Itachi, Let Me Measure Your Capacity!

Before he could finish speaking, a tremendous gravitational force suddenly arose out of thin air and acted upon the Konoha Ninja.

A Ninjutsu like Banshō Ten'in could target either one person or a group; it all depended on tactical needs. In ordinary combat, it could pull a single enemy out of the opposing formation for a solo kill. When necessary, its range could naturally be expanded, leaving an entire group with nowhere to escape.

This force was immensely powerful. Even Minato found it difficult to resist and could only retreat as he was dragged back.

Seeing everyone's feet leave the ground and their bodies about to slip out of control, Akimichi Choza suddenly roared and grabbed a handful of pills, stuffing them into his mouth.

He had originally been able to control his body's transformations on his own, but now that he was severely wounded, that control had greatly weakened. He could only rely on the power of medicine.

As soon as the pills went down, his body rapidly swelled, turning him once more into a towering giant.

He slammed his feet into the ground, reached out and scooped up Namikaze Minato, then swung his arm and hurled him forcefully into the distance.

Afraid that Minato would come back to save them, he shouted as he threw him.

"Fourth Hokage, you must bring this intelligence back to the village and have them prepare for it!"

"And the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki must not be lost either. You must protect him!"

"No!" Namikaze Minato cried urgently, trying to stop him, but under the effects of Banshō Ten'in, he had no way to prevent Akimichi Choza.

It had to be said that Akimichi Choza's strength after turning into a giant was truly enormous. He completely offset the effects of Banshō Ten'in and hurled Minato far away like a cannonball.

Ever since Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi had died, Akimichi Choza had already resolved to die.

The three of Ino-Shika-Cho had lived and died together for many years. Now that two of them were dead, he had no wish to live on alone.

He knew that Namikaze Minato had actually died long ago. From his state in battle, he had determined that Minato had not truly been resurrected and likely could not remain in this world for much longer.

The reason he had suddenly appeared so inexplicably now was most likely for the sake of his son, Uzumaki Naruto.

Now that they had encountered danger again, Akimichi Choza wanted to use what remained of his life to save Uzumaki Naruto.

However, Akimichi Choza knew Namikaze Minato well and understood that he would not abandon his comrades and flee. So he found the perfect excuse and forcibly sent him away.

Of course, Namikaze Minato understood Akimichi Choza's intentions as well. Since the situation could no longer be reversed, he could only silently accept this kindness.

Tears filled his eyes as he looked deeply at Akimichi Choza. The moment he landed, he turned and resolutely vanished beyond everyone's sight.

Having let a powerful enemy like Namikaze Minato escape, Pain was quite displeased. He immediately pressed both hands down.

"Shinra Tensei!"

A massive pressure descended from the sky once more. The severely wounded Akimichi Choza barely held on for a moment before crashing to the ground and dying on the spot.

Without Akimichi Choza's protection, the other ninja were simply helpless. In an instant, the entire force was wiped out.

Only after all the Konoha Ninja had died did Uchiha An approach with a cheerful grin, wildly waving both arms.

"Yo!"

"Chief, I've come to join you!"

Pain hovered high in the air, looking down coldly at the culprit who had caused his plan to lie low and build strength to fail completely.

Yet Uchiha An acted as though he had seen nothing, continuing his introduction with a grin.

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm that beast who was valued by his clan, yet personally slaughtered every man, woman, elder, and child in the entire clan in order to consolidate the power of Konoha's politicians—Uchiha Itachi!"

Hearing this "introduction," everyone could not help turning their eyes toward the genuine Uchiha Itachi nearby.

White Zetsu even covered his mouth, laughing so hard that his whole body twisted like a pretzel.

"Pfft, pfft, pfft... Itachi, it seems this guy has a grudge against you!"

Uchiha Itachi remained expressionless as ever and said blandly.

"Perhaps I missed him when I was killing them."

"Whatever."

"So-called clan members are nothing but people without any capacity."

"Using their lives to measure my capacity was only natural."

Hearing Uchiha Itachi's theory of capacity, the killing intent in Uchiha An's heart surged even more fiercely.

"Ha ha..." He covered his forehead with one hand and burst into loud laughter.

"Well said!"

"Itachi, that was very well said!"

"You truly have such great capacity!"

"Come, come, come. Since you like using the lives of clan members to measure capacity so much, let me measure your capacity once more!"

After saying that, Uchiha An reached into his clothes and took out a Sealing Scroll. After unfolding it, he formed Hand Seals and released what was inside.

It was a black wooden box, its edges marked by traces of dripping blood.

Tilting his head, Uchiha An held the box in his hand with a cheerful grin.

"Hey, Itachi, take a guess. What do you think is inside this box?"

As though he had not noticed the malice hidden in Uchiha An's smile, Uchiha Itachi still wore a cold expression as he replied calmly:

"My capacity is not something you can fathom, nor does it need to be measured by you."

"Is that so? Hehehe..." Uchiha An cackled strangely as he reached out, opened the box, and lifted out a severed head, turning its face toward Uchiha Itachi.

"Hey, Itachi, take a good look. Does this person seem familiar to you?"

"Ta-da-da-daa!"

"That's right, this is your beloved younger brother!"

"Oh, hahahaha..."

This time, Uchiha Itachi could no longer keep his expression under control. His eyes widened as he stared in shock at that familiar severed head, crying out involuntarily:

"Sasuke!"

"How could this be?!"

"It's fake. It has to be fake—you used Genjutsu on me!"

His Sharingan spun madly, swiftly transforming into the Mangekyō Sharingan. But what was real was real; it could never be faked.

Yet he simply could not accept such a thing. Veins bulged across his forehead as he glared with blood-red eyes and roared frantically.

"Impossible!"

"You must have used a Transformation Jutsu!"

"That has to be fake!"

Seeing Uchiha Itachi in such a crazed state, Uchiha An felt indescribably satisfied. All the hardships he had endured along the way had been worth it.

"Hehehe..."

After cackling a few times, he flicked his wrist and tossed Uchiha Sasuke's severed head toward Uchiha Itachi.

"Hey, since you say it was made with a Transformation Jutsu, then inspect it properly yourself!"

Uchiha Itachi reached out with trembling hands to catch the severed head, but the Kubikiribōchō suddenly extended out of thin air from the side and intercepted it.

"Hey, Itachi, you can't lose your cool like this!"

"Since it's the enemy, they might have tampered with that fake head!"

However, Juzo Biwa was simply being overly cautious this time. Ordinary Explosive Tag traps or poison could not kill Uchiha Itachi.

The newly acquired Phosphorus Corrosive Insects could indeed threaten Uchiha Itachi, but they were uncontrollable, unable to distinguish friend from foe. They spread too quickly as well, and would damage Sasuke's severed head—more trouble than they were worth.

So Uchiha An had not done anything so unnecessary.

"Hmph, meddlesome!"

Uchiha An shot Juzo Biwa a vicious glare, then looked at Uchiha Itachi with a Cold Laugh.

If he could not kill him, tormenting his heart was not bad either!