Itachi had already launched into a kick as the opponent knocked the pens away. He had rather been expecting that. At least he knew the enemy was capable of that much. The creature was fast, impossibly fast -- maybe as fast as Itachi.

But even as he thought thus, Itachi felt a strange sensation in his limbs. He knew he would be slower without chakra to draw upon, but he felt like he was dragging his legs through water. Incomprehensible. His body was not responding in any way befitting a shinobi of Itachi's abilities.

In midair, Itachi saw the enemy draw both blades to his sides. One of the most dangerous positions of all. Deceptively vulnerable, but both those blades could scythe upwards in a split second, catching an attacking limb between them. And Itachi's foot was headed straight towards the opponent's chest. Fast as lightning, though with his limbs still dragging, Itachi twisted in midair, trying to redirect his kick to the enemy's legs in a sweeping motion.