Chapter 74 – Uchiha Itachi, Let's Make a Deal!
In the shocked eyes of Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame,a figure appeared not far in front of them.
A huge pressure emanated from him—Conqueror's Haki.
It was Su Li, who had received the information.
At that moment, although Su Li's figure was not tall,he felt like a giant towering between heaven and earth.A terrifying spiritual force engulfed both Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame like a surging wave.
Thud! Thud!
Unable to resist the pressure, the two knelt on one knee, struggling to stay upright.Though still sane, their eyes were filled with horror and disbelief.Their backs were soaked with cold sweat.
At that moment, they seemed to see the sky collapsing,and they felt like powerless ants crushed beneath it.
Perhaps when they were still weak, they had known fear—but since reaching Kage-level strength, they had never felt so powerless again.Even against the leader with the Rinnegan,the pressure was nothing compared to that of the man standing before them.
"Your Majesty."
Seeing Su Li's arrival, Kakashi hurriedly saluted respectfully.
"Thank you, Kakashi."
Su Li nodded in acknowledgment.
Seeing such an exchange, Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame instantly understood.The man before them was none other than Acting Hokage Su Li,the one the villagers had been whispering about.
"It's not good, Mr. Itachi… Samehada told me that his Chakra surpasses even that of a tailed beast.His strength is at least on par with the leader's."
The suppressed Hoshigaki Kisame felt Samehada trembling restlessly behind him.He forced a wry smile—what else could he say?
Moments ago, he'd said Konoha had no strong fighters left.Then Kakashi appeared.Now, someone with power comparable to the Akatsuki leader stood before him.
How in the world had Orochimaru ever managed to hurt this village?He couldn't figure it out.Not at all.
Uchiha Itachi said nothing. There was no need.Anyone could sense the overwhelming power radiating from Su Li.Even if he went all out, he doubted he could win.
"Uchiha Itachi, Hoshigaki Kisame… you two are bold indeed.When did Konoha become a place you can come and go as you please?Did you ask me for permission?"
Su Li's tone was calm, yet his presence alone felt divine—immovable and absolute.His Conqueror's Haki had already surpassed even Shanks'.
"Mr. Itachi, I'll try to hold him off. Run while you can."
Realizing Su Li's arrival spelled trouble,Hoshigaki Kisame bit deep into his arm until blood flowed,using the pain to break free from the Haki's pressure.He raised Samehada high and swung it toward Su Li.
The sword howled through the air.
Yet Su Li's expression remained serene.
Thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind—Samehada, a blade that absorbs Chakra…Should he counter with a kekkei genkai like Ice Release, Lava Release, or Boil Release?Or with a Devil Fruit power like the Goro Goro no Mi or Pika Pika no Mi?Or perhaps use Keke Emperor, Yan Lingwan, or Dragon Slayer Magic?
After only a fraction of a second, Su Li decided—he needed none of it.
He simply clenched his fist and punched.
Boom!
Samehada and Su Li's fist collided.Though Su Li's hand was small compared to the massive blade,his punch effortlessly stopped Hoshigaki Kisame's full-strength strike—and then overwhelmed it.
Hoshigaki Kisame's pupils dilated.An unstoppable force crashed into him,sending him flying backward like a cannonball.
Crash!
He arced through the air and slammed into the ground.
"Kisame!" Itachi shouted.
"Oh? You still have time to worry about others?"
In a blur, Su Li appeared above Itachi,dropping one foot with crushing force.
Boom!
Itachi's body slammed into the earth before he could even react.
In a single moment—Su Li had floored Hoshigaki Kisame with a punchand crushed Uchiha Itachi with a kick.
For most in the ninja world, such a feat would be unthinkable.But for Su Li, it was merely ordinary.
Pinned to the ground, Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan flared open.
"Tsukuyomi!"
This was Itachi's strongest illusion.
The target's consciousness is drawn into a world entirely under the caster's control.Time, space, even matter itself bend to Itachi's will.A moment outside becomes seventy-two hours of agony within.
The world shifted—gray, oppressive, endless.Su Li found himself bound to a cross,black and white reflected in the rippling water below,while crimson clouds churned overhead.
