The Hidden Sand shinobi army's attempt to block the enemy failed, effectively declaring the Allied Shinobi Forces' mission to intercept Hiruko, Shinno, and Kurosuki Raiga of the Akatsuki a complete failure.
Among the five great shinobi villages, only a handful could keep up with the fusion beasts capable of flight.
The strongest among them, the Third Tsuchikage, had been lured away by the Akatsuki's Zetsu using a spore clone imbued with the Five-Tails' chakra. Thus, Hiruko and his group's successful breakout was a foregone conclusion—unless someone wielded a space-time ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God Technique, catching up to them was now nearly impossible.
Realizing this, the Hidden Rock shinobi grew disheartened, their morale sinking.
The Four-Tails Jinchuriki had already been captured by Akatsuki members and had escaped the Land of Earth. Now, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki had been taken right under their noses. Losing two Jinchuriki at once was a blow even the Hidden Rock Village, one of the five great shinobi villages, could hardly bear.
At that moment, a Hidden Leaf communications-class shinobi rushed to Kakashi's side and whispered a few words.
"What!?"
Kakashi's face paled in shock.
It was the first time Asuma had seen Kakashi so shaken. He quickly asked, "Kakashi, what's wrong?"
The other villages' shinobi also turned their attention toward him.
Kakashi's expression darkened as he said, "Sasuke heard that Itachi Uchiha showed up. He, Sakura, and Shion slipped out of the village and went to the Land of Birds to hunt him down!"
Now it was the others' turn to be shocked.
Especially Sakura's mentor, Shizune, whose eyes widened. "Sakura went too?"
Yakumo's face changed drastically. "Shion's too reckless!"
Kakashi didn't elaborate further to the others. Instead, he approached the Raikage and Kazekage directly and said, "Lords, we're heading to the Land of Birds to pursue the Akatsuki members. What are your plans?"
The Fourth Raikage declared, "Of course, we're going with you!"
The Fourth Kazekage stood and added, "This is the southernmost part of the Land of Earth, only a few hours from the Land of Birds. We might still have a chance to save the Hidden Rock's Jinchuriki!"
The stronger the Akatsuki appeared, the more the five great shinobi villages needed to band together.
Thus, the Allied Shinobi Forces, now bolstered by Hidden Sand reinforcements, rested briefly before setting out again, heading straight for the Land of Birds.
Halfway there, the alliance received a message from the Hidden Rock intelligence team in the Land of Birds. Apparently, Shion and Sakura had found the Hidden Rock's intelligence team and, through their network, sent a request for aid to Kakashi's group.
After confirming Sasuke's approximate location, the alliance dispatched an advance team of elite shinobi, who sped toward the Land of Birds.
...
Land of Birds.
Clang, clang, clang.
The clash between Sasuke and Itachi erupted instantly, a rapid and ear-piercing series of metallic strikes echoing through the forest.
Unlike before, this time Itachi was noticeably more serious.
Sasuke, having awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan and activated the Cursed Seal of Heaven, was no longer an opponent to be easily dismissed.
However, this brotherly duel differed from the one in the original timeline.
This confrontation happened five or six years earlier than that fated battle.
At this moment, Itachi was a mere sixteen-year-old youth, his body at the peak of physical stamina and dojutsu prowess. He also hadn't yet contracted the Bloodline Limit disease that would later debilitate him in the original timeline, meaning he was currently at his strongest.
Thus, Itachi still held an overwhelming advantage over Sasuke.
Whether in taijutsu or ninja tools, he completely suppressed Sasuke.
Watching from the sidelines, Juzo Biwa observed for a while before letting out a sigh of relief.
In his view, for Sasuke to have such strength at eleven or twelve was impressive among his peers. But to challenge Itachi with only this level of skill was clearly overambitious.
Having worked with Itachi for a long time, Juzo knew just how terrifying he was.
Putting himself in Sasuke's shoes, Juzo felt that even an experienced elite Jonin like himself would struggle to force Itachi to reveal his true strength.
In fact, Juzo's assessment was spot-on.
In the original timeline, Itachi's later partner, Kisame Hoshigaki, was a powerhouse capable of single-handedly taking on Killer Bee, the "perfect Jinchuriki" of the Eight-Tails.
Yet even a warrior of Kisame's caliber placed himself in a subordinate role when partnered with Itachi.
For shinobi from the Hidden Mist Village to act this way, there was only one reason: they believed their strength was inferior.
The fierce battle continued.
Itachi and Sasuke's fight wasn't limited to taijutsu. Their dojutsu's insight, ninjutsu, ninja tool usage, and even minor genjutsu were all woven into the fray.
Watching the two weave through wires and shuriken, dancing amidst Fire Release and explosive tags, Juzo let out an irritated huff. "Hmph, Uchihas!"
Even he, a seasoned shinobi, was irked by this dazzling display of taijutsu, dojutsu, ninja tool throwing, and ninjutsu.
For an ordinary person, their eyes probably couldn't even keep up with the two's movements.
Moments later—
Boom.
With a low thud, Sasuke was sent flying by a kick from Itachi.
Itachi slowly retracted his leg, looking at Sasuke sprawled on the ground. "Is this all you can muster, relying on that monstrous power?"
"Damn it!"
Sasuke shakily rose from the ground, his expression twisted with rage.
Then, a purple shadow projected from his body.
Roar.
Amidst a furious bellow, a half-armored purple Susanoo appeared before Itachi and Juzo.
Juzo's expression shifted as he shouted, "Itachi, stop dragging this out. Finish the kid off already!"
Whether it was Juzo's urging or Itachi's own plan, the moment Sasuke activated his Susanoo, Itachi opened his own Mangekyo Sharingan and unleashed his own Susanoo!
In an instant, a red half-armored Susanoo rose in the forest, facing off against Sasuke's purple Susanoo from afar.
"Itachi, you said to come find you when I had the same eyes as you! Now, I'll end you with these Sharingan of mine!"
Sasuke vented the hatred pent up in his heart while urging his Susanoo to draw its bow and fire an arrow at Itachi's Susanoo.
Clang.
However, his lightning-fast arrow was deflected by the round shield held by Itachi's Susanoo's left arm.
Almost simultaneously, Itachi's Susanoo lunged forward, its right hand hurling several spinning, massive red magatama that crashed heavily into Sasuke's Susanoo.
Boom, boom, boom.
An explosion kicked up a cloud of dust. When it cleared, Sasuke's purple Susanoo bore visible damage on its front, and Sasuke, within it, stared at the broken section in a daze.
Across from him, beneath the red Susanoo, Itachi said calmly, "After all these years, you still haven't broken your bad habit of shouting so loudly!"