Side story: Itachi's new life

The sound of rustling footsteps echoed at Naka Shrine...

Tōka strolled closer, her gaze fixed on the person sitting on the stone bench. "What can you do with your crippled body?"

"Itachi!"

"..." Itachi's expressionless face narrowed slightly in his crimson eyes. Tōka actually knew about his physical condition.

The atmosphere froze, and even the air felt heavy.

"Let me tell you something else." Tōka continued to approach, unaffected, until he stopped ten steps in front of Itachi.

Itachi's eyes darkened, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He seemed to have realized that what Tōka was about to say would be information that was detrimental to him.

"Sasuke has already come to see me, and..." Tōka slightly curled the corners of his mouth into a wicked smile before speaking softly.

"I've already unlocked his Mangekyo!"

Mangekyo?!

Itachi's expression changed slightly, his eyes filled with solemnity. In an instant, the solemnity in his scarlet pupils disappeared, replaced by an unusual calm.

"Since I helped him, it wouldn't be right not to help you, would it?" Tōka still smiled wickedly, and as he spoke, his figure suddenly appeared.

Realizing Tōka's actions, Itachi instinctively wanted to resist.

A flash of red light!

In that instant, Itachi seemed to lose control of his body; he was still conscious, but unable to move a single finger.

They could only watch helplessly as Tōka sent the green ball of light from his palm into his body.

"It's just Yang Release Chakra, for the sake of fairness in this duel." Tōka slowly withdrew his palm, and his figure gradually became illusory.

Just as Tōka's body was about to completely disappear...

A faint voice echoed from the Void, "What is the true meaning of life? In my view, it is to hold power in your own hands and protect the most important people in your life."

Upon hearing this, Itachi stiffened, then a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

Take control of your power and protect the people who matter most.

Tōka- senpai, is this your understanding?

The life-giving Yang Release Chakra surged into Itachi's body, frantically repairing his body ravaged by the disease.

Terminal illness? It doesn't exist.

Yang Release is the power to create all things; Itachi's illness is nothing in Tōka's eyes.

Rustling...

The sound of unhurried footsteps rang out once again, and this time a figure exuding a strong sense of menace walked in.

"Itachi, are you ready to die?" Sasuke opened his eyes, revealing a pair of scarlet eyes, the six-pointed star pattern in his pupils becoming even more alluring!

"Sasuke..."

Itachi slowly stood up from the stone chair and unbuttoned his robe.

A warm current flowed through Itachi's meridians, filled with the breath of life, and the power of Yang Release continuously repaired Itachi's damaged body.

The feeling of being reborn made Itachi realize that he couldn't just die like that.

Moreover, the original plan was to use his death to awaken Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan, but Sasuke already possesses the Mangekyo now.

Itachi has made his decision.

Take control of your power and protect the people who matter most.

Perhaps this is a good choice!

Clang!

The sword was drawn, footsteps were deflected, and the attacker closed in.

The sharp Kusanagi Sword flashed with a cold light as it slashed down, but was blocked by a Kunai that also gleamed with a cold light. The metal collided and produced a dazzling Kakkō.

Sasuke and Itachi dodged by crossing their bodies.

The battle begins...