A deep gash disfigured the ground where Obito had last been seen. He had dissolved into the shadows.
The forest was still. The whisper of leaves and the controlled breathing of the fighters were the only noises.
"He's attempting to utilize the earth to his benefit," Itachi whispered. "We need to lure him out."
Shisui's eyes scanned the darkness. "Stay on guard. He could be anywhere."
A suggestion of motion—a ripple in the darkness.
"Behind!" Itachi spun, shooting a kunai into the darkness. It lodged in a tree trunk, empty.
Obito materialized beside Itachi in a flash, his hand lunging towards Itachi's throat. Before he could land the blow, Shisui was there, his sword thrusting between Obito's arm.
Metal clashed with metal, sparks scattering. Obito's Sharingan glowed sinisterly as he pushed back.
"You're persistent. I'll give you that."
Shisui's eyes burned with determination. "We won't let you win."
***
Itachi devised a strategy in his mind, a risky gambit that relied on perfect timing. He subtly signaled Shisui, who nodded in understanding.
They split up, moving in opposite directions. Obito's eyes flicked back and forth between them, plotting their movements. He intangibly phased through a barrage of kunai from Itachi, his attention momentarily disrupted.
That was the opening Shisui had been waiting for.
He closed the gap in an instant, his sword flashing. Obito whirled around, but Shisui's blow wasn't aimed at him—it was aimed at the ground beneath his feet.
The force of the strike sent shards flying, obscuring Obito's vision. For a split second, his Sharingan lost Itachi.
Itachi struck from the shadows. A kunai grazed Obito's mask, another crack appearing.
Obito's eye narrowed. "You're clever. But it won't be enough."
The battle raged on, each clang of steel and burst of jutsu a testament to their unshakeable resolve. But fatigue was setting in. Shisui's brow was slick with perspiration, and Itachi's breathing grew more labored.
Obito was calm, his Sharingan unwavering. "You're fighting ghosts. Shadows. You can't win."
Shisui's eyes blazed. "We're not fighting for a victory. We're fighting for the future."
Itachi stepped ahead, his voice steady. "And we'll protect it. At any cost."
The forest waited with bated breath as they stood there, fighters united in destiny and determination.
The air was heavy with the scent of scorched earth and expectation, every silhouette threatening danger. Moonlight filtered through shattered branches, casting an unnatural light on the three figures—frozen in a deadly standoff, bodies tensed and minds poised.
Obito's Sharingan glowed, scouting his foes. His voice, low and confident, cut through the silence. "You think determination will save you from this? I've seen many warriors die, every one of them holding onto hope."
Itachi's eyes narrowed, his breath steady. "Hope is the strongest weapon of all."
Shisui stood a little forward, eyes locked like a hawk's. "Let's see who dies first."
Abruptly, Shisui struck. He was blindingly fast, his shape a blur. He closed the distance in seconds, his short sword cutting in a complex pattern. Each blow was targeted with accuracy, at critical points. Obito phased through easily, his body rippling like a ghost.
Itachi, however, had anticipated this. As Shisui struck at Obito directly, Itachi circled around, hands forming seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A sphere of screaming fire exploded from Itachi's mouth, lighting up the night air. The flames charged at Obito, who phased at the last second—but Shisui was prepared. He struck the moment Obito materialized, the sword grating against Obito's mask with a sharp crack.
Obito recoiled, his cloak scorched, his eyes glinting with irritation. "You're coordinated. But coordination won't save you."
Obito retaliated, lashing out with his gunbai. The big fan cut through the air with savage ferocity, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Shisui avoided it, rolling to the side as Itachi stepped into place. He blocked the fan with a kunai, the impact of the strike humming up his arm.
The brief fight created an opportunity. Shisui leaped into the air, kunai in hand. He hurled it at Obito, and a storm of shuriken, each one perfectly where Obito would reappear.
Obito intangibilized, his body flickering in and out of existence. But Shisui was ready this time. He performed a quick series of seals.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Two clones materialized, both of them copying his movements. They closed in on Obito from either side, blades flashing.
For a moment, they had him. But the Sharingan in Obito's eye flashed wickedly.
"Foolish."
In an instant, he intangibly phased through one clone, his Gunbai crashing down on the other, making it burst in a puff of smoke. The real Shisui barely missed it, dropping into a crouch.
Itachi's mind raced. 'We need to disrupt his phasing. Whatever we do, he's one step ahead. There has to be a pattern.'
He watched Obito's movements closely. His phasing was cadenced—imperceptible pauses that left him vulnerable to attack. They needed to capitalize on that.
"Itachi!" Shisui shouted, sensing his friend's plan. "I'll draw him out."
Not waiting for an answer, Shisui attacked again. His actions were wild, random—a series of attacks and evasions that forced Obito to defend himself.
Itachi crept silently into position. He built up chakra, his hands weaving seals.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu."
Tiny balls of flame erupted, each on a varying trajectory. They weren't targeting Obito himself—they were targeting the area around him.
Obito phased, avoiding the fireballs with ease. But when he re-solidified, Shisui was prepared, sword at the ready. This time, he didn't aim for Obito himself. He sliced the ground, sending up a cloud of dust and dirt.
For a split second, Obito's eyes were blinded.
Itachi took the opportunity. He charged forward, kunai in hand, and struck.
The kunai slashed through Obito's cloak, leaving a small slit in the fabric. It was not much—but it was a start.
Obito's Sharingan awakened. "You're becoming a nuisance."
He raised his gunbai, chakra gathering. A massive shockwave erupted, blasting both Itachi and Shisui backward.
They landed hard, but were on their feet within moments.
Obito's eyes flicked back and forth between them, measuring and weighing. "You're powerful. But power without a purpose is meaningless."
Shisui wiped blood from his lip, his eyes blazing. "Our mission is clear. We do this for the future of Konoha."
Itachi nodded, his voice gentle but implacable. "And we'll protect it. At any price."
Obito's mask hid his face, but his Sharingan sped up. "Then let us end this."
***