Shinji stepped forward to examine Sasuke, then said, "Your body has completely recovered. If you want to leave the hospital, you can be discharged today!"
Sasuke still stared blankly, as though he had not heard Shinji.
Shinji glanced at Sasuke and thought, Did that kid damage his brain? Uh, please don't let that be the case, or my backup plan will be ruined.
At that moment, Sasuke's eyes suddenly focused. Looking at Shinji, he said, "Shinji, I lost!"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Shinji said nothing and merely grumbled inwardly.
Sasuke continued, "I thought my Sharingan could already contend with that person, but after fighting him, I realized that my Dojutsu was still inferior to his."
Shinji advised him, "The other side possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan. There's no shame in losing to the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Sasuke gritted his teeth. "I was so close—just a little more! If my Dojutsu had been stronger, if I had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan too, I could have avenged our Uchiha Clan!"
"You're more than just a little short!"
Shinji sighed inwardly.
At this time, Itachi had not expended much of his Dojutsu, and his eyesight had not yet deteriorated severely. He was at the peak of his strength.
On top of that, he possessed illusion-casting talent that was nearly unrivaled in the Shinobi World, excellent battle instincts, meticulous tactical planning, the two divine weapons—the 'Totsuka Blade' and the 'Yata Mirror'—and the Forbidden Jutsu 'Izanami.'
Let alone Sasuke, who had only the Three-Tomoe Sharingan—even Shinji, who possessed the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, would not have the slightest confidence facing Itachi.
After helping Sasuke complete the discharge procedures, Shinji was intercepted by ANBU ninjas while escorting Sasuke back to his apartment.
Sasuke was then taken away by the ANBU.
Sasuke's unauthorized departure from the village had been the fuse