Surprise, relief, bewilderment, confusion... all sorts of emotions tangled in Izumi's heart.
"How strange, Itachi... why are you apologizing to me?"
Itachi's back looked desolate and bitter.
How could I possibly say it?
That night, I killed all of you.
You didn't die by my blade... but I tacitly accepted what another executioner did to you.
Once certain things happened, morality and personal bonds no longer mattered.
Even if forgiveness was granted, those involved would inevitably be left with scars they could never quite put behind them.
A past they could never return to, hearts drifting farther and farther apart... that was almost inevitable.
As Izumi waited for Itachi to answer, the Uchiha clanspeople all approached.
Cold, scrutinizing gazes fixed on his back, followed by snide accusations.
"Itachi, you slaughtered our clanspeople that night, and now you're standing here shielding us from the storm. What, is your conscience bothering you?"
"You don't think this will make us grateful to you, do you?"
"Stop looking down on us! We'll never accept a traitor's protection!"
It was a bitter irony that the men now standing before the clanspeople, whose expressions varied, and demanding answers from Itachi were Inabi, Tekka, and Yashiro—the members of the Konoha Military Police Force who had once come to confront him over Shisui's death.
"Huh?" Izumi was stunned by the words, "Itachi, you slaughtered our clanspeople that night."
On the night of the massacre, she hadn't encountered Itachi... worried only about his safety, she had searched the streets for him until she encountered Obito in his Tiger-Skin Mask and was brutally killed.
Even when she died, Izumi hadn't known the truth of that night.
Now... with her and the clanspeople brought back to life, the truth was mercilessly laid bare.
Izumi had no eyes now... she couldn't see