As the kind of person I am, I can't represent you.
[ it's blunt, and he goes on: ]
Picking you was... foolish. Seeing my brother here made me realize that. [ he turns his gaze to the ground ] In a dream, it felt--good, to even be recognized by someone who would call themselves so. But the actions I've taken in the name of love and loyalty, for my brother, for my village... All they've done is hurt both of them. Perhaps irreparably, should my brother get what he wants.
[ he looks at them for this next part, face serious: ]
I truly believe a pantheon lead by someone like you is the path your group should take. But I can't help you win-- or, rather, if you're truly like your name, I doubt you'd approve of the only methods I know to ensure your victory. Yet, I can't insure my brother's loss if that's the case. And I ... cannot let that happen.
[This is so many words, and they consider them carefully as their gaze remains on him. They seem to understand, yet it's hard to believe.]
...your brother's Sasuke-san, right? [Love has at least looked at the names of the contestants here.] Let me ask you something, Itachi-san. Do you really believe that? Or are you just out of options? There's still time to learn and to stay on track without resorting to something like this.
[Hm.] If you're worried about him, why not have your brother defect to our side?
[ he listens to her quietly, but he shakes his head at the end of it. ]
...I have spent the majority of both of our lives attempting to push Sasuke towards a path I believed was right. I failed. [ wryly; ] Spectacularly so. That's why, at this point in time, I know-- there's nothing I can do or say that will sway him from his current path. And that's fine. I believe, given the option, and a little outside help... Sasuke will see clearly once again.
[ he shrugs, though he doesn't break eye contact with her ]
But I doubt it'll be in this place. He's... Very stubborn.
[ said the man who has just decided to quit and go murder for another god ]
[She seems to know, but she also wants to hear him say it, flat-out. What's your plan, Itachi?] This game's designed to help us, but that doesn't mean it can't help you guys, too.
In the pursuit of ending this game faster and reducing Sasuke's chances at winning... [ fuk u little brother ] I'm going to join Ruin and cull the numbers, starting this week.
[ kinda. already has a target, but, y'know. ]
My time is limited. Both in this game, and outside of it. I accepted this long ago. There's nothing I want for myself. My only goal now is to stop Sasuke from winning in this place.
[WHY IS LOVE IN THE MIDDLE OF A FAMILY FEUD, FUCK THIS NOISE.]
Excuse me? [HELL NO.] You can't do this! If you want to be mad and make sure Sasuke doesn't win, fine, but do it by making him join the losing team! Six weeks is not that limited, and...I don't know what's really happening for you out there, but this isn't the only way. You have to reconsider.
[ he's DISAPPOINTED, that's mom for ma-- wait no it's worse he's just being the only sort of weirdly overprotective he knows how to be ]
I'm going to die. I have died, according to my brother, by his hands. When I go back, it will happen, yet for him, it happened a while ago. [ time... garbage... ] That's the path I led him on. Even without that... I've been dying for a long time. I only extended my life so he could be the one to kill me. [ this is just. fun facts. ]
...you realize that makes absolutely no sense, Itachi-san. [Also pretend she said Sasuke-san up there, I hate honorifics what's up.] You don't have to die and neither does anyone else.
Can't you work this out with Sasuke-san before doing anything rash?
Death is the judgment that awaits people like me, who have slain their kin. [ this is just how ninjas talk. anyway: ] It's speaking with my brother that led me to making this decision, Love-san.
I figured as much. I don't expect anything from you, but I believed you deserved a warning for my actions.
[ ... that gets a sad smile out of him ]
He's not the kind to be easily swayed. But were he to come to you, of his own volition... I would only ask that you listen and speak to him as he is, without linking him to me. Though I'm aware I have no right to ask anything of you, given what I mean to do.
Then I hope you know I can do nothing to protect you when the time comes. [Just saying.] All I can ask is that you reconsider it. And I'll see...if Sasuke-san comes to me, I can speak with him without even mentioning you. We'll call it a trade.
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[ it's blunt, and he goes on: ]
Picking you was... foolish. Seeing my brother here made me realize that. [ he turns his gaze to the ground ] In a dream, it felt--good, to even be recognized by someone who would call themselves so. But the actions I've taken in the name of love and loyalty, for my brother, for my village... All they've done is hurt both of them. Perhaps irreparably, should my brother get what he wants.
[ he looks at them for this next part, face serious: ]
I truly believe a pantheon lead by someone like you is the path your group should take. But I can't help you win-- or, rather, if you're truly like your name, I doubt you'd approve of the only methods I know to ensure your victory. Yet, I can't insure my brother's loss if that's the case. And I ... cannot let that happen.
[ he bows down now, repeating: ]
Forgive me.
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...your brother's Sasuke-san, right? [Love has at least looked at the names of the contestants here.] Let me ask you something, Itachi-san. Do you really believe that? Or are you just out of options? There's still time to learn and to stay on track without resorting to something like this.
[Hm.] If you're worried about him, why not have your brother defect to our side?
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...I have spent the majority of both of our lives attempting to push Sasuke towards a path I believed was right. I failed. [ wryly; ] Spectacularly so. That's why, at this point in time, I know-- there's nothing I can do or say that will sway him from his current path. And that's fine. I believe, given the option, and a little outside help... Sasuke will see clearly once again.
[ he shrugs, though he doesn't break eye contact with her ]
But I doubt it'll be in this place. He's... Very stubborn.
[ said the man who has just decided to quit and go murder for another god ]
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[She seems to know, but she also wants to hear him say it, flat-out. What's your plan, Itachi?] This game's designed to help us, but that doesn't mean it can't help you guys, too.
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[ kinda. already has a target, but, y'know. ]
My time is limited. Both in this game, and outside of it. I accepted this long ago. There's nothing I want for myself. My only goal now is to stop Sasuke from winning in this place.
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Excuse me? [HELL NO.] You can't do this! If you want to be mad and make sure Sasuke doesn't win, fine, but do it by making him join the losing team! Six weeks is not that limited, and...I don't know what's really happening for you out there, but this isn't the only way. You have to reconsider.
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[ he's DISAPPOINTED, that's mom for ma-- wait no it's worse he's just being the only sort of weirdly overprotective he knows how to be ]
I'm going to die. I have died, according to my brother, by his hands. When I go back, it will happen, yet for him, it happened a while ago. [ time... garbage... ] That's the path I led him on. Even without that... I've been dying for a long time. I only extended my life so he could be the one to kill me. [ this is just. fun facts. ]
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Can't you work this out with Sasuke-san before doing anything rash?
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Death is the judgment that awaits people like me, who have slain their kin. [ this is just how ninjas talk. anyway: ] It's speaking with my brother that led me to making this decision, Love-san.
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What if I spoke with Sasuke-san?
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[ ... that gets a sad smile out of him ]
He's not the kind to be easily swayed. But were he to come to you, of his own volition... I would only ask that you listen and speak to him as he is, without linking him to me. Though I'm aware I have no right to ask anything of you, given what I mean to do.
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