Naruto : Ronin of Uzumaki

While Ren was lost in thought, a ninja wearing the signature dark uniform and blue vest of the Uzumaki clan landed nearby. It was a messenger ninja sent by the clan head, someone Ren was already familiar with. Stepping forward, the ninja said, "The clan head has summoned you, Ren. Finish what you're doing and head to the Spiral Hall immediately."

It wasn't unusual for Ren to be summoned to the Spiral Hall. The head of the clan, Ashina Uzumaki, had taken a particular interest in him from a young age and often acted as his mentor. Unlike Konoha, where the Second Hokage had established a formal ninja academy, the Uzumaki clan's smaller ninja population meant that skills were typically passed down informally, from parent to child. However, Ren's case was different.

Being a reincarnated soul, Ren carried the knowledge and maturity of an adult within the body of a child. Standing out enough to attract the attention of the clan head—and being chosen as his protégé—wasn't a particularly challenging task for him. Though Ashina was old and his duties as clan head left little time for regular lessons, he officially served as Ren's teacher and mentor.

But not everyone was happy about the summons.

Kushina, who had been grumbling beside Ren, finally burst out, "Kenobi, you're ruining my birthday! Just tell the old man that my brother is busy right now!"

The messenger ninja bowed slightly. "I'm very sorry for the interruption, but please understand that the matter is urgent. Ren, I will inform the clan head that you'll arrive as soon as possible." With that, the Uzumaki ninja disappeared, vanishing into the trees.

Despite Kushina's protests, Ren began making his way toward the Spiral Hall but deep inside he felt a little guilt. Kushina, though raised with an abundance of love and care by both her brother and father, could be a bit stubborn at times. However, she wasn't entirely without a sense of the bigger picture.

...….

The Spiral Hall stood at the heart of the Land of Whirlpools, its grand architecture a testament to the Uzumaki clan's strength and legacy. The walls, adorned with intricate carvings of spirals and sealing scripts, seemed to pulse faintly with the lingering energy of countless generations of chakra masters. A soft hum resonated in the air, as though the very stones were alive with the power of ancient seals.

Ren wasn't entirely certain of its origins, but it was said that before the Warring States Era, this hall had been a revered temple. After Konoha was established and the Uzumaki clan joined the Leaf Village alongside clans like the Hyūga and Nara, they chose not to relocate. One of the main reasons was this very place. The Spiral Hall was not merely a building—it was a relic of their ancestors, transformed over time to serve as a hub for more official matters.

As Ren approached the hall, he noticed his father, Hiroto Uzumaki, already there. The presence of his father, a clan elder, added weight to the summons. Ren stepped forward with measured strides, his curiosity heightened. Being summoned to the Spiral Hall wasn't unusual for him, but this—his father being involved—suggested something far more significant.

The massive wooden doors groaned as Ren pushed them open, their intricate designs belying their immense weight. Inside, the grand chamber stretched before him, dimly lit by lanterns imbued with sealing fire. At the center of the room sat an elderly man with long white hair and a beard, his frame hunched yet exuding authority.

The man's face, lined with wrinkles that seemed etched by centuries of experience, gave him the appearance of someone standing at death's door. Yet, his eyes were sharp and piercing, radiating the wisdom and power of a lifetime. This was Ashina Uzumaki, the clan head—once a shinobi whose might was likened to the god of ninjas, Hashirama Senju. Despite his advanced age, Ashina's presence commanded respect, his aura hinting at the vast reservoir of knowledge and strength he still possessed.

Ashina's gaze shifted to Ren, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.

"Ren, Hiroto—you're here," Ashina said, his deep voice steady and commanding. "Come in. This concerns you as much as it concerns the rest of us."

Ren stepped forward, bowing slightly in respect, mirroring his father. Hiroto's expression remained stoic, though the tension in his sharp features betrayed his unease.

Ashina leaned over a massive stone table inscribed with a detailed map of the Land of Whirlpools and surrounding territories. His fingers traced the borders of Uzushiogakure as he spoke.

"The bonds with Konoha are fraying," he began. "Many within the clan feel we've given too much and received too little in return. They question why we continue to send aid and resources to a village that treats us as a convenience rather than an equal ally."

Hiroto folded his arms, his brow furrowed. "Their concerns aren't unfounded. Uzushiogakure has prospered, yes, but at a cost. Our sealing techniques, our knowledge—they've become Konoha's shield. Your daughter, Lady Mito, was married off to Hashirama Senju and became the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. And now they want another Uzumaki to be the future vessel of that beast."

Ashina's eyes narrowed. "Do you believe separation is the answer? Without Konoha, we face a fractured and hostile world alone. The other villages would see us as ripe for conquest. Our mastery of seals is our greatest strength—and the reason so many seek our downfall."

Hiroto exhaled heavily, his frustration clear. "I don't advocate for complete separation, but the clan is restless. The younger generation feels stifled by this alliance. They see Konoha as a leash, not a partner."

Ren listened in silence, his sharp mind piecing together the implications. Though this wasn't new information to him, his perspective as a reincarnator allowed him to grasp the gravity of their predicament more deeply than most. However, he couldn't ignore the rarity of this open discussion—especially in front of him, a boy barely ten years old.

Ashina's gaze flickered briefly to Ren before returning to Hiroto. "What do you make of the Konoha squads that visited last month? Led by Shikadi Nara and Nohiro Yamanaka?"

"They came to discuss the future jinchūriki, didn't they?" Hiroto replied, his voice steady but edged with disdain.

"Yes," Ashina said grimly. "But not just that. They will choose the vessel and take them back to Konoha. The chosen one will continue their training there and eventually serve as a Konoha shinobi."

Hiroto's stoicism cracked, his voice rising. "What? Lady Mito is still alive and well. Why now? And why take them to Konoha?"

Ashina's face grew somber, his voice low. "Tobirama Senju died not long ago. While Hiruzen Sarutobi now holds the title of Hokage, Konoha is far from stable. Though they prevailed in the Second Great Ninja War, their power is a shadow of what it once was. Do you understand what I'm implying, Hiroto?"