Night had fallen over the forest on Konoha's outskirts. Cold moonlight filtered through gaps in the trees, casting shattered shadows along the cliff's edge. Below, a stream babbled, its waters especially clear amid the silent night.
Atop the cliff, two figures stood facing each other in silence.
Both wore standard Konoha Anbu flak jackets, with short blades strapped to their backs. The boy standing ahead had regular features, and his button nose lent him a hint of childishness. Yet at this moment, his expression was frighteningly grave.
Shisui Uchiha.
His right eye was tightly shut, blood trailing down his cheek. His left eye, untouched by blood, held profound exhaustion and resolve.
Standing opposite him was a black-haired, black-eyed girl.
Itachi Uchiha.
The girl possessed delicate features, and her eyes carried a composure far beyond her years. The only thing marring that beauty were the two tear troughs stretching from the corners of her eyes to her jaw, lending her an imposing air even when her face was expressionless.
"Shisui... your eye..."
Itachi's voice was very soft, yet it seemed frozen by the night wind. She stared fixedly at Shisui's tightly closed right eye.
Shisui gave a bitter smile. "Itachi... I wanted to use Kotoamatsukami to stop the Uchiha hawks' plan. But I failed completely."
"Danzō never trusted me."
"He took one of my eyes, but he won't stop there." Shisui raised a hand, his fingertips lightly touching his closed right eye. "Before he makes his move... I want to entrust my only remaining eye to you."
The night wind abruptly stopped, and the air seemed to solidify.
"Please..." Shisui's voice was nearly pleading. "You have to stop the hawks' plan."
His gaze passed over Itachi and toward Konoha's distant lights, a faint glimmer of hope surfacing in his eyes.
"As