"Since you have made this choice, you must be fully prepared for it. With your current strength, you are still far from your goal."
Hyuga Kei's voice rang out again, carrying a trace of solemnity and concern.
"I understand, Senior. Please train me. I must gain greater strength." Sasuke nodded heavily.
Sasuke knew full well that his current strength was still far too lacking. If not for his brother going easy on him and indulging him in that battle, he could never have won.
"It is good that you have such resolve, but the most important thing now is to properly bury Itachi's body first."
Hyuga Kei slowly stepped forward and came to Itachi's corpse. His movements were gentle and solemn, as though afraid of waking the sleeping Itachi.
He gently touched Itachi's eyes and removed those Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Once you have fully mastered the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, I will help you fuse these two pairs of eyes. Let your father and brother witness the Uchiha clan's path of revenge through these eyes."
Hyuga Kei's voice was calm yet imposing, and Sasuke could not help but be moved.
"I will never betray the strength Father and Brother have given me."
On a mountain peak outside Sound Village, Sasuke dug relentlessly into the earth with his bare hands until his fingernails broke and blood flowed continuously.
Hyuga Kei quickly grabbed Sasuke's hands. "I know you are in pain, but your brother would not want you to torment yourself either. Let me do it."
Only then did Sasuke stop. Hyuga Kei formed hand seals with both hands and used Earth Release to instantly excavate a grave.
Sasuke went to one side and carried the coffin alone, gently lowering the coffin containing Itachi's body into the grave.
Only then did