Uchiha Sasuke stood silently where he was, head lowered, his expression hidden in shadow.
Several seconds passed before he raised his head. There was no defiance in his eyes, only the calm that came after being awakened.
He looked at Tejima Shinichi and lowered his head slightly.
"Thank you."
Before Tejima Shinichi could speak, Uchiha Sasuke pressed on.
"But I still want to ask," Sasuke said, staring straight into Tejima Shinichi's eyes. "Why are you helping me? It isn't just because we're companions, is it? Because normally... you wouldn't do something like this!"
Tejima Shinichi raised an eyebrow. "So this is how badly you think of me!?"
"This is one reason."
"What are the other reasons?"
"I need you to become stronger."
Uchiha Sasuke frowned. "What do you mean?"
At the question, Tejima Shinichi's lips curled upward in a smile.
"You should know that I have another identity now, right?"
Uchiha Sasuke stared at the smile on his face, blanked out for a moment, then answered, "The Third Hokage's disciple."
"That's right." Tejima Shinichi nodded. "The Third Hokage said he wanted me to shoulder Konoha's burden... and I agreed. So everything I'm doing now, including guiding you, can be seen as fulfilling my future responsibilities."
Uchiha Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly.
He looked at Tejima Shinichi as if he were truly getting to know him for the first time.
Shouldering Konoha's burden... The meaning behind those words shook him to the core.
"I see."
Uchiha Sasuke spoke softly, as though he had understood the reason behind Tejima Shinichi's recent change in behavior.
"Of course," Tejima Shinichi spoke again, interrupting his thoughts, "I actually have another idea..."
"Another idea?" Uchiha Sasuke asked.
Tejima Shinichi turned his gaze toward him. "If I really become Hokage in the future, then I hope... you can