When Sasuke saw Itachi stretch out his index finger and gently tap his forehead, that same familiar smile flickered before his eyes—the same gesture from years ago.
And when Itachi finally fell before him, motionless, there was no thrill of vengeance, no satisfaction.
Only… emptiness.
And confusion.
When Sasuke awoke again, everything was dark. The faint scent of medicine lingered in the air. His wounds had been bandaged, and he was lying on a cold wooden floor.
He blinked. The shadows blurred into form.
"...You're awake."
The calm voice came from his left.
Sasuke turned sharply—and the instant he saw the speaker, his Mangekyō flared open.
"Amaterasu!"
Black flames erupted from his eye, surging forward—
But they stopped midair, as if pressed against an invisible wall.
"Bakudō #81: Splitting Void."
The black fire hissed, unable to advance, and slowly sank to the ground, burning harmlessly.
Through the flickering shadows, Kenya stepped forward, the crimson light of the flames reflecting in his calm eyes.
"Itachi, huh…" he said lightly, eyes closing with a faint smile. "Even in death, he plans for every possibility. Including me."
"It's you…" Sasuke's voice trembled. He hadn't expected to see this man again—not now.
Kenya smiled faintly. "That fight went well. You should thank him."
Sasuke's expression hardened. "Why are you here?"
Kenya clasped his arms, speaking slowly. "Because, Sasuke… your revenge isn't over yet."
Sasuke froze. "What do you mean!?"
Kenya ignored his anger and continued, his tone steady, almost distant.
"Sixteen years ago… just after you were born, something was decided in secret. Without Shisui Uchiha's influence, the Uchiha clan was heading toward rebellion—and annihilation. Itachi… made a deal with the village."
"He agreed to erase the Uchiha clan from history—by his own hand. And in return, he would die as a criminal to protect Konoha."
Kenya's voice lowered, echoing softly in the small, dark room.
"I discovered the plan and escaped before the night massacre began. Itachi killed his parents, his comrades, his clan… but not you. Do you know why?"
Sasuke's breathing quickened.
Kenya turned, his eyes reflecting the faint firelight.
"Because to him, his little brother was more important than the village itself."
He stepped closer, his voice cold but clear.
"He knew that if you killed him, your Mangekyō would awaken. And if his corpse remained with you, you could transplant his eyes—gaining the Eternal Mangekyō. He even used the power of the Totsuka Blade to purge Orochimaru's curse from you. Every piece of this—your power, your survival—was his plan."
Sasuke's entire body stiffened.
He shook his head slowly. "No… no, that's not true. It's not true!"
"Impossible!"
"He had no mercy! He tried to kill me with his own hands!"
Kenya tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable.
"Then why are you still alive?"
The question silenced Sasuke.
Kenya took a step forward. "Do you really believe in coincidence? You accepted Orochimaru's power, then fought Itachi, and just happened to be freed from the curse afterward? Itachi let you live because he wanted you to live. Because he loved you, Sasuke."
Sasuke trembled. His nails dug into his palms.
Kenya sighed softly. "Itachi… was an extraordinary man. Even though I was once one of his assassination targets, I still respect him deeply."
"…Why?" Sasuke finally asked hoarsely. "Why tell me all this? What's your purpose?"
Kenya's eyes narrowed. "Because three of the people responsible for Itachi's suffering are still alive."
He raised a finger. "Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado—the ones who forced the massacre to happen."
"I don't care about the Uchiha clan," Kenya said plainly. "But those three old relics… they're obstacles to my plans."
Sasuke's gaze darkened. "So you want me—a traitor—to kill them for you?"
Kenya chuckled. "You're sharp. As Minister of the Ninbu, I can't act directly. But you, Sasuke, have no such restraint."
He continued: "Itachi wanted you to return to Konoha as a 'hero,' bringing his body home as proof of your loyalty. That was the path he carved for you. But if you choose that path… you must abandon your revenge."
He paused, his tone turning quiet.
"I'm offering you a different one."
"I'll tell you where the Konoha Councilors are hiding—Danzo, Koharu, and Homura. You can finish what Itachi started. But if you do, you'll forever bear the mark of a traitor, living in exile."
Kenya turned toward the door, his cloak brushing softly against the floor.
"Itachi's eyes—I'll keep them safe. If you choose the second path, come to me, and I'll transplant them for you."
He stopped at the doorway.
"With Konoha's strength, you can't win alone. Not yet. So think carefully."
He glanced back over his shoulder, his voice echoing faintly as he vanished into the darkness.
"When you've decided, come to the Temple of Fire, fifty miles east of Konoha. My men will be waiting there… and I'll give you your brother's eyes."