Echoes of the Sharingan in Soul Land (Itachi in Douluo Dalu Fic)

Chapter 3:

…..

Itachi continued experimenting, methodical as ever. He had learned not to rush, to observe patiently, and to let answers come naturally through practice and observation. Manipulating and circulating spirit power felt familiar, similar to the chakra he had mastered in his previous life. However, despite the similarities, this new energy was less obedient, more restrictive.

The biggest obstacle he faced now was his Martial Soul, a completely foreign element compared to the ninja system he knew. It not only regulated how much and fast spirit power he could absorb but also imposed a hard cap on how much he could accumulate daily.

To make matters worse, Itachi soon ran into an even more frustrating limitation: he couldn't perform the basic jutsus that were deeply ingrained in his memory.

'Interesting,' he thought, repeating the seals with precision, his hands moving with the same grace they always had. Yet no matter how many times he tried, the energy within his body resisted. It was as if something blocked the final flow required to execute the techniques.

'The seals seem to generate a response… but it's not enough.'

Though his calm analysis remained intact, a slight flicker of frustration began to creep in.

The simplest techniques… those he had mastered as a child, were now out of reach.

Something about this world interfered with the rules he once knew so well.

Logically, it should be possible… but his logic didn't seem to apply in this world.

Nonetheless, his pragmatic nature led him to a new strategy. If his Martial Soul possessed a strong mental power and, fire and yin attributes, then perhaps that was the path he needed to explore.

Itachi decided to test an elemental technique: the Great Fireball Jutsu.

With fluid movements, he formed the seals and exhaled with precision, anticipating the torrent of flames he knew so well.

"..."

Oh, It worked… but in a very underwhelming way.

A small, flickering flame appeared in his hand, so weak it seemed like the slightest gust of wind would snuff it out. What should have been a roaring inferno was little more than a spark.

'So it's possible,' he thought 'but… at a cost.'

The effort drained nearly all his spirit power, leaving his body—still adjusting to this new energy—immediately exhausted. His breathing grew heavy, his body weak. The new limitations irritated him slightly, though his face remained as composed as ever.

'My current spirit power is too low for anything meaningful'

Almost instinctively, he regulated his breathing and began analyzing what he had learned. It was clear that techniques tied to his Martial Soul's attributes could be executed, but their effectiveness depended directly on the level of spirit power he possessed. A child's body with spirit power at level 2 simply wasn't enough.

'At least it's a start,' he concluded, setting aside any lingering disappointment.

There was still more testing to be done to confirm his findings, but that could wait.

And although he couldn't use basic jutsus without attributes, he at least had something to work with. An unexpected advantage also emerged: spirit power seemed to function well for enhancing his body. In this regard, there were no evident restrictions. At the very least, his taijutsu wasn't bound by the strict rules of this world.

He could channel spirit power through his body freely. Yet, as always, his sharp mind flagged the risks. This new energy was unstable within him. A small mistake in manipulating it could lead to catastrophic results.

'I need to proceed with caution...'

With these reflections in mind, Itachi realized he had spent several hours at the lake. It was time to move on.

As Itachi stood up, his reflection in the water caught his attention.

What he saw made him pause.

The youthful face staring back at him bore an unnervingly familiar appearance.

Uchi Ha's body had changed. These recent transformations had altered his figure. Where once his body had been frail and skinny, there was now a slight hint of muscle on his limbs. And the contours of his face…

It was his.

'Coincidence?' he wondered, his face impassive. 'I don't think so…'

"..."

Without another word, he shook his head and looked away. He didn't have time to dwell on such thoughts. There were more pressing matters to attend to.

He dressed calmly, ensuring everything was in place, and began walking back to what was left of the village.

...

The cold breeze rustled through the trees, swaying the leaves in a rhythm so harmonious it momentarily reminded him of the Uchiha Clan's courtyard, where cherry blossoms would bloom, dancing in the wind.

Itachi closed his eyes. For a brief moment, the sounds of the forest faded. In his mind, he heard the echo of a familiar laugh.

["Brother, come train with me!"]

Sasuke's voice. It was so vivid, so clear that he could almost feel his younger brother's presence beside him. But when he opened his eyes, the illusion vanished.

Before him, there were no cherry blossoms or laughter. Only a blood-soaked landscape of death and destruction.

'This is not my world,' he thought, his gaze sweeping over the scattered corpses. 'There's no Konoha, no Uchiha Clan. Here, my hands aren't stained with blood... at least not yet.'

The thought was cold and precise, but the irony wasn't lost on him.

'How long will this last?'

As he surveyed the destroyed village and the lifeless bodies around him, his memories betrayed him, pulling him back to his final moments in Konoha… when blood coated his hands. The massacre, the decisions, the sacrifice. He had leapt into the void hoping to find peace, yet here he was, facing another cycle of death and loss.

