"Yasokumori!"
That was the Mangekyō Sharingan technique Uchiha Fugaku awakened!
More precisely, it was the left–eye technique.
Its name was derived from the clan's and village's protective deity—the "Yaoyorozu no Kami."
As the name implies, it was one of those seldom–seen Mangekyō Sharingan powers dedicated to defense!
Once activated, it could release a unique sealing barrier around the user's vicinity, such that no harm could penetrate as long as chakra and ocular power remained—yet the user's own attacks could pass through unimpeded!
In other words, with Yasokumori active, one effectively became invincible while still free to strike at the enemy.
It was an exceptionally strong technique.
At that very moment—
Itachi had unleashed the power of his right eye, spraying out jet–black Amaterasu flames. He had already focused his Mangekyō's field of view onto Fugaku.
However—
Fugaku reacted even faster. The moment his Mangekyō Sharingan awakened, the Yasokumori ability burst forth by instinct.
Instantly, a red gleam from his Mangekyō cast itself around him at the center, forming a protective barrier with the same swirling pattern as his awakened Mangekyō—shielding him completely within.
Szzz—
The black flames of Amaterasu were unable to even reach Fugaku's true body!
They were stopped midway, thoroughly blocked by that invisible Yasokumori barrier!
For a time, those ink–dark flames licked furiously at the barrier's outer surface yet could never penetrate it!
"What?!"
"My Amaterasu is ineffective?!"
"What kind of… sealing barrier is that?"
"That's Father's Mangekyō Sharingan power?!"
Itachi was shocked. The black flame of Amaterasu should be able to burn anything until it was completely reduced to ash, never extinguishing in the meantime.
But now, it was unable even to reach its target!
Fugaku himself had no prior knowledge of his power. He had only just awakened the Mangekyō; as with anyone newly awakened, he could only slowly test and explore its effectiveness.
Similar to how Uchiha Sasuke, upon first using the Mangekyō, had to gradually figure out exactly how to operate Amaterasu and Kagutsuchi in real battles.
"Seems so… Yasokumori—my left–eye Mangekyō…"
Fugaku eyed the Amaterasu flames raging on the barrier's surface. They could not break through, yet continuing to hold them off required constant expenditure of his chakra and ocular power.
Once his strength wore out, the barrier's power would fail to stop Amaterasu.
In other words…
He had three minutes at best—
This was his only opportunity!
Without hesitation, Fugaku unleashed his best Fire Release technique:
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
At once, powerful Fire Release chakra coalesced into five massive fire dragons from multiple directions, roaring ferociously and clawing the air, converging upon Uchiha Itachi from every side!
Meanwhile, the Yasokumori barrier apparently recognized friend from foe: even though Fugaku's own attacks passed through unimpeded, it still defended him from all external harm!
Itachi was again taken aback:
"Being able to produce five flame dragons simultaneously with such precise control, covering all my paths—As expected of Father!"
He was uneasy, yet Itachi remained calm and instantly used a Water Release counter to quell the Fire Release:
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Violent torrents shaped into water dragons, fiercely colliding with the five flame dragons.
Though Fugaku's Fire Release was mightier in scale and chakra, Water Release held a natural advantage, forcing the outcome into a stalemate, water and flame cancelling each other out.
Crackle—Hiss—
Water and flame clashed violently, inundating the entire courtyard in a thick shroud of hot steam!
For an ordinary person, the vision would have been completely lost. However, father and son both possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, each seeing the other's chakra outlines vividly.
After a pause of swirling steam, countless kunai and shuriken clanged once more, streaming through the dense, hot vapor like miniature meteor showers of sparks.
When it finally dispersed, the ground was already battered and pitted, littered with shattered ninja tools and broken blades.
Itachi gave Fugaku no chance to breathe. Once vision cleared, Itachi immediately let loose the illusions he excelled at:
"Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes!"
Hum—
The blood–red gleam of the Sharingan radiated outward, the illusions swirling forward. This technique had nearly instantly overwhelmed Orochimaru once, forcing him to flee the Akatsuki.
But now—
That technique was also neutralized by the Yasokumori barrier, leaving it ineffective!
"What?!"
"Even illusions are useless?!"
Itachi was finally startled. Physical attacks failing to penetrate, he could understand—
But for illusions also to fail?!
Could it be that barrier truly was an absolute defense, an invincible existence?
"No, the 'Shackling Stakes Technique' is basically an ordinary Sharingan illusion. If it were the Mangekyō's ultimate illusion, Tsukuyomi, Father's barrier might not be able to stop it."
Still…
Fugaku refused him any time. The moment illusions were negated, he shot forward with the left–eye's Mangekyō power:
"Haze–Veil Reflection!"
(狭雾映心, "Sagiri Eishin")
Its name derived from legendary myths about the deity of obscuring mists, signifying illusions that conceal the truth.
Yes—this too was a powerful illusion–type technique. But unlike typical illusions…
Inside the Haze–Veil Reflection's illusions, the target would be forced to witness a certain "future" and "reality," based on actual calculations and predictions!
So in that instant:
Uchiha Itachi was seized by Haze–Veil Reflection's red glow, instantly yanked into the illusion space, where he was compelled to see a certain "future":
He slaughtered the entire Uchiha clan; Uchiha Chiyu was likewise killed by "Uchiha Madara." Sasuke survived, receiving special care from the higher–ups in the village…
This vision matched Itachi's dearest dream scenario.
However, soon…
With the Uchiha clan gone, Konoha's leadership grew more fractured, each main family having witnessed the clan's demise lost all trust, gradually dissolving the village's unity. Seizing the opportunity, the other four Great Nations pounced, further dividing and encroaching upon the Land of Fire.
Internal strife plus external incursion meant even Hiruzen Sarutobi could not hold on. The entire village fell, plunging the entire ninja world into unending wars and a sea of corpses…
Caught inside "Haze–Veil Reflection," Itachi's mind reeled, illusions so realistic, so plausible—like seeing his true future.
For a time, he lost his fighting spirit and conviction.
That was precisely the terror of Haze–Veil Reflection: more than an illusion, it was a "soul–destroying" trick. The illusions one saw weren't merely hollow fakes but a "simulation" or "projection" of a very likely reality!
Once trapped, the target could not extricate himself, from the depths of his soul questioning all his resolves.
In this moment, Uchiha Itachi sank into near–unconsciousness. Inside that future revelation, even his unwavering determination wavered heavily.
Fugaku, however, did not cease. He gave a low snort, brandishing his sword to strike downward on the helpless Itachi.
"Bastard—die!"
Even though he recognized Itachi's moral fall, the scene of father and son killing each other caused Mikoto and Sasuke to shriek in sheer horror.
Yet—
Just as the blade was about to land, Itachi suddenly roared, unleashing a crimson chakra wave. It soared high and swiftly formed skeletal arms—enshrouding him in a blood–red–looking chakra skeleton, thoroughly blocking Fugaku's slash!
Crack!
Fugaku's blade was shattered on impact. Startled, he hastily retreated.
"This…"
"Susanoo?!"
~~~
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