Fugaku's hand immediately tightened over the Sealing Scroll.
"Stop."
The Joint Law Enforcement Department ninja carrying the stretcher halted on the spot. Neji activated his Byakugan, sweeping his gaze over the scroll, then over Itachi's face, drained by excessive blood loss.
Sasuke did not rush to touch the scroll. He only walked to Itachi's side. "What did you just say?"
Itachi's empty eye sockets could not focus on anyone, but his voice still trembled. "Don't come near them, don't transplant them, don't let my eyes hurt you again..."
Tsunade's expression changed. "Transplant? Sasuke, you're planning to use those eyes?"
Sasuke glanced at her. "Lord Hokage, we won't discuss the Uchiha clan's internal arrangements for safekeeping its bloodline limit at a trial."
Tsunade sneered. "You used my Medical Department's authorization to remove his eyes, and now you're telling me we won't discuss it?"
Shikaku stepped between them. "First, verify whether Itachi's words are true. He's mentally disturbed right now. We can't change the verdict based on a single statement."
Neji deactivated his Byakugan. "There's no abnormal chakra on the scroll's outer layer, and the container's surface is clean, too. But I can't see through the insides of the eyeballs."
Fugaku said gravely, "A seal of ocular power inside the Mangekyo is indeed something the Byakugan might not see through."
Itachi suddenly began struggling, making the restraints creak. But the tendons in his hands and feet had already been severed, and his struggles only made his wounds bleed again.
"Sasuke, I'm not lying to you. Not this time..."
Sasuke crouched and gripped Itachi's chin. "Your greatest talent throughout the first half of your life was dressing up lies as sacrifice."
Itachi was so desperate he could barely breathe. "I really... I don't want you to become me..."
Shouts of abuse immediately rose