Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

The night passed quietly. Although the rainy weather still lingered, and the morning in the Land of Rain lacked bright sunlight, the sky had begun to lighten, signaling the start of a new day.

A gentle breeze swept through the window, carrying the coolness of spring into the room and waking Raiden from his deep sleep.

"The weather in the Land of Rain is truly unpleasant," Raiden murmured as he slowly opened his eyes. Looking at the light rain outside the window, he sat up, stretching before glancing around the room. However, Uchiha Fugaku and Hiashi Hyuga were nowhere to be seen.

After dressing and stepping out into the living room, Raiden noticed its emptiness and found it peculiar.

"Where did everyone go?" he wondered aloud.

The clock on the wall showed it was only 7:00 a.m.

"It's so early. Have they all gone out already?"

Raiden gave a faint sneeze, returned to his room, and pulled a scroll from his ninja tool bag. Unsealing it, he retrieved a toothbrush, towel, and other toiletries. Changing into a pair of comfortable slippers, he stepped outside under the awning and began his morning routine.

"Uncle Raiden, you're awake!"

While brushing his teeth, a cheerful voice called out. Konan, wearing a raincoat, approached. She stepped under the canopy, removed her raincoat, and greeted Raiden with a bright smile.

"Konan, where is everyone? Why are you the only one here?" Raiden asked, his voice muffled by the foam in his mouth.

"Teacher Jiraiya took us out early for training today," Konan explained. "As for your companions, they went to a nearby town to gather information."

"Teacher said not to wake you because you didn't rest well last night and needed more sleep."

Konan's sweet smile lit up the space as she picked up the towel hanging on Raiden's shoulder.

"Then why did you come back?" Raiden asked as he rinsed his mouth and took the towel back.

"Teacher Jiraiya guessed you'd be waking up soon, so he asked me to come back and bring you along."

Raiden frowned slightly at Konan's words. Releasing a surge of chakra, he scanned himself to ensure there were no hidden seals or surveillance marks placed on him by Jiraiya. After finding nothing unusual, he mulled over the situation.

"How could Jiraiya predict my exact state?" he murmured before dismissing the thought.

Konan noticed his furrowed brow and asked softly, "Is something wrong, Master?"

"It's nothing," Raiden replied with a slight shake of his head. "Why does Jiraiya want me to go with you?"

Konan's face lit up with excitement. "Teacher said we've never sparred with another ninja before. He wants us to practice against you!"

She was brimming with enthusiasm, eager to seize the opportunity to improve.

"Accompany you to train?" Raiden muttered to himself. "Does Jiraiya think I'm so idle now?"

Konan's expression dimmed slightly, but Raiden quickly added, "Well, since I'm your senior, it's my duty to guide you. Consider this a favor from your uncle."

Konan's face brightened immediately as she urged him to get ready. After hastily eating a military ration pill, Raiden put on a raincoat and set off with her.

Deep down, Raiden was curious about Nagato. The legendary Rinnegan intrigued him, and he wanted to witness its power firsthand, even though Nagato was still young and inexperienced.

The training ground was a kilometer away in a dense forest with complex terrain. As soon as they entered, a rustling sound came from the bushes.

"An ambush already?" Raiden thought as kunai flew toward him from multiple directions. Calmly, he caught two kunai with his fingers and swiftly turned to grab the remaining two with his hands.

"How is that possible? He caught my attack so easily!" Yahiko exclaimed from his hiding spot. Shocked, he watched Raiden effortlessly locate him and return fire, launching the kunai with precision. Yahiko narrowly dodged and leaped to another tree.

"The strength isn't overwhelming, and the accuracy isn't perfect. We can win this!" Yahiko thought confidently, gripping his kunai tightly as he charged toward Raiden.

Watching Yahiko rush at him, Raiden sighed. "Jiraiya's disciple is bold—but reckless."

As Yahiko's kunai swung toward him, Raiden swiftly grabbed his wrist and spun him into a shoulder throw. Yahiko hit the ground with a thud, groaning in pain.

"That idiot!" Jiraiya muttered, slapping his forehead as he observed from a distance.

Raiden glanced at the woods. "You can come out now. Your hiding won't work on me."

Nagato responded with a fiery attack—a large fireball aimed directly at Raiden. Even in the rain, the Fire Release technique was impressive.

"Foolishness," Raiden muttered, grabbing Yahiko and throwing him toward the fireball. In an instant, Jiraiya intervened.

"Water Style: Water Wall!" Jiraiya's jutsu extinguished the fireball and saved Yahiko, who landed safely on the ground.

Jiraiya emerged, berating Yahiko. "How many times have I told you to be cautious? Do you ever listen?"

Nagato ran to Yahiko, apologizing profusely, while Konan sighed in relief.

Raiden chuckled. "Jiraiya, your students need more practice. They're not ready for real combat."

Jiraiya sighed but quickly encouraged his students. "You've just begun. There's so much potential in you. From now on, training will be ten times harder!"

Raiden smirked. "Too soft, Jiraiya. Let me show them what real training is like."

An ominous feeling crept over Jiraiya as Raiden stepped forward with a mischievous grin.

"Let's start cultivating some real battle instincts."

(End of Chapter)

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