly erupted on Naruto, burning fiercely.

Naruto was startled and stopped in his tracks.

What kind of Fire Release technique is this?

He stomped his foot, splashing water to douse the black flames, but with a hiss—the water evaporated instantly, and the flames didn't diminish in the slightest.

In that instant.

The flames had already burned through his clothing, searing his flesh, leaving it charred and blackened.

"You Jinchūriki kid!" Kisame charged forward with a menacing grin. "These flames cannot be extinguished before you die."

He drew the large sword wrapped in bandages from his back and swung it down hard.

"Speaking of which."

"That Momochi Zabuza you defeated was once, like me, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"Now, let me test your spirit with this sword."

Naruto gritted his teeth and raised his sword to meet the attack.

Kisame grinned even more ferociously. As Naruto endured the burning pain of "Amaterasu," Kisame pressed down harder, chakra surging, and the bandages burst open, revealing the true form of the sword.

Rather than calling it a "sword," it might be more appropriate to describe it as a "strange weapon."

It was deep blue all over, covered in barbs, and exuded an aura of "life."

"Kid, you're still so young." Kisame tugged hard, pulling the sword back. "You fell for it!"

"Samehada."

"It shaves rather than cuts!"

The barbs hooked into Naruto, tearing his clothes and ripping away a chunk of flesh.

Kisame swung the sword again.

Without knowing why, a subtle unease suddenly arose in his heart due to his battle instincts.

The boy in front of him seemed far too calm.

He was now at a complete disadvantage.

Burned by Amaterasu, severely injured.

Naruto still held his sword aloft, his tone light, "Drawing my blood is indeed commendable."

"But are you getting cocky just because of that?"

Chakra surged and erupted.

Words of power were uttered from his lips.

"Roar With Lamentation, Sing With Compassion, The Cycle Of Rebirth, Nine-Tailed Ashura!"

As promised, Naruto did not forcibly draw on the Nine-Tails' power.

Although when they made the agreement earlier, the Nine-Tails kept saying, "Let me think about it," at this moment, it didn't stall or remain silent. Instead, it quietly lent its power, linking it with the power of Asura, and infused it into Naruto's body.

Long red blade, short golden blade.

Six arms, golden body.

At this moment, Kisame's blade slashed down, and Naruto raised one arm to meet it with the "Nine-Tails."

Clang! They collided!

Kisame's face twisted slightly as he looked at Naruto in astonishment.

What on earth is this sudden change?

Four extra arms!

Did he borrow the power of a Tailed Beast?

But he's seen Jinchuriki fight before, and never has any of them been able to display such a form.

And the power—it's suddenly grown so much stronger.

Before, he could vaguely suppress him, but now, all he can do is struggle to keep up.

Naruto's remaining four arms.

Two summoned scrolls, casting "Sealing Technique" to completely seal away the black flames, and then performed a healing technique.

Added to this was his own body's resilience and the healing ability brought by the Nine-Tails' chakra.

The burns, which had almost reached the bone, rapidly healed at a visible pace.

The last two arms aimed at Uchiha Itachi.

Naruto's gaze was fixed on him.

This person feels far more dangerous than that shark-faced man.

His two palms clapped together.

"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"

Golden chains clattered, rushing towards Uchiha Itachi.

He seemed to react a bit too late.

Bound tightly, his body was immobilized.

Seizing the opportunity, Naruto diverted one hand, and began to chant the words of power.

"Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man!"

"On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens!"

In Uchiha Itachi's eyes, the Sharingan spun madly.

He wanted to copy this technique.

But this wasn't a ninjutsu; there were no hand signs, and even the flow of chakra was indiscernible.

Kisame sensed the fierce power.

Beneath the seemingly poetic words, the power contained within was far from "serene and elegant."

This was an extremely powerful technique.

He swung his sword again to clash with the "Nine-Tails."

This time, instead of a fleeting strike, he twisted his wrist, locking the crimson blade in place.

The other ability of the "Samehada" activated.

Chakra absorption!

He intended to drain Naruto's chakra at that moment, thereby disrupting the technique.

But it had no effect whatsoever.

Kisame's face turned pale with horror.

The chakra within this blond boy was extraordinarily dense and vast. The Samehada's attempt to drain it was like throwing a grain of sand into the ocean—the ripples were less than those caused by the waves.

The fully chanted high-level Hado Spell.

In Naruto's palm, it blossomed with brilliant light.

Fierce flames roared.

"Hadō #73. Sōren Sōkatsui (双蓮蒼火墜, Twin Lotus Blue Fire, Crash Down;)."

A blue flame, thick as a man's waist, shot forth.

The water vaporized and filled the sky.

At the last moment.

Uchiha Itachi's body suddenly dispersed, transforming into a flock of crows.

Naruto was stunned.

A clone?

No, not an ordinary clone.

Each crow bore Itachi's chakra; it was a type of ninjutsu similar to the "Shadow Clone."

When did he cast this technique?

Before the Adamantine Sealing Chains?

Thoughts raced, but the battle did not pause. The golden chains whipped precisely at each crow.

Each one dissipated into smoke.

But many more converged again, reforming Uchiha Itachi's body.

Yet, he was not in great shape either, with half of his face burned and reddened.

Kisame was horrified.

It wasn't Naruto's technique that shocked him.

Rather, he noticed that the sword in his hand had begun to change.

The seven swords of the Mist, each unique with extraordinary abilities. But the "Samehada" was undoubtedly the most special. Unlike other swords with special abilities, the "Samehada" could be considered a living entity.

It would choose its own master.

And the criterion for its choice was "chakra."

The stronger the chakra, the more it favored.

Having been with the "Samehada" for so many years, he had come to understand the nature of this sword.

Undoubtedly.

It now favored the chakra of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

It no longer obeyed his command to absorb Naruto's chakra; instead, it regurgitated everything it had absorbed, even attempting to return the chakra stored within the sword to Naruto's body.

But Naruto's body repelled it, causing several attempts to fail.

Kisame, in terror, withdrew the sword.

What's with this person?

The Samehada had followed him for so many years, cut down so many people, and absorbed so much chakra, yet never once had it considered betrayal.

But now, after just one encounter with him, this happened.

If they continued fighting a few more times.

Wouldn't the Samehada just run off with him?