Kurikara Heavenly Phenomenon was a technique that condensed a half-body manifestation of Fudo Myoo using one’s own power. If Miyamoto Musashi were to use this move, it would have an added prefix: Six Paths, Five Rings.

This name embodied Miyamoto Musashi’s insights into swordsmanship. The attacks released by the Kurikara Heavenly Phenomenon possessed many indescribable powers akin to laws, and the final sword slash even held the miraculous effect of severing karma.

The version Ethan copied did not possess such miraculous powers. It was simply a half-body construct formed by chakra. The four-armed giant wielding a long sword radiated immense pressure. Itachi, who had already activated Susanoo, instantly recognized that this was a formidable technique, not inferior to Susanoo.

However, he had only manifested a partial form of Susanoo. Facing such an attack with just the skeletal ribcage surrounding him, could he block it?

There was no need to test it. Itachi already knew it wouldn’t work. So, when the Kurikara Heavenly Phenomenon swung its massive sword toward him, the flame-like vermilion chakra surrounding his Susanoo changed again. In addition to the ribcage protecting him, arms emerged, slowly forming a half-body.

In the blink of an eye, two half-body giants stood towering above the sea of flowers. Ethan and Itachi stood within them, facing each other. Compared to the calm demeanor of the two individuals, the clash between the giants was far more astonishing.

Whether it was Kisame, who had climbed out of the pit and stood far back, wary of the flower field, or Kakashi and Sasuke, who had retreated even farther, all were shaken by the sheer power displayed by the two.

"So this is that guy’s and Ethan’s true strength?"

"Absolutely terrifying power."

Kakashi had originally thought that, after awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan, he might be able to stand against Itachi. But now, seeing these overwhelming techniques, he realized that idea had been a joke.

He also hadn’t expected Ethan to possess such terrifying power. No wonder he had confidently claimed he could take down Itachi.

"But what kind of ninjutsu is that?"

As if hearing Kakashi’s thoughts, Ethan casually stepped into the role of commentator during the battle.

"Susanoo, a dōjutsu of the Mangekyo Sharingan. A technique that can only be released by those who possess a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, although that isn’t always required. It is both offensive and defensive, with immense power. However, the corresponding chakra consumption and physical strain far exceed that of regular Mangekyo dōjutsu..."

Ethan looked at Itachi, protected by the crimson skeleton and chakra. He still wore his signature calm and aloof expression, but the subtle twitching on his face betrayed his physical discomfort. He was just enduring it.

"I didn’t expect you to know so much about the Sharingan."

Itachi glanced at Sasuke, suspecting he had learned this from family records and passed it to Ethan. However, seeing the confusion on Sasuke’s face, he immediately dismissed that theory.

"Then what is that technique of yours?"

The technique Ethan used was very similar to Susanoo, but Ethan wasn’t an Uchiha, nor did he have a Sharingan. How had he pulled it off?

"No matter how impressive it is, the essence of Susanoo is simply a giant created from chakra. As long as your chakra control is high enough and you have sufficient reserves, performing a similar technique isn’t that difficult."

Ethan spoke lightly, but Itachi knew just how incredibly difficult that was.

For example, a ninja with the Mangekyo Sharingan only needed to supply chakra to their eyes to activate Susanoo.

It was like triggering a skill in a video game. Press the corresponding button, and the move is released.

Ethan’s case was different. His situation was more like first learning to code, then figuring out which lines of code to write to create this effect, and finally inputting those commands manually each time. The difference in difficulty was like night and day.

"Truly terrifying talent."

"You flatter me."

The two spoke as if calmly conversing, but in truth, the half-body giants were already engaged in a fierce and earth-shaking battle. Because they were close in size and lacked mobility, they gave up dodging and simply exchanged brutal blows.

As the fight continued, Itachi’s crimson giant also evolved. From the initial skeleton, it developed muscle and flesh, then armor, and finally took on a form holding a uniquely shaped shield in its left hand.

