Naruto : Ronin of Uzumaki

The Spiral Hall felt heavier than usual, as if the air itself bore the weight of the conversation about to unfold. Ren's mind raced as he absorbed the words of Ashina and his father, Hiroto. Yet, amidst the tension, one thing was clear: there was more at stake than just a strained alliance.

Ashina leaned back, his aged hands gripping the table as though anchoring himself to its solidity. "There's another layer to this, Hiroto. Konoha doesn't just want a jinchūriki—they want assurance. They fear that when I die, this clan will collapse into chaos." There was hint of sadness in his tone.

Hiroto's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "They doubt our unity? They think we'll turn on each other? We have always been a symbol of peace."

Ashina nodded, his expression grim. "They've seen what happens when a powerful clan loses its leader. Without strong guidance, ambition and fear can fracture even the most loyal of bonds. And they know how volatile our sealing techniques make us in the wrong hands."

Hiroto's heart sank at the revelation. The Uzumaki clan was more than just a family—it was a pillar of stability in a turbulent world. Yet the idea that Konoha doubted their allegiance felt like a betrayal.

"They're not entirely wrong," Ashina admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "There are not just whispers anymore, Hiroto. Some in our clan believe we should distance ourselves from Konoha, that their demands for aid and resources have gone too far. If I were to die tomorrow, it wouldn't take long for those to grow into something far more dangerous."

Hiroto's fists clenched. "And they think forcing another jinchūriki from our ranks will ensure our loyalty? That binding one of us to their village will stop any internal strife here?"

Ashina shook his head. "Yes, it could escalate the trouble but they're not so naive. So, I am also confused why Konoha wants to take the jinchūriki right now. And matter of the fact is that they've already discussed who they consider suitable candidates. Ren,"—he glanced at the boy, whose face remained stoic but whose mind was reeling— "and Kushina. Both of you have the chakra reserves they're looking for. You're the future of this clan, you would take all the responsibility that I had once taken."

Ren's breath hitched at the mention of his name. He had suspected something like this, but hearing it spoken aloud made it real. But he also knew the future that Ashina did not.

"And you?" Hiroto's voice was sharp, almost accusing. "You're not considering this, are you? Giving either of them away? Kushina is just a child." He slammed his hand on the table. The all stoic person had lost his cool in front clan head.

Ashina's gaze hardened. "Do you think I want to hand over my clan's legacy so easily? Ren is young, inexperienced—but I've been preparing him for years. He's meant to lead, Hiroto. Not as Konoha's tool, but as the head of this clan. Giving him away would cripple us, not strengthen us."

Hiroto exhaled sharply, pacing in frustration. "And what about Kushina? She's is a child. If it's not Ren, they'll come for her. She's also strong, stronger than most of her peers. But she is naïve girl. She is not like Ren."

Ashina's eyes softened, though his tone remained firm. "Kushina is a child who hasn't yet grasped the weight of her lineage. Her strength is undeniable, but her path isn't set. Ren, on the other hand…" He paused, his gaze locking onto the boy. "Ren carries the burden of this clan's future, whether he's ready or not."

Ren felt the weight of those words settle heavily on his shoulders. He had always known Ashina had high expectations for him, but this—this was something else entirely.

The old man's voice softened, his gaze flickering to Ren once more. "If something were to happen to me, it would fall to you and Ren to hold this clan together." Ashina glanced at Ren. Then continued, "But there's nothing to worry. I have still have blood in veins to live ten years more, Ren. You would become a fine young man till then."

Ren met Ashina's gaze, Ren's face was calm as ever. Ashina smirked. That was the main reason why Ashina wanted Ren to be his successor. Even when toddler, Ren was different. Not in ninja powers or chakra. There has been people with high chakra volume born in Uzumaki clan many times. Uzumaki clan inherently possess high chakra volumes. But Ren's mind was phenomenal. It was like Ren was born with the maturity of an adult person. But Ashina wasn't a leader who would take decisions without considering the actual party's intent. So, he asked Ren, "But Ren I am not forcing you to become the future leader or go to Konoha. What you want to become is lies upon you. But remember it is a fact that either you or Kushina would have to become the jinchūriki. Among younger generation, only you two have the prospect to not be suppressed by Nine tail's overwhelming chakra. And Konoha will not take anyone older."

 Why Konoha doesn't want to take an older person was very simple. First, Mito Uzumaki was not so old to transfer the tailed beast right away, and secondly, brainwashing a younger child's mind with Konoha's will of fire was easier than a person with much closer bonds to Uzumaki clan.

 But didn't give the answer right away but asked question in return, "I have question. The representative of Konoha came here three months ago. And when I requested you to grant me the hidden technique of Yamanaka clan from them, why did they agree despite the technique being a secret of the clan. And did you know from then that I and my sister is a prospective candidate of nine tails vessel?"

"Do not blame me, Ren. I knew that you two being the candidates. But I was also bewildered by your unreasonable request. But I conveyed your request to them. Because I also wanted to see if Konoha can also willing to trade their secret techniques just like we have given them our sealing Justus. They opposed it first. But then they agreed. Why, I can't answer your question." Ashina answered honestly but then Continued, "Okay ren, you need time to take your decision. And you have much to discuss with your family member before that. Now you can leave. Hiroto, stay here"

Ren nodded after bowing once more to respect the old man, He left the spiral hall towards the mountain. Things were moving too fast for him. He did not expect Konoha to move so fast, nor in the original story, there was much information about what happened here. He needed to leave the land of whirlpool soon. As soon as possible, He needed to prepare for the items.

...…..

Ren stepped cautiously into the damp cave, the air thick with the smell of salt and damp wood. Hidden deep within the rugged terrain, the cave was his sanctuary, a place he had been secretly working on for years, anticipating the moment when he might need to leave everything behind.

The small boat lay in the shadows, its hull carved meticulously from driftwood he had scavenged from the beaches. The craft wasn't large—it didn't need to be. Just enough to hold two people, a few supplies, and his dreams of escaping the looming chains of responsibility. Every plank, every nail bore the mark of his determination, a silent protest fate.

Ren crouched beside the boat, running his fingers over its surface, checking for any weaknesses. Satisfied, he turned to the neatly arranged supplies: salted fish, dried seaweed, a small water barrel, and a bundle of maps he had painstakingly drawn from memory and overheard conversations. The Land of Hot Water wasn't far, but the whirlpools surrounding the Uzumaki's island were a formidable barrier, nature's guardians against invaders—and against deserters.

He exhaled deeply, his breath misting in the cool air. "Crossing those whirlpools won't be easy," he muttered to himself, his voice a low echo in the cavern. He was also aware that may be the food won't be enough. Maybe his immature handcrafted boat would not last in the waves. May be sea creatures would attack them. His mind raced with calculations, visualizing the treacherous currents and the narrow paths between them. The whirlpools were not merely obstacles; they were symbols of his clan's strength, unyielding and relentless. To cross them was to defy that strength, to carve his path against the tide of expectations.