"Uchiha... Itachi!"
The complex, indescribable look in his eyes finally turned to hatred. From somewhere within his already numb body came a surge of strength. With a hoarse, desperate roar, lightning gathered in his palm once more, and the cry of Chidori erupted.
The Cursed Seal that had just appeared on his neck changed amid his violent emotions. As it spun, it became tadpole-like markings that spread over half his body, corroding it. An even more powerful chakra surged from within him—a completely unfamiliar power.
"This is...!" Sasuke froze for a moment, then his expression twisted viciously again as he charged at Itachi without hesitation. There was nothing left in him but hatred!
The lightning in his palm swelled wildly, only to stop the instant it neared the other man's body. Beneath the black cloak patterned with red clouds, scarlet Three Tomoe eyes held not the slightest trace of emotion.
Without even taking a step, he simply caught Sasuke's wrist, and the highly condensed lightning quickly dissipated.
"Still as weak as ever!" Uchiha Itachi said flatly. Then he suddenly drove up his knee. Sasuke cried out in agony, spraying a mouthful of blood.
The next instant, Sasuke suddenly could not breathe. His throat had been firmly gripped, and with a bang, he was slammed against a tree trunk. Oxygen steadily drained away, and his vision gradually blurred.
Taking off the conical hat on his head, Uchiha Itachi casually tossed it into the distance and said without emotion, "Weak. Far too weak. It seems you haven't improved at all these past years. Is that all the hatred you have?"
The blood-red Three Tomoe slowly spun as Itachi's voice sounded beside his ear. "It seems I need to make you remember that night. Only then can your hatred grow stronger."
Their eyes