Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

At the east gate of the Konoha stronghold, Roshi led a group of Iwa ninjas in an unrelenting assault on the barrier protecting the walls. Inside the stronghold, the remaining Konoha ninjas gathered on the eastern wall, watching the attack with growing unease.

The barrier not only shielded the stronghold but also restricted their countermeasures. While the barrier was active, no attacks could penetrate from either side. Compounding the issue, the stronghold's defensive forces had already been significantly weakened due to the redeployment of Jonin.

"Captain Hatake, the barrier won't hold much longer," a ninja whispered urgently to Sakumo Hatake, who stood resolutely atop the wall. The messenger avoided shouting, not wanting to incite panic among the Konoha ninjas.

The intensity of the Iwa's attacks was palpable, even through the barrier. Many were already filled with dread, but the presence of Hatake Sakumo—Konoha's White Fang—on the wall helped steady their resolve. Were he not there, someone would have surely suggested evacuation by now.

"I understand," Sakumo replied, his voice calm but firm. Then, raising his voice, he issued orders:

"Prepare for battle! When the barrier breaks, launch a counterattack immediately. Taijutsu specialists, engage the enemy after the first wave. I'll handle their leader!"

Sakumo knew Roshi's strength well. Truthfully, he wasn't confident he could defeat him, but as the commander, retreat wasn't an option. If he wavered, the morale of the entire force would collapse. He could only hope the barrier would last a bit longer and that Raiden and his team would return swiftly.

No sooner had Sakumo finished speaking than a visible crack appeared in the barrier. The next lava ball struck precisely where the previous one had hit, and with a loud crack, the barrier shattered.

"Be alert!" Sakumo bellowed.

Molten lava began pouring through the breach, threatening to engulf the stronghold.

"Water Release: Water Wall!"

Dozens of Konoha ninjas appeared near the breach, each executing Water Release jutsu. Together, they conjured a massive water wall, an unusual sight in the arid Danxia terrain. The water clashed with the incoming lava, creating a cloud of thick steam. The lava was neutralized before it could penetrate further.

Outside the barrier, Roshi watched the scene with mild annoyance but some satisfaction at the barrier's destruction. Waving his hand, he commanded:

"The barrier is down! Blast Release users, keep up the pressure! Defense teams, stay alert, and scouts—monitor every movement! I don't want anyone escaping from there."

As he spoke, Roshi began his transformation. Red chakra enveloped his body, pushing him into a half-tailed beast state. Unlike Naruto's berserk four-tailed form, Roshi retained full control in this state.

"Roar!"

Half-transformed, Roshi condensed a massive chakra sphere in his mouth, preparing to unleash it on the stronghold. But just as he was about to fire, a streak of purple lightning flashed above him. A figure appeared overhead and delivered a powerful blow to Roshi's head. The redirected Tailed Beast Bomb veered into the ground, detonating amidst the Iwa forces.

Boom!

The explosion shook the battlefield, wiping out a large number of Roshi's forces. Inside the stronghold, Sakumo was braced for impact but was startled by the sudden blast outside the barrier.

"What just happened? Did Iwa forces misfire?" Sakumo turned to the Hyuga clan members for an explanation, but before he could finish, dozens of figures crossed the broken barrier and landed on the wall.

"Captain Hatake, we're back," a Jonin announced. "Master Raiden has ordered us to guard the barrier and not engage the enemy outside. He said there's about to be a major battle, and we'd only get in the way."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke, among the group, nodded enthusiastically, clearly eager to share more details.

"Guard the barrier?" Sakumo muttered, perplexed. "It's already broken. How can we guard it? What is Raiden planning to do against over 500 elite Iwa ninjas?"

Outside the barrier, the sudden explosion had thrown the Iwa forces into disarray. When order was restored, all eyes turned to Raiden, who now stood amidst the chaos with a figure bound in golden chakra chains. The captive was unmistakable—Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki and leader of another Iwa division.

"You kidnapped Han?" Roshi growled, his voice dripping with rage. His chakra flared dangerously, signaling he was ready to attack at any moment.

"You're still lucid in this form? Impressive," Raiden said with a smirk. "It seems Iwa ninjas have refined their techniques for wielding tailed beast chakra. Did you steal that knowledge from the Uzumaki clan, perhaps?"

Raiden loosened the golden chains binding Han, exposing the broken armor and seal on Han's lower abdomen.

"What are you doing?" Roshi demanded, his tone edged with suspicion.

"Helping the Five-Tails escape," Raiden replied nonchalantly. "I hope it thanks me when it's free."

Roshi laughed mockingly. "Ridiculous! That seal has been reinforced countless times by Iwa's sealing experts. Without the key, it's impossible to break!"

"Is that so?" Raiden's grin widened. His left hand, charged with chakra, pressed firmly against Han's seal. In the next instant, he hurled Han toward Roshi and quickly retreated.

Roshi instinctively caught Han and glanced at the seal in alarm.

"Impossible! The seal—"

Before he could finish, black liquid began seeping from Han's abdomen. The liquid, brimming with chakra, soon erupted into a torrent. The black mass turned white and began reshaping itself. Realizing the danger, the Iwa ninjas retreated swiftly, Roshi included.

Moments later, the liquid fully reformed into a colossal beast: the Five-Tails, King Mu.

"Iwa ninjas, try not to hurt it too much—I'll come back for it later," Raiden quipped from atop a nearby peak, watching the chaos below with a satisfied smile.

Freeing King Mu had been his plan all along. Fighting Roshi and the Iwa forces directly would have been a disadvantage for Konoha. But unleashing the Five-Tails against Iwa's own forces? That was a game-changer.

"I have to admit, this horse-dolphin combo isn't the best-looking beast."

"Hey, Nine-Tails, you're cuter than Kokuo," Raiden teased.

"Hmph," Kurama huffed, lying in his chakra cage. Though feigning disinterest, Kurama watched everything unfold through Raiden's eyes, his attention fully captured by the chaos.

(End of chapter)