"Sister? Uchiha Itachi?"
"Yes, sister."
"No, you must be lying to me."
"But, everything I said is true."
Sasuke and Naruto's conversation proceeded calmly, but Sasuke's heart was filled with confusion—how many times had this happened? How much more did they intend to toy with him? If the so-called harm was arduous combat, he could completely accept it.
But why was it always such a series of mental shocks, almost driving him to his death?
He turned into a female in this world? Fine, he grudgingly accepted it. Although he was happy his parents were still alive, he then learned they had an arranged marriage with Naruto's parents? He could grit his teeth and accept that too. He discovered that 'he' in this world actually liked Naruto? Alright, he accepted that as well.
But now even Uchiha Itachi had become a sister? Was he not the only victim after all?
Sasuke tried hard to imagine what a female version of Uchiha Itachi would look like. This absurd thought made him feel a hint of relief—at least this news could dispel his urge to secretly go and take a look at Uchiha Itachi in this era.
After this series of shocks, Sasuke instead fell into a peculiar contemplation.
Is it possible that the problem actually lies with himself?
Was it because his inner pride couldn't accept another gender of himself, which made him feel so ashamed and awkward? Looking back, the Naruto from his world, when he was young, often voluntarily transformed into his female self, inventing things like the Sexy Jutsu. Didn't that dead last ever feel awkward?
So this must be his own problem, right? After all, to the people of this world, he was the strange one. Because 'he' and Itachi in this world were females from the start.
It's just a different gender, is it necessary to react so strongly? Ah, perhaps he was making a mountain out of a molehill.
Sasuke began to convince himself of this. Perhaps his psychological defense mechanisms were starting to work; he repeatedly reiterated these reasons in his mind, trying to make himself accept reality.
This self-persuasion, which even contained an element of self-deception, indeed gradually calmed his heart. Ultimately, he chose to comply—since he couldn't change it, he would accept it.
"Master... Master?"
Seeing Sasuke suddenly fall silent, standing rigid like a scarecrow, Boruto called out softly with concern.
Sasuke finally reacted. He slowly took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. The wrinkles that had been tightly furrowed on his brow gradually smoothed out, and his originally calm, lifeless eyes softened considerably.
"I'm fine," his voice returned to its usual steadiness. "By the way, Boruto, I'm actually a little curious why you didn't show much surprise when you saw me in this world?"
"Huh?!" Boruto didn't expect Sasuke to so directly state the fact of "me in this world," and he became flustered for a moment, stammering his reply.
"Because... the development of literary creation is very fast now. Recreating a character by changing their gender is already a very common category..."
Hearing this answer, Sasuke nodded thoughtfully. So that's how it was. It seemed he was a bit behind the times. This realization made his mood even more peaceful; since the younger generation could easily accept such a setting, why should he be so conflicted?
His sister? Another him? What on earth was this guy talking about?
Satsuki's brows furrowed tightly. Why had these people's words suddenly become so difficult to understand? Uchiha Itachi was this man's sister? But this person in front of her looked about the same age as her parents!
Just as Satsuki was lost in confusion, Sasuke took half a step forward and began to explain in an incredibly calm tone. "I remember now, I was negligent. You came here because you sensed the Ocular Power, didn't you?"
Naruto, standing nearby, completely didn't understand Sasuke's current state. This attitude of frank acceptance was completely different from the Sasuke who had been on the verge of collapse just moments ago. Sasuke's previously tense shoulders had relaxed, and even his breathing had become steady and even.
Satsuki's eyes refocused on Sasuke. "That's right! What's going on with your eyes? Who exactly are you? Why is your Ocular Power so similar to mine!"
"Because our eyes are exactly the same, they come from the exact same source." He raised his remaining hand and pointed to his eye socket. "This level of similarity, even between blood brothers, couldn't be this close. As for Itachi's chakra... I transplanted Itachi's eyes when I was on the verge of blindness."
"???"
Satsuki opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She understood every word the other party said, but the combined meaning was completely incomprehensible to her. What did this mean? Transplant eyes? On the verge of blindness?
"Because I am you," Sasuke continued to explain, "the you from another parallel Universe, and also the future you. However, unlike me, I didn't expect that my counterpart in this world would actually be female."
"...Huh?!"
Satsuki was completely stunned; this explanation was too bizarre, beyond all her comprehension. Naruto, standing by, also widened his eyes. Sasuke had actually accepted reality so calmly and was even planning to reveal the truth directly? If that was the case... Naruto suddenly thought of something and abruptly turned to look at Boruto. If Satsuki knew Boruto's true identity... For some reason, the image of Satsuki squatting on a utility pole at night suddenly flashed through Naruto's mind.
"Wait! Sasuke!" Naruto quickly stepped forward, his hand subconsciously raising as if to stop something.
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Sasuke turned to look at Naruto in confusion, not understanding why he was suddenly so agitated.
"You know, Satsuki has activated her Three-Tomoe Sharingan now, right?" Naruto said quickly.
Sasuke, of course, knew this—it was the pinnacle of the regular Sharingan, a Realm that most Uchiha clan members could only reach in their entire lives. He nodded gently, waiting for Naruto to continue.
"She's actually much stronger than you," Naruto said in a seemingly casual tone, while winking at Sasuke. "I remember your first awakening was only a one-tomoe, right?"
These words sounded a bit impolite, even carrying a hint of praising one while stepping on another.
But Sasuke understood Naruto, knowing he wouldn't say such things without reason, and immediately realized there was a deeper meaning behind it.
"Satsuki is very impressive," Naruto continued, turning his gaze to Satsuki, his voice softening a little. "On that night, Satsuki didn't activate her Sharingan even when she thought her parents were dead, her clan was annihilated, and her sister had betrayed them."
Satsuki looked at Naruto in confusion, not understanding why he suddenly brought this up. The memory of that night was still the deepest pain in her heart.
"And then..." Naruto's tone became subtle, his gaze shifting between Satsuki and Sasuke. "Itachi seemed to have hurt me, and Satsuki immediately activated these eyes."
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