11 11. Missing

Third Person POV

A week has passed since the C rank mission was entrusted to the fresh graduates, and there had not been a sign, not even one of a report from the genins of Team 10, the one under Tori Genji. If it had not been because of the piled up documents he received- the ones that contained requests of the small countries in protecting them from getting caught in the war and also the ones that constantly tell the situations in the battlefield- the third hokage would have noticed the team's absence of their mission's current condition. He only realised when his subordinate, Uchiha Hamada's note that he kept under a book was pulled out in the middle of his work. He was reminded with the favor of passing the note to Hamada's son. When he did, he remembered sending Guren's team out for a mission, so he had his assistant find out if there were any reports coming from the team which, to his dismay, were none.

His assistant tried to contact them using one of the hawk they had in the information unit, but even after a few tries they received no replies. Instead, the hawk came back with the letter untouched on its leg. Hiruzen had confirmed then, that the team was indeed in trouble.

The elderly man had trouble trying to send people out for the search. Because of the current ongoing war where the village was also involved, Konoha was lacking in the number of active shinobi. They had casualties in the past and resulted in losing a large sum of strong Jounins and Chunins included. The ones that guarded the village and replaced most of the Jounins were the shinobis from Anbu. So Hiruzen was in dilemma, he could only send a small number of shinobi for the search. He could not send anymore than a team of three Anbu to investigate Team 10's current condition. However, it was also risky, considering how there was a report of enemy ninjas that has breached the fire country's border. Both Anbu and Jounin level were needed to prevent those that has intruded into the land or worst, reaching Konoha.

And then he had reached a conclusion. A team of a balance that was lead by the Jounin, Namikaze Minato. They know the child of Hamada's best and out of all the teams that had not been given a mission, he believed that Team 7 of Minato was the best decision he could make for the time being. Minato was strong, he had his eye on the Jounin for so long and trusted him. There was also Kakashi, the genius son of the deceased Hatake Sakumo. Hiruzen believed they can be entrusted with the search so he immediately sent out the order to Minato.

"An order to search out for Guren's team?" Kushina raised her eyebrows, hands still wiping the plate clean. "Is there something wrong with them?"

Minato nodded as he helped his wife clearing the dishes, "They couldn't get in contact with the team. I just found out that their mission was in the village near the land of fire's border. It is risky to walk there at this current moment."

The female Uzumaki couldn't help feeling worried after listening to Minato's words. The children on Minato's team were considered her own, this also includes Guren eventhough he was just associated with the team somehow. But his presence was equal to Obito, Rin and Kakashi. They were all precious to Kushina just as they were to Minato. Her hands stopped from drying out the fragile glass, "The war. I heard that hokage-sama had already sent ninjas there, to fight off the enemies that has reached the land. Isn't it supposed to be dangerous sending Guren's team off there before, even for a mission?"

Minato landed his gaze on his beloved, his lips were stretched in a thin line, "It's true. There is a possibility that the enemy had already encountered Guren's team. But it was an unexpected event. They should've halt the enemy's activity and the reports received was a little later after Guren went for the mission." He paused, sending Kushina a reassuring smile, "But it's fine, i'm going to find Guren and bring him back."

After locking her gaze with Minato's, Kushina couldn't help but let out a small smile as she nodded. She believed in Minato and she was an optimist. "If Guren comes back injured, i'll give him some of mine ya know!" She chimed, scrunching her face in determination as Minato chuckled.

"We'll move in the morning." Said the man as he continued to wash the dishes, breaking the eye contact. "I'll be back in a couple of days."

"Does Obito know about Guren?"

"... He does, although he had a bit of raging when he found out about this. We had trouble stopping him from exiting from the village's gate. He wanted to start in the evening and he was so stubborn. I'm glad Rin calmed him down though." Minato laughed dryly.

Kushina put down the current glass on the shelf and took the one Minato had on his hand to dry it. "It can't be help. Guren is closest to Obito than the others. Of course he's worry." She sighed, "But the act of showing his emotions clearly is adorable ya know." She smiled, humming a tune as Obito's face of throwing tantrums went through her head.

"And i would also love to see Guren's too. Although that child is as stiff as a log." She joked. "Make sure to bring him back, ya know." Her tone became serious, earning Minato's full attention.

The man's sky orbs met with Kushina's once again, "Yeah, i will."

*

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*

That morning, Obito was exceptionally early. Everyone were. Their rendezvous place was at the entrance, Konoha's gate. They've geared up and set their mentality into finding Guren and his team as they were ordered to even if it means walking into a battlefield. Even still, their sensei, Minato had told them that they should be safe since the hokage had already sent Anbu and Jounin level shinobis to the border, thus keeping the enemy at bay.

