Before heading to the Naka River, Shisui suggested they grab a quick meal at Ichiraku Ramen. The familiar warmth of the ramen shop greeted them as they stepped inside.
"Hey there, Arashi! How's it going?" Teuchi, the ever-cheerful ramen chef, welcomed them with a wide smile.
"Doing well, thanks," Arashi replied, returning the smile. "Shisui-Nii-san and I wanted to eat something before our training session."
"Ah, training!" Teuchi's eyes twinkled. "So, should I save some ramen for later?"
Arashi chuckled. "Yeah, make it an extra-large bowl with extra meat."
Teuchi laughed heartily. "You got it! What would you like to order today?"
"I'll have a bowl of extra-large pork ramen," Arashi said, then turned to Shisui. "What about you, Nii-san?"
"Same as him," Shisui replied with a smile.
"Two large bowls of pork ramen, coming right up!" Teuchi announced, disappearing behind the counter to begin his culinary magic.
Arashi's eyes followed Teuchi's movements, fascinated by the chef's skill and precision. He was eager to learn how to make ramen one day, just like the master himself.
A few minutes later, Teuchi returned with two steaming bowls of ramen, the rich aroma filling the air. "Alright, enjoy your food!" he said, placing them on the table.
Both brothers grinned at each other before diving into their meals, savoring the familiar flavors that only Ichiraku Ramen could offer.
"Hey, Arashi, isn't that Naruto over there?" Shisui suddenly asked, his gaze directed towards the entrance.
Arashi turned to look, scanning the shop, but there was no sign of his blond friend. "He's not there," he replied, turning back to his bowl. That's when he noticed it.
"Hey! My slice of pork is missing!"
Shisui slurped some noodles, a sly grin playing on his lips. "Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about," he said, feigning innocence.
"You ate my pork!" Arashi exclaimed, a stubborn pout forming on his face.
"Come on, quit messing around and finish your ramen," Shisui chuckled, looking away as if nothing had happened.
Arashi grumbled under his breath but continued eating, occasionally shooting his brother a mock-glare.
After polishing off their ramen, Arashi and Shisui left the restaurant, a bag of dango in hand as a peace offering from Shisui for the stolen pork. It wasn't quite the same, but Arashi appreciated the gesture.
They picked up an extra set of dango for Itachi before heading towards their meeting spot. As they arrived, Arashi excitedly called out, "Itachi! Hey!" waving his arm enthusiastically.
Dressed in his Anbu uniform, Itachi looked up from his thoughts. "Arashi? You're early."
"Yeah, I showed Shisui-Nii-san the ninjutsu I came up with," Arashi explained, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"You created a ninjutsu?" Itachi's eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Yeah," Arashi admitted with a grin. "It's not finished yet. Shisui-Nii-san says it's too dangerous and needs work."
Itachi glanced at Shisui for elaboration. "What ninjutsu is he talking about? Is it that good?"
Shisui took a moment to formulate his response. "It's powerful, with decent range. But it's a double-edged sword. It poses risks to the enemy, the user, and potential teammates. Still, I have faith Arashi will master it."
Itachi nodded thoughtfully. "Why don't you show it to me later? Maybe I can help you develop it further."
Arashi's eyes lit up. "You got it!"
"Hey, Arashi, why don't you step away a little?" Shisui suggested, his tone gentle. "I need to discuss something with Itachi."
Feeling a little left out, Arashi retorted, "I thought I was part of the crew."
"You are," Shisui assured him with a smile. "Itachi will fill you in later, alright?"
Skeptical, Arashi crossed his arms and looked away. "That sounds like a lie."
A drop of sweat trickled down Shisui's forehead. "Come on, don't be like that, Arashi."
"Like what? You're the one lying to me," Arashi countered.
"Heh..." Shisui sighed, realizing he wasn't going to win this argument.
"Fine, I'll go," Arashi said, finally giving in. With a slight pout, he stomped away and found a tree to sit under, waiting for the two to finish their private conversation.
"Man, this isn't fair," Arashi grumbled, his voice muffled by the rustling leaves. "Why am I always left out of the loop? I already know about the Hokage's secret shinobi and about Danzo and—"
His words were abruptly cut short by a sharp gasp. Arashi clutched his chest, his breath hitching as if a vice had tightened around his lungs. "Shisui-Nii-san! Cough, cough!"
His body grew heavy, his vision blurring. He reached out for support, grasping at a nearby tree branch, but it was too late. His consciousness slipped away, and he crumpled to the ground, his head hitting the soft earth with a sickening thud.
