You never know what Itachi can pull out.
For instance, everyone initially thought his Mangekyo Sharingan only granted him Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, but then Itachi suddenly revealed Susanoo. Later, to deal with Orochimaru, he even brought out the Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror.
Then, after being summoned with Edo Tensei, when everyone else was expected to be indistinguishable from others and controlled by Kabuto, Itachi declared he wouldn't follow the usual path. While others were controlled, he wouldn't be.
Kotoamatsukami, ever heard of it?
Through Kotoamatsukami, Itachi reverted to being the Itachi who protected Konoha, breaking free from Edo Tensei's control. Also, due to Edo Tensei, he didn't have to worry about his physical ailments. He could use his Mangekyo Sharingan however he pleased, seemingly having gained the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan in a roundabout way.
This granted Itachi immense power. He sealed Nagato with Naruto and Bee, and then, facing Kabuto, who had learned Sage Mode, he further displayed his excellent combat intelligence and a special ability: Izanami.
It's worth noting that before, no one seemed to have anticipated the existence of Izanami.
If one were to say who was truly devious, it would be Itachi. If Kazuki had to pick the most devious Uchiha, he would absolutely cast that vote for Itachi.
Thinking more maliciously, Itachi doesn't resemble an Uchiha at all. What normal Uchiha would constantly plot the destruction of their own clan?
Itachi might be Tobirama's curse on the Uchiha clan. In terms of combat philosophy, he and Tobirama are also quite similar, ahem...
However, Itachi's combat intelligence is beyond doubt. As Sasuke's cheat, besides giving Sasuke the biggest pay-to-win item of his life, in the later stages, he was essentially Kishimoto himself intervening.
For the current Kazuki, Itachi is no longer much of a threat.
Tobirama was also a very powerful ninja. Kazuki had previously defeated a younger Tobirama. Theoretically, Tobirama, possessing the Flying Thunder God Technique, was very tricky.
In many people's eyes, mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique meant invincibility.
But that's not the case. At least when facing the Gold and Silver Brothers, Tobirama stumbled. Moreover, Kazuki was very familiar with the combat arena, its area is only so large.
However, he needs to be wary of Tobirama's almost impossible-to-defend-against methods targeting the Uchiha. He didn't know if Edo Tensei would be used, nor if Tobirama had any means against Wood Release.
That's right, Kazuki has been secretly researching Wood Release all along, even Nawaki and others don't know. With Asura's physique, he can naturally control Wood Release with ease.
Kazuki didn't know why Naruto didn't delve into Wood Release in the future, or if he could have developed it if he had tried harder. But Kazuki, possessing Asura's physique, indeed developed it.
Outside, it is inconvenient for him to use Wood Release, but in the combat arena, it's another case. Kazuki was quite looking forward to it.
Otsutsuki Hanaki, Hamura's descendant, he must be one of the Otsutsuki on the moon.
However, it could also be Hamura's descendant, or even his direct child.
As for the other one, Dotō, Kazuki simply ignored him. To be honest, putting him with the previous three is a bit too much for him.
Kazuki's thoughts stirred, and he entered the combat arena.
Itachi, wearing the Akatsuki's battle robe, once again appeared before Kazuki. Kazuki clearly remembered how disheveled he was when he had faced Itachi before.
So, how to fight Itachi?
More precisely, how to avoid Itachi using Izanagi.
Kazuki was very wary of Izanagi. Even though this is just a combat arena, he cannot recklessly believe that Izanagi would be useless against him.
As for Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan, he wasn't too worried. Although Kotoamatsukami is powerful, it's not invincible. When mental strength reaches a certain level, resisting Kotoamatsukami is possible.
If Kotoamatsukami could truly control anyone, then as soon as he obtained Kotoamatsukami, he could just run into the combat arena, directly use Kotoamatsukami to control his opponent, and then win.
Once outside, Kotoamatsukami's cooldown would reset.
Wouldn't that make him invincible? Use Kotoamatsukami to control Kaguya?
Kazuki's thoughts stirred, and he clapped his hands. Instantly, a surge of Natural Energy poured into his body. He entered Sage Mode at an extremely fast speed.
Using the life-draining mode was fine, after all, he was in the combat arena, couldn't he enjoy himself?
"An Uchiha?" Itachi's gaze was incredibly sharp.
According to his memories, besides himself, Sasuke, and the mysterious Madara, there were no other Uchiha.
Is he here for revenge? He must be kept here, otherwise, he might go seek revenge on Konoha.
This person absolutely cannot be allowed to harm Konoha.
Itachi's eyes sharpened, and several kunai appeared in his hand, which he threw towards Kazuki.
Kazuki did not dodge. Instead, he clapped his hands, and a row of wooden pillars emerged from the ground in front of him, forming an arched barrier to protect him.
Wood Release? Itachi was momentarily stunned.
The opponent was clearly an Uchiha, but why could he use Wood Release?
However, he was a top-tier combat genius, and he quickly plunged into battle.
Kazuki quickly formed hand signs.
Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!
In an instant, a large number of vines and branches rapidly emerged from the ground, then grew and expanded at high speed, attacking Itachi.
Seeing the Wood Release sweeping towards him, Itachi's pupils sharply contracted.