Shika knew this battle was impossible while holding back, if he wished to save the Jinchuriki, then he can't pull punches here.
'Oh, it would have been so easy to just open his domain and take his teammates and the Jinchuriki with him, however, he can't. Opening one's domain even once is already a terrible pressure for most sorcerers. Doing it two times, he doesn't think that he can. Don't compare him with monsters like Sukuna and Gojo, they are the ceiling of the JJK world.
Unfortunately, he already had used his Domain to escape Pain. He can't do it again.
He had to think about the best way to fight without revealing his identity while still securing victory. Against both Itachi and Kisame, holding back was not an option. He had no choice.
Without hesitation, he tossed a smoke bomb to the ground, usually used to take cover and run away, he was using it to summon his Shikigami. He was worried that the way his Shikigami manifests from shadows could hint both Kisame and Itachi about his identity, summoning his strongest Shikigami. A massive form rose beside him, casting a monstrous shadow over the battlefield.
It was Mahoraga who would even tower over even the likes of Hulk. However, Shika this time felt the tug on his chakra or Curse Energy reserves to bring him out.
He did recover his chakra with his special scroll, but he was still low on juice. If not absolutely necessary, he would never have summoned Mahoraga two times in a single day.
"Go," Shika ordered. "Take care of the shark."
Mahoraga wasted no time. The moment he was given an order, he moved, his massive blade swinging downward at Kisame. The sheer force of the attack shattered the ground, sending shockwaves across the field. Kisame leaped back, narrowly avoiding the impact. He grinned as he hefted Samehada.
"That's one hell of a summon," Kisame mused. "Itachi, leave this one to me." Kisame shouted and took out his sword to fight against the monster. One monster to another.
Mahoraga didn't wait for him to prepare. The giant beast lunged forward, forcing Kisame on the defensive immediately.
Courtesy to Shika, Mahoraga was already adapted to water and getting cut. He was the best opponent for someone like Kisame.
Unlike Itachi, whose Genjutsu or Amaterasu might work on him. And that's why Shika was planning on taking the older Uchiha himself. He wasn't sure that he could beat him. Even with his Rinnegan blocking away most of Itachi's Genjutsu powers. He still didn't think that he was skilled enough to handle someone like Itachi.
However, he should be able to hold him back until Mahoraga was done.
Each attack carried by Mahoraga was overwhelming in force, and what was more surprising was that Kisame was actually holding out for himself there. Kisame blocked with Samehada, but the living sword screeched, its scales twitching uncomfortably.
After all, this was not chakra attack but more force. And maybe the living weapon didn't like the reverse curse energy imbued in Mahoraga's sword.
With every clash, Mahoraga adapted, becoming faster, stronger, more precise. Kisame, for the first time in a long while, found himself overwhelmed in terms of strength. He tried to drain chakra from Mahoraga, but nothing. The beast's movements were unnatural, growing sharper with each attack.
Kisame grit his teeth. "Okay, there's no way you're just a simple summon."
Meanwhile, Shika turned his attention to Itachi. The Uchiha stood still, his red eyes analyzing everything. He wasn't making a move—he was waiting. Studying. Planning. Shika clicked his tongue. Itachi was dangerous, far too dangerous to fight recklessly.
In fact, he was to some degree more worried about fighting someone like Itachi than even Pain or Obito.
Shika was still hiding his face, though he still tried not to use any fighting style from Konoha. Here, Zabuza's memories helped him out a lot. He lunged forward, keeping his movements unpredictable. He couldn't use his Shadow Possession Jutsu, nor could he summon the Shikigami Itachi and Kisame had already seen before, not like he could seeing how dangerously low on chakra he was. That meant he had to rely on sheer skill.
Taijutsu and basic Shinobi ways.
The moment he moved, Itachi reacted. A kunai flashed toward Shika's head, but he tilted his mask slightly to dodge, he was hiding his eyes but from a small hole on his mask he was able to see what's going on. Meaning he could use Rinnegan. Of course, he was sure that Itachi could sense that there was something wrong with his eyes but as long as he doesn't see the eyes, it was fine. He swung a blade toward Itachi's torso, but Itachi twisted his body just enough to avoid it.
A counterattack came immediately. Itachi's Sharingan followed every one of Shika's movements, his hand reaching for Shika's wrist in an attempt to break his balance. Even after losing a significant amount of his eyesight, Itachi was still just as sharp as he used to be. Shika saw through it, twisting his arm to slip out of the grip before retreating. A few feet of space now separated them.
"You're hiding it but I can feel it, you are avoiding your body's obvious reactions while fighting," Itachi said calmly. "Who are you?"
He said it like he was casually talking, but Shika wished to curse the sage for making this man this good. Beside someone like Minato, Itachi might be the best Shinobi out there. And in a certain sense, even better.
Not power, but both had that sharp mind with enough skills to do ninja stuff which even the likes of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju can't do.
Shika remained silent. He couldn't afford to answer. Instead, he shifted his stance and lunged again, this time faster. Their blades clashed, sparks flying. Itachi, despite his Sharingan's ability to predict movements, had to focus. Just like Shika thought, Itachi had already degraded his Sharingan way too much already.
Suddenly, Shika threw something—paper talismans. Itachi's eyes narrowed as the papers wrapped around him. Explosive tags? No, something else.
It was a Fuinjutsu seal he created, nothing fancy but uses shadows to obstruct someone's vision. Based on his own clan jutsu. While he can't use Nara clan jutsu in front of Itachi openly, using Fuinjutsu was quite alright.
Itachi, of course, avoided it, but his vision did flicker out of light for a few seconds. But even as he landed, Shika was already moving again.
Every time Shika attacked, Itachi evaded or countered, but Shika never allowed himself to fall into a predictable pattern. He was just happy that just like him, Itachi too was just observing himself. Not going all out.
Meanwhile, the battle between Mahoraga and Kisame was escalating. Kisame, despite his raw power, was getting pushed back. His attacks were landing but didn't work on the monster, and Samehada too wasn't working on this monster. He was pushing himself back without even using chakra. This here was no chakra beast, Kisame learned it the hard way when he tried to absorb it from the monster only for Samehada to outright refuse to fight against this monster.
Neither his water-style attacks worked on him nor the sword attacks. Something was definitely wrong with this monster.
With a grimace, Kisame jumped back, forming a single hand seal. "Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique!"
A massive shark-shaped blast of water surged forward, absorbing chakra as it moved. Mahoraga took the hit directly, sent skidding backward. For a brief moment, it seemed as though Kisame had gained the upper hand. But then Mahoraga stood up—completely unharmed. His body shimmered for a moment as if it had already adapted to the attack.
"What the hell is this thing?"
Shika saw the momentary distraction and seized the opportunity. Without hesitation, he lunged at Itachi with everything he had. A feint to the left, a sudden shift to the right, and a kunai aimed directly at Itachi's blind spot.
But Itachi was faster.
A burst of black flames erupted between them—Amaterasu.
Shika barely managed to avoid it, using his clone in his shadow, he replaced himself on time to avoid getting wrapped in that black fire, but Itachi had gained some distance. His Sharingan locked onto Shika once more, analyzing everything.
Shika wasn't expecting that trap for him. It was so masterfully done he didn't even see the attack coming. That's why he was wary of Itachi so much.
xxx
Here is the goal for this Week.
1000+ Stones for the bonus chapter on Sunday or Monday bonus chapter
"Thank you Very Much for All Your Support"
If you want to read up to 20+ Chapters in advance, check my Patre on
Patreon.com/Kamidemond