Sasuke Uchiha lowered his head, forcing a faint smile.
But one thought remained unspoken in his heart.
With Itachi Uchiha's brilliance, how could any parent not adore him?
Itachi had always been their father's pride, the pride of the entire Uchiha clan.
His genius reputation echoed throughout the clan.
[That's nice, Sasuke.]
[Not only do you have parents, but an older brother who loves you so much.]
Naruto Uzumaki's eyes brimmed with envy. He didn't notice Sasuke's unease.
Under Chu Ran's subtle prodding, that envy deepened.
…
In the Uchiha family courtyard, Itachi was reporting to Fugaku Uchiha.
After finishing, Sasuke, who had escorted Naruto out, entered.
Seeing them, he bowed and started toward the side door.
"Sasuke, wait."
Fugaku's voice stopped him. Under the moonlight, his father's stern face seemed almost menacing.
"What is it, Father?"
Sasuke glanced at Fugaku, like a child caught misbehaving.
"Don't associate with Naruto Uzumaki anymore."
"At school, keep your distance from him."
Fugaku's words stunned Sasuke.
His pupils trembled. Fugaku rarely meddled in his affairs.
Now, he was ordering him to avoid his only acknowledged rival and friend.
Sasuke was confused, but his ingrained respect and fear of his father silenced any protest.
He looked desperately to Itachi.
"Father's right, Sasuke."
"Stay away from that boy."
Itachi echoed Fugaku, leaving Sasuke no room to argue.
Compared to his father, Sasuke trusted his brother more.
"Yes, Brother, Father."
Sasuke's shoulders slumped. He couldn't fathom what Naruto had done to upset them.
But as his closest kin, he didn't defy them, retreating to his room alone.
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is trouble at a time like this."
"Itachi, remember what I told you."
Fugaku glanced at Sasuke's departure, then fixed Itachi with a heavy stare.
Itachi's eyes flashed with a cold glint.
Their ideals and perspectives were clearly diverging.
At this moment, Itachi was beginning to defy his father.
If Chu Ran were present, he'd recognize the signs of the looming Uchiha clan massacre, a pivotal event in the Hidden Leaf.
…
The next day at the Ninja Academy.
After a full day of classes, Naruto walked home alone.
He'd thought visiting Sasuke's home for dinner would've strengthened their bond, making them close friends.
But today, Sasuke was noticeably distant, even avoiding him.
Naruto didn't think much of it, assuming Sasuke's cool demeanor was just his usual outside personality.
But when he reached his apartment, his face fell.
The already modest doorstep was vandalized with colorful paint.
Insulting words were scrawled across the door and walls.
"How childish."
Naruto's fists clenched, suppressing his anger as he opened the door.
He grabbed a rag and bucket from inside, scrubbing the walls.
He knew Sasuke's fangirls were likely responsible.
Though he couldn't understand why his home was targeted.
[I don't care about your approval anymore.]
[But you still do this? Damn it.]
Chu Ran, at the right moment, fanned the flames of Naruto's anger.
Sasuke's behavior at school had already tipped Chu Ran off.
The Uchiha clan's major event was approaching, likely soon.
No other explanation fit.
A month later, for an entire month, Naruto's routine was simple: school and time with Uchiha Izumi.
What hurt and confused him was Sasuke's distance since the dinner.
Sasuke treated him like a stranger, even avoiding sparring in taijutsu classes.
Naruto asked Izumi if he'd done something wrong to earn Sasuke's dislike.
"You've done great, Naruto. Maybe Sasuke doesn't mean any harm."
Izumi patted his head gently.
As an Uchiha, she knew the likely reason.
She was quietly relieved she hadn't joined them at Sasuke's that night.
"Sis, am I really that unlikable?"
"No one wants to be my friend. I thought Sasuke was different."
Naruto curled up, staring at his reflection in the lake.
His heart ached.
Loneliness meant different things to different people.
Despite Izumi's warmth and companionship, Naruto yearned for a friend like Sasuke.
Only then would he feel like a normal kid.
"Don't think that, Naruto."
"Isn't Hinata your friend? And Sasuke's surely your friend too."
"He probably has his reasons. You're only in second grade."
"By third or fourth grade, you'll have tons of friends."
Izumi sensed Naruto's loneliness and longing for friendship.
All she could do was comfort him.
Sitting beside him, she recalled her own childhood.
Back then, she too had few friends.
Her only peer she considered a friend was Itachi, but he was rarely around.
Calling him a friend might've been her wishful thinking.
"Forget it. As long as Sis is always with me…"
"That's enough!"
Naruto shook his head, flashing Izumi his usual grin.
(End of Chapter)