As Second Pillar's words fell.
"Caw~"
The pitch-black crow let out a clear cry, then took flight and circled through the air.
Finally, under Second Pillar's watchful gaze, it landed on the arm of a young man wearing an Anbu gray vest and black bodysuit, with deep nasolabial folds.
Seeing the figure who had suddenly appeared, Second Pillar's expression tightened as he stared at him. "Itachi Uchiha!"
Itachi Uchiha.
His older brother!
Hailed as a genius of the Uchiha Clan!
Yet.
Because of him and Shisui Uchiha, the Uchiha Clan had later gone through a series of events that had nearly led to its extermination.
However.
Unlike Second Pillar's solemn expression, Itachi Uchiha wore a faint smile. "It's been a long time, Sasuke!"
As he spoke, he paused slightly.
"It seems you've been doing quite well in Kusagakure these past few years!"
In fact, he had secretly watched Sasuke's match yesterday. Compared to before, Sasuke had indeed grown considerably, and his strength had somewhat exceeded Itachi's expectations. Moreover... he had found companions too.
"I have been doing pretty well~" Sasuke curled his lips as he looked at the visibly more haggard Itachi Uchiha. "There's food, a place to live, school, and even spending money!"
"..."
Itachi did not interrupt Sasuke. He merely listened quietly, maintaining that faint smile.
However.
Then...
"I've seen a lot, learned a lot, and realized how narrow-minded I used to be. How narrow-minded Konoha was. The Will of Fire... the Spirit of Grass is pretty good. Compared to being watched all the time in Konoha, I'm much freer in Kusagakure. And I have a mom now too!"
"???"
Wait... what had he just said?
The smile on Itachi Uchiha's face instantly froze. As if he had heard something unbelievable, he stared blankly at Sasuke, who was