Sasuke or Konoha-hurry up and choose!

A one-eyed Susanoo.

The ultimate genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami.

Shisui Uchiha of the Body Flicker Technique.

Those illustrious titles resurfaced together as the dark green Susanoo manifested between heaven and earth.

Yet, faced with Shisui's challenge, Itachi stood opposite him with a kunai in hand and did not immediately respond.

Two or three breaths felt as long as several years to him. He looked at his old friend standing across from him, then finally dropped his ninja tool, choosing not to continue the fight.

Konoha had no time left.

With his surprise attack having failed, the man known throughout the Ninja World as Body Flicker Shisui was not someone he could capture at will.

And that went doubly for Arata Uchiha, who possessed a sword capable of forcibly breaking seals!

Threats were useless. That left only one apparent way to save Konoha.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, Shisui."

He abruptly fell to his knees on the lake's surface.

His knees struck heavily, sending up a splash.

"I'm willing to bear every sin and accept any punishment, but please save Konoha. Save the people living in that village."

"They're innocent. They all have happy families!"

"Konoha can't lose like this. Otherwise, the entire Land of Fire will become a battleground. More innocent people will lose their homes, and more soldiers will die after being dragged into the fighting."

"Please, please."

"Surely you don't want to see your homeland destroyed and countless innocent people die because of it."

Itachi's voice seemed to come from the depths of his heart.

Every word, every sentence was earnest and forceful.

Everything he pleaded for was aimed at halting Konoha's impending destruction.

This reaction caught Shisui Uchiha, who was already prepared to fight, somewhat off guard. Given the overall situation, however, it was understandable.

Standing within his Susanoo, he