Uchiha Itachi formed the seals for Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu, unleashing a massive fireball that forced Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, and Chiyo to leap apart and take evasive action. The technique, once used by Uchiha clan members as a rite of passage, was now employed with lethal precision.
Naruto didn't hesitate. With fury in his voice and conviction in his eyes, he charged forward.
"You hurt Sasuke more than anyone, Itachi! I won't forgive you for what you did!" he shouted, his chakra already beginning to stir.
The words visibly struck a nerve in Itachi. For just a moment, his crimson Sharingan narrowed as if in hesitation, flickering with some distant thought.
Naruto's sprint closed the gap quickly as he formed a swirling Rasengan in his palm. But as he thrust it forward into Itachi's abdomen, the body exploded into smoke—a Shadow Clone. The real Itachi had never been there.
Before Naruto could react further, he noticed from the corner of his eye that Kakashi, Sakura, and Chiyo had all collapsed, seemingly unconscious.
"A genjutsu," Naruto muttered grimly. "Tch. He's still this strong…"
But instead of breaking free immediately, Naruto chose to remain within the illusion. He could use this moment. After all, the Nine-Tails' chakra was always within him—he could dispel genjutsu at will by disrupting his own chakra flow. Yet now, he wanted to test something.
Kakashi, Sakura, and Chiyo stood back up—but their eyes had transformed into Sharingan. Illusory clones of Uchiha Itachi surrounded him.
From within the illusion, Itachi's voice echoed coldly.
"Why do you care so much about Sasuke?" he asked.
Naruto's voice did not waver. "Because he's my brother. Maybe not by blood, but in every way that matters." His golden Sage-like eyes glowed faintly with inner conviction. "He's been misled by Orochimaru, but I'll bring him back. Even if I have to die doing it."
Itachi stared at Naruto in silence, visibly moved by the conviction in the boy's voice. A small pause lingered. Then, slowly, Itachi replied,
"I see… You've grown stronger. Strong enough, perhaps… Let me test how much."
Meanwhile, in the real world just outside the illusion's influence, Sakura watched Naruto standing still and unmoving. Her fists clenched.
"Kakashi-sensei… Naruto's frozen. Could it be genjutsu?" she asked anxiously.
Kakashi, Sharingan already revealed beneath his headband, analyzed the chakra fluctuations carefully.
"Yes. Itachi's illusions are on a completely different level. But… Naruto might be handling it." Kakashi's tone carried a trace of respect—and caution.
"Still, be ready, Sakura. If he falters, I'll need you to help him. I'll try to locate the real Itachi."
"Yes, sensei!" Sakura responded quickly, steeling herself.
Inside the illusion world, Naruto's conversation with Itachi continued.
"Can I trust you?" Itachi finally asked. "Will you truly protect Sasuke?"
Naruto's voice was firm. "Yes. I promise on my life."
A rare smile tugged at the edge of Itachi's lips. He knew his time in the world was limited—his illness and Akatsuki duties weighing heavily. There were things he could not say outright, not yet. But he could prepare.
"Then show me your resolve. Defeat me," Itachi said softly.
The illusion shattered like glass.
Just as Sakura stepped forward to break the genjutsu manually, Naruto's eyes snapped open.
"Wait—Naruto? Did you break free on your own?" she asked, astonished.
Naruto nodded. "Yeah. I had to… speak with him." His tone was mysterious, but resolute.
He looked toward the battle where Kakashi had now engaged the real Itachi.
Itachi moved fluidly, avoiding Kakashi's attacks while retaliating with shuriken and minor Fire Release techniques. Yet something felt off. Kakashi was the first to sense it—this wasn't the true Itachi.
"Sakura, come on!" Naruto shouted. "Let's help Kakashi-sensei! Gaara's time is running out!"
"Right!" Sakura replied without hesitation.
With a synchronized attack, Naruto, Sakura, and Chiyo assisted Kakashi. Over the next few minutes, their teamwork—Sakura's monstrous strength, Chiyo's puppets, and Naruto's relentless taijutsu—wore down their opponent.
Finally, Naruto launched himself forward, Rasengan forming with a high-pitched whirr.
"This is it!" he shouted, and slammed the Rasengan into Itachi's chest.
Itachi's form flew back—and then changed. As everyone watched, his appearance shimmered and morphed. In his place stood a completely different man. The body crumbled to dust.
Naruto remained calm. "It was the Shōten no Jutsu," he said, referring to the Astral Projection Technique used by Pain. "Itachi was never really here."
Chiyo clicked her tongue, annoyed. "All that effort, and we were only fighting a clone?"
Kakashi frowned. "No. It wasn't a waste. We've learned about their tactics—and we know who they're trying to stall."
"Right," Naruto said. "Let's go. Gaara's life is still on the line."
Meanwhile, elsewhere—within the Akatsuki's cave headquarters—the real Uchiha Itachi and Kisame both opened their eyes, having ended their possession of the clones via Pain's jutsu.
"The mission failed," Itachi said plainly. "They broke through."
Kisame laughed, shark-like teeth glinting. "That Konoha taijutsu freak… I really want a rematch. Next time, I won't hold back."
He cracked his knuckles in anticipation. He was still fuming about Might Guy's explosive power—and eager to settle the score.
Itachi, as ever, remained silent, eyes closed as if deep in contemplation.
He had seen something in Naruto today.
And it had given him hope.