Sasuke's Disappearance

"Uzumaki Naruto, can you take me to find Sasuke?"

Uchiha Rei's tone was calm. "Perhaps, I can help him find his brother."

Uzumaki Naruto froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up, and he nodded. He was supposed to go to school in the afternoon, but being with Uchiha Rei made him happier than going to school.

After all, at school, many teachers and classmates always rejected him, treating him as an outsider, as a monster. Only a few classmates played with him.

He was already known as the "King of Truancy" at school, and now with a legitimate reason, he could skip class even more openly.

Moreover, Uchiha Sasuke hadn't come to school for the past few days. Thinking of this, Naruto made up his mind to accompany Uchiha Rei to find Sasuke.

"By the way, I haven't formally introduced myself yet," Uchiha Rei smiled slightly. "My name is Uchiha Rei."

"Uchiha...?" Naruto's heart trembled. He thought: He's from the same clan as Sasuke.

"Okay!" Naruto said loudly. "From today on, we are friends!"

After speaking, he jumped off the stool, his face beaming. He grabbed Uchiha Rei's hand and ran towards the door of the shop.

"Hey! You haven't paid yet!" Teuchi shouted from behind.

"Naruto's ramen is on me."

Uchiha Rei said calmly, taking out a few crisp banknotes from his ninja pouch and handing them to Teuchi's daughter.

"Thank you..." Ayame's cheeks flushed slightly as she gently took the cash.

"Uchiha Rei, next time you come, I'll make the noodles for you myself!"

"Okay." Uchiha Rei smiled and waved his hand, bidding them farewell warmly.

As he walked out the door, his gaze swept over Ayame subtly. Her cheeks were slightly red, her eyes were lively, and she was undoubtedly a beautiful young girl.

Ichiraku Ramen was located in the very center of Konohagakure, while the Uchiha Clan Compound was at the edge of the village. Although the Uchiha Clan Compound was vast, the clan members had always been alienated and ostracized by the village, forced to live in seclusion on the outskirts of Konohagakure.

If Uchiha Rei had been traveling alone, he could have reached the clan compound in just a few minutes, but today, with Uzumaki Naruto, he could only walk slowly.

Naruto held his hand tightly, carefully, as if it were a precious warmth that could disappear at any moment.

He was seven years old, and this was the first time someone was willing to hold his hand like this. He knew that Grandpa Third Hokage was good to him, but the Third Hokage was too busy with his affairs, only appearing briefly to hand out living expenses each month, patting his head, and then leaving again.

On the street, villagers came and went. When they saw Naruto, some simply turned and went back into shops, pretending not to see him. Others opened their mouths to curse, but upon seeing Uchiha Rei standing beside him, they immediately fell silent and swallowed their words.

The Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan were the two most powerful bloodline clans in Konohagakure. For such influential families, the addition or subtraction of a Jonin did not shake their foundation. However, ordinary villagers dared not offend them easily.

However, ordinary villagers dared not offend Uchiha Rei easily. They understood that offending a Jonin was no trivial matter. The hierarchy in Konohagakure was as rigid as a mountain.

Walking on the road, Naruto's spirits were exceptionally high. He noticed that the villagers who usually cursed and avoided him today seemed to have "changed their ways." They either hurried away or remained silent and evasive.

He didn't understand the reason for this, perhaps today was truly his lucky day.

The further the two walked, the colder the streets became. Streets that still had residents hanging laundry and sweeping courtyards were now deserted, as if turned into an empty city overnight.

Fallen leaves accumulated under the low eaves, windows were shut tight, and a silent chill seeped out from the shadows of the street.

"Have the people here... all moved away?" Uzumaki Naruto asked softly.

Uchiha Rei didn't answer, merely looking up at the figures standing alertly on the rooftops not far away. On the same street, he had keenly sensed two Uchiha Clan patrol squads. Those Uchiha ninja with cold eyes had clearly entered a state of Level One alert.

"Has it really gotten this tense..." Uchiha Rei mused inwardly. He was unaware that it was precisely because he had impersonated Uchiha Itachi and attacked Danzo a few days prior that the village's high command's vigilance towards the Uchiha Clan had suddenly escalated. At this moment, Uchiha Itachi had already been listed as a rogue ninja, and his own actions, as the Clan Head's son, were seen by many as a signal of the Uchiha Clan's deliberate rebellion.

Rumors were spreading like wildfire throughout the village.

"The Uchiha Clan is going to raise an army."

"The Clan Head personally ordered Itachi to assassinate Danzo."

"War is imminent..."

In this atmosphere of impending storm, the Uchiha Clan Compound had been completely sealed off, with no outsiders allowed entry. Even Uchiha Rei was being blocked at the entrance.

"Rei." A gentle yet firm voice sounded.

The one blocking him was a familiar face, his peer, Uchiha Yue. He had long, ink-black hair cascading down, wearing the Uchiha's distinctive dark, form-fitting combat attire that accentuated his well-defined physique, looking cold and upright. However, Uchiha Rei had never had any interest in him, even though the other was a recognized beauty within the clan.

"The clan has ordered the compound sealed, and no outsiders are allowed in," Uchiha Yue said with a stern expression but a gentle tone. "You too."

In the clan's eyes, although Uchiha Rei bore the Uchiha name, he was not considered a "true clan member," and Uzumaki Naruto was even more of an outsider among outsiders.

"I know I can't stop you," Uchiha Yue said in a low voice. "But if you insist on forcing your way in, we will consider it a provocation. There are complete Uchiha squads stationed here... I hope you won't do anything foolish."

In his eyes, there was a hint of unconcealed concern.

Uchiha Rei was silent for a moment, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

I already came here last night. he thought. He had infiltrated the clan compound last night, and Sasuke was still within the clan at that time. He didn't take these so-called "Uchiha squads" seriously at all.

"We're here to find Uchiha Sasuke," Naruto finally couldn't help but interject, his voice still carrying a hint of childish urgency.

Uchiha Rei nodded: "That's right."

"Sasuke... he's not home." Uchiha Yue's expression visibly darkened. "Ever since Itachi was declared a wanted ninja, Sasuke left the compound early this morning. We suspect he wants to find his brother himself. If you see him, please bring him back."

With that said, Uchiha Rei didn't press further. He glanced at Uchiha Yue and said, "Then we'll be going."

"Big clans are so troublesome," Naruto grumbled, clearly dissatisfied with the lack of freedom imposed by such strict hierarchy.

Uchiha Yue watched Uchiha Rei's departing back, his gaze lingering for a long time, silently bidding farewell in his heart.

"Naruto." Uchiha Rei asked after they left the Clan Compound, "Do you know where Sasuke usually goes?"

"That arrogant guy never plays with anyone." Naruto scratched his head, recalling, "But I do know a place he often goes. I've seen him there many times... though he never pays attention to me whenever I greet him."

"Take me there," Uchiha Rei said, his voice gentle but with an undeniable firmness.

"Okay! Let's find Sasuke quickly and get him home!" Naruto excitedly clenched his fist, his eyes full of confidence.

Uzumaki Naruto didn't notice, but right behind them, several tiny Insects floated silently in mid-air, seemingly recording their every move...