Shisui turned back to find Arashi sprawled on the ground. He rushed to his brother's side, gently lifting his limp body and leaning him against the tree.
"Will he be alright?" Itachi asked, his voice laced with concern.
"Yes, he'll be fine," Shisui assured him, his voice strained. "He'll stay unconscious until I've finished what I need to do."
"Finished with what?" Itachi pressed, his suspicion growing.
Shisui tenderly brushed Arashi's hair from his face, his eyes filled with a profound sadness. "I love you, Arashi," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
He stood up, his gaze hardening with resolve.
"Shisui, what just happened? Why is Arashi knocked out?" Itachi demanded, his tone urgent.
"I understand you have many questions, Itachi," Shisui replied, his voice heavy. "But I can't answer them all now." He moved towards the edge of the cliff, the setting sun casting his silhouette in a long, ominous shadow.
Itachi felt a knot of unease tighten in his stomach. He suspected what his friend might be about to do, but he desperately hoped he was wrong.
"Shisui, what's going on?" he pleaded, his voice filled with a mixture of fear and confusion.
Shisui turned, his expression a mask of sorrow and determination. "Can you do me a favor, Itachi? I know it's a lot to ask, but..."
"A favor?" Itachi's heart sank.
With a pained expression, Shisui reached up and removed his own eyes, the crimson orbs gleaming in the fading light. Itachi watched in stunned silence, his mind unable to comprehend the scene unfolding before him.
"Itachi, I can't bear this struggle between the Uchiha and the village anymore," Shisui's voice was heavy with sorrow. "This is the only way I can give you more time to stop the impending coup d'état."
"Shisui, you're not thinking clearly!" Itachi tried to move, but his body remained frozen. 'Genjutsu,' he realized, his heart sinking.
"I'm sorry, Itachi," Shisui said, his voice filled with regret. "You won't be able to move until after I'm gone. Listen, I'm leaving it all to you. No, I'm leaving Arashi in your care. Before he wakes, place him under a genjutsu. Tell him I've left on a secret mission. Only you and he should know that I'm still 'alive.' Tell him I'll miss him dearly and that I love him more than life itself."
"No! How can you ask me to deceive your brother like this?" Itachi's voice shook with emotion. "If you truly care about him, you wouldn't put him through this."
"Even blind, I can still see you've got that look," Shisui replied, a faint smile gracing his lips.
Itachi hardened his expression, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.
"I've always told you to remain composed, you know," Shisui continued, his voice gentle. "This look doesn't suit you." He extended his hand towards Itachi, offering his eyes.
"After I'm gone, you'll awaken your Mangekyou Sharingan. Take my eyes and implant them. You'll have the strength to protect our village and our clan. But above all, protect Arashi. Never let him find out what happened to me."
Shisui glanced towards Arashi, who lay unconscious nearby. "He won't handle this well, you know," he said softly, then looked back at Itachi. "I've left a note to explain. Please carry out this favor for me. I'm sorry it's come to this, Itachi."
Placing a hand on Itachi's immobile shoulder, Shisui offered a final farewell. "Keep fighting, my friend. Even when I'm gone, know I'll always be by your side in spirit."
He placed his eyes in Itachi's outstretched hand, then stepped back and, without a sound, plummeted off the cliff's edge into the darkness below.
"Shisui!" Itachi's voice cracked, a raw cry of anguish tearing from his throat. Tears streamed down his cheeks, blurring the fading twilight.
Moments later, the genjutsu's grip released, and Itachi was free to move. He rushed to the cliff's edge, peering into the abyss below. But it was too late. Shisui was gone.
A crushing weight settled upon Itachi's soul, anchoring him to that desolate precipice. He sank to his knees, his tears mingling with the dew-kissed grass. His eyes burned, not just from sorrow, but from a transformation he could neither anticipate nor control.
'You've given me this burden, Shisui.' He choked back a sob. 'I accept it, for your sake.'
Slowly, he lifted his head, his gaze sweeping across the darkening horizon. His eyes were different now—three swirling tomoe encircled his pupils, stark against a backdrop of crimson. They were the manifestation of his grief, his resolve, and the immense responsibility he now bore.
'I have them, Shisui. Your eyes, your will.' A steely determination hardened his features. 'I promise to carry out your final wishes. I'll stop the coup. I'll protect the village. And above all, I'll keep Arashi safe.'
With newfound resolve coursing through his veins, Itachi rose to his feet. The path ahead was treacherous, shrouded in darkness and moral ambiguity. But he would walk it, guided by the promises he made to his fallen friend, fueled by the flickering flame of Shisui's unwavering spirit.