In the Genjutsu duel Itachi had initiated, Sasuke had initially been thwarted at every turn, led around by the nose by Itachi.
His own brother had given him a thorough lesson.
But just as Itachi prepared to give his little brother an unforgettable "surprise," the [Sharingan Wraith Soul] in Sasuke's pocket seemed to react to a stimulus and reflected Tsukuyomi straight back at him!
Itachi was instantly stunned.
He covered his eye and let out a muffled grunt.
Freed from the Genjutsu, Sasuke also realized what had just happened. His right hand instinctively slipped into his pocket and touched something.
It was something Big Brother Shinji had lent him before he came here, saying he might have a use for it.
So Big Brother Shinji had already foreseen everything...
Sasuke immediately felt reassured, his apprehension settling into calm.
Why exactly had he struggled on the edge of death every day, doing everything he could to improve his strength?
Wasn't it so he could stand squarely before this man, just as he was today, defeat him, and learn the truth about what had happened back then?!
Mangekyō Sharingan... activate!
Two pairs of eyes, alike yet different, met.
"So that's it..."
Upon seeing Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan, Itachi seemed to have found an explanation for how Sasuke had broken and reflected Tsukuyomi.
"If these eyes are the measure of capacity you spoke of back then, then I'm now qualified to stand before you. Isn't it time you stopped those little tricks that once made my life a living hell?!"
Itachi slowly lowered the hand covering his eye. "Sasuke, you really have improved a great deal."
"Of course. I earned every bit of this strength with blood and sweat!"
"Chidori!"
Sasuke had never liked wasting words in battle, even when facing Itachi.
He would