Early the next morning, at a waterfall in the Uchiha Clan Compound.
When Shin Uchiha arrived without a sound, Sasuke Uchiha was already waiting there, sitting cross-legged on a massive rock. The Kusanagi Sword lay beside him, as though he could spring up to face an enemy at any moment.
"Sasuke, are you ready?"
At Shin Uchiha's quiet question, Sasuke immediately opened his eyes, revealing his Mangekyō Sharingan. His entire presence grew extraordinarily sharp.
"Teacher Shin, sorry for the trouble."
Hearing Sasuke's words, Shin Uchiha appeared beside him in a single swift step. He placed a hand on his shoulder and said calmly,
"It's fine. This is nothing. However, because of my agreement with the leader of the Akatsuki,
I won't be able to interfere in your fight with Uchiha Itachi.
In other words, if your skills fall short and you're no match for Uchiha Itachi, death will be your only outcome."
Sasuke paid no mind to his teacher's warning. His grip on the Kusanagi Sword tightened unconsciously as he said evenly,
"It's fine, Teacher. I understand.
If I really am no match for Uchiha Itachi, dying at that traitor's hands might not be so bad.
But if that really happens, I hope you'll kill that traitor if you ever get the chance."
Shin Uchiha had not expected Sasuke to harbor such thoughts. After a moment of surprise, he patted his shoulder.
"Don't overthink it. Just give it everything you have."
With a thought from Shin Uchiha, he and Sasuke vanished, leaving only the waterfall roaring behind them.
The Uchiha Clan Compound.
As the footsteps drew closer, Uchiha Itachi, seated in a stone chair, seemed to sense something. He shifted his gaze from the clan crest to the approaching figure, his eyes lifeless, though a flicker of excitement flashed