Shisui's Letter

Although Kakashi had already made up his mind, he could not help feeling bitter. If Lord Third had not reminded him, he might not have thought much of it, but after Lord Third's warning, a heaviness settled in his heart.

Obito, this is the price of bearing the burden of your friendship.

But since he had made this choice, he could only bear that price.

Right, should he take some tonics from now on? Tsunade was supposedly in the village. Could he ask Tsunade to prescribe him some medicine? Kakashi worriedly pondered this.

But as soon as he thought of it, he became reluctant to seek treatment. How could he possibly bring himself to talk about something like this?

Just as Kakashi was fretting over it—

"Ultimately, the reason your vital energy is weak is that your body is not strong enough." Lord Third picked up a cup of tea from the side table, took a sip, and said this.

Kakashi immediately perked up and listened intently.

"If your body were strong enough—strong enough to bear the Sharingan's burden—why would you need to worry about the Sharingan making your vital energy weak?"

That made a lot of sense!

So, should he focus on Taijutsu training from now on?

But how should he train? Follow Guy? Right, Guy was receiving Lord Third's Taijutsu guidance, so could he...

Kakashi looked cautiously at Lord Third before him.

Lord Third seemed to see through Kakashi's thoughts.

"If you are willing, you can train with Guy and receive my guidance."

After hesitating for a moment, Kakashi solemnly bowed again.

"Then I'll be in your care!"

Lord Third nodded.

Talking people through their problems was too troublesome, so he simply gave Kakashi a reason to train diligently.

As his training continued and his physique grew stronger, his mind would naturally stabilize.

And once his mind was stable, it would be easier for him to let things go.

That was the solution Lord Third had come up with for Kakashi's problem.

Of course, Lord Third had not lied either.

Weak vital energy really could lead to impotence.

And the burden of the Sharingan really had weakened Kakashi's vital energy.

Of course, given a ninja's constitution, the odds should not have been very high?

When Guy finished his treatment and came out looking refreshed, he saw Kakashi in Lord Third's new home's backyard, fully focused as he received Lord Third's guidance.

It had to be said that Kakashi truly was a genius blessed by the heavens. Once his initiative had been stirred, he absorbed the guidance quickly, making Lord Third once again feel something similar to when he taught Itachi.

And seeing Kakashi studying so earnestly under Lord Third, Guy excitedly shouted, "Kakashi! This is youth! Have you finally experienced it?"

No, I'm just worried about impotence.

Naturally, Kakashi was not stupid enough to say that aloud.

He had already asked Lord Third to keep his diagnosis confidential.

He would keep this matter buried deep in his heart and never speak of it until the day he died!

"Guy, you're here." Lord Third looked toward the fervent Guy.

He beckoned him over.

"Next, try engaging in deeper training."

"Okay!"

Guy quickly began his training.

He first lowered himself into a horse stance, his spinal column driving his entire body in slight rises and falls. Then his body moved through various motions, force circulating within him alongside the stimulating effects brought about by Chakra.

Before long, sweat began to form on Guy's brow.

He could feel that, unlike last time, there was no stabbing pain somewhere within his body. Instead, there was a tingling, itchy sensation.

Deeper parts of his body were being trained.

This was room for improvement he had never noticed before. After receiving Lord Third's guidance, he now had far broader possibilities and prospects ahead of him!

When Itachi arrived at Lord Third's home to receive Lord Third's guidance, this was the scene he saw.

Two young ninjas older than him were receiving Lord Third's instruction.

He recognized both of them.

Might Guy, Konoha's rare beast—if one lived in Konoha, it was difficult not to know him.

And Kakashi Hatake, the genius widely praised throughout the village and Yondaime's disciple. He could be considered an important figure in the Hokage's faction.

The clan had naturally shown Itachi his file.

"Greetings, seniors." Kakashi and Guy happened to be taking a break.

Kakashi was mainly the one resting, while Guy rested alongside him.

Taking the opportunity, Itachi stepped forward to greet them.

As the eldest son of the Uchiha Clan's head, his words and conduct had to uphold proper etiquette and upbringing. Moreover, the clan hoped he could become Hokage, so they had always emphasized that he must place particular importance on socializing within the village.

Especially socializing with the Hokage's faction.

"You're Itachi of the Uchiha Clan?"

Because of Obito, Kakashi paid considerable attention to the Uchiha Clan. Combined with the fact that Itachi was now Lord Fifth's disciple, recognizing him was not difficult.

"Yes," Itachi replied politely.

Kakashi fell silent for a moment before asking, "What do you think of comrades?"

"Comrades?"

Itachi thought of Shisui, then Anko, then Yamato, and then Kabuto...

But before Itachi could answer—

Guy enthusiastically clenched and waved his fist. "Comrades are important things that must be protected with your life!"

Itachi paused, then nodded.

"Senior Guy is right."

"Then protect them well."

Kakashi said this as he turned away.

"If you fail to protect them... then you are nothing but trash."

"..."

Itachi silently watched Kakashi walk away.

Having read Kakashi's file, he naturally knew that the trash this senior spoke of was actually referring to...

In the end—

All of this was because of war.

So if he wanted to protect his comrades—

The best way—

Turning his head, Itachi looked at the distant sky—that was, to bring peace.

In the blink of an eye, night had fallen.

Itachi had already returned home.

By candlelight, he began reading his letters.

Ever since Lord Third moved house and Itachi received Anko's first letter that day, Anko had continued sending him letters one after another.

They were densely written. Not only was every sheet crammed with words, but one arrived almost every day without fail.

They could practically be called harassing letters.

Still, Itachi read every single one carefully.

After finishing Anko's latest letter, he noted down another shop she had said sold delicious dango, then went over Anko's walking route in his mind.

Then he picked up another letter.

This time, he was especially solemn.

Because it was a reply from his best friend, Shisui.

He opened the envelope and unfolded the letter.

—Itachi, when people look upon this world, they are bound to see its darkness.

And for the Uchiha Clan, the darkness they can see is greater than that seen by anyone else.

Especially when you actively seek it out, the darkness of this world can suffocate you...