Stray shatters the Totsuka Blade, severing old bonds for good!

"Boom!"

Water Strike Three Thousand.

Thunderous crashes erupted in every direction.

The clash between high-level Susanoo was brutal and magnificent!

Solid ice shattered beneath their feet, and undying black flame was suppressed.

Here,

every power capable of killing an ordinary ninja outright became insignificant before this direct contest of energy!

Still, the gradually dwindling black flame made it clear which side held the upper hand.

Without question, Arata enjoyed an overwhelming advantage!

The blood-colored snowflakes fluttering down around them seemed ready to transform this entire region into his own domain!!

"Thud, thud, thud!"

Under the unrelenting bombardment, the orange-red Susanoo kept retreating with its round shield raised.

After the initial, intensely powerful clash of energy, it could now only rely on the legendary spiritual artifact, the [Yata Mirror], to defend passively.

But even this spiritual artifact, said to reflect every power and nullify every attack, developed visible cracks beneath the fierce assault of the demon blade Xianminglian!!

Of course,

Arata could have borrowed [Nenekirimaru]'s demon-banishing power to smash straight through this energy barrier.

But wouldn't that have been far too boring?

Today, he was willing to devote all his time and energy to this long-awaited reunion.

So, try harder.

Harder still.

Struggle for me. Give it everything you've got!!

"Aah!"

A scream of agony rang out at the edge of the battlefield.

It was Sasuke. A sharp icicle had pierced straight through his shoulder bone, carrying scorching blood and his ebbing life with it.

After all, simply hammering away at a turtle shell was far too boring!

Arata wanted a little more amusement.

He wanted to see a little more struggle.

And Sasuke, sheltered under Itachi's lingering protection, was the perfect catalyst!!

Sure enough, the instant Itachi heard his younger brother's agonized scream, his entire demeanor changed. Not only did