'Perhaps,' he thought 'this is my punishment…'

What was once Uchi Ha's village was now nothing more than corpses and ruins. Mud and blood mingled with the earth, creating a scene that would have made any ordinary person recoil. But for Itachi, it was a sight all too familiar.

He knew no one else would care about this place. A small, isolated village would hardly be remembered. The world would move on, ignorant of what had happened here.

But he couldn't ignore it.

'I can't leave them like this.'

Determined to grant them a semblance of dignity, Itachi began his work. His knowledge of nature, honed through years of missions, allowed him to identify trees with highly flammable resin. Though these trees were different from those in his previous world, it didn't take him long to analyze and confirm their properties.

….

He gathered everything he needed, covering the village's remains with dry leaves, branches, and resin. Ensuring the flames would spread evenly, he created a trail that would ignite every corner.

When he finished, he moved to a safe distance and climbed onto a rock. For a moment, he gazed silently at the village.

"Rest in peace…" Itachi murmured.

Activating his incomplete Sharingan, he formed a series of hand seals and exhaled a small flame. The spark ignited, traveling along the flammable trail until it reached the village.

The flames roared, consuming everything: the bodies, the houses, the fields.

From his perch on the rock, Itachi watched silently. The heat of the flames seemed to reach his face, but he didn't look away.

"I figured…" he muttered to himself, exhaustion creeping over him. "Level 2 spirit power isn't enough for anything meaningful."

It was a reminder of how far he still had to go. Though the concept of spirit power was similar to chakra, the restrictions were greater, and everything depended on his Martial Soul and the amount of spirit power he possessed.

Spirit power could be increased through meditation, much like chakra, and its usage wasn't too different—except it depended entirely on one's Martial Soul.

Fortunately, his Martial Soul, the Sharingan, had dual attributes… he could work with what he had. He knew how to advance, step by step. As he always had.

After resting for a while, his thoughts spinning with constant analysis, Itachi felt his body regaining some energy. The flames in the village had already died down, leaving behind a field of black ashes—silent and desolate. There was nothing more he could do for the place. The lives that had existed there were lost forever, but at least now, they were at peace.

He stood, his gaze fixed on the direction of his next destination: the nearest city. He needed information. Though he had managed to adapt some of his ninja techniques to use spirit power, this world remained a mystery. The cultivation methods, Martial Soul rules, and spiritual power peculiarities… Everything was new and unfamiliar, and his progress would depend on what he could learn.

"Ignorance breeds vulnerability," he thought, his movements precise as he adjusted his clothing to ensure everything was secure before setting out.. "In unfamiliar territory, understanding is survival"

The journey to the city would require him to pass through the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest—a place that, according to Uchi Ha's memories, was known to house spirit beasts of all levels. Some were harmless; others, deadly. But he wasn't overly concerned. His control over spirit power, though limited, was enough to move with agility.

Channeling his energy to his feet and legs, Itachi began running, leaping from tree to tree with a grace and precision that mirrored his time as a ninja. His movements were fluid, calculated, each jump designed to maximize distance and conserve energy. To anyone below, he might have seemed like a monkey-type spirit beast, but to Itachi, this was nothing more than a reflection of his shinobi skills.

...

Despite his skill, Itachi knew better than to push his body too hard. He was methodical, always calculating risks. Every move was efficient, every decision measured. His current level of spirit power didn't allow for continuous running at full speed, and he understood the consequences of exhausting his energy in a potentially hostile environment.

He stopped several times, finding clearings in the forest where he could meditate in peace. Sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, he regulated his breathing and focused his mind on the circulation of his spirit power. Meditation allowed him to recover his energy more quickly while stabilizing the unstable power he had gained after his Spirit Eyes evolved into the incomplete Sharingan.

'Such a sudden increase… always brings consequences' he reflected, feeling the power fluctuating within him. Moving from level 1 spirit power to level 2 had destabilized his body. The energy flowed erratically, like a river that had burst its banks. However, he knew that with a little time and patience, he would stabilize it. The increase wasn't excessive, but any abrupt change in his body deserved his full attention.

With each pause, he refined his control. The flow of spirit power within his body became smoother, more natural. It was like relearning how to walk, but he wasn't someone who got frustrated easily. He had mastered chakra before, and he knew he could do the same here.

'Step by step,' he thought, his thoughts as disciplined as his actions. He was efficient in everything he did, ensuring no loose ends.

...

Finally, after several hours of methodically moving through the trees, the dense shadows of the forest began to thin. The exit was near. He could feel the terrain becoming less dense, the trees less imposing. Just afew kilometers further on, he should reach a town prior to the city.

