[It's the end of the game, but Merriment holds onto the cue and leans against it a little. He looks comfortable, like he's used to this, and he considers Sasuke's words carefully.]
Why do you think that is? ...even after everything, why do you think he never gave up?
[He looks away, confused, as if he isn't sure he knows. Or maybe... he knows too well. He knows very well why. He just doesn't want to think about it, he doesn't want to accept that reason because he tried to give it up to get things done.]
Usuratonkachi...
[That damn fool. He thought, coming here, he'd escape someone like that, like Naruto. Surely there can only be one idiot with a never-ending spirit.]
He's such a damn nuisance. I don't... understand why he won't just... give up. I tried... After everything I've done. Just like... all the idiots here...
Maybe they're not the idiots here, Sasuke. [Casually...] You can't always shake people with unending faith. It could be the end of the world and some people will still believe in you. Sometimes they see things in you you can't even see for yourself.
The glare he gives Merriment lacks most of the heat he's capable of offering. It is weird. It's extremely weird. It's weird, and Sasuke hates it.]
He's wasting time! He's wasting... He was the one who wanted to become Hokage. He's wasting time he could be trying to become Hokage by getting in my way. [Sasuke Uchiha held Naruto back this whole time.] Just like the others here.
The time they could spend trying to figure out how to help the rest of you, they're wasting it on bothering me!
[What the fuck is a Hokage? Merriment's just not going to ask.]
Can you call it a waste of time if it's their decision to make? [There's a shrug and he leans against the billiard table.] ...I always thought North was wasting time on me, too. Turns out that wasn't my decision to make.
[YES. Which he shows by huffing sharply, but quietly under his breath and turning around, almost like he's leaving. But he doesn't move away from the table, instead balling a fist and setting it on the polished edge.
If it didn't matter, you'd be able to answer. [But...okay.] People make things a little complicated. But sometimes it may be worth listening to them anyway.
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I ASKED FOR NONE OF THIS...
Why do you think that is? ...even after everything, why do you think he never gave up?
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[He looks away, confused, as if he isn't sure he knows. Or maybe... he knows too well. He knows very well why. He just doesn't want to think about it, he doesn't want to accept that reason because he tried to give it up to get things done.]
Usuratonkachi...
[That damn fool. He thought, coming here, he'd escape someone like that, like Naruto. Surely there can only be one idiot with a never-ending spirit.]
He's such a damn nuisance. I don't... understand why he won't just... give up. I tried... After everything I've done. Just like... all the idiots here...
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Weird, isn't it?
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The glare he gives Merriment lacks most of the heat he's capable of offering. It is weird. It's extremely weird. It's weird, and Sasuke hates it.]
He's wasting time! He's wasting... He was the one who wanted to become Hokage. He's wasting time he could be trying to become Hokage by getting in my way. [Sasuke Uchiha held Naruto back this whole time.] Just like the others here.
The time they could spend trying to figure out how to help the rest of you, they're wasting it on bothering me!
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Can you call it a waste of time if it's their decision to make? [There's a shrug and he leans against the billiard table.] ...I always thought North was wasting time on me, too. Turns out that wasn't my decision to make.
Are you really that bothered by them?
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He hangs his head a moment.]
Getting in my way... just means they'll get hurt.
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...you don't want to hurt those particular people, do you. [Not even really a question, just a fact.]
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That doesn't matter.
[Which is to say YES.]
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Maybe. [He doesn't quite look back over his shoulder.] Next time, we'll finish the game.
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Sure thing. See you next time.