The Moment He Brushed Past Death

Sasuke's gaze slowly came into focus, settling on Itachi across from him.

For a brief instant, he was dazed, as if he had returned to the days when he trained with his older brother as a child. Back then, Itachi had always guided him just like this.

But he quickly came to his senses, and the confusion in his eyes was replaced by boundless hatred. "Don't lecture me, you murderer!"

Itachi froze.

At that moment, Juzo Biwa said from beside him, "Itachi, we should go. We've made a huge commotion. If we stay here any longer, we'll likely run into trouble."

Itachi nodded and dispelled his Susanoo.

"Stop right there!"

As soon as Sasuke tried to get up, a violent pain shot through his eyes. He staggered a few steps, then collapsed back onto the ground.

At the same time, his damaged Susanoo, like dying embers in the wind, flickered and gradually drifted away.

"Let's go."

Itachi turned and left.

"Heh."

Juzo Biwa shook his head at Sasuke, then followed Itachi.

Clutching his aching eyes, Sasuke forced himself to stand. "Damn it, I never said you could leave!"

Whoosh.

Before Sasuke had finished speaking, the Kubikiribōchō came whistling toward him with a gust of wind, its blade gleaming coldly, as if it meant to cut him in half!

"!?"

Sasuke was shocked. He realized there was no way he could dodge the strike, so he instinctively tried to activate Izanagi.

But the intense pain in his eyes made it impossible for him to focus, let alone use a dōjutsu.

Thud.

The next instant, Sasuke felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. Despair filled him, because he knew all too well that if he hadn't activated Izanagi in advance, an injury that cut him in half would be enough to kill