Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

The next day.

Early in the morning, Raiden arrived at the Ninja School accompanied by Kushina, as usual. After a day of high-intensity training yesterday, Raiden could still feel the soreness from strenuous exercise. The bruise on his arm had subsided significantly, but there was still a faint ache.

Shinnosuke Sarutobi, true to his word, lacked precise control over his power. During their sparring, Raiden suffered minor injuries due to Shinnosuke's overwhelming strength.

"Hiss, even with my recovery ability, I can still feel the pain. This bruise has lingered too long," Raiden muttered.

"He truly lives up to being the son of the Third Hokage. His taijutsu ability is exceptional. With his strength, he could easily pass the Chunin Exam."

At this time, Konoha's requirements for Chunin were entirely different from those of Naruto Uzumaki's generation. In the future, Konoha's focus for Chunin candidates would shift toward intelligence and leadership, as they were often team leaders when Jōnin were unavailable. The emphasis was on comprehensive ninja skills and analysis.

However, during this era of war, Konoha's Chunin requirements were far more straightforward and brutal: "strength." The battlefield demanded survival and combat effectiveness, with little focus on intellectual skills.

This difference stemmed from contrasting combat needs. During wartime, large-scale team battles of dozens or even hundreds of ninjas were common, and only a few commanders were necessary. In peaceful times, ninjas typically completed missions for clients, with most C-rank missions handled by a Chunin-led team and even some B-rank missions managed by a four-person squad.

Shinnosuke Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze, who were on the same team as Uzumaki Kushina, already had Chunin-level strength. However, when accompanying Kushina, their missions were mostly mundane C-rank tasks like retrieving lost pets.

Raiden suspected that the two were placed near Kushina by the Third Hokage to act as her bodyguards. Within Konoha Village, Minato and Shinnosuke were more than adequate for this role.

"Sister, I'm heading in. You can go back now," Raiden said, parting with Kushina at the school gate before walking inside.

At the same time Raiden entered the school, the Third Hokage received urgent updates from the front lines in his office.

"Boom!" The Third Hokage struck the table with his fist. Even someone as composed as him couldn't contain his anger after reading the latest report.

"Damn it, they actually did it!"

"Sakumo, summon all the elite Jōnin and elders for a meeting!" Hiruzaru Sarutobi ordered, his expression grim. Holding the scroll tightly, he strode out of his office toward the conference room.

Hatake Sakumo acted swiftly, and it didn't take long for the Hokage Building's meeting room to fill with people.

The meeting room was large, dominated by a long rectangular table with 30 chairs. Due to the significance of this meeting, not only were clan heads and elite Jōnin present, but also several Chunin and Jōnin-in-training were allowed to attend and observe.

At one end of the table, four chairs were arranged. Hiruzaru Sarutobi sat in the left-center chair, with the only female elder, Koharu Utatane, on his left. On his right sat Shimura Danzo, and at the far right was Mitokado Homura.

Next to the elders were the patriarchs of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans. Unlike later years when these positions were held by Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku, two calm and composed middle-aged men now occupied these seats.

Further down the table sat the Ino-Shika-Cho clan heads, reflecting their high status among Konoha's families. Meanwhile, the Third Hokage's students—Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade—sat with the other ninjas along the room's walls, as there wasn't space for them at the main table.

The Third Hokage's somber expression cast a heavy atmosphere over the room.

"Orochimaru, do you know what this is about?" Jiraiya whispered, unsettled by the tension.

Orochimaru, less oblivious than his companion, responded, "You're too preoccupied with your training. Haven't you heard about the major events on the front lines? Recently, the Land of Earth invaded the Land of Grass and sent troops into the Land of Rain. Their movements clearly suggest hostility."

"The attack on the ninja school assessment team? The Third suspects the Land of Earth is behind it."

Tsunade interjected thoughtfully, "If the Land of Earth's provocations escalate, we could end up fighting on two fronts—with the Land of Thunder already pressuring us in the northeast."

Jiraiya's expression grew serious as he processed the implications. The tension in the room grew as whispers spread among the gathered ninjas. After a moment, the Third Hokage silenced the crowd with a cough.

"I have urgent news," the Third Hokage began. "This morning, I received reports that the Land of Earth's forces in the Land of Grass are advancing toward the Fire Country's border. Though our border garrison has engaged their vanguard with mixed results, their main force has yet to arrive."

Danzo Shimura added, "The Land of Earth's ambitions are clear. Their ultimate target is the Land of Fire."

The room erupted in whispers again until the Hokage regained order. "I want your opinions," he said. "Should we prepare for war or pursue peace negotiations?"

The meeting continued with the detailed discussion among Konoha's leaders regarding the war strategy, with Hiruzaru Sarutobi ultimately deciding to deploy troops strategically to confront both the Land of Earth and the Land of Thunder.

(End of Chapter)