Seeing that Itachi wasn't running away, Akuma smiled.
Itachi Uchiha produced three clones, each holding a kunai. In response, Akuma gripped his own kunai tightly, ready for battle.
All three clones charged at him simultaneously.
But Akuma didn't focus on them—instead, his eyes were locked on the real Itachi. At that moment, Itachi formed a hand sign and unleashed a massive fireball, hurling it toward Akuma with incredible speed.
Akuma quickly dodged to his left. The fireball crashed into the ground and exploded into countless smaller fireballs, scattering across the sky and raining destruction throughout the area.
The three clones closed the distance and attacked from all sides.
Akuma dodged their strikes and countered with a powerful punch—but just as he made contact, all three clones self-destructed in front of him.
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted, blasting dirt and debris everywhere. But through the smoke, Akuma lunged straight at the real Itachi—completely unharmed.
Itachi was stunned. He took that head-on and survived?
Akuma's fist flew at him, and Itachi barely dodged. The punch smashed into the ground, cracking it apart.
Suddenly, a jolt of electricity surged from the earth and struck Itachi—paralyzing him momentarily.
Akuma didn't hesitate. He delivered a devastating kick to Itachi's chest.
Itachi barely managed to block with his arms, but the force still sent him crashing through several trees.
Akuma landed and looked at him.
One of Itachi's arms was clearly broken.
He smiled.
Now it'll be harder for him to form hand signs.
Not wanting to give Itachi a chance to recover, Akuma lunged again—this time with his fist infused with electricity.
But just as his punch was about to land, Itachi's body burst into a flock of crows.
A clone...
Akuma looked up and spotted the real Itachi in the trees, hand seals already completed.
Great Fireball Technique!
A massive fireball came barreling toward him—fast and destructive.
Too close to dodge.
Akuma gritted his teeth and activated the Satsui no Hado, letting it surge to its maximum. He braced for impact.
BOOOOM!
The explosion leveled the surrounding forest, burning trees and shattering rocks.
As the smoke cleared, Akuma stood in the center of the devastation. His skin was scorched and burned—but within seconds, his wounds began to heal.
Rapidly. Visibly.
In mere moments, he was completely healed.
Even Itachi was stunned by the speed of Akuma's regeneration.
Then he sensed it—other ninja approaching quickly.
He coughed up blood, his chakra nearly depleted, and one arm broken. His illness weighed heavily on him. His mind was clouded by Akuma's words, making it harder to focus and use ninjutsu. His body was failing.
If I stay... I die.
Akuma noticed too. He saw the blood in Itachi's eyes, the way his body trembled. He understood Itachi wanted to end the fight quickly.
And Akuma wasn't about to let him escape.
He made his decision—stall Itachi long enough for backup to arrive.
Itachi activated his incomplete Susanoo. He was going all out.
Akuma, in response, unleashed his full power.
The Satsui no Hado consumed him. Violent red aura erupted from his body. Thunder roared above. Rain poured down.
Akuma moved first. Too fast to follow. Lightning and fire Ki surged into his fist. He struck at the incomplete Susanoo.
Itachi met him head-on.
Their fists collided—
KAA-BOOOM!
The explosion devastated the battlefield. Trees were ripped from the ground. Shockwaves spread in every direction.
Akuma was sent flying, his arm burnt from the impact—but it healed in the blink of an eye.
He looked toward Itachi.
One of Susanoo's arms had been destroyed.
Itachi stared at Akuma with his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"I've never met someone like you… but this ends now!"
Black flames ignited—Amaterasu.
They shot toward Akuma at terrifying speed.
This was the one technique Akuma truly feared.
The black fire. Hot as the sun. Impossible to extinguish.
If it hit him—it was over.
He had no seals, no tools, and not enough speed to escape.
Only one option remained—teleport.
It was risky. Pain racked his entire body, making it hard to focus. If he failed, he'd teleport straight into the flames—and die instantly.
Still, he had no choice.
He focused everything and teleported behind Itachi.
But Itachi had predicted it.
He turned immediately and stabbed Akuma through the heart with a kunai.
"This is the end, Akuma," Itachi said quietly, sadness in his voice.
"Do you fucking think I need your pity?!"
Akuma roared. Crimson Ki spiraled around his arm, swirling into his palm like a collapsing star. The Gohadoken—his last weapon. He thrust it forward, straight at Itachi's heart.
Itachi barely managed to twist his body in time, but the blast hit his arm—vaporizing it completely.
The Gohadoken flew past and slammed into the distant mountains, destroying half of it.
Itachi staggered back, clutching the bleeding stump, using the few chakras reserves he had left to stop the bleeding.
Akuma, meanwhile, gritted his teeth, pulled the kunai from his chest, and activated the Satsui no Hado one final time.
His body was falling apart—bones fractured, muscles torn—but he focused all his energy on healing his heart. With the help of a 90% recovery item, he had a chance to survive.
It was a gamble.
His muscles began ripping apart even more, bones breaking under the strain—but he focused, desperate to survive.
Eventually, the pain overwhelmed him.
He passed out.
Itachi walked over, staring at Akuma's broken body. He was shocked to see the wound in Akuma's chest closing—fast.
He pulled out another kunai, preparing to end it.
But just then—
"Who are you?!" a voice called out.
Leaf shinobi had arrived.
Itachi froze.
He couldn't fight them. Not like this.
He turned and fled into the jungle, several ninja chasing after him.
A few stayed behind.
One of the shinobi stepped back, eyes wide looking at Akuma's battered body. "What is this kid?"
"Quickly—get him to the hospital, now!"