"I just don't like killing innocent people. Besides, if he dies, it'll arouse Konoha's alertness. Then it'll be even more difficult for you to carry out your plan!"
"Then what do you think we should do now? If we don't kill him, the first thing he'll do when he gets back is tell the Hokage what he saw!"
Kabuto pouted discontentedly. Sasuke's sudden appearance had disrupted their plan. Since he wants to be under Lord Orochimaru, he shouldn't be so hesitant now.
Sasuke showed a cruel smile.
"What are you afraid of? I'm here, aren't I?"
After saying that, he activated his Sharingan. The charming red light was especially striking at night. He looked at the weak Hayate Gekkō with these beautiful eyes.
Hayate's gaze was deeply attracted and he became infatuated. His eyes slowly closed and he drifted off to sleep.
"Don't worry. He won't remember this incident after he wakes up."
Kabuto didn't look happy at all. Looking at the scene in front of him, he couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat. He knew the Sharingan was powerful, but he didn't expect it to be this strong.
Does this mean that once Sasuke activates his Sharingan, no one can resist anything under his eyes?
It's really incredibly powerful! Is it really okay for Lord Orochimaru to team up with such a scheming person? Kabuto couldn't help asking himself in his heart.
................
"Sasuke, why are you just coming back at this hour?"
Itachi looked up at the alarm clock on the wall. It was already 12 o'clock. Recently, because of the Chunin Exams, there's always been a restless atmosphere in the village.
Sasuke has been going out early and coming back late these days, and he doesn't seem to be cultivating. This worried Itachi a lot. Plus, he refused to tell Itachi anything about what had happened in the Death Forest.
"Brother, it's nothing. I just cultivated too late these days and didn't pay much attention to the time. You don't have to worry so much."
Looking at Itachi's somewhat forlorn expression, Sasuke was a bit touched. But even so, he didn't plan to tell Itachi his plan. In his past life, Itachi had borne too much. This time, it was his turn.
Moreover, Itachi used to be the same, never telling him anything. Now the tables had turned, and they could switch roles, brother.
Itachi stood there beside him and refused to leave. Sasuke sighed deeply and said to Itachi earnestly.
"Brother, you should also worry about your own Marital life. After all, I'm not the only one in your life. You don't have to always revolve around me. Why not care more about yourself?"
Hearing Sasuke's rejecting tone, Itachi's heart sank instantly. Looking at the figure about to enter the room, he always felt that his younger brother was getting farther and farther away from him.
He reached out his hand to grab him, but he stumbled and fell hard to the ground.
"Cough... cough..."
Hearing the noise behind him, Sasuke spun around, looking shocked.
"Brother, what's wrong with you?"
Itachi propped his hands on the floor, coughing uncontrollably. Blood trickled down the corner of his mouth. His limbs were weak and he couldn't muster any strength. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his hand, raised his head, and forced a calm smile.
"It's nothing. I just bit my lip when I fell. Don't worry too much."
Anger flashed across Sasuke's face. He didn't understand why Itachi still pretended to be okay at this time.
"Liar!"
"Sasuke?"
"You're always like this, taking on everything by yourself and not willing to share anything with me... We're the closest brothers, aren't we?"
Sasuke bit his lower lip and clenched his fists tightly. His fingernails, though not sharp, dug deeply into the flesh, making his knuckles turn white.
He didn't want things to be like this. In fact, he had long noticed that Itachi had contracted an incurable illness.
Every night, if he listened carefully, he could always hear Itachi's occasional coughing coming from his room. There were also tissues stained with blood in the trash can in his room. But the next day, Itachi would still look at him with a loving gaze as if nothing had happened.
His father and mother were the same. They were no longer the Uchiha they used to be, but they still tacitly chose to keep it from him.
In that case, he would find his own way to forge a different path.
"Just like you don't want to tell me your things, from now on, stay out of my business and the path I choose!"
After saying that, he left Itachi alone and went straight back to his room, leaving Itachi sitting on the floor, staring blankly at Sasuke's room and whispering softly.
"Sasuke, I'm sorry..."
...............
When Sasuke returned to his room, his anger burst out uncontrollably. He punched the solid concrete wall hard, and the wall instantly cracked like a spider web.
Blood oozed from his fist, but he didn't feel the slightest pain. He knew his behavior was childish and that he was just angry with Itachi! He was really angry! That's why he wouldn't tell Itachi anything!
He would solve the problem his own way!
Sasuke glared angrily at the full moon outside the window. Itachi's illness was his first reason for seeking Orochimaru. Those whom the current [Medical Ninjutsu] couldn't save, Orochimaru could!
This time, he would never stand by and watch Itachi die in front of him again. He would never let this tragedy continue.
...............
The next day, the two brothers ate breakfast at the table in silence. Mikoto could feel the awkward atmosphere between them. She wanted to step in and persuade them, but Fugaku stopped her.
Fugaku reached out to stop her and shook his head slightly.
At their age, kids had their own conflicts, and it wouldn't work if adults got involved.
Mikoto looked at the empty seat where Naruto usually sat at the table and wondered how his cultivation was progressing. It would be great if Naruto was here at this time.
"Hayate, we couldn't reach you last night. How did your intelligence - gathering mission go?"
Hayate Gekkō, leading the Anbu members, knelt in front of the Hokage and replied in a low voice.
"Lord Hokage, everything was normal last night. I didn't find anything suspicious. But there was a suspicious figure spotted in the village. When I chased the figure into the forest, I found it was just a naughty kid who was playing outside instead of sleeping at midnight. That's why I was late reporting back!"
"Well, it's a relief that nothing went wrong."
Somehow, as he looked at the calm - faced Hayate Gekkō, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, felt his eyelid twitch. He had a feeling that something bad was about to happen.
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