"Actually... I've already obtained the Chunin qualification application... It was arranged at the higher-ups' direction..."
A moment later, Uchiha Itachi said this.
"You brat... not bad."
Uchiha Shisui was slightly taken aback, then immediately hooked an arm around Uchiha Itachi.
"Let go."
Itachi grumbled, struggling to break free of Uchiha Shisui's affectionate gesture.
"By the way, how are things between you and Uchiha Izumi?"
Uchiha Shisui changed the subject.
"..."
Itachi widened his eyes.
"Although you usually look completely expressionless, you're surprisingly easy to read in this regard..."
Shisui teased.
Itachi: "What do you mean?"
"Just look at your reflection in the water."
Uchiha Shisui said this with a mischievous grin.
"I wasn't thinking about anything..."
Itachi quickly looked away.
"Even if you say that, you seemed especially attentive the instant I mentioned 'Izumi'..."
Attentive...
Was that really true?
Without a doubt.
Uchiha Izumi was one of the few people Itachi knew well.
But...
Even Itachi himself did not know what kind of feelings he held toward Izumi.
"But more importantly, how is your Father Lord's health?"
Itachi asked in return.
"Still the same."
Uchiha Shisui shrugged.
A layer of gloom settled over his smiling face.
Uchiha Shisui's father...
He had lost a leg during the Shinobi World War.
Later, that injury led to other illnesses.
He had been bedridden ever since.
Uchiha Shisui lived with his parents, and he supported the household entirely through the missions he carried out.
"He's clearly gotten weaker lately... Sometimes he can't even recognize me..."
Uchiha Shisui looked away.
"I see..."
"Everyone dies eventually. I've already prepared myself for it."
Faced with Shisui's heartbreaking resolve, Itachi did not know what to say.
Underground Base.
Hyuga Sho sat upright on the throne.
"My lord, the higher-ups have decided to let Uchiha Itachi participate in