Inside a hospital ward at Konoha Hospital.
After a few days of rest, Itachi's complexion had improved quite a bit. Tsunade, standing beside him, was frowning deeply as she held Itachi's detailed diagnostic report, which made others feel anxious.
"(Hesitantly) E... Lady Tsunade, how is my brother's illness? Can it be cured?"
Tsunade's gaze landed on Sasuke like a sharp knife, and then she sighed.
"You're all grown up now. I'd better tell you straight up."
"Your brother has a terminal illness. With the current medical technology, there's no way to cure it. However, as long as follow - up treatment is in place, he can live for another two or three years."
"How could it come to this..."
"Sasuke, don't be too sad. Everyone has their own end. Maybe my time has come."
Itachi couldn't bear to see his younger brother so sad. He knew that Sasuke had come with Lord Jiraiya to find Lady Tsunade to treat him, and he must have had high hopes for this trip. But the reality was cruel.
"No, I'll never let that happen!"
Sasuke looked to the right with a hint of fierceness in his eyes.
In Itachi's previous life, he had lived until the time of his battle with Sasuke. Logically speaking, since he didn't experience that tragic night of the clan's extermination like in his previous life, he should be in a better physical and mental state than in his previous life.
Why did the current situation sound even worse than before?
Sasuke saw Itachi's smiling face and knew that he didn't want him to worry, but Sasuke couldn't be as calm as usual.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his slightly protruding fingernails dug into his palms.
Itachi, how did you spend those long, agonizing nights tortured by the illness in your previous life? What kind of willpower did you have to get through each day?
"Brother, promise me not to give up so soon. I'll definitely find a way to make you healthy again. I will!"
Hearing this, Itachi reached out and gently tapped Sasuke's forehead to smooth his furrowed brows. This was their unique way of communicating as brothers.
"Thank you, Sasuke. But I think my life has been happy enough. I have a wonderful family and a brother who cares so much about me. So don't look so sad. In my last days, I hope my family around me can smile happily."
Itachi, who knew his own body best, went to the hospital immediately when the illness was first discovered and was told then that he had a terminal illness. But he didn't give up and always cooperated actively with the doctors in the treatment.
But the higher the hope, the greater the disappointment. Itachi had lost count of how many times he had been disappointed over the years. He didn't want to pass this feeling on to Sasuke, and he didn't want him to carry a heavy promise. He just hoped his younger brother could always smile happily.
...
"But I hope you can live, live a healthy and happy life, and don't have to sacrifice your whole life for someone, something, or some group anymore."
Even after death, he was still burdened with an inescapable bad reputation.
Saying this, Sasuke didn't want Itachi to see his sad and disappointed look, so he turned around and left.
"Sasuke..."
...
"Itachi, you're wrong about this."
Before Itachi could indulge in his sorrow, he heard Shisui's inexplicable reproach. What on earth did he do wrong?
Shisui stood by Itachi's bedside, his heart heavy with mixed emotions.
"You should trust that kid. After all, someone with such a determined look in their eyes won't give up easily."
Itachi listened to Shisui's words and gazed in the direction Sasuke had left. He didn't respond for a long time...
.............
"Yo~ Old man, you're recovering pretty quickly."
After receiving treatment from Tsunade for some time, the Third Hokage could now sit in a wheelchair and be pushed out for a stroll by a nurse.
Tsunade still remembered the first time she saw the Third Hokage at the hospital. This old man was no longer as robust as he used to be in his prime. After lying in the hospital for a long time, his muscles began to atrophy due to his advancing age.
His white hair and age - spots on the face told her that so many years had gone by.
"Ah, what can I do? I've got an outstanding disciple."
The Third Hokage smiled at Tsunade. She was his pride, the one who had shouldered the heavy responsibility of the village after him. The Will of Fire has been passed down through generations. How could he not be delighted?
"How about Itachi? Have you gone to see him? How is he? Can he be cured?"
Tsunade took the wheelchair from the nurse and slowly pushed the Third Hokage around the hospital.
She shook her head and replied helplessly.
"It's a terminal illness. If he's lucky, he might survive for another two or three years. Otherwise, he could... kick the bucket at any time."
"Alas---"
Another long and heavy sigh. The Third Hokage lowered his eyes and recalled. Itachi had long been his right - hand man. That kid was extremely gifted and had the world at heart. He was a good prospect in the Third Hokage's eyes. It's a pity that fate is so cruel.
"Old man, as a doctor, I still have to remind you that you're not in a position to fret about things. Although you seem to have recovered, I'm sure you can feel that your once - seriously - injured body is a far cry from what it used to be. You should retire and enjoy your twilight years."
"I'm just destined to be a worry - wart."
"Oh, it sounds like you're a bit reluctant. Are you not quite willing to pass the Hokage mantle to me?"
"Of... of course not!"
When Sarutobi answered Tsunade's question, he obviously stammered. It wasn't that he was over - analyzing. Tsunade was excellent in every aspect, but she had a penchant for gambling. He was afraid that one day, debt collectors would come banging on the village's door.
Since the founding of Konoha, there have been five generations of Hokage. It would be incredibly embarrassing if the Hokage were hounded by debt collectors.
Hearing the hesitation in Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Tsunade shot her eyebrows up in anger.
"Old man, are you worried that I'll gamble Konoha away?"
"No, no. What are you talking about, Tsunade? You're my most outstanding disciple and the heir to the Will of Fire. How could I harbor such doubts about you?"
Tsunade squinted her eyes halfway and stared at the shiny bald patch on the old man's head. Sarutobi felt a chill run down his spine.
"Humph! Good that you don't. If I ever find out you have such thoughts, I'll gamble away the entire Konoha. Let's see where you'll wail then!"
"
Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
"Haha, don't worry! It won't happen for sure!"
The joke I just told was really terrifying!
"Old man, look! Who's that!"
"Grandpa!"
"Ah! Konohamaru, you've come to see me."
Konohamaru threw himself on the Third Hokage, snot and tears streaming down his face. Grandpa had been unconscious all this time, and Konohamaru was extremely worried each time he stood outside the sickbed.
Sarutobi ruffled his well - behaved grandson's head and gave a beaming smile. Maybe Tsunade was right. Maybe it was time for him to enjoy the happiness of having his children and grandchildren around him.
...............