[Regarding Kirigakure:
The author did consider choosing a different ninja village for the sake of the story.
But considering the background and the characters' perspectives, Kirigakure really was the best fit.
Rest assured, though: Setsuna and Obito would take completely different approaches from here on.]
Inside the dessert shop.
Itachi took a bite of the three-color dango in his hand.
He lost himself in its soft, chewy texture.
The creamy caramel sauce was sweet without being cloying.
The fragrant glutinous rice, and the little pieces of nuts inside...
Obito nearly laughed at the sight.
Although Itachi tried his best to hide it, Obito could see the delight in his eyes.
Itachi might already have seen bloodshed.
But deep down, he was still a little kid!
While Obito was studying Itachi.
Itachi was studying him, too.
Shisui had mentioned Obito to Itachi more than once.
He had said he greatly admired Obito.
He saw Obito as his guiding light, a role model he wanted to work hard to emulate.
And so.
Itachi had committed the name Obito firmly to memory.
In his eyes, Shisui was his guide.
So a cousin who received such high praise from Shisui.
Had to be even more extraordinary!
But after watching him for a while.
Itachi discovered, with some disappointment.
That this fellow named Obito looked perfectly ordinary, no matter how he looked at him!
"Itachi?"
"Itachi!"
Only when he heard Shisui's voice did Itachi come back to his senses.
He gave a slightly apologetic smile.
"Sorry, seniors. I was thinking about something."
Shisui patted his shoulder and said with a smile.
"It's fine. You don't have to be so stiff around me and Big Brother Obito."
"My cousin was just asking whether you wanted another serving of dango."
Itachi glanced at the table in front