Chapter 18: Reaching Peak Ultimate Class
The dense, green forest was serene, the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves painting a picture of tranquility. But deep within, where the shadows were darkest, a storm was brewing. Itachi Uchiha sat cross-legged on a rock, his Sharingan glowing faintly. The crimson system interface hovered before him, its mocking cat avatar grinning wide.
At that moment, Itachi sensed four Ultimate-Class devils approaching.
Itachi smirked. "They're finally moving. I was wondering how long they would tolerate their faction's annihilation."
Before the confrontation, Itachi made a decision that would tip the scales.
"System, open the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan menu," he ordered.
The interface glitched momentarily before displaying a detailed menu.
[Available EMS Options:
Shop: Level 2
1. Sasuke Uchiha – 20,000,000 Shock Points
2. Itachi Uchiha – 22,000,000 Shock Points
3. Obito Uchiha – 35,000,000 Shock Points (Requires Rank 3 Access)]
+13 more
Itachi's eyes scanned the options. "Obito's... tempting. But I need to unlock Level 3 Shop to access his techniques, which will only happen if I spend 100 million Shock Points. For now, my own will suffice."
[Purchase Confirmed: Itachi's EMS – 22,000,000 Shock Points Deducted.]
As the upgrade activated, a searing pain lanced through his eyes. Itachi gritted his teeth, refusing to show weakness. The Sharingan in his eyes shifted and spun, transforming into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
"System," he rasped, "show me the chakra menu. Increase it to Kage-level."
[Chakra Enhancement Activated: Current Chakra Level - Low Kage. Additional Chakra Purchased: Kage Level Achieved. Cost: 4,000,000 Shock Points.]
A surge of power coursed through him, and Itachi clenched his fists, testing his newfound strength. His chakra reserves, once limited, now roared within him like an unending tide.
---
Far from Itachi, in the same forest, Katerea Leviathan and her entourage of three Ultimate-Class devils moved silently. Katerea, a stunning figure with flowing violet hair and piercing eyes, radiated authority. Her power as a leader of the Old Satan Faction was unmistakable, her aura oppressive even to her allies.
One of the devils, a muscular figure with spiked armor, paused mid-step. "Do you feel that, Lady Katerea?"
Katerea frowned, her violet eyes narrowing. "Yes. His power... it's different. He might have removed his seals."
Another devil, a slender woman with a cruel smile, sneered. "So the rumors are true. He's been using something—artifacts, or perhaps he's truly that strong and only seals his power to appear weak."
Katerea's lips curled into a scornful smile. "It doesn't matter. If he has indeed removed his seals, it makes no difference to us. We are the elite. He is still human."
"But, Lady Katerea," the third devil interjected cautiously, "that surge... it feels almost... demonic. He might be closer to your level."
Katerea's expression darkened. "Don't be absurd. Even if he has reached Ultimate-Class, he cannot match me. This human is an insect compared to the likes of us."
She paused, her tone sharpening. "Still, stay on your guard. If he has truly reached such a level, we cannot underestimate him."
---
The four devils entered the clearing where Itachi stood waiting. The serene forest had grown unnaturally still, as though the trees themselves sensed the impending carnage. Itachi didn't move, his figure shadowed beneath the moonlight, his cloak swaying in the breeze.
Katerea stopped a few meters away, her lips curling in disdain. "So, you're the one causing all this trouble. I must admit, I'm disappointed. I expected someone more... imposing."
Itachi raised his head, his newly awakened EMS glowing like twin crimson stars. The sheer intensity of his gaze caused one of the lesser devils to flinch.
"You shouldn't have come," Itachi said calmly, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
Katerea laughed, a melodic sound that echoed through the clearing. "And why is that, human? Do you think you can stop us? I am Katerea Leviathan, a true heir to the Old Satan bloodline. Your power is nothing compared to mine."
Itachi's gaze didn't waver. "If you truly believed that, you wouldn't feel the need to introduce yourself."
The insult landed, and Katerea's smile vanished. Her aura flared, a torrent of violet energy that shook the ground beneath her feet. "Enough! I will enjoy crushing you."
The three Ultimate-Class devils spread out, their auras flaring as well. The air grew heavy, suffocating with the weight of their combined power. But Itachi remained unmoved, his EMS spinning slowly, calculating every possible outcome.
Katerea took a step forward. "Shall we begin?"
The Sharingan flared. "You already have."
---
Morning light filtered through the now-devastated forest. Where lush greenery once stood, a wasteland stretched as far as the eye could see. Black flames from Amaterasu still burned, consuming everything in their path. The ground was cracked and split, fissures running deep into the earth. The corpses of three Ultimate-Class devils littered the battlefield, their expressions frozen in fear and agony.
Near the center of the destruction, Katerea Leviathan knelt, her once-pristine attire torn and bloodied. Her face was pale, her confidence shattered.
Itachi stood before her, unscathed save for a few scratches. His crimson eyes bore into her, cold and unyielding. His foot pressed lightly on the back of her head, forcing her to bow into the dirt.
"Please," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Spare me. I'll give you anything you want—power, information, my body. Just... don't kill me."
Itachi tilted his head, considering her words. "Spare you?" His voice was devoid of warmth. "After you tried to kill me? Why should I?"
Tears streamed down Katerea's face as she stammered, "I... I didn't know... I underestimated you... I..."
Itachi's gaze didn't soften. "You underestimated a human. That was your first mistake. Begging for mercy is your second."
The forest was silent save for the crackling of flames and Katerea's broken sobs. The world, it seemed, had learned a harsh lesson: the power of the Uchiha was not to be trifled with. Itachi Uchiha had reached a level few could comprehend in this world.