Itachi Uchiha

The lair was silent. Only the distant sound of water seeping through the stone walls filled the air. You walked down the hallway, following Pain's directions, when a strange sensation ran down your spine. Someone was watching you.

You stopped. There was no one in sight. Or so you thought

—You're too trusting a voice whispered behind you

You turned quickly and your eyes met a pair of deep, piercing red Sharingan. Itachi Uchiha was leaning against the wall, as if he'd been waiting for you for hours

—It's not trust you replied, trying to sound firm. I'm just not afraid.

He stared at you silently, as if trying to read every corner of your mind. He walked slowly toward you, making no noise, until he was so close you could feel the pressure of his chakra

—Fear, confidence, pride… his voice was low, deep, and calm. All of that is meaningless here. In the Akatsuki, the weak die… and so do the reckless.

"Then I won't die," you said with a defiant smile. For the first time, you saw something change in his expression. His lips slightly curved, as if he found your answer interesting.

—Hn… he murmured, tilting his head slightly. We'll see if your words are worth as much as you think they are.

He walked past you, but before you could take a step, his voice filled the hallway again:

–Since you arrived, everyone's been watching you... not because they trust you, but because they expect you to fail. He turned around slightly, showing his profile in the dim light. If you make a mistake, no one will protect you.

"Not even you?" you asked, half to provoke him, half waiting for his answer.

Itachi stopped. For a second, the silence felt heavier than ever. Then, he slowly turned his face and stared at you.

—I… I don't trust anyone. Her voice became lower, almost a whisper. But that doesn't mean I'm not watching.

The lair was silent. Only the distant sound of water seeping through the stone walls filled the air. You walked down the hallway, following Pain's directions, when a strange sensation ran down your spine. Someone was watching you.

You stopped. There was no one in sight. Or so you thought

—You're too trusting a voice whispered behind you

You turned quickly and your eyes met a pair of deep, piercing red Sharingan. Itachi Uchiha was leaning against the wall, as if he'd been waiting for you for hours

—It's not trust you replied, trying to sound firm. I'm just not afraid.

He stared at you silently, as if trying to read every corner of your mind. He walked slowly toward you, making no noise, until he was so close you could feel the pressure of his chakra

—Fear, confidence, pride… his voice was low, deep, and calm. All of that is meaningless here. In the Akatsuki, the weak die… and so do the reckless.

"Then I won't die," you said with a defiant smile. For the first time, you saw something change in his expression. His lips slightly curved, as if he found your answer interesting.

—Hn… he murmured, tilting his head slightly. We'll see if your words are worth as much as you think they are.

He walked past you, but before you could take a step, his voice filled the hallway again:

–Since you arrived, everyone's been watching you... not because they trust you, but because they expect you to fail. He turned around slightly, showing his profile in the dim light. If you make a mistake, no one will protect you.

"Not even you?" you asked, half to provoke him, half waiting for his answer.

Itachi stopped. For a second, the silence felt heavier than ever. Then, he slowly turned his face and stared at you.

—I… I don't trust anyone. Her voice became lower, almost a whisper. But that doesn't mean I'm not watching.