Chapter 146

[500PS REACHED!! Next Goal: 1000PS!]

But that wasn't all.

Gensou's gaze shifted to the right hand of Itachi's Susanoo, where a sword wreathed in red flames had materialized, slashing toward him.

Totsuka no Tsurugi—another legendary spiritual weapon.

This blade not only traps anyone it pierces in a dreamlike illusion but can also unleash high-level sealing techniques, permanently sealing its target within a gourd-shaped hilt.

Even Gensou had no desire to test the effects of being sealed by the Totsuka Blade.

The combination of the Yata no Kagami, the Totsuka no Tsurugi, and the Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities was precisely why Itachi had the confidence to face Gensou.

He was not yet at the point of death, as he had been during his final battle with Sasuke. The brilliance of the Yata no Kagami and Totsuka no Tsurugi was not a fleeting one.

In this state, even Uchiha Obito, the true mastermind behind the Akatsuki, was wary of Itachi. He had even stationed Kisame, one of his own loyalists, by Itachi's side to monitor his actions at all times.

After all, if a fight were to break out, Obito couldn't guarantee he would defeat Itachi, another Mangekyō Sharingan wielder.

And if Itachi had infused his body with Hashirama's cells, eliminating the risk of overusing the Mangekyō Sharingan, there was no doubt that Obito wouldn't stand a chance.

But Hagoromo Gensou was no Uchiha Obito.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Under the relentless assault of Itachi's Susanoo, the already ravaged battlefield became even more desolate.

Gensou's figure, appearing diminutive in comparison, flashed around, skillfully evading the Totsuka Blade's strikes. Seizing an opening, he clapped his hands together and invoked a powerful technique:

"Yōton: Kairyu Ishi no Jutsu!" (Lava Release: Ash Stone Giant)

"Yōton: Shakugawa no Yoroi!" (Lava Release: Molten River Armor)

In a combination of jutsu, Gensou summoned a smaller version of the Flame God. Even so, this scaled-down version of the Flame God was no smaller than the red Susanoo in front of him. Under Gensou's command, it charged at Susanoo with tremendous force.

Seeing this, the red Susanoo had no choice but to raise the Yata no Kagami to block the attack, then swung the Totsuka Blade to strike.

Although the Flame God wasn't a living entity and thus couldn't be affected by the illusion or sealing abilities, the Totsuka Blade still easily sliced off one of its arms.

Gensou glanced at the Totsuka Blade with a hint of surprise. It was far sharper than the swords wielded by Madara's full-bodied Susanoo.

Neither Madara nor Izuna had obtained it; who knew how Itachi had come across such a weapon?

Roar...

The Flame God, missing an arm, quickly regenerated a new limb from its molten body and continued to grapple with Susanoo.

Gensou, who intended only to buy time, no longer paid attention to the battle between the Flame God and Susanoo. He began forming hand seals, gathering a large amount of chakra in his mouth.

"Futton: Kōmu no Jutsu!" (Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique)

A massive cloud of superheated acidic mist, far larger in scale than before, erupted from Gensou's mouth, quickly enveloping the entire battlefield.

Suddenly, Itachi's surroundings turned a blinding white, and his Mangekyō Sharingan spun rapidly, sensing the overwhelming danger in the approaching mist. From within Susanoo, Itachi's expression grew even more serious as he scanned the area.

Soon enough—

Zzzzz...

The acidic mist, powerful enough to melt the bones of Madara's Susanoo, made contact with Itachi's red Susanoo, and the sound of intense corrosion filled the air as the mist began to eat away at the parts of Susanoo not protected by the Yata no Kagami.

"The mastery of this Kekkei Genkai... it's beyond extraordinary!"

Itachi's expression became even graver as he witnessed this scene.

He had encountered Kekkei Genkai users before, but the same Kekkei Genkai, when used by different people, could yield vastly different results.

Just like now with Gensou.

As a true genius of the Uchiha clan, Itachi now fully understood the source of Gensou's power. It wasn't merely the attention-grabbing array of Kekkei Genkai that he possessed.

The real strength lay in Gensou's profound understanding and control of chakra itself.

For someone like Gensou, even a basic Fire Release technique could be devastating, surpassing its rank under his mastery.

Let alone more advanced techniques, forbidden jutsu, or Kekkei Genkai.

Itachi, who had once been baffled by the claims that Gensou was a figure comparable to a deity, now understood that the awe inspired by Gensou was not just due to his strength.

It was also an acknowledgment of his extraordinary talent and genius.

At the very least, even someone as proud as Itachi could not guarantee he would reach such a level of mastery over chakra in his lifetime.

"I can't stay here."

The Boil Release mist, potent enough to melt through Susanoo's formidable defenses, resisted by Itachi's Wind Release attempts to dispel it, forced him into action. He quickly decided to retreat, using Susanoo to escape the mist's range.

But as he attempted to withdraw, the Flame God grabbed Susanoo, refusing to let it flee.

"It's too late."

With Susanoo on the verge of disintegration and the Flame God preventing any retreat, Itachi made a rapid decision. The Yata no Kagami on Susanoo's left arm began to glow brightly.

"Yata no Kagami: Absolute Defense!"

In an instant, the shield transformed, extending and enveloping Susanoo completely, leaving no gaps.

The Flame God's attacks and the boiling mist were rendered ineffective, and instead, their force was reflected back.

Soon, the rebounding mist dissolved the Flame God and surged toward Gensou.

"A defense and counter technique akin to Hakkeshō Kaiten..."

Without even glancing at the acidic mist that could melt flesh and steel alike, Gensou extended his right hand, allowing his Dark Release to absorb the mist entirely and convert it back into his chakra. His eyes never left the Susanoo, now fully shielded by the Yata no Kagami.

After a moment of observation, he calmly remarked:

"Just a desperate struggle."

Sure enough, the Absolute Defense of the Yata no Kagami didn't last long.

When Itachi's figure reappeared, the Yata no Kagami on Susanoo's left arm had vanished.

As a price for using the Absolute Defense, the Yata no Kagami could not be summoned again for a short time.

Not giving Itachi any chance to catch his breath, Gensou instantly appeared at Susanoo's side, delivering a powerful punch.

Boom!

Despite its immense size, Susanoo staggered violently from the impact, tilting to one side.

(End of Chapter)