Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

An underground palace somewhere in Konoha Village.

"Danzo-sama, the mission failed. I couldn't hit Uzumaki Raiden with the Curse of Distraction."

Kneeling before a stone chair, a figure reported the mission's outcome to the man sitting in the shadows.

"You failed to take down a five-year-old during a surprise attack? I'm deeply disappointed."

Danzo's voice was deep and filled with disdain, but his tone betrayed a hint of curiosity. His subordinates were experienced ninjas, and his Root operatives were handpicked talents in their respective fields. The young man kneeling before him was an assassin Danzo had personally trained for over a decade. To fail on his first mission was unexpected.

"The target's reaction speed was extraordinary. My surprise attack missed," the young man admitted, raising his head. His face, youthful and full of guilt, revealed his age—no older than fifteen or sixteen.

"You missed during a surprise attack? Are you saying that child evaded an elite Chunin?" Danzo's frown deepened. "That sounds ridiculous. If this is your excuse for failure, it's unacceptable."

"Danzo-sama, I speak the truth. I struck without warning, but Uzumaki Raiden dodged my first attack with unnatural speed," the young man explained, lowering his gaze once more.

"Unnatural speed? Could the rumors be true—that Uzumaki Raiden escaped from Iwagakure's Jonin during the ninja school entrance exams?" Danzo murmured, narrowing his eyes. "If that's the case, your failure is more understandable."

After a moment of thought, Danzo waved dismissively. "Go and accept your punishment. This matter ends here."

He refrained from punishing the young assassin too severely. After all, the boy was one of his most promising operatives. Moreover, a failed attack at the academy would undoubtedly attract the Third Hokage's attention, and Danzo knew the importance of lying low for now.

"Uzumaki Raiden... if I can control you, I can control the Nine Tails," Danzo muttered to himself. His words echoed in the silence of the underground chamber, which soon fell into darkness once again.

Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, listening to a ninja academy teacher report the incident at the school.

"Understood. Inform the barrier team to strengthen the academy's security and deploy a detection barrier immediately. Ensure this doesn't happen again," Hiruzen ordered without looking up, his attention focused on a report from the border.

"As for the investigation, I'll assign someone to handle it. Your priority is to reassure the students."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" The teacher bowed and left the office.

Once alone, Hiruzen put down the report and picked up his pipe, taking a long puff. His expression darkened.

"Danzo... I've given you too much freedom," he muttered, his gaze complicated. After a moment of reflection, he returned to the border report.

"The priority remains the issue with Iwagakure."

Later that evening.

The setting sun bathed Konoha in warm light as parents gathered outside the ninja academy to pick up their children. Despite the earlier attack, Uzumaki Raiden continued with classes as usual, and by noon, the barrier team had fortified the academy's defenses. Feeling the strength of the new barrier, Raiden's mood improved slightly. While it didn't guarantee his safety, it offered some level of protection.

As Raiden left the academy, he noticed Uzumaki Kushina waiting at the gate. Beside her stood a blond boy—Namikaze Minato.

"Raiden!" Kushina called out, waving excitedly. However, Raiden, lost in thought, didn't hear her.

"He didn't hear you. Let's go to him," Minato suggested.

Kushina nodded, grabbed Minato's hand, and navigated through the crowd to reach Raiden. Without saying a word, they walked alongside him, waiting to see when he would notice them.

"The attacker chose the academy for the ambush. That means they're likely from Konoha. If they were from another village, they would've struck in a less crowded place—it's common sense," Raiden thought, his brow furrowed.

"This narrows the suspects to a handful of people in Konoha. For the next two years, I need to focus on saving chakra for the Yin Seal and improving my physical combat and shuriken techniques."

Sensing someone nearby, Raiden snapped out of his thoughts and glanced around. Spotting Kushina and Minato trailing behind him, he blinked in surprise.

"Sister? Brother Minato?" His gaze shifted to their intertwined hands, and after a moment of surprise, he smiled knowingly.

"Physical skills, huh? Minato's mastery of the Flying Thunder God and shuriken techniques is perfect for training."

"What's on your mind, kid? Did you enjoy your first day at school?" Kushina asked, oblivious to Raiden's thoughts. Realizing he'd noticed her holding Minato's hand, she quickly let go, her cheeks reddening.

Raiden chuckled, hiding his amusement. "Not really. My physical and shuriken skills are lacking, and some classmates laughed at me. I was just thinking about how to improve. Grandma Mito hasn't been feeling well, so I don't want to bother her."

"What? They laughed at you?" Kushina's face darkened, recalling her own struggles at the academy. Her hair color and status as a transfer student had made her a target for bullying. Those days had been tough, and hearing about Raiden's experience made her angry.

Minato, on the other hand, smiled awkwardly. He found it hard to believe anyone could bully Raiden, knowing firsthand the boy's strength.

"Training's easy," Kushina said, breaking Minato's thoughts. "If Grandma Mito's unavailable, Minato can teach you. He was the best in taijutsu and shuriken techniques at the academy! Even Hokage-sama praised him."

"Really? Brother Minato, would you have time to teach me?" Raiden asked, his wide-eyed expression feigning innocence as he stared at Minato.

"Well... of course..." Minato started hesitantly, but before he could continue, Raiden interrupted.

"Great! Then if you're free, please come to my house and teach me taijutsu and shuriken skills. Please!" Raiden bowed slightly, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Alright... sure..." Minato agreed reluctantly, though the thought of spending more time with Kushina softened his hesitation.

"Thank you so much!" Raiden beamed, but his grin sent a chill down Minato's spine.

"Free tutoring, secured," Raiden thought triumphantly.

(End of Chapter)