"Itachi, your eyes..."
Arima looked on with concern at Itachi, whose expression had suddenly shifted drastically as a terrifying aura radiated from his body. Judging by the two trails of bloody tears, Itachi was clearly enduring a horrific form of agony.
Hearing Arima's voice, Itachi slowly drew a kunai. Through the reflection on the blade's surface, he saw his eyes clearly. The three ink-colored tomoe had merged together, forming the shape of a three-bladed Fuma Shuriken.
Now, Itachi finally understood the words Shisui had once told him: I hope you never have to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan...
Regret, sorrow, pain... these various emotions transformed into a frighteningly ominous energy that surged wildly from Itachi's body.
"Are you alright, Itachi?"
Arima asked with genuine care. To be honest, in all the days they had spent together, he had never seen such a terrifying aura emanate from Itachi. In his memory, Itachi had always been that gentle, kind youth who loved eating three-color dango.
Once, such a youth existed in Itachi's heart as well. However, that boy was now dead.
After a long silence, Itachi reopened his eyes. The abnormality within them had completely vanished. He gently touched his eyes and looked out at the lake, speaking as if answering Shisui beneath the moon that night.
"Shisui, I will definitely fulfill your dying wish."
He then stood up and turned to Arima. "Arima, the Uchiha compound may become very dangerous soon. It would be best if you didn't come here anymore."
"Is that so..."
Arima was actually aware of the eerie atmosphere currently pervading Konoha, but after their time together, he had already come to view Itachi as a partner.
"Itachi, if there is anything you need help with, just say the word. I will do my best."
Itachi gave Arima a faint smile and shook his head lightly. "My only hope is that you can stay out of this matter. I have already lost one friend; I do not wish to lose another."
Arima remained silent for a moment before saying firmly, "I understand."
"Mm. Then I'll be going now."
Itachi had no intention of seeking revenge against Danzo, at least not for the time being. Just as Shisui's last words stated, if he sought revenge now, it would immediately trigger a war between the clan and the village. That was exactly what Danzo wanted to see.
Therefore, Itachi had to endure. He had to bear the pain of his best friend's death and find a balance that could maintain peace between the village and the clan.
Shisui's death would inevitably cause an uproar within the clan. Itachi's urgent priority now was to return and, following Shisui's plan, frame the death as a suicide. Otherwise, the radicals in the clan might recklessly seek revenge against Danzo.
Leaving the training ground, Itachi went straight to Shisui's home. A familiar scent greeted him, making his lips tremble slightly, but he quickly suppressed his emotions. He soon found the suicide note Shisui had mentioned on the desk.
I don't want to continue like this. There is no way out for an Uchiha like this...
The familiar handwriting was pressed so hard it nearly carved through the paper. Itachi's hand gripped the yellowed stationery tightly, his clenched teeth letting out a grating sound. These short lines expressed the agony Shisui felt being caught between the village and the clan.
On one side was the village he had vowed to protect since childhood. On the other was the clan that had raised him. That kind of torment and the feeling of a suffocating future were things perhaps only Itachi could truly empathize with. Precisely because he could feel it, the pain was even more acute now.
So, Shisui had thoughts of suicide long ago...
So, he was trapped in this same suffocating pain just like me...
He leaned one hand on the table, his body shaking with grief, yet his tears ultimately did not fall. After two minutes, Itachi straightened his back, his gaze turning sharp and determined once more. No matter what, he had to fulfill the promise made to his dearest friend.
With this resolve, Itachi took Shisui's suicide note and returned home.
"Big brother!"
As soon as he entered, the young Sasuke rushed into his brother's arms. The warmth from his younger brother briefly eased the pain in Itachi's heart. He rubbed Sasuke's head affectionately as usual and said, "I have something to discuss with Father. I'll play with you later, okay?"
"Okay!"
Sasuke, as cute as a doll, gave an incredibly obedient smile. Itachi smiled back tenderly, then turned around, his expression turning cold again. He knocked on his father's door.
"Father, it's me, Itachi."
"Come in."
Fugaku's slightly exhausted voice came from inside the room. Itachi's expression shifted slightly. As a vital combat asset of the Uchiha and the son of the Clan Head, he naturally knew of the recent developments. With the constant procurement of supplies from the Ninja Cats and the Spider Lily Chamber of Commerce, the intent to launch a coup was practically public knowledge.
I suppose my father has been busy with these matters lately...
Itachi's face grew cold. It was precisely because of this narrow-minded clan-centrism that Shisui ended up...
Itachi pushed the door open and placed Shisui's suicide note on Fugaku's desk.
"This is..."
Fugaku picked up the note, and his face instantly became grim to the extreme.
"Shisui committed suicide."
Itachi closed his eyes, his expression unreadable. Fugaku gripped the paper tightly.
"No, that's impossible. At such a critical moment, why would he kill himself?"
Fugaku suddenly looked up and questioned, "Where is he now?"
Itachi shook his head calmly. "His body hasn't been found."
Hearing this, Fugaku acted as if he had caught a lifeline. "If the body hasn't been found, that means there's still hope!"
He finally regained his composure and commanded Itachi in a cold voice, "Immediately dispatch every member of the Police Force. Use all your strength to search for Shisui's whereabouts. You must find him!"
"Yes."
The entire Uchiha Police Force was mobilized, causing no small stir in Konoha. Watching his busy clansmen, Itachi suddenly felt a sense of sorrow. He knew clearly that these people weren't searching for Shisui out of concern for a fellow clansman. They simply didn't want to lose a powerful combat asset like Shisui; they didn't want the odds of their coup to decrease.
How truly pathetic. A clan without emotion, only pursuing power and status.
Itachi recalled what his father had said when he first awakened his eyes. They only cared about your strength; they didn't care at all about your emotions, ideals, or beliefs! Power was the only thing they pursued.
Such a clan was truly too sorrowful.