Chapter 143

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Tsukuyomi, one of the Mangekyō Sharingan's genjutsu techniques.

Due to the unforgettable scene where Kakashi was subjected to 72 hours of excruciating torture in the genjutsu space after being hit by Tsukuyomi, Gensou initially believed that the effect of Tsukuyomi would be a monochrome world with a blood-red backdrop.

However, he had overlooked one crucial detail—genjutsu is effective precisely because it can take on countless forms.

Just like now, Gensou was certain he was under the influence of a genjutsu.

And the only genjutsu powerful enough to trap someone with a Mangekyō Sharingan was another Mangekyō Sharingan's technique, specifically Tsukuyomi from Itachi.

The first moment of doubt had arisen when Itachi's body transformed into a crow clone after Gensou struck him.

Just as Gensou couldn't comprehend how Itachi had found the time to form hand seals amidst their intense battle, something felt off.

A second moment of doubt occurred when Gensou found himself unable to keep up with Itachi's attacks and was subsequently overpowered.

The greatest danger of genjutsu lies in not realizing you're under its influence.

Once doubt took root, Gensou could face Itachi's attempt to gouge out his eye and kill him with a sense of calm.

"You've realized it," Itachi said as he slowly released his grip on Gensou's throat.

Human perception can influence physical responses.

Just as in an experiment from Gensou's previous life, where a person, after listening to the sound of dripping water all night, believed they were bleeding out and died the next day, despite being physically unharmed, Tsukuyomi works similarly. If the victim truly believes they have died in the genjutsu world, they could die in reality as well.

Itachi hadn't subjected Gensou to the same treatment as Kakashi, not only because Gensou was a more formidable opponent but also because he was wary of the potential presence of Kotoamatsukami.

If the genjutsu was discovered early, and a battle between Kotoamatsukami and Tsukuyomi ensued, Itachi wasn't sure what the outcome would be.

However, up until now, Gensou's Mangekyō Sharingan hadn't shown any signs of activation.

It was highly likely that Kotoamatsukami was indeed still on cooldown.

Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan spun once more.

In the next instant, everything around them quickly lost color.

An ominous blood-red hue enveloped the entire sky.

When Gensou looked around again, he found himself bound to a cross.

All around him, numerous versions of Itachi, each holding a ninja sword, approached with expressionless faces and said:

"Although the outcome is the same, you've chosen prolonged torture over instant death."

"In the Tsukuyomi space, I control everything—time, space, and mass. For the next 72 hours, savor this final stretch of time."

As he finished speaking, the many Itachis raised their swords.

In an instant, Gensou found himself in the same situation as Kakashi, but he remained calm, surveying his surroundings as if oblivious to the impending danger. He calmly said:

"Genjutsu is most effective when its true nature is concealed. Once it's discovered, its value diminishes greatly."

"Is that so? Someone else once shared the same belief," Itachi responded coolly. "Let me give you the same advice: don't underestimate this technique just because it's genjutsu. The pain you'll experience is not an illusion. It will be exactly like reality."

"Let's see how long you can endure."

Itachi was about to thrust his sword into Gensou's body when suddenly—

His movements halted, and he found himself unable to move forward.

"What... how is this possible?"

For the first time, shock appeared on Itachi's face.

At that moment, Gensou, still bound to the cross, calmly declared, "Just as I said before, once it's discovered, the game is over."

As his words fell, everything around Gensou rapidly solidified.

"What is this..."

Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan narrowed.

Within Gensou's body, he noticed some violent energy that did not belong to Gensou's own chakra.

But by the time he tried to analyze it further, it was too late.

In no time, the entire Tsukuyomi space had completely solidified, turning into a massive mirror.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

In the next moment, countless cracks spread across the mirror.

In an instant, the entire Tsukuyomi space, including Itachi and Gensou, shattered into countless fragments, their monochrome world collapsing entirely.

The Mangekyō Sharingan technique—Tsukuyomi—was successfully broken!

When Gensou's vision cleared, he found Itachi standing right in front of him.

The two of them were frozen in the moment where Itachi held Gensou's fist, while Gensou grasped Itachi's hand.

Everything had returned to the moment of their taijutsu clash.

It was evident that during that brief pause when their eyes met, Itachi had seized the opportunity to cast Tsukuyomi.

Drip.

A drop of sweat fell from Itachi's forehead.

Every time he used a Mangekyō Sharingan technique, it took a toll on him.

And now, after having his technique broken, Itachi did not continue the struggle with Gensou. Instead, he moved swiftly, retreating quickly.

Unexpectedly, Gensou did not pursue.

At that moment, he was entirely focused on controlling the natural energy he had just absorbed.

During his journey through the Land of Fire, Gensou had gained significant insights into senjutsu. Although it was still early, and he hadn't yet figured out how to perfectly merge chakra and natural energy, he had already developed a method for absorbing natural energy.

The reason he was able to break Itachi's genjutsu was that his body had instinctively absorbed natural energy.

By using the immensely violent properties of natural energy, he disrupted the chakra flow within his body, thereby breaking free from Tsukuyomi's hold.

That's why he said earlier, once a genjutsu is discovered, its value diminishes.

In the original story, even though Itachi held back significantly in his fight against Sasuke, Sasuke's strategy of using the newly acquired natural energy from the Cursed Seal Stage 2 to break Tsukuyomi was the correct approach.

However, the issue now was that while absorbing natural energy was easy, regaining control over it was extremely difficult.

Instead of chasing after Itachi, Gensou attempted to regain control but ultimately chose to expel the natural energy from his body.

Boom!

Due to his lack of mastery, the process was far from perfect.

Gensou's clone's left shoulder exploded, leaving a gaping wound as blood poured out.

Fortunately, he managed to expel all the natural energy.

Not far away, observing this scene with his Mangekyō Sharingan, Itachi quickly deduced:

"A different type of energy from chakra, but not yet fully controllable."

Even so, Tsukuyomi was no longer the best option.

Itachi touched his right eye.

Within it, there remained another Mangekyō Sharingan technique, one that possessed unparalleled destructive power.

Though each use would place an even greater strain on his eye, it seemed there was no other choice.

(End of Chapter)