For another example, the normally most low-profile Aburame Clan had been the most enthusiastic about this Seven-Tails Jinchuriki selection!
Sasuke Uchiha had not originally been all that interested in Seven-Tails Chōmei.
Compared to a big flying bug, Sasuke Uchiha preferred Two-Tails Matatabi, followed by Brother Minamoto's Yatagarasu.
But Naruto Uzumaki was simply too full of himself, showing off his nine-tails chakra at the Ninja Academy all day long!
Sasuke Uchiha had to stand up for his pride, if nothing else, and that was why he had not missed this Seven-Tails Jinchuriki selection.
Even if he failed to make the cut, it would still be a good experience.
But Uchiha Sasuke had not expected to see his big brother among the preliminary selection crowd.
"Sasuke..."
Uchiha Itachi wore the Eighth Squad's uniform, and the tear troughs on his pale face seemed considerably deeper than before.
"I'm not participating in the selection. I'm just carrying out official duties."
"Brother."
Sasuke Uchiha followed beside his brother with light steps.
"Don't you want to become stronger?"
"..."
Listening to his foolish little brother's naive remarks, Uchiha Itachi could not help looking bitter.
Of course he hoped to become stronger.
But he could not pin his "hopes" on this business of becoming a "jinchūriki."
There was no other reason.
Regardless of how this Seven-Tails Jinchuriki selection went,
the final decision rested firmly in the hands of the Fifth Hokage!
Uchiha Itachi knew very well that the Fifth Hokage did not favor him...
Otherwise, the Fifth Hokage would never have sent Uchiha Itachi off to the Eighth Squad.
As for why his relationship with the Fifth Hokage had become what it was today, he knew that perfectly well too.
It all came back to two names-Hiruzen Sarutobi and Obito Uchiha!
Precisely because Uchiha Itachi understood things