Itachi stood before him calmly."This is Tsukuyomi. For the next seventy-two hours,you will experience pain exactly as in reality."
But Su Li merely laughed softly.
"I know your technique well.As a spy, you've done everything for Konoha…or perhaps you leaked your own secretsso that Sasuke could someday defeat you?"
"…Did Danzo tell you that?"
Itachi's brow furrowed. He hadn't expected his secret to be known.Only the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo had known his true role.With the Third gone, that left only one possible leak.
"Danzo? Hahahaha…"
"Why are you laughing?"
"Oh, nothing. I just find it funnythat you call your clan's murderer 'Lord Danzo.'"
Itachi fell silent.
When Su Li stopped laughing, he said evenly,"Uchiha Itachi, your body is failing.Let's make a deal."
"A deal?"
Itachi's brow tightened further.His condition was no secret to himself,but how did this man know?
"I know your plan—to bear the Uchiha's infamy, to make Sasuke your avenger,to let him kill you, become Konoha's hero,and restore your clan's honor.I can help you fulfill that dream."
Itachi said nothing, but silence was answer enough.He had lived in pain for years; only Sasuke's future kept him going.If he could ensure his brother's happiness,he would pay any price.
"Let Sasuke gain strength to protect himself.Let him find true friends to pull him from darkness.Let him love, grow old,and live a peaceful, honored life in Konoha.I can make that happen."
Su Li's voice was smooth, almost hypnotic.
Itachi's eyes narrowed. "…What's the price?"
"The eye of Shisui—the Mangekyō Sharingan with Kotoamatsukami.Give it to me."
"So that's your goal—Kotoamatsukami."
Itachi wasn't surprised.Few knew of that genjutsu's existence,but its value was beyond measure.
Su Li, however, didn't truly desire the ability itself.He simply couldn't allow such a power to fall into the wrong hands.One eye was already recovered from Danzo;the other, held by Itachi, must not be lost.
"What is your answer, Itachi?"
After a long silence, Itachi nodded slightly.
"I understand. I agree… but not now.I'll give you Shisui's eye when the time is right."
"You want to see with your own eyes first?Fine—suit yourself."
Su Li smiled faintly.He never expected Itachi to hand it over immediately.It didn't matter.As long as Sasuke remained his emotional anchor,Itachi would never escape Su Li's grasp.
"Then our conversation is over. Let's go back."
A surge of spiritual energy burst from Su Li,colliding with Itachi's will.The Tsukuyomi world cracked like glass.
Su Li had allowed himself to be drawn in—simply so they could speak privately.Now that his goal was achieved,there was no reason to remain.
Even Tsukuyomi was not invincible.Against Su Li's mental strength,far beyond the Kage level,it was futile.
The same was true for Kotoamatsukami—no genjutsu could rewrite the will of one whose spirit towered so high.
Boom!
"What—?!"
In horror, Itachi saw Su Li swipe his hand through the air.The gray-red world shattered from the center outward,cracks spider-webbing through sky and water alike.In moments, the entire illusion collapsed like a broken mirror.
Outside World
To Kakashi, only a few seconds had passed.Itachi's Mangekyō had flared, then both he and Su Li froze.Moments later—
Cough!
Itachi spat blood.Crimson tears ran from his eyes as he collapsed to his knees before Su Li,barely catching himself on trembling hands.
His Mangekyō Sharingan swirled with shock and awe.In his mind replayed the sight of Su Li's single motionshattering Tsukuyomi itself.
This man had broken his strongest illusion—head-on.
"Ugh—!"
Itachi coughed blood again, agony flooding his body.Not only had he over-used his Mangekyō,but the backlash from losing a spiritual duel tore through his mind like knives.
Su Li crouched before him."Don't blame me for being harsh.You fought me; you needed to look wounded,or others would grow suspicious."
He lowered his voice."Return to Akatsuki with Hoshigaki Kisame.I'll leave a mark on you.When the time comes,you and I will work together to erase Akatsuki's hidden threat. Understand?"
Itachi endured the pain and nodded faintly.When the backlash finally eased,he forced himself to his feet,lifted the unconscious Kisame,and quietly departed.