Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

"You're the organization called 'Akatsuki,' aren't you?"

Hanzō of the Salamander's voice carried immense authority and intimidation. The oppressive aura he exuded was overwhelming, and none of Akatsuki's members dared to respond.

Yahiko, as their leader, felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. Despite the foreboding atmosphere, he clung to a sliver of hope. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and replied, "Yes, we are Akatsuki!"

Hanzō smirked and gestured to his men. At his command, hundreds of Rain ninja quickly surrounded Akatsuki, enclosing them in the center. Suddenly, the ground beneath Akatsuki began to sink.

"What's happening?"

"Why is the ground moving?"

"What's going on?"

Akatsuki's members drew their weapons—some gripping kunai, others short swords—and scanned their surroundings with heightened vigilance. The sinking stopped after a few meters, leaving the group in a small basin created by a massive Earth Release technique. Above them, Rain ninja lined the newly formed earthen walls, coldly observing the scene.

With a swift leap, Hanzō ascended the edge of the basin, towering over Yahiko and his group. Looking down, he spoke with an air of disdain.

"Akatsuki… Your organization is nothing but an obstacle to me!"

The moment he finished speaking, a shadow darted toward Konan. Before anyone could react, the shadow snatched her, carrying her up the earthen wall to Hanzō's side. In an instant, Konan's hands were tied behind her back, and Hanzō held a kunai to her neck.

"Konan!"

Yahiko and Nagato cried out in unison, their faces filled with shock. Uzumaki Raiden's expression turned icy. Though the abduction happened in the blink of an eye, Raiden's Kagura's Mind Eye had detected Hanzō's summoning technique. His summoning beast was astoundingly fast.

Beside him, Uchiha Fugaku's Sharingan had also caught the movement. He exchanged a serious glance with Raiden, silently confirming the situation.

"Yahiko, as the leader, you should die here," Hanzō declared coldly. "Resist, and this woman dies!"

Hanzō pressed the kunai closer to Konan, his intent clear.

At that moment, a new development unfolded. A gap appeared in the encirclement as masked ninja emerged atop the earthen wall. They wore the insignia of Konoha's Anbu.

"Are we too late?" Shimura Danzo muttered as he arrived with the Anbu. His expression was as unreadable as ever.

"Konoha's ninjas?!" Yahiko and Nagato's faces filled with shock as they looked at the unexpected reinforcements. Nagato's eyes sharpened with suspicion, his gaze turning toward Raiden and Fugaku. Did Konoha collaborate with Hanzō to destroy us? he wondered bitterly.

Raiden, however, paid no attention to Nagato's glare. His focus was on Danzo, standing atop the wall. A sly smile crept onto Raiden's face.

So, all the key players are here.

Meanwhile, Hanzō tightened his grip on Konan and addressed Nagato.

"The redhead—use this kunai to kill Yahiko. Do this, and I might let you and the woman live. Perhaps even your other friends will be spared."

He tossed the kunai, and it landed at Nagato's feet. Akatsuki's members fell silent, some lowering their heads while others glanced at Nagato with pleading eyes. In their desperation, many hoped Nagato would comply to save their lives.

"Don't worry about me! Nagato, Yahiko, escape while you can!" Konan shouted, struggling against her restraints. Her plea, however, fell on deaf ears. Nagato stared blankly at the kunai, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. Memories of their shared past flooded his thoughts, overwhelming him with despair.

Yahiko, too, was deep in thought. This is all my fault. If my death can save Konan and Nagato, it's a small price to pay. He glanced at Konan, then at Raiden in the crowd. A faint, resolute smile formed on his face.

"Nagato, kill me," he said firmly.

Nagato froze, staring at Yahiko in disbelief. Tears welled up as he clenched his fists, struggling to process Yahiko's words.

"Hurry! Or do you not care if this woman dies?" Hanzō barked impatiently.

At that moment, Danzo's gaze locked onto a figure in Akatsuki's crowd—more specifically, onto a long sword at the figure's waist. His expression darkened.

Nagato, consumed by the pressure, bent down to pick up the kunai. As he gripped it, his breathing became ragged, his mind clouded with pain and uncertainty.

A sigh echoed through the tense silence. "Ah, Jiraiya-sensei always did believe in the best of people… It's unfortunate his students turned out like this," came a voice from the crowd.

The tension shattered as a figure emerged from Akatsuki's ranks. Uzumaki Raiden pushed past the others, calmly walking to Nagato's side and gripping his wrist.

"Who are you?!" Hanzō demanded, his sharp gaze locking onto Raiden. Despite his overwhelming numerical advantage, Hanzō couldn't suppress the unease creeping over him. The man before him radiated an aura devoid of fear, brimming instead with lethal intent.

Danzo's eyes widened in recognition. His suspicions were confirmed.

With a soft "poof," Raiden released his Transformation Technique. A swirl of white mist revealed his true form.

"Long time no see, Lord Danzo," Raiden said with a smile, his gaze sharp as a blade. "You didn't expect this, did you? I'm here too."

The mist dissipated, fully revealing Uzumaki Raiden. His presence radiated raw power, and his aura exploded outward, suffusing the air with murderous intent aimed squarely at Danzo.

Danzo's voice wavered, though his expression remained composed.

"It's you… Uzumaki Raiden!"

(End of Chapter)

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