Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

Hanzō of the Salamander lay lifeless in a pool of blood. With his fall, the remaining Rain ninja, shaken by Uzumaki Raiden's devastating techniques, lost all will to fight.

They fled in every direction, some casting fearful glances back at Raiden and Uchiha Fugaku. A few of Hanzō's loyalists, however, burned the faces of their enemies into their memories, silently vowing revenge.

Fugaku launched a fireball into the sky, signaling the hidden Uchiha forces stationed in the forest. Moments later, explosions erupted around the General Mountain Plain as the ambush units struck. Several fleeing Rain ninja fell to the onslaught, while others were subdued and brought before Fugaku, trapped in genjutsu.

The sky above remained overcast, though the rain had stopped, leaving behind a rare, gloomy stillness.

"Uncle, is Hanzō really dead?" Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan approached Raiden and Fugaku, their eyes fixed on Hanzō's lifeless body. Yahiko's voice trembled with disbelief.

Hanzō had been a towering figure in the Land of Rain, revered by many as a demigod. To Yahiko, who once admired the man, seeing him dead at Raiden's hands was almost surreal.

"Yes," Raiden replied softly. "Your conflict with him left no room for reconciliation. For your sake, I had to intervene. And truthfully, Hanzō's death benefits Konoha as well."

Raiden sighed and gestured to Fugaku to collect Hanzō's body. Turning to Yahiko, he placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke in a low voice.

"Yahiko, I know you've always dreamed of bringing peace to the Land of Rain. Now, with Hanzō gone and the Rain without a leader, this is your chance."

He paused, watching Yahiko's expression shift to one of contemplation, then continued:

"If you want to change the Land of Rain, you need power—whether that's personal strength or the influence to command others. Today's events have shown you the limits of your current abilities.

"This is the perfect opportunity to make a difference. Take this chance to rise as the new leader of the Land of Rain. Only by gaining authority can you negotiate with Konoha or Iwagakure on equal footing. Only then can you bring lasting change."

Raiden gave Yahiko's shoulder a reassuring pat before walking back to Fugaku.

"Yahiko, Konan, Nagato—we have to continue our mission. I hope you can bring peace to the Land of Rain," Raiden said, sheathing the Sakegari no Tachi at his waist. He winked at Fugaku before turning and leading the Uchiha clan members away.

As they departed, Raiden left behind the battlefield and its spoils, including the corpses of the fallen. It was his gift to Yahiko and his comrades—a resource to consolidate their newfound position.

"Become the new leader of the Land of Rain…" Yahiko murmured, staring in the direction Raiden had left. "Yes, I must. That's the only way."

Konan and Nagato exchanged glances, understanding the resolve in Yahiko's voice.

"Konan, Nagato, I've decided. I will become the new leader of the Land of Rain!" Yahiko declared, his voice steady. "What Hanzō couldn't achieve, I will. Please, help me!"

A smile crossed Konan's lips, and Nagato nodded firmly. "Of course," they said in unison.

In a shadowy corner of the battlefield, a flytrap-like figure slipped quietly into the ground.

The weather in the Land of Rain was unpredictable. Though the rain had briefly ceased, it began to pour again shortly after.

Several miles away from the General Mountain Plain, Raiden and Fugaku led a group of ten Uchiha clan members toward the front lines.

"Raiden, do you think Danzo's alliance with Hanzō to destroy Akatsuki was ordered by the Third Hokage?" Fugaku asked as they moved through the forest. "If Hanzō's death disrupts Konoha's plans, wouldn't that make our actions treasonous?"

The question weighed on Fugaku. Reflecting on the earlier battle, he realized their intervention had been driven by Raiden's personal connection to Akatsuki's leaders. Yet, Konoha had no direct conflict with Hanzō, and Fugaku feared the consequences of their actions.

Raiden chuckled. "Relax. If the Third Hokage had planned this, Danzo wouldn't have fled.

"Hanzō's death is a blessing for Konoha. Yahiko and his group are Jiraiya's disciples, and they have ties to me. If they take control of the Land of Rain, it'll strengthen Konoha's position.

"When we reach the camp, I'll explain everything to Orochimaru. Even if we can't broker peace with Iwagakure, it won't matter."

Fugaku considered Raiden's words, nodding as his concerns eased. Behind them, the Uchiha clan members marched in disciplined silence, demonstrating their exceptional training.

After several days of steady travel, Raiden's group finally arrived at Konoha's frontline base in the northwest region of the Land of Rain. It was evening, and the camp was bustling with activity.

Set on a plain, the camp resembled a makeshift town, fortified with high earthen walls and numerous guard posts.

"Who goes there?!"

The sentries stationed at the outpost called out as Raiden's group approached. A handful of guards stepped forward to intercept them.

"I am Uzumaki Raiden," Raiden announced.

Hearing his name, the guards' eyes widened. One of them hesitated before asking, "Are you really the Uzumaki Raiden? The 'Thunder of Konoha'? And you must be Uchiha Fukagu of the 'Evil Eye'"

Raiden raised an eyebrow at the peculiar titles. "I don't know where you got those nicknames, but yes, I'm Uzumaki Raiden."

He glanced at Fugaku, curious about his reaction to the moniker "Evil Eye." To his surprise, Fugaku's expression remained indifferent, as though he didn't care.

"Feigning humility, huh?" Raiden mused with a chuckle.

The guards, convinced of Raiden's identity, sent word to the camp. Moments later, the gates opened, and a group of five or six emerged.

Leading them was Orochimaru, the commander of Konoha's frontlines. Beside him, Shimura Danzo walked with his usual composure, flanked by two masked Anbu.

"Hehehe, long time no see, Raiden," Orochimaru greeted with a sly smile.

"Long time no see, Orochimaru-sensei. And Lord Danzo," Raiden replied, his tone polite but sharp as he briefly met Danzo's gaze.

Watching Raiden exchange words with Danzo as if nothing had happened, Fugaku was deeply impressed. To speak so calmly with Danzo after what just occurred… That's something I could never do.

(End of Chapter)

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