"Uchiha Itachi, you bastard!"
A growl like that of a wounded beast erupted from deep in Sasuke's throat.
He could no longer suppress the emotions raging inside him. The instant he saw that face, his reason had teetered on the brink of collapse.
Years of hatred, confusion, and pain, along with his father's earnest request when they had met.
The Ninja Blade in his hand flickered with his violently surging emotions. With his frenzied movement, it traced a fierce blue arc, shrieking through the air as he slashed savagely at the "Uchiha Itachi" before him.
There was no technique to this strike, only an instinctive release driven by emotion, leaving him wide open.
And yet-
Faced with this thunderous attack, Uchiha Itachi remained unusually calm.
He showed not the slightest hint of surprise or concern.
Only when the gleaming blade was about to reach him did he move. His feet slid as though mounted on wheels, following an eerily nimble pattern. With a slight turn of his body, he drifted like a weightless feather, evading the deadly edge with perfect precision.
The Lightning Sword swept past the edge of his black robe, and its lightning struck the ground.
The blast gouged a deep, charred crater into the earth, sending stones and dirt flying.
But Uchiha Itachi remained completely unscathed.
Not even the hem of his robe had been touched by the force of the blade. He still stood firmly in place, calmly watching Sasuke, who was panting slightly after his missed strike, the fury in his eyes burning even hotter.
"Do you want to know the truth?"
Uchiha Itachi spoke again.
"If you do, follow me."
With that, he lingered no longer. He leaped lightly backward like a great black bird, instantly putting distance between himself and Sasuke.
Then he