After Orochimaru was swiftly defeated while using the Eight Branches Technique, the three Hokages watching from a distance also sensed that something was wrong.
The Second Hokage said with certainty, "There's something wrong with this Itachi Uchiha!"
The Third Hokage asked, "Sensei, what did you notice?"
"Among all Kekkei Genkai, the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan is an exceptionally unusual one." After a pause, the Second Hokage continued, "In my view, awakening from the Three-Tomoe Sharingan to the Mangekyō Sharingan isn't evolution. It's a mutation!"
"A mutation!?"
The Fourth Hokage frowned slightly, realizing something.
The Second Hokage continued, "That's why, once an Uchiha awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan, his fate is sealed. Endless darkness is the end of his life!"
The Third Hokage knew that the Mangekyō Sharingan's Dojutsu was a consumable resource, though he didn't understand it as deeply as the Second Hokage. With the Second Hokage's reminder, he furrowed his brows and looked toward the distant battlefield again. "Itachi's tactics are far too aggressive. This isn't like him!"
Rumble.
As the Totsuka Blade in Susanoo's hand struck down once more, a tremendous crash came from the distant battlefield. The Eight-Headed Serpent had been dismembered by the Totsuka Blade, and its massive severed limbs crashed to the ground with a deafening rumble!
At the same time, a vast cloud of smoke billowed into the sky.
Under cover of the smoke, the Eight-Headed Serpent's remains burst one after another into clouds of white smoke, like Shadow Clones vanishing. Only one head didn't burst apart. Instead, it transformed into countless small white snakes that fled in panic in every direction.
Noticing this, Itachi Uchiha didn't hesitate. He unleashed Amaterasu over a wide area where the small white snakes had gathered.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the entire battlefield was engulfed by Amaterasu's Black Flame,