Genjutsu: Tsukuyomi

By the riverside, various ninjutsu collided in a frenzy, kicking up sprays of water that rained down like a torrential downpour.

Kakashi Hatake, Asuma Sarutobi, and Kurenai looked somewhat disheveled, their bodies soaked through.

Beside them, Itachi Uchiha remained composed and elegant, his clothes bone-dry without a single drop of water on him.

"Don't let your guard down!"

Kakashi turned his head, eyes narrowed as he watched Itachi Uchiha.

"That man became an Anbu squad leader at the age of thirteen!"

Asuma Sarutobi nodded slightly, his expression growing increasingly grave as he spoke slowly:

"I never imagined he would be this formidable."

"No, his strength goes far beyond this."

As Kakashi Hatake spoke, his entire body trembled; his stamina was already reaching its limit.

"It is unexpected that someone not of the Uchiha clan could master the Sharingan to such a degree."

Standing opposite them, Itachi Uchiha spoke softly, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

"But your body is not that of an Uchiha, which is suited for those eyes..."

Kakashi Hatake frowned inwardly upon hearing this.

He was right; he was on the verge of exhaustion.

However, Itachi Uchiha did not continue his assault, instead slowly closing his eyes.

He said indifferently: "Why is the Uchiha clan known as the strongest and feared by all?"

Whoosh—

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, causing the leaves of the trees to rustle.

The atmosphere turned eerie.

"Let me show you the true power of the Sharingan Kekkei Genkai!"

After Itachi Uchiha finished speaking, his eyes opened again at a sluggish pace.

Though his eyes opened slowly, Kakashi Hatake's body began to tremble violently at an incredible speed.

This time, it was not due to physical exhaustion, but pure, unadulterated terror.

"Could it be..."

"Damn it!"

Kakashi Hatake's speech quickened as he urgently warned Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai:

"Both of you, do not look into his eyes!"

The two closed their eyes without hesitation, cold sweat streaming down their faces.

Kakashi also closed his right eye, leaving only his left eye open.

This was the Sharingan given to him by Obito!

"...You must never open your eyes. To meet his gaze now would be the end!"

"Indeed, possessing a Sharingan might allow you to resist this Mangekyou Sharingan to some extent."

Itachi's tone remained indifferent, yet now, that indifference was laced with profound confidence!

His tone shifted abruptly.

"However... this special Sharingan ocular jutsu, Genjutsu: Tsukuyomi, cannot be broken."

"The only ones who can defeat me are those who possess the same Kekkei Genkai—a Sharingan user!"

Drip, drip—

Beads of sweat rolled down Kakashi's face, his mask already soaked through.

Sweat even dripped into the river, creating faint sounds.

Yet, he dared not move a hand to wipe it away.

At this moment, any movement could cost him his life!

Drip—

Another drop of sweat fell into the river.

Kakashi Hatake realized the world before him had changed...

The original scene of blue skies, white clouds, and a gentle breeze had vanished.

The world before him was now a desolate, dim yellow, as if the apocalypse had arrived!

The scene shifted once more, and Kakashi found himself bound to a cross.

Itachi Uchiha stood before him, holding a long blade.

"Without a Kekkei Genkai, how long can you hold out?"

Ka--ka--

"Ugh..."

Bloodshot veins instantly erupted in the eyes of Kakashi Hatake.

Agonizing pain!

A terrifying pain swept through his mind, nearly pushing him beyond the point of endurance.

Itachi Uchiha had driven his blade directly into his abdomen.

Fresh blood cascaded down!

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Kakashi Hatake could no longer bear it, letting out a frantic roar.

A long while later, he struggled to open his eyes and looked down at his abdomen.

It was... it was completely unscathed!

"This is a genjutsu..."

Two versions of Itachi Uchiha appeared before him; they were identical, both wielding long blades, aiming for Kakashi Hatake's abdomen.

"In the world of Tsukuyomi, everything—space, time, and even mass—is under my control."

Itachi Uchiha spoke every word with deliberate precision, stabbing his blade into Kakashi Hatake's body with every short sentence.

"For the next 72 hours, I will continue to stab your body with this blade..."

"Ahhhhhhh... ahhhhh... ahhhhhhhhh!!!"

Kakashi Hatake screamed with all his might, yet he lacked the strength to struggle.

Gradually, he closed his eyes.

He did not know how much time had passed...

Kakashi Hatake's eyelids twitched slightly, and he opened his eyes.

But before him stood another version of himself, along with two more versions of Itachi Uchiha.

His pupils trembled violently once more, his fading consciousness instantly snapping back to clarity.

"That is..."

"In the world of Tsukuyomi, everything—space, time, and even mass—is under my control."

The two versions of Itachi Uchiha spoke the same words as before, performing the same actions.

The heart-rending pain was also exactly the same as before!

"Ahhhhhhhhh!"

Kakashi Hatake let out a miserable cry, simultaneously forcing himself to remain calm.

This is a genjutsu!

As if reading his thoughts, Itachi Uchiha's voice echoed once more:

"You had best not underestimate this technique just because you think it is an illusion... This pain is no illusion!"

"This pain is exactly the same as the pain in reality. How long can your spirit hold out?"

The blades in their hands continued to pierce Kakashi Hatake's body, countless versions of Itachi Uchiha moving like machines following a pre-set program.

Time flowed slowly; Kakashi Hatake did not know how long had passed, but his mind was already on the verge of collapse.

At this moment, the movements of Itachi Uchiha ceased, and his cold, merciless voice rang out.

"There are still 71 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds remaining!"

!!!!!!!

"Since just now... has only... one second passed?"

Feeling the countless blades piercing his abdomen, Kakashi Hatake neared a total breakdown.

This is torture! This is agony!

This place is a living hell!

And Itachi Uchiha... is the Grim Reaper!

"What is wrong, Kakashi? Are you going to keep your eyes closed?"

"The moment that guy finished speaking, you suddenly collapsed."

Hoo, hoo, hoo...

Kakashi Hatake gasped for air, slowly collapsing onto his knees atop the surface of the river.

He gritted his teeth and said:

"No... not yet!"

Kakashi Hatake was extremely weak now; he used his brain, which was nearing collapse, to think slowly.

Why... didn't he kill me?

For him... it would have been effortless!

As if exhausting every ounce of his strength, Kakashi trembled as he asked, "Is the thing you're looking for... Sasuke?"

"..."

The eyes of Itachi Uchiha trembled slightly.