He had half a mind to refuse the order to sit, but ended up awkwardly seating himself in the nearest chair anyway.

But she was different. She was different with Itachi, and Shisui could only grip the knees of his pants with every passing word that fell from the Hokage's mouth. She was different with Itac-- Was he seriously considering using his best friend like that? But... it would put Itachi's mind at ease, wouldn't it? If he could lift some of that guilt off Itachi's shoulders, if he could just help him stop beating himself up about what he'd failed to do--

But Orochimaru had always had an interest in Itachi.

...But would he put him through that again?! What kind of friend was he... What if he could just go out there and finish her off? No, that-- that would only provoke the enemy and put Konoha in danger.

What if he could use kotoamatsukami from a distance? It would be so subtle that no one would know. And if Orochimaru did catch wind, he couldn't undo the genjutsu by himself. --

But Shisui doesn't speak a word, silent as ever although visibly distressed by the decision. Just waiting for a dismissal. For now.