"Sasuke, don't force me."
Itachi's blade rested against Sasuke's neck, yet there was not a trace of blood in the Tsukuyomi Space.
Sasuke lowered his head to glance at the blade.
"Did Kabuto tell you to say that?"
"Those are my own words."
"You've handed your own will over to other people far too many times already."
Sasuke turned, catching the back of the blade between his fingers.
Itachi did not pull the sword away. His gaze settled on Sasuke's face.
"You can't attribute everything to orders."
"You can."
"Sasuke."
"The massacre was an order, joining Akatsuki was an order, monitoring Konoha was an order. You obeyed them while you were alive, and you obey Kabuto after death. Now you're telling me you've always had a will of your own?"
Itachi exerted a little force through his wrist, pressing the blade forward an inch.
"I made choices, at least."
"You chose the one that was easiest to carry out."
Sasuke raised his other hand, and black flames crept along the blade onto Itachi's arm.
Firelight illuminated the Tsukuyomi Space, and the red moon split down the middle.
Itachi released the long sword and raised his hands to form hand seals.
"Izanami."
The surrounding scene began to repeat.
Naka Shrine, their parents falling, Sasuke standing in the doorway, Itachi looking back at him.
The next moment, the scene returned to Naka Shrine.
Their parents fell, Sasuke stood in the doorway, and Itachi looked back at him.
The third time was still the same.
Itachi watched Sasuke.
"You'll keep seeing this until you understand me."
Sasuke stood where he was, neither attacking nor struggling.
"This is your solution?"
"You need to face your hatred."
"I already have."
"No, you haven't."
"You want me to admit that killing was justified?"
Itachi did not