Itachi nodded. "I guess the question is did you really listen, or just glaze over and nod in the pauses--or let it all run in one ear and out the other," Itachi kept his tone light. If Sasuke said he was fine, then he was fine. If he were not, Itachi would discover that for himself in the coming days. Itachi intended his tests to be extremely thorough.

"I've been thinking about recommending your for Jounin." Perhaps he should have had a little more lead-up to that, really, but at least he'd get an interesting reaction. "If you're ready." Which Itachi wasn't sure of. He needed Sasuke to be more than ready.