Minato who was the last one to arrive, put on a serious look, "I'll briefly explain today's mission again. Remember, we're going to investigate Guren's team situation and their mission current condition. We're going to trail down every clue. Be alert, don't get yourself into a fight if possible."

At this point on, no one uttered a word, they were attentively listening to their sensei. Obito couldn't help sweating from nervousness, heart thumping like there was no tomorrow. If possible, he wanted this to end well, so that they can find Guren. He hoped that his little brother figure would come out unscathed.

"We've discussed the team formation yesterday and there isn't going to be any changes unless i say otherwise. Check your equipment again. If there's no questions, we're going to move in five minutes." Minato finished, earning the nods from his team.

They were heading towards the village Team 10 was supposed to be.

It took them days to trail every inch of clues and hints they can find along the way, until they came to a halt just before they arrived at their destination. They scattered around to search the vicinity when they found out that the spot was suspicious.

Minato's eyes scanned the forest that looked like it was burnt in a middle of nowhere. It seemed like someone used a firestyle ninjutsu. "There was definitely a fight here." He bent down to his knees, picking up a fallen leaf that had barely turned to ash.

While Minato was analysing the battleground, Kakashi had his eyes glued on the other side of the forest, where there was a cliff and when he peeked down, there was waterfall with a strong current. He studied and tried to find anything else but found none. Not until he took a few steps ahead and saw a light that blinded his eyes, coming from the grass. Without wasting time, he took the initiative to take a look and to his surprise, it was something he had seen twice back in Konoha. He concluded that he should go down there and check so he went to find Minato to report.

Obito couldn't find anything. He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth simultaneously in frustration. His eyes was lowered on the ground as he squeezed it tight, thinking of Guren. Why did a child who only turns five went out for his first C rank mission and ended up getting caught in this mess? It wasn't supposed to go this way. He could've stopped Guren from leaving, he could've warned him.. But if only he knew. He didn't. Not even the slightest clue.

"Obito!" Rin came running from his right, pulling Obito out of his own thoughts.

His gaze landed on the kunoichi, "Rin? What's wrong?"

"Look-" She lifted her hand as Obito's eager dark orbs followed the direction of her eyes. In her grip was a very familiar weapon, a Wakizashi.

Although its blade was stained with dry liquid, and its dark brown colour indicating blood, Obito knew on the first glance that it belongs to Guren. He had seen the boy using it a few times on training ground.

Obito took the weapon from Rin's hand, inspecting it closely to reconfirm. He remembered, Guren once mentioned that the Wakizashi belongs to his family. Hamada was the previous user before Guren, so it was a family heirloom. Eventhough it was barely visible, Obito noticed the insignia of Uchiha embedded on its hilt. "It's definitely Guren's." He said. "Where did you find it?"

Rin shook her head, "I didn't. Kakashi did. He found it near a cliff. Sensei told me to find you and show you this. If it's really Guren's then let's go join them!" She beamed in determination.

"Did sensei found something? Where are they now?"

"They're checking the river. Let's go." She finished, grabbing Obito's hand and led the way.

*

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*

"Have you stopped crying?" Tobi, another white zetsu tilted his head slightly to the side in a curious manner, "Hey hey, Uchiha Shirai is 'that', right? That guy who.. Who.. Hmmm.. Who is he again?"

Guren's hands touched his own eyelids, rubbing them to clear the tears out, "I apologise for being rude in front of you, elder brother." He said.

"H-hey.. Don't ignore me-"

"Shirai, it is difficult for me to believe. You, with the body of a child and seemingly more intelligent than what Zetsu had spoken." Madara said, hands glued on his cane, "And that is the only common thing you share with my younger brother."

"E-eh?" Tobi shifted his eyes from Madara to Guren repeatedly, confused by their conversation. "Y-younger brother-?"

"True, my appearance changed and i can barely remember what i looked like." Guren closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath and actually trying to gather his thoughts. He then opened them once again, meeting with Madara's gaze, "That's right. I am called Uchiha Guren in this current timeline. Although i've stayed in Amegakure for awhile, i'm actually a Konoha's ninja." Said the boy as he loosened the forehead protector's knot and took it off. He slidded it in his pocket, keeping it for awhile.

Madara casted the boy a look, one that even his own brother couldn't comprehend. "Konoha, huh?" He muttered under his breath. Konoha is a village Hashirama created along with his supposedly friend. Until Madara left that is, the history was rewritten and Hashirama is the sole creator that built Konohagakure. While he was believed to be the god of shinobi, Madara was left out only to be someone who was defeated by him. Eventhough Guren had lived with Madara before, it's still difficult to actually grasp whatever he had in mind.