But Itachi wasn't one to underestimate danger. He decided to make one final stop before leaving the forest, choosing a clearing where the terrain allowed for a good view of his surroundings. There, once again, he sat to meditate, closing his eyes to recover every drop of spiritual power he could muster.

Despite the restrictions imposed by his Martial Soul, his meditation allowed him to replenish his spent spiritual power internally. It was a slow but steady process. Additionally, meditation helped him stabilize the erratic flow within his body, consolidating the sudden increase he had experienced.

With patience, his breathing deepened, his mind became clearer. Each pause was an opportunity to reflect and plan. There was no rush. For Itachi, efficiency always took precedence over speed.

When he felt he had regained enough energy, he opened his eyes slowly. He was about to set off again, but then…

He froze.

A chill ran through his body, awakening all his instincts.

That feeling… he knew it all too well. Years as a shinobi had taught him to trust his perceptions, that silent alarm that warned him of imminent danger.

Something was wrong…

Itachi stood slowly, his posture relaxed but ready for anything. His dark eyes moved carefully, scanning the surroundings while every muscle in his body remained alert. The forest breeze had changed; the rustle of leaves now seemed heavier, laden with something… different.

"This isn't just the wind…" he thought, his sharp gaze narrowing as his mind pieced together the subtle cues analyzing every detail with precision. "There's more to it."

He instinctively activated his Martial Soul. His dark eyes turned crimson, and the incomplete Sharingan glowed faintly, spinning as he analyzed every corner of the clearing. Though incomplete, the Sharingan was still a formidable tool for perception.

Despite the tension, his face remained impassive. He had faced far greater threats than anything this world could throw at him… but he never underestimated danger.

Itachi Uchiha braced himself. The danger was near…

"..."

It was then that, in front of him, an enormous Spirit Beast appeared, its icy aura permeating the atmosphere.

Despite the overwhelming force surrounding him, his instinct for survival took over. His incomplete Sharingan spun furiously, capturing every detail of the beast's actions, every minute movement, even though it seemed futile against this power.

Itachi barely recognized this Spirit Beast—it resembled a simple Ice Silk Worm, but this one was definitely very different from the Ice Silk Worms he had knowledge of.

The beast's body was translucent, as though it was made of frozen crystal, and its silhouette swayed with a hypnotic calm.

With a voice that seemed to arise from the very essence of ice, the beast introduced itself:

"I am the Daydream Ice Worm, the one and only of my kind. I have been training for 1 million years and hold the record for the longest lifespan in the Douluo Continent"

Itachi remained motionless, observing the creature with a mixture of awe and caution.

One million years…

Well…It was a figure difficult to comprehend, even for someone like Itachi. That number not only represented an unimaginable expanse of time but also a power far beyond anything he had faced in the Elemental Nations.

'A Spirit Beast... speaking?' he thought, his expression calm despite the weight of the revelation. This wasn't the first time he had encountered something dangerous and inexplicable, and his experience allowed him to maintain his composure. But this situation was different.

'And it claims to have lived for a million years. Unbelievable... yet, I can't dismiss it outright' he thought rapidly assessing the situation.

He was genuinely surprised by the sudden appearance of such a powerful Spirit Beast and its ability to converse with humans.

Moreover, he had never heard of a beast with a 1,000,000-year lifespan. At the very least, his father in this world had no knowledge of the existence of such a Spirit Beast.

This only reinforced the fact that he needed to acquire more information about this world—knowledge was essential.

Though the beast radiated an overwhelming presence, Itachi didn't sense any hostility. Its aura was immense, but it lacked the killing intent he was so familiar with. Still, he knew better than anyone that appearances could be deceiving, and his natural distrust kept him on high alert.

Without taking his eyes off the creature, his thoughts worked quickly.

'It shows no intent to attack... for now. Even so, vigilance is essential. Complacency invites danger.'

Finally, Itachi decided to listen to what the beast had to say. If there was one thing he had mastered, it was patience.

Besides, he knew there wasn't much he could do against this beast…

…

The Spirit Beast, seemingly thrilled to have found a human with a mental attribute, spoke to him incessantly. With an energy that contrasted sharply with its icy appearance, it explained that it wanted to become his first Spirit Ring.

"I want to be the first intelligent mental Spirit Ring in the history of Douluo continent. You will be my master" the beast declared excitedly.

"..."

"...?..."

For a moment, Itachi couldn't help but show surprise. Becoming a Spirit Master with a first Spirit Ring from such an ancient and powerful beast? It was an intriguing idea, but at the same time, profoundly confusing.

"What are the true consequences of this?" Itachi reflected, his mind carefully dissecting the creature's words. His understanding of this world was incomplete... yes was still limited, and the implications of accepting such an offer remained elusive.

To make matters worse, the beast seemed far too excited to provide a coherent explanation. Its words came in a chaotic torrent, brimming with enthusiasm but lacking concrete details.

