Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

Hatake Sakumo watched his son's frustrated expression and let out a soft sigh. Waving for Kakashi to calm down, he said gently, "You're still young, Kakashi. You don't understand."

He continued, "Yes, Uzumaki Raiden is incredibly strong, and at one time, he was hailed as Konoha's number-one genius. But Namikaze Minato is a better fit as your mentor."

Pausing briefly, Sakumo added, "Minato is Jiraiya's disciple. He has completed countless missions and is one of Konoha's brightest young talents. His experience far surpasses Raiden's, and if he were your teacher, the knowledge and skills you'd gain would be immeasurable."

Sakumo then shifted the tone slightly. "Raiden is a prodigy, no doubt. But much of his genius comes from the innate bloodline abilities of the Uzumaki clan. While he has cultivated his skills in secret for years, his experience as a ninja is limited. There are many Chunin, and even some Genin, with more mission experience than him. What could he teach you?"

Sakumo's words were meant to sound logical and considerate, but they only deepened Kakashi's silence. His expression remained stormy as he tried to process the reasoning.

Before either of them could say more, Hanako Hatake entered the room. "Dinner's ready," she said, glancing around. Noticing Raiden's absence, she asked, "Where's Uzumaki Raiden? Didn't he join us for dinner?"

Sakumo shook his head and patted Kakashi on the shoulder. "Let's go eat. I'll explain later."

Hanako, though puzzled, didn't press further and walked toward the dining area.

A Walk Through the Village

Raiden Uzumaki, having left the Hatake household, decided against returning home immediately. It was already late, and preparing dinner felt like a chore. He wandered the streets of Konoha, his mind preoccupied with the evening's events.

"If Sakumo doesn't want me as Kakashi's mentor, fine. I'll speak with the Third Hokage after dinner and leave the matter there," Raiden thought.

As he strolled, a tantalizing aroma wafted through the air, pulling his attention toward a small shop. The sign above the door read Ichiraku Ramen.

"It's been years since I last ate here," Raiden mused. "Might as well see if the ramen's still as good as I remember."

Pushing aside the curtain, he stepped inside. The shop was small and unassuming, with only a few diners seated at the counter. Behind the counter, a young man worked diligently, juggling several bowls of ramen.

"Welcome! What'll you have?" the man called without looking up.

"Tonkotsu ramen," Raiden replied, placing his long blade carefully on the bench beside him as he sat down.

"Coming right up!" the man said cheerfully, his hands never pausing.

Raiden glanced around the shop, appreciating its simplicity. A young man sitting a few seats away sighed contentedly, stirring his bowl of ramen.

"Ah, peace is such a blessing," the man said, almost to himself. "It's so nice to sit down and enjoy a hot meal without worrying about war."

"Yeah," the ramen chef chimed in, "thanks to Hokage-sama's leadership, the war ended sooner than anyone expected."

Raiden leaned on his hand, quietly listening to their exchange. He noticed the chakra emanating from the young man—it was strong, suggesting he was a ninja, possibly even a Jonin.

The man suddenly turned toward Raiden. "Hey, you over there. You're a ninja too, right? You should be grateful for the peace your comrades fought to achieve."

Raiden tilted his head slightly, meeting the man's gaze. "Grateful, yes. But peace isn't something that comes easily."

The man's eyes narrowed, and a sinister smile crept across his face. "Grateful, huh? A Nine-Tails Jinchuriki like you should be thanking the real heroes on the front lines for keeping this village safe."

The sudden hostility in his tone set Raiden on edge. Behind the counter, the ramen chef froze, the bowl he was holding slipping from his hands and shattering on the floor.

"Who are you?" Raiden asked coldly, his hand instinctively reaching for his blade.

"Danzo-sama wants to meet you," the man said, his tone now sharp and commanding. "Come with me."

Raiden's eyes narrowed. He extended his sensory perception using Kagura's Mind Eye, quickly scanning the chef's condition. The man was under a genjutsu but otherwise unharmed.

Raiden stood slowly, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade. "Shimura Danzo... you've got some nerve."

The man smirked, ignoring Raiden's remark. He stepped outside the shop, signaling. In an instant, eight masked Anbu operatives surrounded the entrance, their presence cloaked until now.

Raiden stepped outside cautiously, his senses heightened. "What's blocking my perception?" he thought. "They've surrounded me without me noticing?"

"Raiden Uzumaki," the man said, his voice dripping with mock authority. "You'll come with us. This is Danzo-sama's order."

Raiden's lips curled into a smirk. "And if I refuse?"

The man's smile widened as he drew a kunai. "It's not up to you."

Before Raiden could respond, one of the Anbu operatives formed hand seals, unleashing a jutsu.

"Lightning Style: Thunder Binding!"

A rope of crackling electricity shot toward Raiden, wrapping tightly around him before he could react. Four Anbu operatives rushed forward, intending to restrain him further.

But Raiden wasn't fazed. A surge of chakra erupted from his body, shattering the lightning rope in an instant.

"Fools," Raiden muttered, his voice low and dangerous. With a swift movement, he unsheathed his blade, the steel glinting ominously.

The first Anbu operative didn't stand a chance. Raiden's blade sliced across his chest, sending him crumpling to the ground in a spray of blood. The other three operatives retreated quickly, their movements cautious.

"Thunder Blade Technique: Single Slash!"

Lightning crackled along Raiden's blade as he held it horizontally across his chest. The air around him hummed with electricity, the tension palpable.

The young man who had initiated the confrontation stepped forward again, his smile faltering slightly. "You're strong, Jinchuriki," he admitted. "But Danzo-sama's orders are absolute. Surrender now, and we'll spare you unnecessary pain."

Raiden's grip on his blade tightened. "Danzo thinks he can control me? He'll regret it."

The air between them thickened as both sides prepared for the inevitable clash.

(End of Chapter)

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