Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

The night was like a veil, a hazy mist draped over the branches and rooftops. The bright moon had already peeked out, casting its soft light over the peaceful and quiet Konoha Village.

"Uncle, bring me another plate of beef and a box of milk!"

On the commercial street, less than 1,000 meters from the Hokage Building, stood a famous barbecue restaurant in the village called Yakitori House. Most villagers, young and old, had tasted the delicacies offered here.

With fresh ingredients and relatively reasonable prices, Yakitori House had become Konoha's most popular barbecue spot. Even in troubled times, its business thrived, and diners kept coming. Fortunately, the trio, including Uzumaki Raiden, had arrived early, avoiding the usual long wait for a table.

"Raiden, can you really eat more? This is already your second platter, and we barely touched the first one before you finished it all!"

Uchiha Fugaku looked at Raiden, who was seated across from him, then nervously reached into his pocket, feeling the thinning wallet. His voice trembled as he spoke.

The restaurant's "reasonable prices" didn't necessarily mean cheap. For most people in Konoha, eating here was a rare treat. To make matters worse, Fugaku had recently returned from war missions, which were unpaid due to their village-mandated nature. Having been financially independent for a while, Fugaku was beginning to feel the strain.

"No problem. I have a fast metabolism," Raiden replied casually. "Honestly, the portions here are too small. Who's satisfied with just a few hundred grams of beef?"

Raiden's nonchalant attitude made Fugaku abandon the topic. Instead, he sighed and shifted the conversation.

"Raiden, you're seven now, right? Who taught you your ninjutsu? Your techniques are incredibly powerful."

Uchiha Fugaku's curiosity got the better of him as he leaned forward. He knew Raiden had been raised in Tsunade's household, but Raiden's fighting style didn't align with hers. It piqued his curiosity—where did Raiden learn such advanced techniques?

"Who taught me?" Raiden replied, pausing to chew a piece of grilled beef. "My grandma, of course. And there's also Lord Hokage. I'm his disciple."

His answer shocked not only Fugaku but also Hyuga Hiashi, who had been quietly eating. Both stared at Raiden in disbelief.

"You're Lord Hokage's disciple?" Fugaku blurted out, completely ignoring the mention of Raiden's grandmother. His focus was solely on Raiden's connection to the Hokage.

"Yeah, why is that so surprising?" Raiden tilted his head, genuinely puzzled by their reactions.

"Well, it explains your separation from us and your strength at such a young age," Fugaku admitted, taking a deep breath. "Alright, order whatever you want—my treat!"

His sudden generosity left Raiden slightly bewildered, but Fugaku seemed resolute. Raiden decided to clear the air.

"You seem pretty excited. Is it that shocking for me to be Hokage's disciple? You're the son of the Uchiha clan leader, and Hiashi here is the heir to the Hyuga family. What's the big deal?"

Raiden's words made Fugaku and Hiashi exchange uneasy glances. Hiashi finally broke the silence.

"Actually, Raiden, both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans have a complicated relationship with the Hokage's administration. We're powerful families, which means we're also closely watched."

Hiashi's voice was calm but carried a weight that made Raiden listen intently. "This team setup is unprecedented. Normally, heirs like us are paired with civilian ninjas. That you, a disciple of the Hokage, were added to our team signals an attempt to mend relations between the clans and the Hokage's faction."

Raiden absorbed Hiashi's words but couldn't help feeling exasperated. These heirs think about politics even during a meal? he thought, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes.

"Let me make this clear," Raiden said, setting down his chopsticks. "The Hokage didn't send me to spy on you. He sent me because I'm strong enough and talented enough to be here."

He continued, "Instead of worrying about politics, you should focus on surviving the upcoming war and getting stronger. In the ninja world, strength reigns supreme. Schemes and plots mean nothing in the face of absolute power."

His words struck a chord. Fugaku and Hiashi fell silent, their thoughts racing. The meal ended in an awkward atmosphere, with Fugaku so preoccupied that he forgot to complain about the bill, and Hiashi too distracted to suggest splitting the cost.

Uchiha Clan

That evening, Fugaku confided in his father, recounting everything about Raiden and the team formation.

"Father, what do you think this arrangement by the Third Hokage means? Could he have sent Raiden to monitor us?"

Fugaku's father listened calmly, then raised a hand to silence him.

"You're overthinking this, Fugaku. Raiden's connection to the Third Hokage isn't as deep as you think. He was raised by an ancestor of the Uzumaki clan, likely the same one who taught him those powerful techniques. Focus on building camaraderie with your teammates."

Hyuga Clan

At the Hyuga household, Hiashi voiced his concerns to his grandfather, who reassured him in a similar manner. "Work well with your teammates. Worrying about Hokage's motives is not your job."

Uzumaki Raiden

Back at the Uzumaki residence, Raiden received a ninjutsu scroll delivered by an Anbu agent.

"Uzumaki Raiden, this is the Lightning Release scroll entrusted to you by Lord Hokage. He encourages you to study diligently. If you have questions, you're welcome to visit him."

Raiden thanked the Anbu and took the scroll. As soon as he touched it, the seal melted, revealing its contents.

"Lightning Release techniques, huh? Looks like I'll have a busy few days ahead," he muttered, heading to his study.

Over the next few days, Raiden immersed himself in training. He adjusted his schedule, studying scrolls at night and practicing techniques in the afternoon. Meanwhile, his team grew closer through simulated training sessions, during which Fugaku and Hiashi came to admire Raiden's remarkable skills.

One afternoon at Training Ground No. 1, Raiden was interrupted mid-practice by an Anbu agent.

"Uzumaki Raiden, Lord Hokage has summoned you urgently!"

Raiden nodded, extinguishing the crackling lightning in his hands. "Finally. I've been waiting for this day."

With that, Raiden disappeared into the trees, ready to face the next chapter of his journey.

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