Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

"I didn't expect a simple reconnaissance mission to escalate into such a high-level pursuit."

"Captain Hatake, I feel a bit unlucky here."

Uzumaki Raiden glanced at the Sand Ninja forces surrounding them, his heart sinking. The leader of the pursuing squad was the Sand Ninja elder, Chiyo, and beside her stood Rasa and Karura in silent vigilance.

In the distance, the rampaging Shukaku had already been subdued and returned to its human form. Today's Ichibi Jinchuriki was a young man in his twenties with average looks—someone who could easily blend into a crowd. Even after Shukaku's suppression, the young man remained conscious, staring coldly at Raiden.

Besides them, nearly a hundred other ninjas surrounded the group. These shinobi did not bother to hide their identities, dressed in light yellow half-armor and proudly displaying the Sand Village forehead protectors.

"Sorry, this is my fault for dragging you into this."

"I'll cover you when the time comes. Escape quickly."

Hatake Sakumo spoke with a tinge of guilt. He knew why Sand Ninja had dispatched such an overwhelming force to hunt down their six-man team. The reason was simple: he, Sakumo Hatake, had killed the son and daughter-in-law of Chiyo, an elder of the Sand.

This vendetta drove Sand Ninja to spare no effort in hunting their team. Normally, a force of ten ninja would suffice for infiltrating Konoha. Sending nearly a hundred Sand ninjas was an act of extraordinary retaliation, enough to wipe out a small village.

"Do you think I can escape with this many enemies?" Raiden shot Sakumo a sidelong glance and spoke calmly.

Sakumo's expression darkened as he apologized again. "I'm truly sorry for involving you in this."

"Don't waste time apologizing," Raiden replied lightly. "Captain, don't hold back. Let's deal with these Sand Ninjas together."

Raiden unsheathed his blade with a casual motion and spoke softly to Sakumo. Despite the grim situation, he wasn't overly concerned. He was confident he could escape if needed. More importantly, he trusted the strength of Hatake Sakumo, a man whose feats during the Second Ninja War earned him fame comparable to the Sannin.

Raiden believed Sakumo's ability was enough to handle the situation. However, Sakumo wasn't as optimistic. While he was indeed strong, the elite Sand Ninja force before them, including Rasa, Karura, and Chiyo, was formidable.

Their coordinated strength would make escape difficult, let alone defeating them outright.

"I can see you're still calm. That's reassuring," Sakumo remarked with a faint smile. "Leave the distraction to me; their main target is me. Catch up with Shikaku and the others to secure their retreat."

Without waiting for Raiden's reply, Sakumo lunged at Chiyo.

"Sakumo Hatake, today I will avenge my son and daughter-in-law!" Chiyo shouted, her expression fierce. She quickly pulled out a scroll, ignored Sakumo's approaching attack, and completed a series of seals with practiced speed.

"Karura, assist Elder Chiyo. I'll deal with the red-haired one," Rasa ordered before charging at Raiden. As he moved, gold dust swirled across the battlefield, transforming the area around Raiden into a gleaming desert.

"Everyone, focus on Konoha's White Fang first! Release the Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets!"

Chiyo finished her seal, slamming her hand onto the scroll. Ten humanoid puppets appeared, their menacing forms poised for battle. Karura raised a sand wall, shielding Chiyo from Sakumo's initial strike. As Sakumo closed in, the puppets intercepted him, blocking his blade.

"Does Sakumo Hatake have any hidden techniques?" Raiden wondered, observing the battle. "Relying solely on swordsmanship won't be enough against Chiyo, Karura, and these elite Sand Ninjas."

Just then, Rasa attacked Raiden, launching a gold-dust projectile. The glittering mass barreled toward him, while golden streams on the ground coiled to trap his feet.

Raiden focused, coating his blade in chakra. With precise strikes, he deflected the incoming attacks, the sharp clash of metal echoing around him. Without hesitation, he leaped into the air, avoiding the creeping golden trap below.

Raiden's goal was clear from the beginning.

"If I release Shukaku, Sand Ninja won't have time to chase us."

Wrapped in the crackling aura of Lightning Armor, Raiden dashed toward the Ichibi Jinchuriki. His speed, amplified by the armor, left streaks of purple lightning in his wake.

"Shiraishi, he's targeting you! Evacuate immediately!" Rasa shouted as Raiden approached at blinding speed.

Raiden's swift movements caught the surrounding Sand Ninjas off guard. In a flash, he reached the Jinchuriki, incapacitating nearby Sand Ninjas with bolts of electricity. The young Jinchuriki, Shiraishi, was paralyzed by Raiden's precise Lightning Release technique.

"Got you!" Raiden exclaimed, preparing a contract seal.

But before he could complete his move, two puppets flanked him silently, their blade-like arms slicing toward him.

"How did they evade my perception?!" Raiden thought, alarmed. His Kagura mind perception had been disrupted. Forced to abandon his plan, he deflected their attacks with a kunai in one hand and his blade in the other.

Before he could retaliate, an earthen wall rose to shield Shiraishi, followed by a barrage of Wind Release attacks from nearby Sand Ninjas.

Raiden dodged swiftly, retreating a safe distance. His senses dulled, he looked skyward.

"It's time. One decisive strike should do it," he muttered.

Pulling out a scroll from his ninja pouch, he unfurled it, revealing a single seal at its center. Written in bold script was a single word: Summon.

(End of Chapter)