Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template-Chapter 152

"Well, Deidara, Sasori, Kisame, and Uchiha Itachi... That's you guys, right?"

The colossal dragon within the world of Tsukuyomi (Moon Reader) moved its hair and beard despite the absence of wind. Its sheer presence exerted immense pressure on both Itachi and A.

"A, I have some unfortunate news to share with you," the dragon—Zixu—spoke in an eerily calm tone. "The Cloud Ninja who participated in the trial had a conflict with us, and they were nearly wiped out."

A almost coughed up blood from sheer disbelief.

Though he had no idea where this massive dragon had come from, the tone made him suspect it was indeed Zixu. However, before he could even process his suspicion, Zixu's revelation crushed it entirely.

"Listen, don't be too hasty," Zixu added quickly, noticing A anger rising. He advised A not to resist Itachi's Tsukuyomi, but at the same time, not to reject his own Qigong (Life Energy Manipulation).

"The state of the Cloud Ninja at that time was... unusual. Do you truly believe the Cloud Ninjas would act so irrationally under normal circumstances? Would they start an all-out war over something trivial?"

With a flick of his tail, Zixu sent Itachi flying.

A hesitated. A flicker of guilt crept into his heart.

Now that he thought about it... Cloud Ninja probably would do something like that...

"Ahem, something's off," A coughed, still nailed to the cross.

"Think about it. Who benefits from a conflict between our sides? First, it eliminates the Akatsuki, who are lurking among the contestants to capture the Tailed Beasts. Second, it removes Itachi and Kisame, who attacked you."

Zixu ascended, circling high in the air. Lightning, wind, and fire surged throughout the Tsukuyomi world. The moon shattered, the lake evaporated, and the darkened sky was set ablaze. Zixu's long, serpentine body cast intricate shadows over the land below.

Itachi made no attempt to deal with the sudden intruder. He was no saint—if he didn't stab an opponent the moment he saw them transform, how could he call himself a true Akatsuki? This was his domain, after all.

But the outcome left him surprised.

For the first time, he realized he had no control over his own spiritual world.

This unsettling realization reminded him of the people of Sunagakure (Hidden Sand) when they faced the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand Puppet.

Zixu had no intention of lingering. He grabbed A—cross and all—and flew away.

Only a fraction of a second had passed, just as Itachi had said.

Everything seemed unchanged... except for one new addition.

A red-haired man had suddenly appeared between Itachi and A.

It was Zixu.

A shook his head in exhaustion, touching his arm, where remnants of a sealing jutsu still lingered.

"You brat... You actually set me up the first time we met, didn't you?" A scowled, recalling their first encounter, where they had exchanged blows.

"Don't say it like that," Zixu chuckled. "That technique only activates in specific situations. No need to thank me—it's simply my duty to do good."

A shot him a look that said, 'How dare you say that with a straight face?'

Zixu merely snapped his fingers.

In the distance, Killer Bee and the other Cloud Ninja still trapped in the Water Prison suddenly felt something stirring within.

The water rippled unnaturally, condensing into the form of a bare-chested, white-haired, purple-eyed boy in front of Kisame.

"Heh," the boy grinned innocently.

Then, in an instant, his body shifted. His mouth opened and closed unnaturally—his entire being became a monstrous maw.

Water-forged fangs gnashed together, engulfing Kisame in a terrifying display.

A colossal sea beast emerged, tearing into Kisame with vicious force.

Itachi narrowed his eyes.

"Uchiha Itachi," Zixu called out casually. "I know your goal. You want Sasuke to grow stronger, correct? That's simple. I can help with that. My condition is straightforward—just like before, except instead of protecting Konoha, you will protect the Land of Whirlpools."

Although he knew Itachi wouldn't agree easily, Zixu's habit of recruiting people was hard to shake. He always attempted persuasion before resorting to battle.

"Sasuke?" Itachi sneered. "Just a fool. A weakling."

To avoid discussing the topic further, he instantly summoned a crimson skeletal arm to pull Kisame out of the water prison.

"We failed to capture the Jinchuriki—there's no need to waste any more time here."

Itachi and Kisame turned to flee.

But Zixu merely sneered.

His hair darkened to a deeper shade of red, his golden aura flared, and purple markings spread beneath his eyes. Dragon horns grew from his head—a clear sign of his Sage Mode.

At the same time, the Eight Gates activated, along with Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) and Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki).

Zixu vanished from sight.

A fraction of a second later, he reappeared in midair, blocking the fleeing Akatsuki members.

He wielded a massive black kanabo (mace), wind and thunder crackling around it.

With a single downward swing, the very sky trembled.

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"Dai Sankai—Yuudou Naraku!" (Third World: Inducing Naraku)

The strike was devastating.

Itachi and Kisame were slammed into the ground like glass marbles struck by a bullet train. The sheer force of impact fractured the earth, sending shockwaves through the surroundings. Hundreds of trees shattered instantly.

From the rubble, a red skeletal frame emerged—but it was incomplete. Only the ribs had formed, and even those were damaged, cracked, and barely holding together.

Inside, Itachi's condition was miserable.

His Akatsuki cloak was in tatters, and his once-neat ponytail had come undone. The composed Uchiha was now in shambles.

Kisame was in an even worse state.

Unlike Itachi, he had no time to defend himself. He had reflexively wrapped himself in another Water Prison, but it failed to soften the blow.

Now, he lay on the ground in Yamcha's infamous defeated pose.

Samehada lay several meters away.

He had been knocked out of his fusion state entirely.

Itachi, now certain that Zixu was the one who had interfered with Sasuke's illusion back then, made his decision.

He had no intention of fighting head-on.

He needed to survive.

To protect Sasuke.

To ensure that, in the end, only Sasuke would be the one to kill him.

"Katon—Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" (Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu)

A massive fireball roared toward Zixu.

Logically, he could withstand it. His own Dragon Flames were superior.

But—

A strange prickling sensation ran down his temple.

His Observation Haki warned him.

Something was wrong with this fireball.

Out of caution, Zixu dodged. The fireball altered course midair, but ultimately collided with the trees behind him.

The trees ignited.

Black flames spread instantly.

"Amaterasu... (Heavenly Illumination)"

Zixu chuckled darkly.

"Brave, aren't you?"

He raised a hand.

Behind him, atop the tallest tower in the town, a massive gun turret slowly emerged—its barrel aimed directly at Itachi and Kisame.

Zixu snapped his fingers.

"Fire."

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