Kisame glanced at Itachi, his meaning clear.
This place was chosen for its isolation.
So why was someone here?
Itachi was equally puzzled. From the state of the Uchiha ruins, no one should come here.
Soon…
A figure appeared under the moonlight, reflected in their eyes.
Wearing the Uchiha clan's garb, a long sword strapped to his back.
Though years had passed, Itachi recognized him instantly.
Sasuke.
Kisame recognized him too. Though he'd never met Sasuke, the boy's resemblance to Itachi was striking.
What now?
Kisame's questioning gaze met Itachi's.
"Ignore him," Itachi whispered. "We're here to investigate the mysterious man. Best not to stir trouble."
"Got it," Kisame nodded.
Their missions typically followed Itachi's lead.
Kisame trusted him.
They hid silently in the tree, making no sound, watching as Sasuke entered a house abandoned for six years. Soon, sounds of rummaging echoed out.
But moments later, Sasuke emerged, visibly disappointed.
He moved to the next house.
What was he doing?
Itachi was baffled.
He hadn't seen Sasuke in years. The boy had grown taller, the sword on his back likely a new weapon.
But what was this?
They watched Sasuke exit the second house, still disappointed, then enter a third. This time, he came out with a faint smile.
He held something up in the moonlight, and Itachi saw it clearly.
A gleaming gold necklace and some silver fragments.
Sasuke carefully wiped off the dust, placing them in what looked like a wallet.
"Not enough," Sasuke sighed, his voice echoing in the moonlight.
He darted to the next house.
Now it was clear.
He was scavenging for leftover wealth.
"Your brother seems dirt poor," Kisame grinned, showing sharp teeth. "Sneaking into his clan's ruins at night to scrounge for money. Konoha's harsh on him. That headband says he's a genin, right?"
Genin could take missions, earn income.
But Sasuke looked desperate for money.
Itachi lowered his gaze, hiding the fury in his eyes from Kisame.
When he left, the Third Hokage promised to care for Sasuke!
And now, this?
"Kisame," Itachi said softly, "got any money on you?"
"You're thinking…" Kisame looked surprised.
"He'll be searching till dawn at this rate," Itachi said, his tone devoid of emotion. "We have a mission tomorrow. Let him find some gold and leave."
Kisame studied Itachi, then reached into his cloak. "I don't have much either. You know the organization's money guy's a cheapskate."
He pulled out a handful of gold.
Good thing he preferred gold over paper money, which could get ruined in battle.
Itachi took the gold, his form flickering.
He placed it in an inconspicuous spot that would catch the moonlight when Sasuke emerged, camouflaging it with dirt.
On his fifth exit, Sasuke noticed the glint under the tree.
"Gold!"
He ran over excitedly, uncovering the gold in the soil.
But…
"Why's gold here?" Sasuke muttered, puzzled, staring at the tree. Then his eyes lit up with realization.
Could this be one of the clan's old money stashes?
Finally!
Sasuke took a deep breath, his eyes flashing blood-red.
—Sharingan!
The Bloodline Limit that saw chakra and sharpened vision, perfect for finding hidden items.
"He's onto us," Itachi murmured.
"Who's there!?"
Sasuke drew his sword sharply. With his Sharingan active, he vaguely saw two chakra masses in the tree.
Thanks to Kakashi's recent training.
The Sharingan's insight, though not as keen as the Byakugan, was formidable.
He was certain.
Someone was up there!
"Those eyes are a pain…" Kisame's gruff voice paused. "Not you, Itachi-san."
Itachi-san?
Sasuke's pupils shrank, his heart pounding uncontrollably.
He realized something.
Whoosh—
With a gust of wind, a figure appeared before Sasuke, silhouetted against the flawless moon.
In that instant, the world seemed to vanish for Sasuke.
All he saw were those blood-red eyes, glowing with a predatory light.
Uchiha… Itachi!
The same place, the same night, that nightmarish evening flooded back into Sasuke's mind.
His body trembled.
His once-clear features twisted into a snarl, his eyes blazing with killing intent.
This man before him…
Was the reason he lived.
He lived to kill him!
"Uchiha Itachi!" Sasuke aimed his sword, his face fully contorted. "Why do you dare return here?"
He wanted to unleash Heavenly Flying Immortal right now!
But—
Sasuke held back.
After the Fate-Witnessing Stage battle, his mindset had matured.
He glanced back.
A man with a large blade stood behind him.
Two against one.
Kakashi said Itachi's strength might surpass his own. Sasuke believed he stood a chance now, but against two… he couldn't be reckless.
"Hm?" Itachi seemed surprised.
He saw the hatred in Sasuke's eyes.
Did he expect an immediate attack?
Was the hatred not enough? Did fear still outweigh his loathing?
"Why wouldn't I dare return?" Itachi said coldly. "Because I killed everyone here?"