"Nii-san!" Sasuke exclaimed, his joy palpable.
Itachi responded with a faint yet affectionate smile of his own. The bond between the two brothers was palpable, though it was laden with the unspoken burdens of their clan's history and Itachi's secret responsibilities.
He gently poked Sasuke's forehead with his two fingers, a gesture that had become a symbol of their brotherly bond.
"Sasuke," he said softly, "You should focus on your training and studies. Become strong, and one day, you will understand everything." His words held a depth of meaning that Sasuke, still a child, could not fully grasp.
Sasuke nodded earnestly, trusting his older brother without question. He didn't understand the complexities of the world that Itachi navigated, but he believed in his brother's guidance and looked up to him as a role model.