"Hmm, your mental power is very high but your spirit power is only at… Huh? level 2? … really, so low?"

"..."

"Tch… wel, that's problematic but fixable… Yes, you should survive. You already seem to have a stronger body than most humans at your level, so it'll just hurt a little… I really hope you don't die… No, that shouldn't happen if I'm extremely careful…Though it is certainly risky"

This jumble of words was among the last things Itachi heard as the creature seemed to speak more to itself than to him.

From what he managed to gather, the situation didn't seem immediately dire. So, he finally decided to calmly and politely decline the offer, as the creature didn't appear aggressive.

"Your proposal is intriguing and I apprecate it, but I can't accept without fully understanding its implications"

However, the Daydream Ice Worm didn't seem to listen. It continued rambling on, lost in its own excitement.

"Umm, I could also wait for him to reach level 10 Spirit Power… but with his low talent, that could take years… And I don't want to wait any longer! But on second thought, a few more years mean nothing… but what if I miss my chance later?… Yes,that! It's best to try now! If I let this opportunity slip away, he might simply die for some other reason in the future before I can even risk trying to succeed… That's it, he is too weak. So I must act now and hope for the best!… Alright, it's decided—I must try now!"

When the beast finally stopped talking, it approached Itachi quickly and with determination, announcing that it would begin the fusion process immediately.

"I hope this doesn't hurt too much… You must survive!" the creature said at last, completely oblivious to the fact that Itachi had already declined its proposal.

And before Itachi could do anything, the enormous Spirit Beast rushed toward him.

On pure instinct, Itachi activated his Martial Soul and attempted to move, but even though he could see the beast's movement, his body couldn't keep up. His incomplete Sharingan remained wide open, its crimson pupils spinning rapidly and erratically.

The whole thing happened in a flash.

The Spirit Beast closed the distance in an instant, enveloping Itachi in its icy presence.

The Daydream Ice Worm reached Itachi's head and began to condense, transforming and modifying Itachi's body while the creature itself also underwent a great change as it was transforming into a spirit ring.

Itachi felt an overwhelming surge of energy—cold, dense, and completely foreign—coursing into his body.

Itachi's mind raced.

"I can't fight against this… My body won't last if this continues," he thought, his mind sharp despite the overwhelming pain from the sudden surge of spirit power. Acting swiftly, he focused on circulating the energy within him, striving to maintain control and prevent his body from breaking under the strain.

The Spirit Beast's voice echoed in his mind:

"Relax! Don't resist! If you do, your body won't be able to handle it…"

"Uh wait..., actually whatever it is you're doing is working out great, keep it up boy, we might be successful! Now I'm synchronizing with you. This process is the key to you becoming stronger!"

Itachi's lips tightened. 'Synchronizing? This… it feels like it's rewriting something fundamental inside me'

The overwhelming cold spread deeper into his body, targeting his Martial Soul—the incomplete Sharingan. He felt his body, his spirit power, and even his thoughts being drawn into a vortex of energy and power he couldn't control.

Yet, despite the sheer force of the process, Itachi's focus remained unbroken.

Yes, Itachi did not allow the pain to overcome him. He kept his focus, facing the whole experience with the same determination that had brought him through countless trials in his past life.

The incomplete sharingan in his eyes swirled without pause, somehow reacting to the process that was occurring and to his desire to defend himself.

'If this creature is attempting to merge with my Martial Soul… then perhaps… this could be an advantage'

He mentally reviewed everything he knew about Martial Souls and Spirit Rings—though limited, his knowledge indicated that Spirit Beasts were essential for advancing one's spirit power. But a million-year-old Spirit Beast? That defied any precedent he could imagine.

The beast's energy continued to flow, and Itachi felt his Martial Soul and spirit power responding to the immense pressure. The crimson eyes of the incomplete Sharingan glowed fiercely, pulsating with a resonance that seemed to both fight against and absorb the energy invading his body.

"Oh, you're stronger than I thought!" the Daydream Ice Worm's voice broke through the storm of energy. "Your martial soul is incredible! It's responding perfectly to me. Oh, this will work… this will definitely work!"

Itachi just gritted his teeth at this point.

As the fusion process deepened, Itachi felt the Daydream Ice Worm's thoughts and emotions intertwine with his own. It wasn't just giving him power—it was embedding itself into his very essence.

Memories and fragments of the beast's million-year existence flooded his mind:

The vast, icy plains it once called home, the endless years it had spent growing stronger, and its desperate desire to find a human host capable of harnessing its strength.

'So this is the price of its power' Itachi realized. "And this creature would gamble everything for a place within me…"

Itachi realized that failing, not only could put his life at risk, but also this creature's life. Nor was that really as much of a concern to him as his own immediate well-being at the moment.