So alike! Far too alike!
How could there be two people in this world who looked so similar?!
Sasuke Uchiha looked as though he had been carved from the same mold as Izuna Uchiha.
Even Madara Uchiha, in a moment of daze, mistook Sasuke in Itachi's arms for his own younger brother.
But it lasted only an instant before Madara came to his senses.
Because that was not his younger brother. He merely looked too much like him.
"Lord Hokage, and Ancestor Madara?"
Recognizing the visitors, Itachi Uchiha hurriedly composed himself, sat properly in a welcoming posture, and had Sasuke sit up straight as well.
"So he's the Hokage?" Sasuke Uchiha quietly studied the man who had persuaded Itachi Uchiha to return to the village, his eyes full of curiosity.
But while Sasuke was studying Tobirama Senju, Madara Uchiha was studying Sasuke as well.
"Not bad, not bad. For someone his age to possess such ocular power, he has a bit of Izuna's former bearing."
Madara's deep gaze seemed to strip Sasuke bare, and he nodded from time to time.
That intense stare displeased Sasuke, but since Madara had been brought here by the Hokage, he merely gave a soft snort.
"Itachi, pardon the intrusion."
Tobirama Senju grabbed Madara, whose gaze remained fixed on Sasuke, and took a seat at the dining table.
"Ancestor Madara probably has nowhere to stay, does he?" Itachi saw through their purpose and said,
"As an ancestor of the Uchiha clan, the gates of the clan compound will always be open to you!"
"Hmph..."
Madara snorted, yet nodded all the same, tacitly accepting Itachi's offer.
"An ancestor of the Uchiha? Him..." Sasuke curled his lip beside them, clearly doubtful.
Why was Itachi treating someone who was obviously harboring ill intentions toward him with such respect?