[The image shows Shisui's memories.]
[Under the clear summer sky, at a training ground in Konoha, Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha form the Seal of Opposition.]
[It's an intense spar. Two prodigies with Sharingan refuse to give an inch. Ninjutsu, Uchiha shurikenjutsu, taijutsu—each technique flows into the next.]
The ninja from every village watch closely, unwilling to miss a rare exchange like this. From it, they can gauge the strength of Konoha's younger generation—and gather valuable intelligence.
"As expected of Shisui of the Body Flicker from Konoha! That Body Flicker Technique combined with his shuriken skills is nearly impossible to counter."
"And that just makes that S-rank rogue ninja, Itachi Uchiha, even more dangerous."
"Just think about it. If that Akatsuki organization is full of people like that, how are we supposed to win?"
"Sigh… better train harder. According to the prophecy of the future, we're bound to clash over the jinchuriki sooner or later."
"By the way, do you think Shisui Uchiha is really dead? Could Konoha be hiding him and secretly colluding with that so-called Akatsuki?"
"Let's finish watching before jumping to conclusions. We don't have all the information yet."
"Yeah, you're right."
[The two boys in the image finish forming the Seal of Reconciliation. Because Itachi was distracted, he comes up slightly short.]
[Shisui beams. "Well? Looks like I'm still stronger!"]
["Yeah. I lost." Itachi closes his Sharingan and takes Shisui's hand, pulling himself to his feet.]
["If you hadn't been distracted," Shisui says, "it's hard to say who would've won."]
[Itachi looks slightly surprised. "You noticed?"]
[Shisui smiles helplessly. "How many years have we known each other?" His expression turns serious. "It's about that matter, right? It's not going well?"]
["Sorry…" Itachi lowers his head, clearly dejected. "I've tried a lot of methods, but at best, I can only delay it for a while." Shisui sighs. "It's the same on my end. This coup has the entire clan behind it. Stopping it won't be easy."]
The villagers of Konoha look conflicted.
It's true—they never liked the Uchiha much. The clan's elites always seemed arrogant, friendly to their own but distant toward ordinary villagers. Not openly hostile… but not warm, either.
Then came the Uchiha massacre.
They had pitied the clan. Felt sorry for the sole survivor. Hated Itachi Uchiha for his cold-blooded act.
But now, seeing what had been hidden beneath Konoha's prosperity…
For the first time, they glimpse the darkness behind it.
No one quite knows what to feel.
Most are just relieved that disaster was averted.
But some can't help wondering—between Konoha and the Uchiha, who should have changed first?
"If only that child were still alive…" An elderly woman's voice trembles with age.
Inside the Kamui space, Uchiha Obito hears her.
An old man beside her murmurs softly, "If that little Obito who used to help us carry our groceries were still here…"
"That child… he could've changed something." The old woman stares at the image, remembering the warm, cheerful Uchiha boy. "If it were him, he definitely could."
Behind his mask, the man who calls himself "no one" pursed his lips.
What's the point of hearing this now?
There's no going back.
The old couple are so aged their breathing is barely audible. Even when that boy was still alive, they'd already been gray-haired elders.
"It's fine. We'll see that child again soon," they say with a smile. "I've saved up so much fruit candy for him."
"!!"
Obito: "…"
He turns his head away, stunned for a long moment.
Then the masked man flees from the Kamui space in a hurry.
…
[In the image, beneath the setting sun—]
Two boys who trust each other, love their village, and believe in their clan stand by the waterfall cliff at Konoha's edge, discussing how to prevent war—how to change their clan's mindset and repair the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha.
[Shisui: "Even if we've only delayed it, that's still something."]
[Itachi: "How about your side? Have you found any allies who share your view?"]
[Shisui looks just as disheartened. "Same here. No progress. No one's responded…"]
He's been searching within the Uchiha clan for those who, like him and Itachi, don't want a coup. If they can gather enough like-minded clan members, they can argue their case to Fugaku and abandon the plan.
If they start by changing themselves—gradually changing the Uchiha—then one day, the villagers might recognize that effort and reflect on their own attitudes.
Given time, the Uchiha could truly integrate into Konoha.
But—
After all this time, the two boys still have only each other.
["No matter what, they're still Uchiha," Shisui sighs. "You and I both know how strong the clan's unity is." They're a stubborn bunch.]
The thirteen-year-old ANBU lowers his head, his sorrow so heavy even the background music feels bleak.
["Don't look so down," Shisui says, patting Itachi's shoulder with a grin. "With you and me on this side, that's already the first step to success! Have some confidence."]
