"Itachi."
Beyond the crowd, Uchiha Shisui and Itachi Uchiha stood side by side in a tree, gazing at the scene in the distance.
"You didn't tell Sasuke about Clan Head Fugaku, did you?" Shisui asked quietly.
Itachi Uchiha's twelve-year-old face was filled with gloom and numbness.
He nodded. "No. And I told Mother and the clan members not to tell him either. I hope he never finds out."
Shisui frowned. "Why do that?"
Itachi Uchiha fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Sasuke has always shown an attachment to Mother and me. He's a child who values feelings deeply. I don't want Father's matter to breed hatred in him. It would twist him."
Shisui was silent for a while. "Itachi, it'll be hard to keep it from him forever. Too many people know the truth. And objectively speaking, it really was Clan Head Fugaku's own fault. I think you should tell Sasuke, then guide him to understand the full cause and effect of it all, so he can let go of his hatred."
Itachi Uchiha's gaze left Sasuke and turned toward him, his expression calm. "Shisui, do you know what kind of psychological torment I've endured these past years? Again and again, suppressing the hatred in my heart. Again and again, telling myself what was right. Again and again, making myself put the bigger picture first and think for the village..."
"I'm sorry, Itachi." Shisui froze, then lowered his voice. "The Fourth said that people's pain could never truly be shared. I can't fully understand your suffering, so I was just talking nonsense from the outside..."
Itachi Uchiha shook his head. "You're my only friend. I know that no matter what, you'll support me."
"What about Izumi?"
Shisui suddenly bumped his shoulder and chuckled softly. "Don't always look like