"Seal off the Side District! Don't let the water mirror cut out!"
Sasuke's blade tip stopped before Itachi's eyes, neither retreating nor wavering.
Yamada Naoto lunged beside the array disc and pressed both hands onto the vibrating runes, his voice distorted with urgency. "There are three layers of explosive tags hidden inside Samehada! The first layer has already burned through to the outer casing! The barrier's side wall can't withstand a blast like that!"
The flagstones cracked beneath Guy's feet as green steam rose from his body. He stared at the great sword on Kisame's shoulder, his jaw tight. "Kakashi, don't let him near the crowd."
Kakashi's Lightning Blade lit up as he blocked Kisame's escape route. "Want to run? Go ahead and try."
Guy's blow had caved in part of Kisame's shoulder. He was still smiling, but the smile could no longer sustain its former flippancy. "I didn't come here to become your second exhibit in Konoha."
Shikaku raised his hand and ordered, "Villagers on the perimeter, move back three rows! Hyuga Team, reinforce the flank! Sealing Squad, disarm the explosive tags!"
Without looking back, Sasuke transferred the medical ninja blade to his left hand and pressed his right hand against Itachi's forehead.
At the mention of an explosion, Itachi's unfocused eyes finally reacted. He struggled to turn toward the Side District, a broken voice squeezing from his throat. "Kisame... take me away..."
Sasuke looked down at him. "You still think someone will save you?"
Itachi's lips trembled, blood seeping between his teeth. "Sasuke, stop. Stop for now. He'll blow people up."
Sasuke dragged the microphone to Itachi's mouth. "So you do know innocent people shouldn't die?"
Abuse surged from the Trial Observation Area again.
"Now you're scared?"
"Why didn't he stop when he was killing children?"
Neji stood