Itachi's voice was nearly drowned out by his sobs, every word squeezed out with difficulty from the depths of his soul.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze passing through the mists of time as he tried to reach the softest part of Sasuke's heart.
"I know my choices forced you to bear burdens that never should have belonged to you. But please believe me, every step I took was for a greater goal—a world without sacrifice, without hatred. Even if my existence has become endless darkness in your heart, I still hope you can find a sliver of light within it, a sliver of strength to keep moving forward."
Sasuke clenched both fists, his fingernails digging deeply into his palms as if that could lessen the tearing pain in his heart.
His gaze lingered on Itachi's words, holding both the flames of anger and a complexity that had been stirred.
His days in the Empire made him notice things he had failed to perceive as a child.
For example, back then, the people in the clan always seemed burdened by heavy thoughts, their brows never able to relax.
But the Empire was different. Whether children or women, whenever they encountered their clansmen outside, they would greet them and then chat warmly for a long time.
"What makes you think your sacrifice was right? What makes you think I could understand your hardships? You destroyed everything I had, including my memories of home and my trust in my brother!"
Sasuke's voice was filled with hysterical accusation, every word squeezed out of his shattered heart.
Itachi's tears slid down silently, dripping onto the cold ground as if mourning the past.
"Sasuke, I never asked you to understand, and I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. I only hope you