Itachi raised his hands, trying to form hand seals.
His fingers had only come halfway together when they stopped in midair.
The runes of Impure World Reincarnation crawled along his arms. Kabuto stood behind the Array Disc, his five fingers tightening continuously.
"Kneel."
Itachi's knees were forced into the ground.
Stone chips scattered beneath his knees, but he kept his head raised, watching himself in the water mirror.
"You still intend to control me?"
"You are my reanimated body."
"You can't control my will."
"Then I'll control your body."
Kabuto raised his hand. Black chakra burst out of Itachi's chest and wrapped around his limbs.
Itachi was dragged before Sasuke, his arms twisted backward, though his fingers were still struggling.
Sasuke did not help him up. He simply drove a Black Receiver into his shoulder.
"Stand straight."
Itachi looked up.
"What else do you want me to do?"
"Release Impure World Reincarnation."
Kabuto immediately manipulated the runes, forcing Itachi's fingers apart.
"He won't release the technique for you."
"Have you asked him that?"
Sasuke looked at Itachi.
"Are you willing to release Impure World Reincarnation?"
Itachi did not answer immediately.
He looked toward the water mirror.
On the coast, the shinobi from Kumogakure and Iwagakure had stopped talking. Every gaze rested on him.
At Konoha's position, Kakashi held the Communication Array Stone, never once closing the channel.
Itachi lowered his head.
"I don't want to keep being used by you."
Kabuto's fingers tightened.
"You have no choice."
Itachi's arms were forcibly raised, and his fingers began forming hand seals.
Sasuke raised his palm and pressed it against his forehead.
"See? This is the choice you've always believed in."
Itachi's movements stopped.
"I'm not Kabuto."
"There's no difference between what you did and what he's doing."
"I never controlled you."
"You