"I wonder what kind of path you'll choose?"
Tsukikawa Isshiki's tone carried a hint of teasing.
Outside.
After Tsukikawa Isshiki left,
Itachi came to Kitahara Kaede's side.
"Fifth Hokage."
He sat down beside Kitahara Kaede.
"You should make a trip to the underground cavern."
Kitahara Kaede said blandly.
Kitahara Kaede Lies Flat! The Proud Tobirama Senju!
"So what? I don't need anyone else's help to grow stronger."
Itachi sounded extremely confident.
Kitahara Kaede laughed.
Seeing how relaxed Kitahara Kaede was,
Itachi began to speak.
"You need to understand that Hidden Leaf Village doesn't have only you!"
Itachi's tone carried absolute conviction.
Kitahara Kaede merely laughed it off.
"Of course I know. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come looking for you."
Could Kitahara Kaede not know?
Of course he knew.
But Itachi was different.
From beginning to end, Itachi had viewed everything as an observer.
As a participant,
Kitahara Kaede had to join the game played by many people far stronger than himself.
If his strength could not keep up, he would not be able to play this game!
"No, you don't know."
Itachi said calmly.
Kitahara Kaede turned to look at Itachi.
More precisely, he looked into Itachi's eyes.
Itachi had activated those special eyes of his again.
"Can your eyes see through people's hearts?"
Kitahara Kaede asked.
"No, I can see the future."
Itachi said calmly.
Kitahara Kaede did not take it seriously.
If Itachi could see the future,
then the things Tsukikawa Isshiki had said earlier
would have come from Itachi's mouth.
But Itachi had not said any of those things.
So Kitahara Kaede firmly refused to believe him.
He responded to Itachi with a polite smile.
"Come on, let's go back to Hidden Leaf Village."
Itachi grabbed Kitahara Kaede and pulled him to his feet.
But no matter