Shisui Uchiha had been given time off by the Third Hokage yesterday.
The next day, he could hardly wait to visit his best friend.
Although the matter with Itachi had soured Jin's attitude toward him, he believed they would surely reconcile once he explained everything.
"Heh heh heh!"
Shisui Uchiha had just reached the vicinity of Jin's house when he heard wild laughter coming from inside.
???
He instinctively dug at his ear. That sounded like Jin laughing.
The best friend he remembered had always been aloof and taciturn.
Why would he laugh like that?
Listening closely, he seemed to hear blows landing and muffled grunts too.
What exactly was Jin doing at home?
Puzzled and uneasy, Shisui Uchiha quickened his pace and soon arrived at the courtyard's front gate.
The moment he reached the entrance, he saw Jin beating Itachi.
Ora ora ora.
Uchiha Jin held Uchiha Itachi by the collar, a rare, crazed smile on his usually impassive face.
Thud, thud, thud.
His left hand gripped the collar while his right hammered Itachi's stomach.
Uchiha Itachi's eyes had begun rolling back.
He was only a first-year student at the Ninja Academy, even if he was exceptionally gifted among his peers.
He was still just a child.
Against an Elite Jonin, he had no chance to resist.
"Jin, stop!"
Shisui Uchiha immediately panicked at the sight.
Why was Itachi at Jin's house, and why was Jin holding him up and beating him?
Without time to think, he used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside them and caught his best friend's fist as it swung toward Uchiha Itachi.
Then he took Itachi into his arms and gently lowered him to the ground.
"Itachi, are you okay?"
Uchiha Itachi had been beaten until his eyes were unfocused, and it took