…
The room was warm.
Bright.
Comfortable.
…
Completely different—
From the cold, oppressive aesthetic of Akatsuki.
…
A tea set rested neatly on the table.
A heater burned softly.
Carpets covered the floor.
Paintings hung along the walls.
…
Luxury.
…
Even a minor daimyō—
Wouldn't live much better.
…
And right now—
Three "guests" stood inside.
Uninvited.
…
Obito Uchiha slowly scanned the room.
…
His expression darkened.
…
Disgusting.
…
Wasteful.
…
An Akatsuki member—
Living like this?
…
He stepped forward.
Toward the sofa.
About to sit—
…
"DON'T SIT."
…
The voice cut sharply through the room.
Clean.
Instant.
Absolute.
…
Obito froze.
…
Half a second.
…
Then straightened up again.
…
From the corridor—
Shenyue Yuan walked in calmly.
…
Smiling.
As always.
…
"That's an antique."
"It's for display."
…
Obito stared at him.
…
This… is him?
…
Too ordinary.
…
So ordinary—
He looked like someone who could be crushed without effort.
…
Blind…?
…
Obito frowned internally—
Then immediately stopped himself.
…
…Right.
I only have one eye.
…
Before he could speak—
…
Something shifted.
…
Itachi Uchiha's eyes sharpened instantly.
…
"…Yuan?"
…
Shock.
Confusion.
Disbelief.
…
His thoughts—
Stopped.
…
How…?
…
Just days ago—
They were still classmates.
…
Now—
He stood here.
Wearing the Akatsuki cloak.
…
"Long time no see, Itachi."
Yuan smiled.
…
He stepped forward.
Extended his hand.
…
"Let's reintroduce."
"Shenyue Yuan."
"Akatsuki member."
"Codename—One."
…
"…"
…
Obito watched silently.
…
Too confident.
Far too confident.
…
Itachi raised his hand—
Almost mechanically—
And shook it.
…
"I've heard… what you did."
…
Yuan sighed.
Shook his head.
…
"Itachi…"
…
"You really are a damn beast."
…
Silence.
…
Even Obito's eye narrowed slightly.
…
Interesting.
…
He said that—
Directly to his face?
…
Obito leaned slightly to the side.
Watching.
Waiting.
…
Come on… Itachi.
Say something.
…
But—
…
Itachi lowered his gaze.
Avoiding eye contact.
…
"…You know."
"I had no choice."
…
No anger.
No retaliation.
…
Only guilt.
…
Obito:
…?
…
Why do you look like you accepted that?!
…
Yuan suddenly clapped his hands lightly.
…
"Well—since you're here…"
"Let's eat."
…
A pause.
…
"…Oh."
"I already ate."
…
"…"
…
White Zetsu blinked.
…
Obito's expression darkened further.
…
Itachi gave a faint, helpless shake of his head.
…
He was used to this.
…
This chaotic personality—
Was nothing new.
…
After a moment—
Itachi looked at Yuan seriously.
…
"…Why are you here?"
"In Akatsuki?"
…
Yuan turned.
Walked back.
…
Then—
Sat down.
Directly.
On the antique sofa.
…
Leaning back.
Completely relaxed.
…
"Long story."
…
White Zetsu couldn't hold it in anymore.
…
"You just said no one could sit there."
…
Yuan nodded.
"Yeah."
"It's for people to look at."
…
"I never said I can't sit."
…
"…???"
…
White Zetsu froze.
…
"…That makes sense to you?"
…
Obito's expression sank even further.
…
Yuan suddenly straightened.
…
"Oh—right."
"My mistake."
…
"There are small stools in the corner."
"Help yourselves."
…
Silence.
…
No one moved.
…
Yuan tilted his head.
Genuinely confused.
…
"…Why aren't you sitting?"
…
"…You don't like sitting?"
…
…
And just like that—
The tension in the room—
Didn't explode.
…
It derailed.