With Tobirama Senju's speed, it took only an instant for him to rush up to Uchiha Itachi, who had only just thrown his shuriken.
"Amaterasu!"
Seeing Tobirama Senju approach head-on, already poised to attack, Uchiha Itachi opened his right eye slightly. Bloody tears streamed down as pitch-black flames surged out with a wave of heat.
He had expected Tobirama Senju to take the opportunity to dodge. After all, although Amaterasu's flames spread quickly, they would struggle to catch up with someone of his speed.
But somewhat unexpectedly, Tobirama Senju neither dodged nor retreated. Instead, he charged straight into the oncoming black flames.
His right hand curled around empty air, and a vast quantity of swirling water compressed into a water javelin whose layers spun rapidly in different directions, aimed at Uchiha Itachi as he unleashed Amaterasu.
Whoosh!
The black flames swelled in the wind, spreading rapidly toward him. Tobirama Senju thrust out his left arm to shield himself, deliberately making contact with Amaterasu.
In an instant, black flames enveloped his entire left arm, their scorching heat blazing fiercely.
At the same time, he had already reached a position mere inches from Uchiha Itachi.
"Hah!"
"Water Release: Hard Vortex Water Blade!"
Completely ignoring the black flames already spreading toward his head, Tobirama Senju whipped his right hand forward, hurling the rapidly spinning water javelin.
The water javelin struck Uchiha Itachi with lightning speed, instantly transforming into a massive waterspout that began grinding away ferociously!
It looked dazzling and spectacular!
But although ninjutsu of this caliber looked extraordinarily dazzling, that dazzling display concealed extreme danger.
The rapidly spinning waterspout possessed not only tremendous grinding force but an even stronger restraining force. The instant he was struck, Uchiha Itachi lost his chance to escape.
Meanwhile, Tobirama Senju, now completely engulfed by Amaterasu's black