By the River, Meeting Naruto—Who Was Younger?

"Luo, sit here. Your brother will go catch some fish."

School was out that day, so Sasuke brought his little brother to a small river not far from home.

After finding Luo a safe place to wait, Sasuke jumped into the river and began looking for fish to bring home as an extra meal.

"Sasuke, there are fish over there!"

Sitting on a rock and looking around, Luo spotted fish swimming over and pointed out their location for Sasuke to catch them.

Bang!

A small stone flew over, splashing up water.

Soon, a fish floated to the surface and drifted slowly with the current.

"This fish is pretty big. We can make fish soup tonight!"

Sasuke threaded a piece of wire through the fish's head. It was over thirty centimeters long—perfect for making fish soup to nourish Luo.

"One fish won't be enough. Keep it up, Sasuke. Catch a few more, and we can take them home to grill, stew, fry..."

Luo pointed upstream. There were quite a few fish in the river, so they might as well catch more.

It was rare for them to come out like this. If they did not bring some fish home to cook, who knew when they would come here again?

"Okay, I'll keep catching fish!"

Seeing how eagerly Luo looked forward to it, Sasuke hung the fish from a nearby branch and returned to the river to search for more.

One after another, Sasuke caught five fish about the same size as the first in less than half an hour.

Feeling that it was enough, he stopped and came back to hang the fish together, ready to take Luo home.

"Sasuke Uchiha, you came to the river to catch fish too!"

Just as they were about to leave, a blond-haired boy ran out from the bushes across the river. Seeing the fish in Sasuke's hand, he looked completely stunned.

"Idiot!"

Sasuke gave a cold snort and glanced at the guy across from him, now wanting to go home even more.

That idiot bastard—if Luo got too familiar with him, he might be led astray.

"Ahhh! Damn it, Sasuke, that was too much!"

Naruto Uzumaki stomped in fury after being called an idiot.

"Luo, let's go!"

Sasuke took his brother's hand and helped him down from the rock, then prepared to leave.

"Hey, hey, hey! Damn it, Sasuke, stop right there!"

Seeing that they were leaving, Naruto jumped straight into the river. Without caring whether his pant legs got soaked, he waded through the water after them.

Glancing back and seeing Naruto running over, Luo stopped walking.

So Naruto and Sasuke's friendship had started so early, back when they were still in school!

It was not that he wanted gossip. It was just that...

Naruto Uzumaki was pretty fun. His blond hair was striking too, bright and fresh enough to make one's eyes light up at the sight of it.

"Luo?"

Feeling his little brother stop, Sasuke stopped as well.

He looked back at Naruto, who was chasing after them, then at the curiosity in his brother's eyes. Sasuke was already considering how to keep that guy farther away.

"It's Sasuke's classmate. He seems very anxious."

Luo raised a hand and pointed at Naruto.

Naruto really did look anxious as he hurried over. His pants had been soaked by the river water, and part of his shirt had been splashed wet as well.

"Damn it, Sasuke, you... Ah... Hello, little brother. I'm Naruto Uzumaki..."

Naruto had come for Sasuke, but when he ran over and saw the smiling child, his face instantly turned red.

He smiled at him...

Someone was smiling as they greeted him...

"Mm, I'm Luo Uchiha, Sasuke's little brother."

Luo pointed to himself and gave his name, then deliberately emphasized that he was Sasuke Uchiha's little brother.

Those words instantly put Sasuke, who had been glaring at Naruto, in a much better mood.

Their brotherly bond had always been excellent, but Luo had always called him by name.

"Luo... Ah, Luo, I know you! Iruka-sensei said that although you can't become a ninja, you're the best-behaved and cutest!"

Naruto scratched his head, then suddenly remembered something Iruka had said while scolding him.

Back then, Iruka had said that if Naruto were half as well-behaved and sensible as Luo, no one would need to worry about him.

Anyway, it meant about the same thing. As long as he praised the kid, it was fine!

"Mm!"

Luo nodded in response.

He felt no psychological pressure about acting cute. After all, he really did look like a child right now.

"What did you come over for?"

Sasuke's expression turned cold again.

His little brother truly could not become a ninja, but so what? How dare someone use that to make conversation?

"Huh? I-I just saw you guys here and came over to say hello. Sasuke, don't be so stingy. I'm not trying to steal your fish. Are you going to keep catching fish? Let me tell you, Naruto Uzumaki is amazingly, unbelievably good at catching fish! I can grill fish too..."

Naruto was glared at by Sasuke and had no idea what he had said wrong, but after hesitating briefly, he became full of energy again.

He had plenty of experience catching and grilling fish!

"We're going home."

Luo tugged on Sasuke's hand, then smiled at Naruto and spoke up to refuse him on Sasuke's behalf.

Although he did not know whether Hiruzen Sarutobi was watching them in secret, it was better for the Uchiha clan and the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki to keep their distance in daily life.

Life was already hard enough for the two brothers. They could not let Konoha's higher-ups make things difficult for them again just because Naruto Uzumaki was a little cute and interesting.

"Oh..."

Hearing that they were leaving, Naruto became somewhat dejected.

But his moods changed in leaps. After his disappointment, he put on a huge smile...

"Luo, next time school is out, have Sasuke bring you fishing again! Then Big Brother Naruto can make grilled fish for you. It's really delicious!"

Naruto clenched his fist encouragingly, immediately wanting to make a promise with the child in front of him.

This cute child who smiled and talked to him was that bastard Sasuke's little brother, but that smile made him especially look forward to it.

Sure enough, only Sasuke himself was annoying. Seeing someone else with a similar appearance to Sasuke, he looked adorable no matter how Naruto looked at him!

"Sasuke, is he older or younger?"

Luo looked at Sasuke. He did not mind acting cute, but they were both children, and someone was calling himself big brother...

Naruto needed to understand that he was actually the little brother!

"He's younger."

Sasuke's answer was extremely concise.

"Hey, hey, hey! Damn it, Sasuke, don't go too far! I was born a few months after you, but I'm definitely older than your little brother!"

The instant Naruto was called younger, he exploded.

"But Sasuke and I were born on the same day, so... Naruto is the little brother..."

Luo waved a finger in front of Naruto, smiling even more happily.

Sure enough, teasing the protagonist was the kind of thing that improved one's mood!

"Damn you, Sasuke!"

Naruto jumped up and down in anger, but he only cursed Sasuke.

"Idiot!"

Sasuke gave Naruto a cold look. Before Luo could even react, he picked up his little brother and headed straight home.

As for Naruto Uzumaki, he did not want to pay him any attention at all!

"Sasuke's classmate is very interesting..."

Luo obediently let himself be carried away. As they left, he waved goodbye to Naruto Uzumaki, who stood there watching them.

They quickly returned home. After being set down in the courtyard, Luo saw that Sasuke seemed to want to say something and smiled even more happily.

Those two future friends, rivals, bound together by fate...

Still, fun was one thing, but thinking of how Sasuke would always suffer in the future...

Luo felt a little unhappy.

I should keep training.

At most, I'll endure for another two or three years. Then I can throw away this frail disguise.