Quote Originally Posted by dragonrage View Post

Itachi's badassness is tainted now. I guess they wanted a way to explain all the waiting and boy romance that was happening. Also Kabochimaru's eyes were open the whole time during the speech. Suddenly he closes them and Sharingan is invalid. Are they even trying anymore or did they just give up.....

http://www.mangahere.com/manga/naruto/v60/c581/5.html

eyes open can clearly be seen in the last panel.

No, the black shade indicates reptilian eyelids.