Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

The attack on the Senju compound by White Zetsu had been swift and discreet. The scale of Senju Nawaki's ninjutsu wasn't large enough to attract much attention, and with many Jonin deployed on classified missions outside the village, Konoha's security had been left primarily in the hands of the Konoha Police Force.

However, with Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the police force, reassigned by Uzumaki Raiden, the village's response was delayed. It wasn't until Nawaki rushed his gravely injured daughter to the hospital that the shinobi in Konoha realized something was amiss. A squad was quickly dispatched to the Senju residence.

By then, Raiden had already pursued the enemy, following the curse seal he'd placed earlier, leaving the village behind.

Deep underground...

"Impressive, Hokage," White Zetsu muttered nervously. "Not only did he spot us instantly, but his speed is terrifying."

"No matter how deep we go, he's still tracking us!"

"We need to do something!"

Within the darkness of the underground tunnels, Mariko's body, now under the full control of Black and White Zetsu, moved swiftly through the earth. Though conscious, she was completely powerless to resist.

Black Zetsu, focusing on sensing Raiden's pursuit, spoke in a calm yet sinister tone. "It's not just his perception that's formidable... there's something more. He has a unique method to track us."

"If this continues, he'll find Madara-sama's location," White Zetsu said anxiously. "In his current state, Madara-sama won't be able to fight him!"

"Patience," Black Zetsu hissed, continuing to absorb Mariko's chakra. "Once I drain enough, we can lose him for good."

Above ground...

Raiden sprinted across the terrain with no hesitation. His chakra surged violently as he pinpointed their position and fired a lightning-infused arrow deep into the earth.

BOOM!

The ground exploded as the arrow pierced several meters below, barely missing the target.

"Too close!" White Zetsu yelped, narrowly dodging the attack.

"He can reach us underground!" White Zetsu's panic grew.

"Then we go deeper!" Black Zetsu commanded.

Sensing the enemy's descent, Raiden clicked his tongue in frustration.

"Annoying mole... even if I know where they are, I can't reach them like this."

His hands formed a seal, and in an instant, golden chains burst from his back, piercing into the ground like speeding drills, extending rapidly toward Mariko's captors.

Underground...

"Something's coming!" White Zetsu's alarmed voice echoed.

"It's his Kongō Fūsa!" Black Zetsu hissed, his usual composure cracking. "Abandon the woman—go!"

Without hesitation, Black Zetsu detached itself from Mariko's body, escaping with the stolen chakra. White Zetsu followed suit, leaving her behind as they burrowed deeper.

Seconds later, the golden chains wrapped tightly around Mariko's limp form and pulled her back toward the surface.

Back on solid ground, Raiden gazed at Mariko's unconscious body, his face darkening at the sight before him.

Her chakra reserves were almost entirely depleted, and despite being a young woman in her twenties, deep wrinkles marred her once-youthful face, making her look decades older.

"They extracted her life force..." Raiden muttered grimly.

Securing her with his Kongō Fūsa, he swiftly returned to Konoha, handing her over to the medical corps. The sky had darkened by then, casting an ominous shadow over the village.

Meanwhile, at the secret birthing location...

Inside a concealed grotto outside Konoha, Tsunade and Biwako Sarutobi stood attentively beside Kushina, who lay on a stone bed.

This hidden base, meticulously arranged by Raiden, was the true site for Kushina's delivery. Only a select few knew of it.

The room was guarded by some of Konoha's strongest shinobi—Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi, Uchiha Fugaku, and the young prodigy, Uchiha Shisui.

Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Minato Namikaze were present, ensuring Kushina's safety with unwavering vigilance.

Back in Konoha, Raiden remained stationed at the Hokage's office, serving as the village's last line of defense.

Despite his confidence in the security measures he had put in place, seeing Mariko's drained state had shaken him. He couldn't help but wonder—how much stronger had Madara become with the chakra he had stolen?

Did I underestimate him?

With a deep breath, Raiden forced himself to focus. He could only place his trust in those guarding Kushina.

At the Uchiha compound...

Under the moonlit sky, Uchiha Itachi sat in the courtyard, holding his baby brother, Sasuke, in his arms. He gazed up at the stars, lost in thought.

A heavy tension hung in the air, an unseen pressure that unsettled him. Although Itachi couldn't fully grasp it, Sasuke seemed to sense it, stirring restlessly in his arms.

"Waaaaah!" Sasuke's cries pierced the night.

"Shh... It's okay, little brother. I'm here," Itachi whispered gently, brushing a hand over Sasuke's face.

His finger playfully danced before Sasuke's tiny hands, and the baby reached out, grasping it with a determined grip.

"Don't worry, Sasuke," Itachi murmured with conviction. "No matter what happens... I'll always protect you."

In the Hokage's office...

Raiden stood by the window, staring into the night, feeling a persistent unease gnawing at his senses. His eyelids twitched involuntarily.

Despite not sensing immediate danger, his instincts told him otherwise.

Today... according to Naruto... is the day I die.

The words of his time-traveling descendant echoed in his mind. The future wasn't set in stone, but the weight of the prophecy lingered.

His hand gripped the hilt of Totsuka Blade, and he ran his fingers along the blade's surface, murmuring under his breath.

"Not tonight. Not yet."

(End of this chapter)

AN: Imagine if I were to just end the story here. Muahahaha