Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

In the early morning, before the sun had risen, the forest was shrouded in a veil of mist.

A few figures flitted swiftly between the treetops, leaves fluttering from the branches and drifting gently to the ground.

"Captain Hatake, we are about to arrive at the border of the River Country. Shouldn't we disguise ourselves?"

The figures darting through the woods were none other than Hatake Sakumo's team, dispatched from Konoha to investigate the Sand Ninja Village's military movements. The team of six was led by Sakumo Hatake, the most trusted leader under Hiruzen Sarutobi. Joining him on this mission was the newly promoted captain of the Anbu, Uzumaki Raiden, along with some of Konoha's most promising younger generation: Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, Choza Akimichi, and Shibi Aburame, the master of insects.

The six formed a reconnaissance unit and set off from Konoha five days ago. Now, they had reached the border of the Land of Fire and were about to enter the River Country, which lay between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.

"In the River Country, we don't need special disguises. Remove your forehead protectors and weapon pouches, and wear the clothes of ordinary people. No one will notice the difference."

Sakumo Hatake spoke without turning back, focused on the journey ahead.

The River Country, a small nation nestled between two great powers, was rich in freshwater resources and crisscrossed by rivers. Its name reflected this abundance. Despite the relatively small size of the Naruto World map, distinct ethnic and cultural traits could still be found across nations. For instance, the Land of Lightning was known for its residents with distinct brown skin tones, while the people of the River Country bore similarities in appearance and lifestyle to those of the Land of Fire.

Thus, as long as Konoha ninjas refrained from wearing distinguishing marks, they could blend in seamlessly with the locals. Their first investigative target was the River Country, adjacent to the Land of Wind. If the Land of Wind was preparing for conflict with Konoha, Sand Ninja infiltrators would likely be present here.

Turbulent Town

A small town in the western part of the River Country, Turbulent Town welcomed a group of business travelers that morning. After arriving, they booked rooms in the town's central hotel and began exploring, purchasing local specialties.

"Captain Pakura, the scattered ninjas reported no trace of the Third Kazekage."

"It seems Lord Kazekage is not in this town."

In the most luxurious room on the third floor of the hotel, a young man in gray knelt before a girl, delivering his report.

The girl, with long green hair cascading over her shoulders and yellow bangs partially concealing her face, wore a long gray dress. She sat in a chair, studying a scroll with a serious expression. Upon hearing her subordinate's report, she picked up a pen and marked an "X" on the scroll.

"Expand the search range. If there's no sign of Lord Kazekage within ten kilometers, we'll move to the next location."

She stood, issuing her order. The subordinates vanished immediately.

The "business travelers" staying in this hotel were, in fact, a Sand Ninja team from the Land of Wind, searching for their missing Kazekage. Disguised as merchants, they conducted a thorough search throughout the River Country.

"Lord Kazekage has been missing for a month. If we don't find him in the River Country..."

"Then it's likely Lord Kazekage has truly fallen. The only one capable of killing him silently would be Konoha's Hokage, as Elder Chiyo suggested."

Pakura murmured softly as the scroll in her hand burned to ashes. She seemed unfazed by the flames.

Moments later, her door burst open.

"Report! Six suspicious individuals have been spotted five kilometers outside Turbulent Town!"

Though the door remained shut, the report reached her ears. Pakura's expression darkened.

"Suspicious? Did you identify them?"

"Report! They are dressed as ordinary civilians, but their behavior suggests they are ninjas. Our scouts couldn't approach without alerting them."

Hearing this, Pakura quickly emerged, now dressed in a Sand Ninja uniform complete with half-armor and a short blade on her back. Her serious expression conveyed her resolve.

"Take me to them. Anyone in the River Country's interior at this time is likely from Konoha."

With that, Pakura disappeared, her subordinates following closely. Despite her youth, Pakura was a renowned ninja, famed for her Scorch Release and command over a Sand Ninja Anbu unit.

Near the River

A crystal-clear river flowed through the forest. Beyond it lay Turbulent Town, just two kilometers away. Before entering the town, Sakumo Hatake instructed his team to replenish their water supplies.

The group spread out along the riverbank, filling bamboo containers with water.

"Captain Hatake is meticulous. He even thought to prepare fresh water beforehand," Shikaku Nara commented, glancing at Sakumo, who was standing watch nearby. Shikaku's admiration for Sakumo had only grown during their mission.

"Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!"

"I think the captain's being overly cautious. We haven't encountered a single enemy. Why would anyone be lying in wait for us in a town?" Choza Akimichi said after gulping down water.

"Don't underestimate Captain Hatake. He's a respectable leader," Inoichi Yamanaka said with a smile, patting Choza on the shoulder.

While the group chatted, Uzumaki Raiden squatted by the river, his bamboo tube fully submerged but unnoticed as he stared intently into the distant woods.

"Raiden, your bamboo tube is full," Shikaku said, noticing his distraction.

"They're coming toward us! A large group—more than a hundred!"

(End of this chapter)