But fear rendered his body immobile.
The difference in strength between himself and this person was as vast as a chasm.
Anger was futile; calm, he must calm down.
"Seriously, if you could just answer my questions properly, you might live a little longer... I detest such brats who ignore adult emotions."
The black-clothed ninja grumbled discontentedly.
He continued to move closer to Itachi, leaving a trail of bloody footprints with each step.
Move...
Move...
Itachi grappled with the struggle within.
He found that fear had paralyzed him, making him incapable of even raising a hand.
Death had never been so close.
He raised his head, attempting to maintain the pride that the Uchiha Clan should hold, even in death.
Even in death, he could not die with a bowed head.
However, as soon as he met the gaze of the black-clothed ninja, he froze.
Through the small hole on the left side of the ninja's mask, he saw a crimson eye.
Sharingan.
How could it be?
Itachi was momentarily stunned.
This person... Is he a ninja of the Uchiha Clan?
But among the clan members of the Uchiha Clan of Konoha, there shouldn't be anyone with such a presence.
Even Uchiha Ruri, who had defected, was a woman, not a man.
Who is this person?
Itachi felt he had stumbled upon a massive secret, his breath quickening.
Just as the black-clothed ninja reached out to do something, he suddenly looked up at the somewhat gloomy sky.
"An annoying fellow has arrived, but it matters not. Eventually, you will come to find me, Uchiha Itachi. I await your growth. Here is where you truly belong."
With that, he let out a bizarre, mysterious laugh, and his body melded into the ground, disappearing.
As he reached the limits of his endurance, Itachi saw his captain Minazuki Yuzuki and teammate Inari Makoto rushing from afar.
Did I survive?
With this thought, Itachi collapsed to the ground, slipping into unconsciousness.
◎
Opening his eyes.
Itachi realized he was lying in a bed, surrounded by a layout that felt dear and familiar.
This was his room.
Did he safely make it home?
It seemed his captain Minazuki Yuzuki had rescued him.
As he breathed a sigh of relief, a sudden thought stirred him, causing his body to tremble.
Terrifying memories surged into his mind, of Tsutama's chest twisted and torn, blood gushing out, with an indescribable horror, dying before him.
Itachi covered his eyes, where it burned fervently, as if undergoing some change.
Quickly descending from the bed, he approached the mirror.
Stunned.
His eyes had turned red.
Dark and cold scarlet.
Sharingan.
The Kekkeigenkai pupil technique the Uchiha Clan became renowned for was a symbol of power.
Was it due to his weakness, his inability to protect his comrades, that he awakened these eyes? Itachi clenched his fist tightly, filled with intense discontent.
Disappointed in himself, feeling despondent about his cowardice and frailty.
Despite having always perceived himself as a strong ninja, capable of protecting everyone.
Yet, the memory of Tsutama dying before his eyes remained vividly clear.
At that moment, he could do nothing.
Power… still not enough.
The desire to become the strongest ninja grew even stronger than before.
If these eyes could be used effectively, it would surely be achievable.
With these eyes, not only could he protect his teammates, but he could also accomplish more for the clan.
◎
Due to the failure of the mission, and Tsutama's death, Itachi's squad needed some time to replace its members.
This gave Itachi more time to rest at home.
But he clearly felt that his usually lively teammate Inari Makoto had become more withdrawn.
The sacrifice of a comrade... was not a feeling of joy, and might become a lifelong shadow.
Makoto was a gentle girl, and Itachi knew that Makoto's mood was downcast and she had become silent, directly related to Tsutama's death.
Whenever he thought of this, Itachi felt increasingly weak, knowing he needed to become stronger to create a peaceful world where no one would ever weep from sorrow.
"Father, I awakened the Sharingan."
Upon finding his father Fugaku, Itachi straightforwardly spoke these words.
Then quickly opened the Sharingan he had practiced for days to show Fugaku.
Fugaku, leisurely enjoying afternoon tea, was slightly startled, gazing at the crimson eyes of Itachi, his expression shifting from initial astonishment to ecstasy.
"Well done, Itachi. I thought this mission failure would strike you, but I didn't expect it would push you to grow further." Fugaku laughed joyfully.
Itachi originally thought Fugaku would be concerned for him, cautioning him not to wallow in the pain of his comrade's sacrifice, and come to comfort his already wounded fragile heart.
Hearing Fugaku's words, Itachi felt a dark emotion of anger welling up within.
For the first time, he harbored such dark feelings toward his father.
Regretful of having told his father about the awakening of the Sharingan.
The eyes bore the weight of a comrade's life... Wasn't his emotional trauma more deserving of concern than the eyes?
"A ninja is one who survives the various Asura Hell scenarios, a powerful ninja. Indeed, you haven't let me down, Itachi. Soon, you will become a mighty ninja."