Chapter 8 Itachi Vs Chiba

Third Hokage spoke solemnly, "The point is, if Chiba reveals everything to the Uchiha clan, it will lead to significant trouble."

With the Uchiha clan led by powerful Mangekyō Sharingan users, the destructive potential is unimaginable. At the very least, it would put Konoha's top management in crisis.

Danzo was well aware of this. Understanding the power of Shisui's Sharingan technique, he knew the horrors of the Mangekyō Sharingan. He had no desire to face such a formidable opponent.

Danzo glanced at Third Hokage, and both had a hint of murderous intent in their eyes.

They decided to temporarily dismiss Itachi and discuss the matter privately before summoning him back.

Danzo stared at Itachi with a gloomy expression and spoke in a deep voice, "Itachi, the existence of Chiba is a massive hidden danger. We hope you will eliminate him before the appointed day."

Itachi's complexion changed slightly. Engaging in a battle against a Mangekyō-level master was something he was reluctant to do. It was simply too dangerous. One mistake could mean death.

Danzo and Third Hokage remained firm in their decision.

Itachi understood that they were testing the limits of his loyalty and strength. He considered Chiba's relationships with the Shimura clan, the Sarutobi clan, and the recent attack that had taken place. Chiba was his ally.

This thought quickly flashed through Itachi's mind, and he looked at the two with a serious expression. "I can take action, but I can't guarantee the outcome."

Third Hokage and Danzo exchanged glances, acknowledging the difficulty of the task. They nodded in agreement.

...

At dusk, Chiba left the ninja hospital and began walking home. Although he had made some progress, it was becoming difficult to improve his strength in such a short period of time.

Suddenly, Chiba came to a halt, noticing a figure standing in the middle of the road ahead—Uchiha Itachi!

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Chiba became vigilant.

Itachi looked at him with a complicated expression. Unexpectedly, the person he had once underestimated had grown to a point where he had to treat him with respect.

"I didn't expect you to activate the Mangekyō Sharingan," Itachi remarked.

Chiba shrugged and said nothing. He couldn't reveal to Itachi that he hadn't awakened his own eyes yet.

"I didn't expect you to be involved in that plan. You don't resemble Uchiha Yan at all," Itachi said, sounding somewhat downcast.

Chiba remained silent for a moment and then calmly stated, "I just want to live and become stronger."

Itachi sighed, his expression restrained, and he spoke in a deep voice, "Master Hokage and Danzo asked me to kill you."

Chiba frowned. Although he had suspected it, he didn't expect Itachi to say it so directly.

"If you're here to assassinate me, maybe there's still a chance," Chiba replied calmly, exuding confidence.

His voice remained composed and filled with certainty because he possessed the strength to back up his words.

"You think you're stronger than me?!" Itachi retorted.

Itachi's expression turned slightly cold, and he felt a sense of discomfort. It had been a while since someone had been so arrogant in front of him.

"I had originally planned to go easy on you, but it seems that won't be necessary," Itachi remarked.

With those words, Itachi activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Chiba did the same, and upon locking eyes with Itachi, even the typically composed Itachi couldn't help but feel a twitch at the corners of his mouth, a strong urge to complain rising within him.

"What in the world is this Mangekyō Sharingan?" he thought, looking at Itachi's expression. Chiba's face darkened. First, it was Obito, and now Itachi. He had had enough.

He took a deep breath, calming himself down, and glanced at Itachi before lowering his eyelids. Although he didn't plan on unleashing his full power, he had to teach Itachi a lesson.

"Time!" Chiba called out.

As he unleashed attack after attack, glimpses of the future flashed through his mind. One second, two seconds, three seconds... Got it!

Chiba was certain that he had chosen his method of attack.

On the other side, Itachi's expression froze, and he looked at Chiba nervously, as if facing a formidable enemy. Facing a sharingan technique that could potentially predict the future, it was impossible for him not to feel nervous.

Swish! Chiba suddenly disappeared from sight.

So fast! Itachi's Sharingan contracted sharply, a hint of terror in his eyes. Even with his Mangekyō Sharingan, he could only catch a fleeting trace of Chiba's shadow. This speed far surpassed his own.

Swipe! Without hesitation, Itachi swiftly threw several kunai, covering all directions, while simultaneously performing hand seals at the fastest speed.

"Fire Style...!" Itachi began, but in the next second, he abandoned his ninjutsu almost instantaneously and lowered his head.

Chiba had dodged the kunai Itachi had thrown and appeared behind him. Itachi didn't even have time to ponder how Chiba accomplished it before his vision went dark.

Boom! A wooden stake remained in place, falling to the ground with a metallic clang.

Chiba observed the scene calmly before turning his head. Itachi, who had just used the Body Replacement Technique to escape, touched the bloodstain on his neck.

He gazed at Chiba with lingering fear, his eyes filled with shock.

"Not only is his speed superior, but his strength also surpasses mine," Itachi murmured to himself. "And his movements just now undoubtedly predicted my attack sequence in advance. Prediction! There truly exists such an ability in this world!"

Having personally experienced Chiba's sharingan technique, Itachi felt an overwhelming sense of suffocating pressure.

Meanwhile, on a tall building in the distance...

Anbu operatives meticulously recorded every detail of the battle unfolding before them.

Next to them stood Third Hokage and Danzo, both of whom exchanged glances, their eyes filled with horror.

"Did you see that just now?" Third Hokage asked.

"Itachi's movements were predicted in advance!"

"Yes! It seemed like Itachi's kunai intentionally avoided Chiba, and he willingly lowered his head, almost offering himself to be struck!"

"Damn! I thought space-time ninjutsu only dealt with space, but I never expected that the ultimate Forbidden Technique involving time would make an appearance!"

"Not only that, but Chiba's overall prowess is incredibly terrifying! He's like a monstrous force!"

Despite being well-informed individuals, both Third Hokage and Danzo couldn't help but feel fear in the face of Chiba's power.

They could almost foresee the outcome of this battle, and their hearts grew heavy. They had to prepare for the worst.

Especially for Third Hokage, the more formidable Chiba's strength became, the greater his apprehension towards the Uchiha clan. If they didn't take action soon, another Mangekyō might emerge.

Third Hokage glanced at Danzo, realizing that the plan for genocide couldn't be delayed any longer.

Meanwhile, in another direction, Obito watched the potentially greatest battle of their time, positioning himself from Itachi's perspective and wiping off a cold sweat.

"No, I can't hide! I can only exchange injuries for injuries. Not only does Chiba possess the ability to predict, but his speed is also astonishing!"

"This combination is absolutely terrifying!"

On the battlefield, Chiba gazed at Itachi calmly and spoke:

"From the moment you stood before me, your defeat was already sealed."

He, too, recognized the terrifying nature of his foresight ability. When coupled with his incredible speed, Itachi stood no chance of winning. However, it was not without its cost.

Every use of Mangekyō came at a price.

Furthermore, Chiba's sharingan technique, involving the manipulation of time, had already begun to drain his sharingan power after just two uses.