"Hmph... This is the proper way to treat a senior!"
Orochimaru chuckled sinisterly, "Perhaps Itachi planted the seed of Genjutsu in him the first time we met."
It's estimated that he's not the only one affected; many others in the Akatsuki have likely been infected as well.
"As expected of the Sannin Ninja World!"
The scattered crows reformed into Itachi's figure, and this time his gaze toward Orochimaru had become serious.
Logically speaking, it would be very troublesome if Orochimaru Genjutsu. Even with the Eight Inner Gates Seal, it would affect his reaction speed.
If Orochimaru hadn't known the plot beforehand and had been prepared for this move, dealing with it wouldn't have been so easy.
"The little rascal from back then has grown up!"
Just as Orochimaru attacked Itachi, the system triggered the plot.
"The host has been detected to have triggered a plot—a test of Itachi."
Upon completing the storyline, the host will receive the reward: the Eye of Discerning Truth!
Orochimaru, who had already planned to teach him a lesson, smiled even more broadly after the plot was triggered.
This also made him realize that it was indeed possible to actively trigger the plot within a certain period of time, and there would be no useless options.
"What's there to hesitate about?" Orochimaru slowly drew his Sword of Kusanagi from his waist. Seeing Orochimaru's actions, Itachi said expressionlessly:
"What? Are you planning to seek justice for Konoha?"
Orochimaru's purpose for attacking could not be discerned from his scarlet eyes; he lacked the greed characteristic of the original timeline.
"Just as you said, I was just testing your limits!"
Upon hearing this, Itachi's pupils contracted sharply.
Isn't that what he said to his younger brother a few days ago? Orochimaru is now returning the Uchiha Sasuke on Sasuke's behalf. How did he know? Is it a coincidence?
Before he could think any further, Orochimaru had already vanished from the spot.
The next moment, a cold glint of light shot towards his face.
Itachi quickly took out a Kunai parry.
With a "ding," sparks flew, and at the same time, Orochimaru's pale face came into Itachi's view.
"Good reaction! But not enough strength!"
Before he could finish speaking, Orochimaru exerted a slight force and instantly sent Itachi flying.
He somersaulted in mid-air, and as soon as his feet touched the ground, Orochimaru's figure appeared before him again.
At the same time, a snake the size of a bowl emerged from under Orochimaru's black robe and coiled around Itachi's body.
The two figures flashed rapidly through the park, their swords flashing and sparks flying.
Swordsmanship, Taijutsu, and a touch of Ninjutsu flashed by in the lightning-fast exchange.
The Uchiha's speed is among the best in Konoha, and combined with their Sharingan, they are quite formidable in Taijutsu.
Every Uchiha wanted to dance among the crowd like their ancestor Uchiha Madara; that was their lifelong pursuit.
As a legend of the Uchiha, Itachi's talent was undeniable, but Orochimaru was no pushover either.
Not to mention that his original talent was the strongest among the Sannin, even after receiving a series of enhancements from the system, his eye power, physical strength, and reaction ability were no less than his opponent's, and even better!
With a reverse grip on his hand, he severed the Kunai Kusanagi Sword Itachi's hand.
At the same time, another hand behind him swiftly formed several hand seals.
Upon seeing this, Itachi's pupils contracted slightly, and he quickly distanced himself.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
Wind can extinguish fires, but it can also fuel them, depending on the wind's intensity.
The two Ninjutsu clashed almost simultaneously, and a huge fire tornado swept across the area.
The nearby flowers, plants, and trees were uprooted and quickly turned to ashes under the scorching heat.
"As expected of you, you reacted in such a short time!"
Amidst the smoke and dust, Orochimaru, whose cheeks were flushed red by the firelight, couldn't help but praise it.
Such reaction speed is usually only seen in battle-hardened ninjas.
For example, Jiraiya, Konoha's White Fang of Konoha, Minato Namikaze, etc., are all exceptionally talented individuals.
Not only do you need to be quick-witted and possess extraordinary combat talent, you also need to experience countless battles to accumulate such combat experience.
The so-called quick eyes and hands are not just empty words; every ninja who can make a name for themselves in the Ninja World has long since developed their own set of combat instincts.
Orochimaru has now seen this excellent quality in Itachi, although he can't force him to use his full strength and doesn't know what level Itachi's current strength has reached.
"As expected! Lord Orochimaru is as astonishing as ever!"
Looking at the smooth-cut Kunai in his hand, Itachi's expression turned serious, and his tone lost its previous arrogance.
Although Orochimaru's reputation has faded in recent years, it doesn't mean he's on the decline. Besides, what right does someone who has climbed up the mountain have to mock a god who has descended?
"Not all Uchiha are arrogant good-for-nothings!"
He slowly sheathed the Kusanagi Sword at his waist. He had a slight advantage in terms of weaponry, but Itachi could also take out his Kusanagi Sword.
At this moment, with the sealing artifact, the Totsuka Blade Sword of Totsuka, appearing, Orochimaru would definitely want to provoke its opponent.
The two had no deep-seated hatred for each other, so naturally they wouldn't fight to that extent.
When Orochimaru mentioned the Uchiha, a strange glint flashed in Itachi's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
Seeing Orochimaru sheath his sword, he knew the matter was over and was about to turn and leave when he saw something being thrown at him.
"This is?"
He took the thing Orochimaru threw at him and saw that it was a scroll. He then asked in confusion.
"It seems there's something wrong with your body. Here's a vial of Life Potion; it should be of some use to you!"
Orochimaru spoke in his usual hoarse voice.
It's not surprising that after so many years of research on Hashirama Cells, some cell-activating agents have been developed.
This is also a rudimentary application of Hashirama Cells, which is already an achievement that outsiders cannot even comprehend.
The medicine given to Itachi contained a lot of Hashirama Cells, and he was inspired by Uchiha Madara.
Madara was able to combine Hashirama Cells to evolve the Rinnegan, while Itachi, although he did not have Indra's Chakra and was not Asura, was not himself.
But the Hashirama Cells will definitely be useful to him. Even if he can't awaken the Rinnegan, they will still help maintain his vision.
Why are you giving this to me?
Faced with this sudden act of kindness, Itachi showed not surprise, but wariness.
He didn't think he had any real relationship with Orochimaru. He had received some guidance from Orochimaru in the village a few years ago, but back then it was still a village, so it was understandable that he would guide a junior.
No one will help you for no reason. When you're away from home, it's rare to see someone stab you in the back when you meet someone from your hometown.
"There aren't many interesting people left in this world, you're quite good! Consider this a reward from me to acknowledge your abilities!"
Before he finished speaking, Orochimaru's body slowly sank into the ground, and a half-smile reappeared on his face.
"Hmph... Don't die too soon!"
As the last sentence fell, Orochimaru's figure completely disappeared.