…
The Ninja Academy's holiday had arrived.
After the taijutsu test, Sasuke Uchiha returned home, clutching his slightly swollen cheek.
As he slid open the door, the sound of an argument reached his ears.
The familiar voices belonged to his father and older brother.
Kicking off his shoes, Sasuke hurried inside and pulled open the sliding door.
"Brother…"
Sasuke froze, staring at his brother, who looked different from usual.
Normally, Itachi Uchiha was, to Sasuke, the kindest person in the world.
Always wearing a gentle smile, never angry.
But now, Itachi's furious expression scared Sasuke.
"Sasuke."
Itachi glanced at his younger brother, then at their father, Fugaku Uchiha.
Closing his eyes, he walked out of the room.
He didn't want to argue with their father in front of Sasuke.
Or rather, he didn't want Sasuke to know what they were arguing about.
"Father, why was Brother…"
Sasuke looked at Fugaku, confused.
In his mind, his father always favored Itachi, and Sasuke had grown up in his brother's shadow.
In every way, he fell short of Itachi.
Fugaku doted on his eldest son, often overlooking Sasuke.
"Did you get into a fight?"
Fugaku ignored Sasuke's question, his eyes fixed on the bruise on Sasuke's cheek.
The mark was clearly from a physical altercation.
"No, it was a taijutsu test at school…"
Sasuke shook his head, lowering his gaze guiltily.
He knew his father would scold him—his brother was so exceptional.
Itachi, a genius ninja renowned throughout the Hidden Leaf, represented the Uchiha clan.
Sasuke, however, was separated from his genius brother by an insurmountable gap.
He still remembered the disappointed look Fugaku had given him in the past.
"Losing once doesn't matter, but you must train harder."
"Your brother's reputation can't be tarnished because of you."
Fugaku's stern demeanor made Sasuke bow his head.
The first sentence was that of a strict yet encouraging father.
But the second cut deep, wounding a child's pride.
Both were his sons, yet Sasuke's encouragement was merely to avoid disgracing the family and Itachi's name.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, fighting back tears.
Fugaku simply walked past him.
…
A week later, with the Ninja Academy on break, Naruto Uzumaki woke each day to train in the hills.
Occasionally, he trained with Mizuki, who taught him chakra manipulation techniques.
As for advanced ninjutsu, not only was Naruto's ability to learn them questionable, but Mizuki, a grassroots ninja, knew only a few himself.
It had been nearly a month since Naruto last saw Izumi Uchiha.
He had planned to visit the Uchiha clan grounds today, but after finishing his training, he caught sight of Izumi waving at him in the glow of the setting sun.
"Big Sis Izumi!"
Naruto's eyes lit up, and he ran toward her.
Izumi smiled, pulling a paper bag from behind her and waving it at Naruto.
Inside were sticky rice dumplings, the same treat they'd shared when they first met.
The sweet aroma made Naruto's stomach growl.
"Come on, Naruto."
"Let's eat the dumplings together."
Izumi took Naruto's hand, and they sat by the lake.
Gazing at the sunset's reflection on the water, a hint of sadness crossed Izumi's face.
"Big Sis Izumi, why haven't I been able to visit you at the Uchiha clan lately?"
"Your clansmen are so unfriendly—they've kicked me out several times."
Naruto munched on a dumpling, grumbling to Izumi.
Recalling how he'd been turned away from the Uchiha grounds, he felt a surge of frustration.
"The Uchiha clan grounds aren't open to outsiders."
"It's a rule. There's nothing I can do."
Seeing Naruto's irritation, Izumi felt an inexplicable warmth.
For this "little brother" she'd only recently met, she felt an odd sense of closeness.
Perhaps it was their shared experiences of isolation, born of sympathy.
Or maybe it was her own lack of childhood friends—none of her peers had ever wanted to befriend her.
The Uchiha clan rejected her as an outsider due to her mixed heritage.
Classmates at the Ninja Academy subtly shunned the Uchiha, not for any specific reason but out of jealousy for their superior talents.
Growing up, Izumi had few, if any, friends.
Only Naruto, who shared her sense of rejection, made her feel valued.
"Fine, it's the headquarters of the Leaf's Police Force, after all."
"They're your clan, so I won't hold it against them."
Naruto flashed a carefree grin, his earlier frustration gone.
He'd been studying hard lately and knew the roles of the village's prominent clans inside out.
While not a top student, Naruto was now a well-informed, diligent learner.
"Naruto, don't come to the Uchiha clan grounds anymore."
"I'll visit you whenever I have time."
Izumi looked at Naruto beside her, speaking softly.
The sudden request puzzled Naruto.
He'd been able to visit her at the Uchiha grounds before—why not now?
"Just listen to me."
Before Naruto could voice his confusion, Izumi smiled gently.
Naruto didn't press further, nodding quietly.
Though he didn't understand why Izumi forbade him from visiting, he trusted her.
If she said so, he wouldn't argue.
[The Night of the Clan Massacre is only a year away.]
[At this rate, it might come even sooner.]
In his subconscious space, Chu Ran observed the two, muttering to himself.
The Night of the Uchiha Massacre was undoubtedly the most significant event in the Hidden Leaf Village in recent years.
(End of the Chapter)