Sensing the madness in Itachi, Sasuke wavered again. Maybe Naruto had lied to him. Maybe the relief he had seen on Itachi's face was all an act!
Maybe Itachi really wants my eyes. Maybe that's why he didn't kill me before!
That was what Sasuke began to believe.
So when he saw Itachi about to move, Sasuke struck first.
Two talismans wrapped around his wrists, holding a vast supply of ninja tools. By channeling his own chakra into them, he could draw weapons in an instant.
They worked much like a Storage Pouch, making them convenient in battle.
Sasuke drew shuriken one after another and hurled them at Itachi at blinding speed.
Itachi answered with a barrage of his own, drawn from who knew where. For a full minute, the two traded shuriken.
The clang of colliding metal rang through the hall. Shuriken struck shuriken, throwing off showers of sparks that flashed beautifully in the gloom.
Suddenly, Sasuke rushed in with the Kusanagi Sword and thrust it toward Itachi!
But Itachi reacted just as quickly. He caught the blade between his hands, stopping it dead!
At that moment, another Itachi burst out from the side and attacked Sasuke without warning.
Alarm shot through Sasuke.
Itachi's so fast! He managed to make hand seals for the Shadow Clone Technique during that shuriken exchange!
In that respect, Sasuke was still a step behind him.
Their exchange stunned the spectators in the corner. Minato Namikaze and the Third Hokage glanced at each other, seeing the same shock and admiration in each other's eyes.
Even the two Hokage could hardly have done better. Yet these were fifteen-year-old Sasuke and a young Itachi.
As Minato Namikaze recovered from his shock, regret filled his eyes as he watched them.
Both were exceptional talents, especially Itachi!
How