Naruto Birdcage

The Black Flame Blade swung, and the incoming ice dragon shattered instantly.

What happened next left everyone in shock—those eerie black flames clung to the fragments of ice, burning fiercely.

The ice melted into water, and the water evaporated into mist before the flames finally vanished.

The chilling cold that had permeated the arena due to Hyorinmaru's domain was suddenly replaced by an unbearable heat.

The audience felt an intense, scorching wave surge toward them.

When they turned their gaze to the black flame blade in Itachi's hand, they noticed that the air around it was visibly distorted by the extreme temperature.

Seated in the highest position, Yamamoto's eyes subtly flickered upon seeing those black flames.

These flames…

"A fire-type blade, huh? Looks like we're quite the matched opponents," Hitsugaya remarked.

The pitch-black short blade had lengthened slightly after transforming into black flames, still maintaining a vague shape of a sword as Itachi held it.

Itachi calmly replied, "You're right. If the temperature is low enough, flames cannot burn. Conversely, if the heat is high enough, ice cannot form. Settling the fight between us is quite simple."

Fire-type blades inevitably brought to mind the Ryujin Jakka wielded by the Head Captain—renowned as the strongest and oldest flame-based Zanpakuto.

Itachi's black-flamed blade, however, looked unusual.

Hitsugaya had never seen black flames before.

The battlefield seemed to split in two—one half was an icy domain near Hitsugaya, freezing cold, while the other, near Itachi, radiated an overwhelming heat.

"Ice Dragon Tail Spin!"

Chilling air surged as Hitsugaya charged forward, swinging Hyorinmaru in a sweeping arc. Ice instantly formed wherever the blade passed, rapidly spreading across the ground.

The black flame blade slashed in return, and the scorching black fire engulfed the newly formed ice, burning violently upon its surface.

Fire that could burn ice—Hitsugaya had never witnessed such a phenomenon before.

He swiftly summoned another ice dragon, its form powerful and majestic, with razor-sharp ice scales gleaming coldly as it lunged toward Itachi.

"Roar!"

Unlike Hyorinmaru's overwhelming and majestic presence, the black flames of Itachi's blade appeared eerie yet restrained.

As he swiftly retreated, the flames on his sword suddenly surged wildly.

The ice dragon charged forward with relentless momentum, aiming to crush Itachi completely.

Boom!

The black flames of Dairi Rei erupted, extending over ten meters in an instant.

A flash of pitch-black light streaked across the battlefield as the scorching flames pierced straight through the ice dragon's body, then slashed horizontally toward Hitsugaya's position.

Swoosh!

The black flames swept across the sky, resembling ink strokes on a monochrome painting.

Hitsugaya swiftly dodged to the side, only for a second slash to follow immediately after.

The silent black fire, like flowing ink, intertwined in midair.

"Immortal Fire Kagura!"

Clang!

Forced to defend, Hitsugaya raised his blade to block.

Yet the moment Hyorinmaru touched the black flames, he was struck by an illusion—he saw the ice dragon letting out a sorrowful cry, its wail searing itself into his mind as if branded there.

In his grasp, Hyorinmaru trembled uncontrollably.

Countless embers of black fire fell, many dispersing midair, but those that landed on ice clung to it, burning away the frost completely before vanishing.

Landing in a safer position, Hitsugaya suddenly noticed a small flicker of black flame on his white haori.

He instinctively channeled his reiatsu to extinguish it, only to realize it had no effect.

Acting quickly, he discarded the haori before the flames could spread.

Unquenchable black flames…

Just now… did Hyorinmaru feel pain?

Hitsugaya lowered his gaze to his sword, lost in thought.

Hyorinmaru was the strongest ice-type Zanpakuto—was there truly something in this world that could make it feel fear?

He lifted his eyes once more, staring intently at Itachi in the distance and the black-flamed blade Dairi Rei that had returned to its normal length in his hand.

In the end, it was simply because he was too weak—this had nothing to do with Hyorinmaru.

As long as the temperature was low enough, flames couldn't burn.

No matter how strange the black flames were, they were still fire, and there was no such thing as an inextinguishable flame!

Hitsugaya suddenly crouched into a stance, and in an instant, his reiatsu skyrocketed.

"Bankai—"

"Daiguren Hyorinmaru!"

Ice spread out in all directions.