At this stage, Itachi had recovered from his earlier disadvantage. Most of the attacks from the Kurikara Heavenly Phenomenon’s four long swords were now blocked by the shield. Itachi’s Susanoo had also gained a weapon, a flame-shaped long sword, which allowed it to fight back.

The shockwaves from the giants’ clashes transformed the terrain once again. The rose field had already been obliterated. Some flowers were shredded by the shockwaves, others crushed under stray attacks.

The area around the giants was filled with craters. Even though the flower field was gone, neither Kisame nor Kakashi dared approach, afraid of getting caught in the aftermath. Only Ethan and Itachi remained standing as if nothing had changed.

"You’re nearing your limit, aren’t you?"

Ethan stood with his hands in his pockets, looking completely at ease. Though Itachi still stood calmly, he could no longer maintain his cold demeanor.

"..."

Itachi knew better than anyone that he was in terrible shape. Watching the Kurikara Heavenly Phenomenon, battered but still charging forward, he realized that unless he destroyed it completely, he would be worn down and killed.

Though his body screamed warnings at him, he had no intention of backing down. Gritting his teeth, he activated another dōjutsu.

Amaterasu.

Black flames appeared in the spot Itachi focused on. In moments, they engulfed the Kurikara Heavenly Phenomenon. These flames, capable of devouring everything, burned relentlessly, erasing all they touched.

The cost of forcibly pushing his power to the limit was steep. Susanoo’s form regressed from the armored, weapon-bearing giant back to a skeletal frame. It could no longer maintain its half-body form. Only the ribcage and arms remained, barely shielding Itachi.

He himself could no longer stand tall. Half-kneeling, gasping for air, his right hand clutched his eye.

Because of his worsening condition, he hadn’t fought at full strength in a long time. After today’s battle, his life might be even shorter. He didn’t even know how much time he had left now.

Thinking of this, his resentment toward Ethan boiled over. He even hoped this annoying guy would be burned to death by Amaterasu.

But he knew it was unlikely. He remembered that Ethan not only wielded strange Wood Release and a powerful Susanoo-like ninjutsu, but also mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. Protected by the Kurikara Heavenly Phenomenon, he had more than enough time to escape from Amaterasu’s range.

However, Ethan didn’t use Flying Thunder God to escape. When Itachi could no longer hold himself upright, he knew the battle was already over.

The Kurikara Heavenly Phenomenon’s four pairs of arms began to shift. They slowly assumed a two-handed sword-wielding posture. The rear pair of arms dissolved into pure energy and transferred into the front two arms. The long swords in their hands merged into one, forming a massive single blade.

As all the energy gathered, the giant sword glowed even brighter. Its immense power blew away more than half of the burning black flames from its surface. Those flames didn’t vanish, only scattered across the land.

Once its power peaked, the Kurikara Heavenly Phenomenon raised its dozens-of-meters-long sword and slashed downward toward Itachi.

"Even though this sword doesn’t possess some mysterious rule-like power, it should at least be able to sever your past and future."

Ethan spoke softly to himself. Across the field, Itachi forced himself upright again. The crimson chakra surged beside him, trying to change once more. But he had no energy left. Susanoo no longer evolved.

Boom.

A deafening roar, followed by a storm of dust and howling wind.

When the battlefield finally settled, the two chakra giants had vanished, and even the black flames had disappeared.

Only two untouched spots remained amidst the crater-filled ground, located beneath Ethan’s and Itachi’s feet.

They stood facing each other. A single yellow rose was embedded in Itachi’s chest.

"A very beautiful... flower..."

"Glad you like it."

Thud.

Itachi fell to the ground, his life force completely gone. Ethan glanced into the distance. Kisame was nowhere to be seen.

He had noticed Kisame hiding earlier. The moment Susanoo shattered and the rose pierced Itachi’s chest, Kisame had already turned and left. Ethan had no intention of chasing him.

His objective this time was Itachi. He would deal with Kisame later.

Kakashi and Sasuke quickly approached once they saw the battle had ended. Compared to Kakashi’s shock that Ethan had defeated Itachi, Sasuke’s emotions were far more complicated.

"He... died?"

(To be continued.)