Sasuke stood in the doorway, clutching a training kunai.
It was not one of the standard-issue kunai from his tool pouch.
Its edge was a little dull.
The wrapping on the handle was slightly crooked, too.
It was the one he had used most often in his recent training.
When Itachi saw the kunai, his gaze softened for a moment.
"What is it?"
Sasuke held out the kunai.
"This is for you."
Itachi did not take it right away.
Sasuke kept his face stern, as though trying hard to look serious.
"When you come back, you have to return it. Then you have to keep teaching me how to throw."
The room fell quiet.
Fugaku stood nearby without saying a word.
Mikoto did not interrupt, either.
They both knew this was not something a child had casually handed over.
It was a promise.
In the past, Itachi had often kept his missions, the village, and his clan weighing on his heart.
He was used to hiding many things.
He was also used to leaving Sasuke to guess from the sight of his retreating back.
But this time, Itachi reached out and took the kunai.
"All right."
Sasuke looked up.
Itachi looked at him and said, each word clear and deliberate, "I'll come back as recorded."
The words sounded a little strange.
Sasuke did not understand what coming back as recorded meant.
But he could hear that his brother was not brushing him off.
It was not some offhand reassurance.
It was a definite answer.
"Then you can't be too late."
Sasuke spoke softly.
Itachi nodded.
"I'll do my best."
Gen stood outside the door and happened to witness the scene.
He did not go inside.
He simply committed it to memory.
Sasuke's misunderstanding arc remained suppressed.
This felt more real