The moon was bright, the stars sparse, and the sky so deep it seemed to swallow all light. In the dead of night, two figures still conversed in the woods outside the city.
The reasons behind Logan's disappearance and his subsequent actions had been more or less explained. As for the 'other dimension', it sounded unbelievable, but Itachi asked for a few more details to grasp the gist of it.
Though surprising, the existence of Space-Time Ninjutsu already proved the possibility of multiple worlds, so for a well-traveled Ninja like Itachi, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
Besides, now wasn't the time to dwell on it, because, by order, it was Logan's turn to speak.
"Cough." Finally addressing the very reason he had returned felt oddly exhilarating. Logan gathered his thoughts and said, "That year, you killed your clansmen... and spared only Sasuke."
A simple statement, yet the darkness of the night seemed to deepen in response.
"Mhm." Itachi responded softly. He truly didn't know what expression to wear… this wasn't like facing the Sandaime Hokage, the Konoha's Elders, or even Akatsuki and the masked man.
He didn't need to act bitter or resentful, but as someone burdened by unforgivable sins, he neither could nor was accustomed to showing ease.
The forest was silent, even the insects seemed too tired to chirp. The stillness settled heavily, and Logan turned slightly, noticing how Itachi was entirely enveloped in darkness, head bowed, an oppressive aura making the air around him visibly heavier.
If a flock of his signature crows flew in now, he might just melt into the shadows.
"Hey, hey." Logan couldn't take it anymore, 'Why did he have to sink into despair the moment this topic came up?'
"You're with me right now. Is this really necessary?"
That blood-soaked night… Itachi had made his choice, fully prepared to bear the shadows of his actions for the rest of his life, even if it meant being tormented day and night.
"You misunderstand, Senpai. These are just well-known facts." Itachi raised his head with a calm expression, "But it doesn't matter."
Seeing Itachi's hardened demeanor, though he himself had chosen this path, one he would walk to the end without looking back, Logan sighed inwardly. He didn't want to argue with the stubborn man about the blurred lines of right and wrong.
So Logan cut straight to the point. "Itachi, I'll say it plainly… I know all the twists and turns behind the Uchiha Clan's Massacre."
"What?" Itachi paused for a moment after hearing this, and then figured out that this might be due to Logan's former identity, "You were in ANBU, so..."
"Just assume I found out through ANBU resources and methods." Logan waved a hand dismissively. The Uchiha Clan's secrets weren't something ordinary ANBU could access. Only the higher-ups knew, and the information had been tightly sealed. But that wasn't the point. He steered the conversation back.
"What did you tell Sasuke?"
"Ah... oh." Itachi blinked, 'Since Senpai knew everything, then many things could be spoken of more openly...'
"I told Sasuke..."
"'Foolish little brother... you are still too weak,' right? Something like that?" Logan suddenly did an impromptu impression, grinning as if amused.
"..." Itachi stared at him, finding the expression just a little embarrassing, "That's... roughly correct."
'But why did it sound so weird coming from you? What's so funny about it?'
"You told him about the secret of the Eternal Mangekyo and said you'd take his eyes?" Logan laid out Itachi's plan without missing a beat.
Itachi's gaze flickered, and he lowered his eyelids, saying nothing.
"Itachi... you actually care about Sasuke, don't you?"
Logan dropped the bombshell.
"..."
The torches on Dosei City's walls burned quietly in the distance. Itachi remained silent, or perhaps, at this point, he simply didn't know how to respond.
For a long time, there was a wordless pause. Actions speaking louder than words, Itachi's silence was as good as an admission.
Logan exhaled, 'This is a big step forward.'
After choosing his words carefully, he spoke slowly and deliberately, "Stop hiding the truth from Sasuke."
"Right now, Sasuke is still training under Orochimaru, isn't he? Once he grows stronger, or once he consumes Orochimaru, the first thing he'll do is come for you."
"Gather his strength, then take revenge on the brother he had deeply hated for years."
"You'll die."
Logan bluntly revealed the final truth and outcome.
The words that slowly dissipated in the deserted forest were everything Itachi had planned, prepared, and hoped for… including his death.
With everything laid bare, Logan stared at Itachi, his gaze filled with urgency and reproach, "I don't want to see this kind of tragedy. Do you think you're some kind of hero? That you can shoulder everything and do it all alone? 'Finish the deed, brush your sleeves, and leave without a trace, your name hidden'? Cool guys have their limits, you know? It's not too late yet, Itachi. It doesn't have to come to this... There must be another way to reach a happy ending."
These words were sincere and heartfelt, something Logan had pondered for a long time. As he said, reality wasn't a staged drama that needed tragic, heart-wrenching twists and climaxes... It really didn't have to be this painful. As long as everyone worked together, as long as people didn't die, there had to be a better way...
However, after hearing Logan's plea, Itachi remained silent... then slowly shook his head.
There was emotion on his face, suppressed gratitude, but he still refused. Itachi smiled, the curve of his lips reminiscent of a time before the weight of duty had crushed him… a genuine, radiant smile.
"No need, Senpai."
"I'll take care of that idiot Sasuke."
A hand seemed to clutch at this fleeting moment, freezing it in time, glowing with quiet eternity.
His words were calm and resolute, but Logan felt a tightness in his chest. He didn't quite understand why was it still not enough?
Yet reality was cruel, rejecting goodwill so harshly. Logan opened his mouth... The Itachi before him had finally let his guard down, revealing a rare, true side of himself. Precious and fleeting, in a moment that could be described by those self-proclaimed literary kids with an overused, clichéd phrase… this person's eyes were shining, this person seemed to glow.
"Why? Damn it, are you stupid?" Logan was angry. He cursed, no longer holding back as he berated Itachi, leveraging his seniority, "Why are you so stubborn?"
The scene turned into a senior lecturing a junior. Itachi playfully took a step back, playing along, still smiling peacefully, "We're on a tree, Hattori-senpai. Please be careful."
"I..."
'Using honorifics now? Even throwing in a please?' Logan was about to snap back, but Itachi continued.
"Senpai, you mentioned 'that dimension' earlier… how you wanted to go home, how you've worked tirelessly for years to return to your homeland, studying Space-Time Ninjutsu, training, completing dangerous missions one after another, persisting day after day."
"You kept going, even when faced with doubt and blame from former comrades and friends. You mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, a feat only a handful in the entire Ninja World could achieve, and even improved upon it... You endured all the hardship and loneliness, and for that, I'm happy for you, Hattori-senpai."
"I understand your actions, the unwavering resolve behind them, and I'm glad for you. I support you. But just like what you've done... I'm the same."
"Senpai, you've walked this path as a Ninja, every moment of doubt and resurgence, every ounce of strength in your kunai swings driven by your homeland. But the source of my strength..."
Itachi pointed to the ground and smiled, "is here."
"Senpai, life and death are just ordinary things. But thank you... for passing by my side."