"Shirai, or is it Guren? Well.. Whichever it is, I have soo many questions to ask you-"

"I'm actually very relieved to have seen you, to be able to meet you like this again. Although you look different- a bit too old than what i'd remembered." The boy smiled, trying to joke about the elder man's appearance.

"You should take a look at yourself first before you point out at someone." Madara said in a deep voice. Eventhough it was small and barely visible, Guren could've sworn seeing the corner of his brother's lips tugged upwards. Then his smile faltered, a grim expression was worn on his face, "You've always known everything, ever since that day- you isolated yourself and you kept muttering nonsense. You've always known that Hashirama was of the Senju clan. You knew that and even now, you know that i'm still alive."

It was Guren's turn to let his smile fade, "So you've noticed." A bitter smile replaced the previous one, "I know a lot, but not everything. But it's true, the first time i met brother Hashirama i knew he was a Senju. I.. didn't want to see you fight him."

Madara let out a sigh as his eyes glued on Guren's.

As 'Shirai', Guren has always been a bit too kind despite what he looked like. Even Izuna noticed how caring he can be towards others. But as an Uchiha, Shirai never neglected his duty and if he was ever ordered to kill, then he would. He was quiet, loving doing things on his own but he wasn't completely ignorant of the situations around him. What made their father, Tajima proud of Shirai was that he was able to fit in well. Despite his kindness, he still obeyed and complied to every command of his family. Especially Madara.

Shirai never held grudges against anyone, he was different than any normal Uchiha where hatred becomes norm when love is born. However, Shirai doesn't hate. He only loves and obeys. That was all there is to him. Or at least what people had seen in him. "You were always special, Shirai. Then and now." Madara stated, earning the boy's curious look. Obviously, he didn't catch up the meaning so well.

"I'm not special, elder brother. I never think i am." Guren replied, a sad smile was shown on his face. "If there is the thing that i believe is that my life is unfortunate. Cursed even."

Again, his younger brother mumbled about something Madara never agreed. Of course, what he meant by special was similar to the word 'different, in a good way'. Shirai's only flaw as an Uchiha is that he is too humble. No, that would be an understatement. Despite how he tries to stay in pride, he also has low self esteem. But as a shinobi, it is not considered weakness at all. Perhaps, it is one of Shirai's strength. He never underestimated his enemy and would go all out to defeat them.

"You never change." Madara stated, reminiscing the past.

Guren raised his eyebrows as he questioned Madara's statements in his head. He surely changed, in his appearance. He wondered if Madara was referring to his behaviour.

"Heeeey you still hasn't answered how you know about us." Again, Tobi intervened, trying to gain Guren's attention as he flailed his arm in front of the child. Tobi had his waist bent down to the Uchiha boy's level. Guren's mild dark orbs fell upon the white figure, making him still. "Oh but first, how about you answer this veeery very important question first?" He whispered by Guren's ear with eagerness.

The child stayed with his mouth zipped, hoping for whatever Tobi wanted to ask could be answered immediately. He was very close to forgetting that he had a time limit for his summoning technique, since he never knew what could happen on the other side. Unreleasing the shadow clone technique is a bad idea since he needed that clone to reverse summon him. So he expected that soon, his clone would be doing that out of the blue in order to avoid suspicion. Of course, it was only a preparation and prediction if ever Nagato or Yahiko noticed the clone.

Guren blinked his eyes when Tobi's face went unpleasantly close within a few centimetres. He took a step back, "If i know the answer to that then i don't mind."

"Well you see, since i'm made out of the Gedo Mazo, there's a lot of things i can't do. I don't need food nor drink to survive. And i especially don't poop."

Guren didn't like where this is going.

"Hey, tell me how does it feels like to shit?"

As expected, it was only a waste of time. He didn't know how to react. Guren stretched his lips in a thin line, stealing a glance at Madara who had slowly turned his head away, breaking their eye contacts. It was obvious Madara didn't even want to care.

Guren was thinking of an answer. He didn't know why but a thought crossed his mind. 'How does it feels like to not defecating?'

"Hey are you listening?"

"Sorry i don't know how to answer that." Guren deadpanned, clearly lying to Tobi. He took a seat on the cold ground. "Let's drop that, i'll answer to the question about how i know about you, Zetsu and you as well, elder brother." He turned to look at Madara as the elder Uchiha did the same, finally getting serious.