Feint.
Feint.
Another feint.
A relentless barrage of feints kept Uchiha Itachi's nerves taut.
Both sides were probing for an opening, while not far off, a clone relentlessly hurled shuriken, the air ringing with a continuous clatter of metal.
Uchiha Obito stole a glance at the clone.
That clone was getting annoying. He'd have to find a chance to take it out.
An opportunity...
Uchiha Itachi's stance shifted subtly, his eyes lifting slightly, searching for a moment to lock gazes with Uchiha Obito.
But Obito was prepared. He used the wide, black-and-red-clouded robe to obscure Itachi's line of sight, then thrust his black rod forward!
Another... feint.
Itachi was certain of it. The moment Obito's black rod neared his body, Itachi's kunai reached Obito's heart.
Once again, they passed each other!
Raindrops fell relentlessly, passing through Uchiha Obito's body.
"Obito!" Itachi spun abruptly, flipping his kunai and hurling it at Obito.
It passed right through!
Obito's eyes sharpened, his black rod stabbing toward Itachi's eyes!
At that moment, several shuriken whistled through the air toward Obito, forcing him to phase out!
But now, there were no shuriken left in the air!
And no kunai remained in Itachi's hand!
A perfect opportunity!
Obito's mind steadied, his black rod striking toward Itachi like lightning!
This time, it wasn't a feint.
Itachi's lips pressed into a tight line. Facing the black rod coming from behind, he didn't dodge or flinch—he only turned his head.
It seemed he intended to use the moment his body was pierced to lock eyes with Obito and cast Tsukuyomi.
Hmph, you underestimate me, Itachi.
With my Wood Release, do you really think a single Tsukuyomi could rob me of my fighting strength?
My Yang Release isn't something a sickly thing like you can match!
Obito sneered inwardly, bracing himself for the incoming Tsukuyomi.
A chest wound in exchange for one Tsukuyomi.
A fair trade!
But Tsukuyomi didn't come as Obito expected. His black rod pierced Itachi's chest, only to splash through a burst of water!
Hidden within was a faintly visible, burning explosive tag!
Clone Great Explosion!
!!
Obito's pupils constricted!
BOOM!!!
A violent explosion of flames mixed with rainwater erupted!
When the dust settled, Obito stood unscathed in the clearing.
He looked up at Itachi, standing not far away.
He had thought Itachi meant to use the clone's cover to cast Tsukuyomi, but Itachi hadn't planned that at all.
He'd been played.
"Your intangibility has now lasted four minutes and twenty-one seconds," Itachi said calmly from a distance.
Obito's heart tightened.
Could it be...?
"No technique in the ninja world is without flaws. There's no such thing as an invincible jutsu."
"If we round it up, does that mean you can only maintain it for five minutes?"
!!!
Obito's expression darkened.
Damn it!
He hadn't meant to use Tsukuyomi at all!
He was calculating the duration of Obito's intangibility!
And here, with Pain watching!
"So what?!" Obito snarled. "You think you can stall me for five minutes once, and then do it again for another five?!"
But Itachi's lips curved into a faint smirk.
"You're wrong."
"Do you remember the crow that appeared before you the first time?"
Obito didn't respond.
"That was when I placed a minor genjutsu on you. It's harmless, but it slightly clouds your judgment."
"In truth, only two and a half minutes have passed. The 'four minutes and twenty-one seconds' was just me exploiting that to mislead you."
"I never imagined you'd actually admit you can maintain intangibility for five minutes."
???
!!!
That damned bastard!
"Your intangibility is impressive, but its weakness..."
"Is me."
Having confirmed Obito's intangibility duration, Itachi's resolve hardened. He wouldn't hold back anymore.
Force Obito to keep phasing with Amaterasu, then strike with Tsukuyomi the moment he solidifies.
And finally, seal him completely with the Totsuka Blade!
Itachi charged at Obito!
Furious and humiliated, Obito rushed toward Itachi in silence!
The more you say, the more you err. Say nothing, and you err not!
But at that moment, a voice rang out.
"Stop!"
A figure with orange hair appeared instantly between them!
Itachi halted immediately.
Part of his plan to expose Obito's intangibility limit was to inform Pain.
If Pain didn't intervene, Itachi would deal with Obito himself. If Pain did, Obito's days ahead would be far more difficult.
His identity exposed, his intel compromised.
What moves did Obito have left to face Pain?
"Akatsuki forbids lethal combat among members!"
Itachi stopped, and Pain was satisfied.
But Pain was far less pleased with Obito, who didn't slow down at all.
Obito phased right through Pain's body!
He was practically losing his mind!
With his identity and intel exposed, what leverage did he have left against Pain?
Whether Itachi lived or died, Obito had already lost this fight!
Hmph!
The moment Obito solidified, his black rod nearly touching Itachi's forehead, a cold snort echoed!
Obito's body flew backward uncontrollably!
All-Devouring Heavenly Attraction!
The entire Rain Village was under Pain's Rain Tiger at Will Technique, and the moment Obito solidified, Pain knew it instantly!
"Uchiha Obito, are you defying me?"
Cold, indifferent, merciless words came from behind.
Obito stood silently in place.
After a long pause...
"No."
Seeing Obito yield, Itachi's lips curled into a mocking smirk.
Killing with a borrowed knife—nothing less.
He'd have to find a chance to leak Izanagi's intel to Pain.
His Mangekyo was reserved for Sasuke. Izanagi was useless to Itachi.
But for Obito, it was absolutely critical!
Uchiha Obito, did you ever imagine a day like this would come?
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