Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

Uzumaki Raiden unfurled a peculiar scroll in front of him, drawing the attention of all the Sand Ninjas.

However, none of them could discern the purpose of Raiden's scroll. Concerned for Shiraishi's safety, the Sand Ninjas refrained from acting rashly, instead fortifying the earthen fortress surrounding Shiraishi.

At the same time, Rasa approached Raiden cautiously, his gaze sharp and wary. With Rasa covering Raiden's rear, Chiyo shifted her focus entirely to her duel with Hatake Sakumo, calling back the two puppets stationed near Shiraishi.

As the battle between Chiyo, Karura, and the Sand Ninjas against Sakumo escalated, their skirmish gradually moved farther away from Raiden's position.

"Reverse Summoning Jutsu!"

Seeing that no one dared to advance on him, Raiden quickly formed seals and pressed his hand onto the scroll. In an instant, a cloud of white mist rose, revealing a shadow clone of Raiden sitting cross-legged in a vortex.

"What is that?"

"Did he summon... himself?"

Rasa narrowed his eyes at the clone, his wariness intensifying. He subtly manipulated the gold dust beneath Raiden, extending it toward him in preparation for a strike.

"Stay alert! Protect Lord Shiraishi!"

The Sand Ninjas guarding Shiraishi fortified the bunker further. Most of the guards moved to surround Raiden, launching an onslaught of ninjutsu, shuriken, and kunai from a safe distance, wary of approaching him directly.

Raiden observed the tactical positions of the Sand Ninjas. He shifted his gaze from the reinforced fortress to the attackers surrounding him and made a decision. With a quick one-handed seal, he dispelled the shadow clone in front of him.

"Sage Mode!"

The natural energy accumulated by the shadow clone flowed back into Raiden's body. His chakra surged as purple lightning flared brighter and stronger around him.

The barrage of ninjutsu and projectiles closed in, crashing into Raiden's position with a deafening explosion.

"Yes! We got him!"

"He's finished!"

The Sand Ninjas erupted in cheers, certain their attack had eliminated Raiden.

"Wait! Stay alert!"

Rasa frowned, sensing something amiss. His warning came too late. A purple figure burst out of the smoke, darting toward the jubilant Sand Ninjas. Raiden's blade flashed as he struck down several foes in an instant.

"What's happening—" one Sand Ninja began, but his words were cut off as Raiden's hand closed around his throat.

"Do you want to dance too?"

Raiden's voice was icy. He glanced briefly toward the earthen fortress before tightening his grip, silencing the struggling ninja. The lifeless body fell limp in his grasp.

"What in the world is this...?"

Rasa's eyelids twitched as he witnessed Raiden emerge unscathed and slaughter several Sand Ninjas with terrifying speed. Gritting his teeth, Rasa manipulated the gold dust around Raiden, binding him completely.

"Gold Dust Burial!"

The gold dust tightened around Raiden, aiming to crush him. Just then, a thunderclap echoed through the battlefield. A bolt of lightning struck the spot where Raiden was restrained, scattering the gold dust. Rasa's chakra control over the dust was disrupted, and the particles fell to the ground.

Raiden stood unharmed, his crimson hair billowing in the wind and his body streaked with the blood of his enemies. The oppressive aura of his lightning-cloaked chakra filled the battlefield. The blade of Sakegari no Tachi gleamed ominously, untainted by blood despite the carnage.

"Scatter with the thunder!"

As Raiden's voice rang out, another lightning bolt descended from the sky, striking the earthen fortress. The two Sand Ninjas guarding Shiraishi were engulfed in the flash, falling lifelessly to the ground.

Amidst the lightning, the fortress crumbled, revealing Shiraishi's form. A chilling scream escaped Shiraishi as strange chakra erupted from his body, twisting him into the monstrous form of Shukaku. His pupils transformed into star-shaped patterns as he glared at the battlefield with murderous intent.

"The seal is broken! Shukaku is free!"

Rasa's expression darkened. He moved to intervene, but another bolt of lightning struck him directly, sending him crashing to the ground.

"I only have enough chakra for three strikes in Sage Mode," Raiden muttered, his breathing heavier. "Kurama, you really hold me back sometimes."

The light of the lightning around him dimmed slightly, his Sage Chakra nearly depleted.

"But this will do."

Raiden turned his gaze to Shukaku, whose body continued to grow larger as sand surged around him. With a low chuckle, Raiden lunged at the remaining Sand Ninjas. Thunder and sword strikes tore through the battlefield, and within minutes, a dozen more foes lay lifeless at his feet.

As Shukaku completed his transformation, the massive beast let out a triumphant roar.

"Freedom! I'm finally free!"

Shukaku's wild chakra radiated outward, his claws clutching his chest in excitement. Then, as if sensing something, Shukaku froze. His gaze locked onto Raiden.

"The stench of that damn fox!"

With a snarl, Shukaku's claw swiped at Raiden. Unprepared for the attack, Raiden was struck in the chest and sent hurtling into the ground, leaving a deep crater.

"This tanuki is even more reckless than Kurama," Raiden muttered as he dragged himself to his feet, clutching his chest. The blow had left him with internal injuries, though not severe enough to stop him.

"Die, human!"

Shukaku roared, slamming another claw toward Raiden. This time, Raiden was ready. He dodged the strike and reappeared above Shukaku's head.

"It seems the seal suits you better."

Raiden activated the Yin Seal on his forehead, releasing stored chakra. Lines of energy spread across his body as his chakra surged anew. Despite his depleted reserves, he prepared to seal Shukaku once more.

"Spiral Restraints: Release!"

With his resolve firm, Raiden unleashed the full power of Sakegari no Tachi, now shimmering in its ethereal form.

(End of Chapter)