Tsukuyomi

Itachi finally stopped on the sea surface less than fifty meters from the warship and looked up.

His gaze calmly swept over the marines on the deck, who were on high alert, before finally settling on Vice Admiral Momonga, clearly the leader.

His voice came through clearly, not loud, but carrying an undeniable weight:

"The clan head orders this area restricted. Naval vessels must not approach within ten kilometers of the island ahead. Turn around and leave immediately."

This man was Uchiha Itachi, on patrol duty in these waters.

Following the orders of his clan head and Big Brother Yoru, he was searching this sea for Sea Kings to control with his Mangekyo.

Incidentally, he was also intercepting any foreign ships trying to approach the core area of Kuja Island.

This command from Yoru was practically tailor-made for Itachi.

There was no helping it—though Uchiha Izumi and Itachi's relationship had progressed and grown closer, when it came to others, Itachi still couldn't get past that hurdle in his heart.

He was constantly tormented mentally.

Seeing this, Yoru simply sent Itachi to patrol the surrounding waters every day, calling it a mission to ensure the island's safety.

In truth, it was just giving Itachi enough personal space to figure some things out on his own.

"Arrogant!"

Rear Admiral Shark roared in anger. "Who do you think you are, daring to obstruct the marines in their duty?

This territory belongs to Amazon Lily, a member of the World Government! The navy has the right to sail here! We are ordered to meet with Empress Boa Hancock!"

Itachi's eyes showed no ripple, as if he hadn't heard the accusation. He only repeated:

"The clan head's orders are not up for debate. Ten kilometers is the limit. Please leave now."

His attitude completely enraged Rear Admiral Shark.

"Looking for death!"

Shark bellowed, stomping hard on the deck as his figure shot forward.

A fist coated in Armament Haki tore through the air, aimed straight at Itachi on the sea!

"I'll take down this pretentious brat!"

Facing this fierce attack, Itachi's gaze remained calm.

He didn't even move, but his eyes instantly turned blood-red, three tomoe appearing and slowly spinning.

Illusion Technique: Restraining Chain!

Rear Admiral Shark's body suddenly stiffened mid-charge, his forward momentum halting abruptly.

In his perception, everything around him vanished, leaving only those eerie red eyes that seemed to suck in his soul!

He felt as if he'd fallen into a quagmire, his movements unbearably sluggish, his consciousness starting to blur.

"Thud!"

Under the stunned gazes of all the marines on deck, their capable Rear Admiral Shark, having charged right up to the enemy, swayed like a drunk, then rolled his eyes back and lost consciousness entirely.

With a splash, he plunged into the sea!

"Rear Admiral!"

"What did he do?!"

"A mental attack?!"

The marines erupted in chaos, hurriedly lowering ropes to fish out the fallen Shark.

Seizing the moment, Itachi's figure dissipated before their eyes.

When he reappeared, he was crouching like a specter atop the warship's mast, staring intently down at the men on deck.

Vice Admiral Momonga's pupils contracted, alarm bells screaming in his mind!

Even he hadn't seen how the enemy had moved!

This eerie ability was no ordinary thing!

He yanked his saber from its sheath, powerful Armament Haki instantly coiling around it.

His entire presence erupted with a weight like a mountain, locking onto Uchiha Itachi on the sea.

"You... just who are you?!"

Vice Admiral Momonga's voice carried unprecedented gravity.

No men lived on Kuja Island—that was common knowledge on the seas. Why was this man near Kuja Island's waters?

And blocking their warship from advancing? Had something happened on Kuja Island?

This strange red-eyed young man who could stand on the sea, and the clan head he spoke of...

Who is it?

"Uchiha Itachi."

Itachi could also sense the other's strength.

Out of respect for a strong opponent, Itachi slowly gave his name.

"Obstructing Navy operations—kill!"

Vice Admiral Momonga barked, his figure blurring as he shot toward Itachi at a speed far surpassing the Rear Admiral's, his blade arcing down like a flowing ribbon of light!

Itachi's form drifted down from the mast like willow fluff, lightly evading the blade's edge.

His hands moved swiftly through hand seals.

"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

A massive fire dragon roared toward Vice Admiral Momonga, its searing heat warping the very air.

Momonga slashed through the dragon with his sword, but the exploding flames still made him falter for a moment.

"Flame-Flame Fruit?"

Momonga frowned. Had the man eaten the Logia Flame-Flame Fruit? But then why could he still walk on the sea?

Shouldn't a Devil Fruit user be rejected by the ocean?

The two clashed rapidly across the deck for several exchanges.

Relying on his Sharingan's insight, Itachi repeatedly dodged Momonga's heavy, powerful slashes.

But Momonga's formidable Armament Haki and vast combat experience also put considerable pressure on Itachi, keeping him from closing in easily.

Most ninjutsu did little damage to Momonga, who was well-versed in Armament Haki.

Frustrated by his inability to land a decisive blow, Momonga pushed his Haki to its peak, trying to overpower his opponent with sheer force.

"I can't waste too much time!"

Itachi wasn't suited for prolonged battles. The other's Haki was too refined; ordinary attacks were useless.

Seizing the fleeting opening of Momonga's impatience from the stalled fight, the Three Tomoe in Itachi's Sharingan spun faster, merging into the deeper, pinwheel-like pattern of the Mangekyo!

Momonga's eyes involuntarily met his.

That one glance was all it took—his consciousness was forcibly dragged into another dimension.

It's over!

Genjutsu: Tsukuyomi!

Momonga felt the scene before him shift violently. The surrounding Marines, the warship, the sea, the sky—all vanished!

Suddenly, he found himself bound to a massive cross.

Trapped in a blood-red, dim space.

And that black-haired, red-eyed young man stood silently before him, holding a longsword wreathed in black flames.

"Here, for the next seventy-two hours, I rule."

"Even you, with your sturdy bodies—how long can you last?"

Itachi's voice was as cold and cruel as if it came from the depths of hell.

Without mercy, he thrust the blade forward like a venomous snake, piercing clean through Momonga's shoulder blade!

"Gyaaah—!!!"

A pain far beyond the physical, as if it struck directly at the soul, erupted in full force!

Momonga let out a bloodcurdling scream. The agony was so real, so intense, it nearly shattered his iron will.

Veins bulged on his forehead, and cold sweat instantly soaked the shirt beneath his Marine coat.

But this was only the beginning.