Shin Uchiha shook his head gently and sighed.
"I didn't bring him back. He escaped."
Hearing her teacher's words, Sasuke immediately grew agitated. Disbelief filled his eyes as he looked at Shin and exclaimed:
"How is that possible? You're the strongest fighter in our Uchiha Clan, sir. Itachi may be strong, but he should still be far weaker than you, shouldn't he?"
At this point, a slight sob crept into Sasuke's voice:
"If even you can't do anything about him, what are we supposed to do? Are we just going to let him keep living like this? I won't accept it. I'll make him pay. I'll make him give his life for Father and Mother."
Shin Uchiha ruffled Sasuke's hair and explained:
"Naturally, Itachi's strength is no match for mine. But he'd already prepared an escape route.
He joined an organization whose members are all at least S-rank Rogue Ninja. Its leader is even more powerful, more troublesome than any Kage.
When I intercepted him at the border of the Land of Fire, that organization's leader stopped me just as I was about to attack.
Although that leader and I were evenly matched, his interference, combined with Itachi's caution, left me no chance to kill him."
After hearing Shin's explanation, Sasuke bit his lip hard in frustration. He bit down so fiercely that bright red blood began to seep from it.
Feeling helpless, Sasuke released his grip on Shin's clothes and murmured:
"Is there really no way to punish that bastard? How can I face Father and Mother?"
Shin Uchiha patted Sasuke's shoulder and continued:
"Don't worry, Sasuke. You still have a chance."
Hearing Shin Uchiha's words, Sasuke jerked his head up, hope shining in his eyes:
"Sir, what else can we do?"
Shin Uchiha looked at Sasuke and said: