Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

"The one with black hair is likely the Uchiha who just defeated my shadow clone, and the one with white hair… could it be Sakumo Hatake, Kakashi's father?" Raiden Uzumaki thought, quickly observing the two Anbu standing behind the Third Hokage. He crossed the large crater with cautious steps, approaching Hiruzen Sarutobi while putting on an innocent smile.

"Raiden Uzumaki, do you realize this is the final destination of the assessment?" Hiruzen's voice was stern, his expression grave. "Why would you bring such a dangerous thing here as part of a test? It's fortunate you encountered my most elite subordinates; otherwise, you could've lost your life. Do you understand that?"

"Sorry, sorry~" Raiden scratched the back of his head, trying to appear apologetic, though no real guilt showed on his face. "I was attacked on the way here. I barely escaped with my life. I thought this place might've already been compromised, so I used a shadow clone to test the waters."

"Attacked? You escaped?" Sarutobi's eyes widened in surprise, and the two Anbu behind him exchanged curious glances.

Sarutobi had assumed Raiden reached the destination through sheer luck, avoiding any conflict. The revelation that Raiden had encountered and evaded enemies intrigued him deeply.

"The Iwagakure ninjas who infiltrated the Land of Fire this time are no ordinary individuals," Sarutobi said thoughtfully. "The leader is said to be a proud disciple of Tsuchikage Onoki, and the team consists of Jonin-level operatives. For a child to escape from their grasp… how is that possible?"

Sarutobi's brows furrowed in contemplation. Raiden, noticing the Hokage's expression, toned down his smile and shifted uneasily.

"And about that sealing technique you used earlier?" Sarutobi asked, his sharp eyes glinting with curiosity.

"Oh, that?" Raiden responded casually, waving a hand dismissively. "It was something Grandma Mito gave me before I left. She told me to open it and throw it out if I encountered a strong enemy. I didn't know it was so powerful—sorry for the trouble!"

"Lady Mito," Sarutobi muttered, the explanation clearing his suspicions. "She shouldn't be giving something so dangerous to a child."

"But let me congratulate you, Raiden. You are the only child to successfully complete the assessment and reach the finish line."

Raiden's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation. "The only one?" he asked, the joy of reaching safety quickly fading. A heavy sadness washed over him. "Are they… are they all dead?"

"No, not all," Sarutobi assured him. "Many students got lost shortly after leaving the village and were brought back by the Chunin. Only five from one team were killed. Most of the others were simply repatriated for safety."

Raiden felt a twinge of relief but still carried the weight of the situation. He nodded solemnly, his mind lingering on those who had perished.

"Regardless, you passed the assessment," Sarutobi continued, his tone softening. "You'll report to the academy in seven days. I'll have the school inform your sister of the details."

Sarutobi placed a hand on the shoulder of the black-haired Anbu. "Shinki, take him to the medical unit for treatment. Let him rest here for the night and accompany me back to the village tomorrow."

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Uchiha Shinki nodded, motioning for Raiden to follow him.

Raiden smiled slightly and followed Shinki toward the camp, his steps lighter. As they walked away, Sarutobi turned to Sakumo Hatake.

"What do you think of the boy, Sakumo?" Sarutobi asked, taking out his smoking pipe. "How does he compare to Kushina?"

Sakumo watched Raiden from a distance, his sharp eyes lingering on the young Uzumaki. "His talent is exceptional. For his age, his ability to think strategically is remarkable, and his ninjutsu aptitude is outstanding. A child using shadow clones is impressive enough, but his sealing technique causing such damage is even more telling."

"He's bold yet cautious. In terms of raw potential, he surpasses Kushina by a considerable margin," Sakumo concluded.

Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, exhaling a cloud of smoke. His face was contemplative. "Yes, he's extraordinarily talented… but he's still young. We must handle his growth carefully, for both his sake and Konoha's future."

On the way to the medical unit, Uchiha Shinki broke the silence. "Your name is Raiden Uzumaki, right? Why did you lie back there?"

Raiden hesitated for a moment, feigning innocence. "Lie? I didn't lie. What are you talking about?"

Shinki's Sharingan glinted behind his mask. "I'm Uchiha. No technique is hidden from these eyes. Most importantly, my Sharingan can distinguish individual chakra attributes. You might fool others, but not me, sealing boy."

Raiden's innocent façade dropped, his expression shifting to calm indifference. "I see. As expected of the Uchiha," he said coolly. "But before I answer your question, let me ask you one. If a five-year-old in the Uchiha clan awakened the Sharingan, would you report it to the Hokage?"

Shinki paused, surprised by the question. "Of course. Such talent would be a significant asset to the village."

Raiden smirked faintly. "Exactly. My abilities already draw enough attention. If they knew how good I was with sealing techniques, I'd attract even more. And attention isn't always protection—it can be a trap."

Shinki studied Raiden, his tone neutral. "You're cautious to the point of paranoia. But I won't tell the Hokage. In time, you'll see for yourself the sacrifices Hokage-sama makes for this village."

Raiden let out a soft sigh, unsure if Shinki's words were insightful or naïve. "Am I overly cautious, or are you overly idealistic?" he muttered under his breath.

Raiden followed Shinkito the medical unit, where he was treated and assigned a bed. Exhaustion overtook him as he lay down, his body and mind finally relaxing after days of tension.

For now, he could rest. But deep down, he knew this was only the beginning.

(End of Chapter)

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