The Eyes

"You must never have suffered much hardship, little girl."

"No matter how crushing the blow, if it cannot break a person's spirit or backbone, then they will keep moving forward, even if the path leads to death or into an abyss."

"Living like that is a spirit, not a state of being."

"But this future Uchiha Itachi chose the exact opposite path. His body was alive, but his heart was already dead." Yamanaka Feng gently shook his head, his voice carrying a rare trace of regret.

"His heart is dead?" Sarada pressed. "Why do you say his heart is dead?"

"He has no goal anymore..."

"His spirit was crushed, and his backbone was broken. So all he can do is keep crawling along the ground, his eyes vacant, not even knowing what he is supposed to do."

Yamanaka Feng crouched down, sighed softly, and continued.

"Little girl, have you ever sat at a table with books piled in front of you and toys all around you, yet felt like doing nothing at all?"

"I have, but I could probably find something to do soon enough. There are always new books and new toys."

"And I have friends. I have Teacher and my family. There is always something to do." Sarada thought for a moment before giving her answer.

She truly never lacked things to do. Her life was filled with joy, uplifting and beautiful emotions, and family and friends who loved her.

"But he has nothing left..." Yamanaka Feng snorted softly, curling his lip at the future Uchiha Itachi as he whispered, "When you kicked him just now, he came alive again for a moment. You noticed that look in his eyes, didn't you?"

"No..." Sarada gently shook her head, tilting it as she tried hard to recall what had