Uchiha Itachi understood perfectly.
At this moment, the slightest misstep would bring catastrophe upon Konoha and leave its people slaughtered.
And the instant Isshiki finished speaking, a cold voice slowly rang out.
"No."
That single word fell lightly, yet it overpowered Isshiki's surging killing intent!
At the site of the standoff in the Ninja Academy, murderous intent had become almost tangible, and the air was bone-chillingly cold.
Uchiha Itachi's scarlet Sharingan remained fixed on Ōtsutsuki Isshiki ahead of him. His voice was as cold as ancient ice, without the slightest hint of concession.
"I refuse. If you want to touch Sasuke and Naruto, you'll have to step over my corpse first. I'll stop you myself."
Isshiki raised his gaze slightly, settling it on Itachi. A trace of amusement and interest flickered in his eyes. He showed no anger at being obstructed; instead, he looked as though he had discovered something entertaining.
"It seems that Sasuke Uchiha really is important to you."
"The little brother you risked your life to protect on the night of the massacre, even at the cost of slaughtering your entire clan yourself and bearing their condemnation, certainly deserves a second look."
"But I'm curious. If you had to choose between the village and your brother, which would you choose?"
His words carried mocking derision, as though he were making light of Itachi's lifelong obsession and forbearance.
Itachi's gaze did not waver, but his killing intent intensified. Before he could retort, an angry, piercing female voice suddenly rang out from above, shattering the battlefield's deathly silence.
"Do other people's bonds and the things they protect mean nothing to you?"
"There's nothing funny about that resolve!"
As her words fell, two figures streaked through the air and landed firmly in the center of the battlefield.
They were Tsunade