[Two young boys, barely more than children, plan their next move in the glow of dusk. The scene is beautiful—like a bond that could last forever.]
"Tch. For the Uchiha to produce two outstanding young ninja like that… that's fortunate," Tobirama Senju mutters.
Senju Itama glances at his brother. The times really have changed—Second Brother is actually praising the Uchiha.
["Onii-chan~"]
Though the voice is young—
"That voice… Sasuke-kun?!"
Others hadn't recognized it at first, but Sakura's shout draws everyone's attention to the Uchiha survivor.
Sasuke clicks his tongue. "Tch!"
[Sure enough, young Sasuke appears in the image, running from afar while calling out to his brother—like a little tagalong who finally found his target.]
Naruto stares at the scene.
He's never seen this version of Sasuke.
At the Academy, that jerk always wore a smug look.
But here, chasing after his family, Sasuke looks completely different—eager for his brother to train with him, desperate for his brother's approval.
Is this what having a brother feels like?
That must be nice.
A strong longing rises in Naruto's chest.
Things had started getting better between him and Sasuke because of Mikoto-san. But sure enough, that jerk… just like everyone else, looked down on him for being an orphan!
["Onii-chan! Shisui-niisan!"]
The Uchiha man they'd seen not long ago—his appearance hasn't changed at all from Sasuke's childhood to now.
["Hey! What are you guys talking about? Tell me too!" Little Sasuke waves his tiny arms and legs, shamelessly acting cute toward his two older brothers.]
[Itachi gives him the family forehead poke. "It's too early for you to know. I'll tell you later. Forgive me, Sasuke."]
"Pfft—"
Someone nearby can't hold back their laughter.
'Must be someone from Konoha. Don't think I don't know!'
Sasuke's face turns as red as his favorite tomatoes. It feels like a public execution. Heat floods his entire body.
But once the embarrassment fades, sadness takes its place.
Back then, he was too young. He couldn't share his brother's burden.
Is that why Itachi ultimately chose that path?
He recalls Danzo of Konoha's elders, ruthlessly plucking out Shisui's eye. At the time, Sasuke had been consumed by fury. According to Sakura, the curse mark left by that man named Orochimaru had spread in strange patterns across his face and arms.
Darkness and power had surged through him. He'd almost stormed out of the collapsing Chunin Exams to demand answers from the Third Hokage.
Fortunately, others had restrained him.
Gaara's sand played a big role. And Naruto, still angry, had cursed him out so harshly it snapped him back to his senses.
Under Naruto's blunt scolding, Sasuke realized he couldn't act recklessly. His mother was still alive. Itachi's situation wasn't fully understood. He couldn't let his own carelessness endanger her.
After that, Sasuke had wanted to apologize to Naruto several times for what he'd said in anger. But he was afraid bringing it up would only make things worse. He opened his mouth again and again, yet the apology never came out.
["Itachi's such a bully, not telling Sasuke," Shisui says, wrapping an arm around the little boy and lying through his teeth. "We were just arguing about who's stronger. I'm older than Itachi, so of course I'm stronger. This debate should've ended long ago, right, Sasuke?"]
[Little Sasuke puffs out his cheeks. "No way! My brother's stronger!"]
[Shisui, clearly good with kids: "Eh? Shisui-niisan's going to be really sad, you know."]
[Rubbing his nose proudly, little Sasuke continues his professional big-brother hype. "Can't help it! My brother's a genius. He's the strongest!"]
Sasuke: "…"
His younger self really was adorably stupid… and pitiful.
Far away in Tanzaku Town, the crow perched on Mito Hime's shoulder—Itachi—watches Shisui's memories and feels a rush of emotion.
He can never return to those days.
Now, his only value lies in being Sasuke's stepping stone—helping him grow into someone even greater—and serving as Konoha's spy within Akatsuki, secretly monitoring "Madara" and protecting the village.
[Within Shisui's memories—]
[Watching little Sasuke force Itachi to admit he's stronger than Shisui over who's truly stronger, Shisui's heart melts. "Family really is something special…"]
[Perhaps in Itachi's eyes, he mostly saw his adorable little brother Sasuke; but in Shisui's memories, he saw Itachi as a younger brother of his own.]
[Shisui's inner voice echoes in the image: "Every time I see Itachi and Sasuke together, I want to protect their happiness. So I absolutely—absolutely won't let the clan destroy all this for the sake of their own interests!!]
Itachi (crow): Shisui… so that's how you felt?