Itachi's Expectations

"Is there... any way to solve this problem?"

Hearing Lin Cheng speak with such certainty, Uchiha Shisui instinctively swallowed hard and asked with anticipation.

"The power within your eyes and the growth of the eyes themselves are mutually reinforcing! Unless you can make the Mangekyo Sharingan your standard state of power, it is impossible!"

Shaking his head, Lin Cheng reached his conclusion bluntly.

Lin Cheng knew the real method.

But Lin Cheng could not possibly say it.

Because Lin Cheng had no way to explain the theoretical basis for such a method.

Moreover, that method was far too wicked.

"Is that so? Heh! I suppose I was being too greedy!"

Shaking his head, Uchiha Shisui's expression turned somewhat disappointed.

"Let us part ways here! Goodbye!"

Nodding, Uchiha Shisui turned and left.

"Goodbye!"

Watching Uchiha Shisui vanish into the distance in an instant, Lin Cheng shook his head with a touch of regret.

He turned and headed in the opposite direction of Uchiha Shisui.

"Let's go, Little Kimimaro!"

"Understood, Brother Lin Cheng!"

The two figures gradually walked away, and faintly, the sound of their conversation drifted back.

"Brother Lin Cheng! Why did you sigh at that man's back just now?"

"Because he possesses a pair of proud eyes, but lacks a proud heart! Excessive kindness will lead him to hesitate when faced with crises! His future fate will be tragic!"

"Is kindness not a good thing?"

"Kindness is certainly good! But excessive kindness is not!"

As the two drifted further away, their conversation gradually faded into obscurity.

A long while later, a crow flew off.

Shortly after, it landed on the shoulder of Uchiha Shisui, who had already traveled quite a distance.

"Is excessive kindness actually a bad thing?"

A thoughtful look flashed through his eyes, and Uchiha Shisui set off once more, hurrying toward the Land of Fire.

Half a month later, Uchiha Shisui finally returned to Konoha and submitted his mission report, where he met his younger clansman and close friend, Uchiha Itachi.

"Long time no see, Itachi!"

The moment they met, Uchiha Shisui said with a touch of emotion.

"Mn."

Looking at the visibly moved Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi revealed a look of curiosity.

"Did something happen, Shisui-nii? You look like you have something on your mind."

"As expected of you, Itachi! During my mission to the Land of Earth this time, I encountered a genius just like you! No—perhaps he is even more outstanding than you! Though I hate to say it."

After a moment of thought, Uchiha Shisui still spoke those words.

"Oh? To make Shisui-nii say such a thing, he must be truly formidable!"

Hearing Uchiha Shisui speak this way, Uchiha Itachi's eyes held only curiosity, without a shred of resentment.

"Just how formidable he is, I do not know! However, he forced me to reveal my Mangekyo Sharingan!"

"What?! How is that possible? With Shisui-nii's strength, the opponent—"

Thinking of Uchiha Shisui's strength, especially his Body Flicker Technique, even the usually calm Itachi could not help but be shocked!

As if guessing what Itachi was about to say next, Uchiha Shisui interrupted with a bitter smile: "His Body Flicker Technique is not inferior to mine! And in close-quarters combat, I am no match for him!"

"What?!"

Uchiha Shisui's words left Itachi completely stunned.

No one knew better than he did just how strong Uchiha Shisui's Body Flicker Technique was!

The title of Body Flicker Shisui was no laughing matter!

"What was the final outcome?"

Although Shisui had appeared before him completely unscathed, Itachi remained curious about the result of the battle.

"There was no result! Once he forced out my Mangekyo Sharingan, we ceased our hostilities!"

Shaking his head once more, Uchiha Shisui spoke words that left Itachi somewhat startled.

"How could that be?"

"Before he even crossed blades with me, he had already guessed that my Sharingan possessed a more powerful state! Therefore, once he received confirmation, he stopped!"

"Could he be a spy?"

Furrowing his brows, Itachi voiced his suspicion.

"Impossible! I have only ever told you about the Mangekyo Sharingan!"

Shaking his head, Uchiha Shisui flatly denied Itachi's conjecture.

"But... even if his strength surpasses yours, Brother Shisui, he shouldn't have known about the Mangekyo Sharingan!"

Regarding Uchiha Shisui's denial, Itachi raised his own doubts.

"Perhaps it is because he possesses a unique power!"

"A unique power?"

"Mm."

Following this, Uchiha Shisui recounted every detail of what transpired after he and Lin Cheng met.

After a long while, Itachi snapped out of his contemplation and chuckled softly, "Hearing you put it that way, Brother Shisui, I find myself wanting to cross blades with him as well!"

"Given his talent, you will certainly have that opportunity!"

"Mm. I look forward to the day that comes!"

The two looked up toward the sky, remaining silent for a long time.