Sasuke clenched his fists. "Do you still hope for their forgiveness?"
Itachi shook his head. His voice was lighthearted, yet filled with deep sorrow. "I don't deserve anyone's forgiveness. Even if our parents say they never blamed me, even if they still see me as their proud son… In my heart, I am nothing more than an executioner."
"…An executioner who killed his own kin… Someone unworthy of anyone's forgiveness…"
"Those who turn their blades on their own comrades… are doomed to a tragic end…"
Itachi's voice remained steady, but the tears running down his face felt like a sorrowful melody. Yet, at the same time, he wore a gentle smile. Three completely different emotions appeared on his face at once.
It didn't feel out of place.
Sasuke took a deep breath and unclenched his fists.
He seemed to think for a moment before letting out a short laugh, almost like he was mocking himself. Then, he spoke:
"I thought you'd say something like… The people in the village are your comrades, and saving the village is more important than the sacrifice of the Uchiha clan. But instead, all you said was… for peace, for the arrogance and pride of the Uchiha."
"Heh… That's not the answer I expected."
Sasuke laughed bitterly. He lowered his head, covering his face with both hands. Hidden between his fingers, a single tear slipped through.
"Itachi… is peace and the pride of the Uchiha… really that important?"
"More important than Father and Mother?"
Sasuke seemed to understand, yet at the same time, he felt lost.
He knew why Itachi had massacred the clan. He might not have been able to accept it, but he understood the reasons behind it. However, the one thing he could never comprehend was… killing their parents. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't imagine it.
Looking at Sasuke's expression, Itachi spoke slowly:
"You can make your own judgment now… just like I did back then."
Fugaku and Mikoto… Rather than saying they died by Itachi's hands, it would be more accurate to say they were caught in a conflict—a struggle that had lasted for thousands of years.
Closing his eyes, Itachi let out a breath. For the first time, he looked truly at peace.
"If it's you now, you'll be able to find the right path."
When he opened his eyes again, the sadness and pain were gone. All that remained was the gentle look that had never changed.
Slowly, he stood up from his seat and took a step toward the center of the room.
"Sasuke… I made the wrong choice, but I have never regretted it."
Just like Father and Mother.
No matter what choice you make, you will always be the child we are proud of.
Sasuke stared at Itachi's back, his vision blurred by tears.
"Kurama once said… life is made up of countless choices. Whether you choose or not, the question will always be there."
Standing where the sunlight streamed through the window, Itachi turned his head with a gentle smile.
"The Nine-Tails?"
"No one can always make the right choice," Sasuke said as he wiped his tears and steadied his gaze.
"Every choice comes with a mistake. You never know what the consequences of that mistake will be. And so, you stand there in front of the question, feeling helpless, watching others move forward while you stay frozen in place."
"Instead of hesitating forever, afraid of making the wrong choice, isn't it better to just go for it—even if there is no right answer?"
"Only when you actually make a mistake will you understand whether it was worth making."
"And that's why family and friends exist… So that when you hesitate, they can help clear away the mistakes that aren't worth making. And if they can't… they'll stay by your side and make those mistakes with you."
Sasuke stepped forward, standing behind Itachi.
"You made the wrong choice, but if you believe that mistake was worth making, then don't regret it. Don't think about the other choice you didn't take."
"There are no do-overs in life."
Itachi reached out as if trying to grasp the light pouring in through the window, but when he opened his palm, there was nothing.
"That was well said. I met the Nine-Tails once… about fifteen years ago, during the attack on the village. Back then, he didn't seem like someone who would say those words."
"Because no one ever talked to him," Sasuke replied quietly. "Everyone just assumed… he was a mistake."
"Yeah…" Itachi smiled.
"Because there was no communication, everyone stayed frozen in place. And so… no one ever knew whether the mistake behind that choice was worth making or not."
Then, turning around, he smiled even brighter.
"You've grown up, Sasuke."
Sasuke clenched his fists. His lips trembled, but he said nothing.
Itachi turned to face him. His Sharingan spun, revealing the Three-Tomoe pattern.
"For the last time… let me see how strong you've become. Consider it my final gift to you."
"I don't need a gift like this," Sasuke said, his body tense, his voice shaking.
"Even without your eyes, I won't go blind. The power of the Sage of Six Paths is more than enough—"
"It's not just that," Itachi cut him off.
"The enemies you have to face are far greater than this. Or… do you plan to just stand behind your friends and watch as they make those difficult choices for you?"
That was the one thing Sasuke could never accept.
Seeing through Sasuke's thoughts, Itachi smiled and took a stance.
"I have had enough, Sasuke. I have never felt as free as I do now. So, before I leave, let me be selfish just this once."
"Sasuke… please…"
"Kill me."
"Don't make me live in this body any longer..."
"Let this traitor meet the end he deserves."
Sasuke's body trembled uncontrollably. He lowered his head, his voice choking with emotion. "You… as my brother… don't you think you've been too selfish?"
"You dumped everything on me… saying it was for peace… for the pride of the Uchiha… Even if those things were gone… They… they could never be more important than family."
Itachi smiled softly. "You've grown up, Sasuke. I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive me. You can hate me forever. But… I'm a little tired now. So, I'll leave the rest to you, no matter what choice you make…"
"I will always love you."
"That's too unfair…" Sasuke clenched his fists tightly, his trembling completely out of control. His voice was so choked that it was barely audible. "Back then, none of you believed in me… none of you cared about me… But now you say this… Isn't that too unfair…?"
"You too… Dad too… Couldn't you have just cared about me from the start?"
"There were better ways… There were so many choices we could've tried…"
"Why did you have to pick the most ridiculous mistake of all…?"
Itachi's smile was filled with warmth. "Because we are Uchiha."