A massive ice dragon coiled around him, enormous ice wings unfurled behind his back, and twelve ice flowers hovered in the air.

His form was overwhelmingly majestic.

The moment he activated his Bankai, even the audience seated near Itachi felt a piercing chill.

Hitsugaya's reiatsu was now on a completely different level from before.

Under the influence of Tenso Jurin (Heavenly Freeze), the temperature plummeted at an alarming rate.

Within this freezing domain, the black flames on Itachi's Dairi Rei suddenly flickered violently.

Seeing this, Hitsugaya spoke in a deep voice, "Just as I thought. Since it's fire, there's no reason it can't be extinguished. If the temperature is low enough, flames cannot burn."

Itachi replied calmly, "That may be true. But have you considered whether you yourself can withstand the temperature needed to extinguish these black flames?"

Hitsugaya leaped forward. "Hyorinmaru is the master of the heavens—mere cold can't do anything to me!"

His speed increased dramatically, and in a flash, he appeared right in front of Itachi.

His blade, now covered in frost, thrust straight toward his opponent.

"Ryusenka!" (Dragon Hail Spire!)

Itachi raised his sword to block, but the moment his blade touched Hyorinmaru, an enormous ice cross rapidly formed, sealing his entire body in an instant.

Hitsugaya flickered past him, the temperature still dropping under his immense reiatsu.

However, at the same time, he felt his own body starting to stiffen.

He hadn't yet fully mastered Tenso Jurin—just as Itachi had warned, the extreme cold necessary to extinguish the black flames was something even he might not be able to endure.

He turned back to look at the frozen Itachi—only to be shocked by what he saw.

Within the thick ice, the Dairi Rei was still burning, its black flames flickering persistently.

Even this temperature isn't enough to extinguish it?!

If not for the protective barriers, the audience would have already been turned into ice sculptures!

Even Hitsugaya himself was beginning to struggle against the extreme cold—frost had formed on his cheeks, and with no other choice, he had to slightly raise the temperature just to keep himself from freezing solid.

At that moment, the black flames within the ice erupted, shattering the frozen prison in an instant.

A loud crackling sound echoed through the air as the black flames burst free, breaking apart the ice.

However, unlike before, the ice did not instantly melt into steam.

"So this is Bankai? Truly an impressive ability, but it still seems somewhat immature," Itachi said calmly.

His body was slightly stiff—had it not been for Dairi Rei's power, he wouldn't have been able to break free from the freezing trap.

Hitsugaya narrowed his gaze and said, "Then let me see your Bankai as well."

But Itachi simply shook his head. "I don't have a Bankai."

Hitsugaya was momentarily stunned. "You…"

This was a battle at the Captain-class level—he had instinctively assumed that his opponent had already mastered Bankai.

After all, Kakashi had demonstrated the terrifying power of his Bankai before.

Itachi continued, "Although Kakashi-senpai and I obtained our Nichirin swords at the same time, I haven't trained enough to unlock Bankai yet. I can't compare to him."

It wasn't a matter of talent or aptitude—Kakashi was simply older, with far greater experience and battlefield knowledge than Itachi had at this stage.

Hitsugaya pondered for a moment before asking, "How long have you had your Nichirin sword?"

"Less than a month, I think."

Hitsugaya: "..."

Just then, the black flames on Dairi Rei dissipated, and the blade reverted to its ordinary black form, surprising Hitsugaya slightly.

Itachi spoke again, "Even though I don't have Bankai, I can show you the power of my other sword."

He sheathed the black blade behind his back, and the moment it entered the scabbard, the entire sword vanished from sight.

Then, under Hitsugaya's watchful gaze, Itachi slowly drew the silver-white hilt from his back.

Along with the hilt, a radiant silver-white blade emerged, its beauty mesmerizing, captivating anyone who laid eyes on it.

Hitsugaya was momentarily dazed, his mind shaken—this sword… something was wrong with it!

At that moment, Itachi murmured softly:

"God among gods, illusion beyond illusions."

"Tsukuyomi."

--------------

Exclusive access : All novel on paetron

Genshin impact Complete novel, Naruto birdcage Complete novel, Overlord Complete novel

From the apocalypse 100+ch, Fairy tail Destiny Complete novel, Genshin Impact Eerie Teyvat 300+ch

Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz