It was Susano'o in its early stages without a doubt, for all that Itachi's chakra felt familiar -- a chakra he knew, growing up beside it and soaked in it through countless nightmares, marrow-deep regret -- but his brother had never been this easy to wound, not even coughing up blood and unsteady from degenerating Mangekyou eyes. This image of him was insulting, and if there was any logic to the illusion at all it would be simply now to remove it. He raised his left arm, chakra sparking --

But in the next moment the last people flooding out of the burning buildings changed trajectory abruptly, intent shifting from panic to threat, and Sasuke snapped away from the fake Itachi just in time to avoid some kind of high-speed projectile whizzing through the air.

Some of the others began throwing ladders up against the sides of the building they stood on. Was this supposed to be the maintenance of the peace?

"What is this?" The question was directed at Itachi, his voice still threatening.