Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

"You... who are you?"

One of the Anbu, recognizing Uzumaki Raiden, was about to explain when another shouted sharply, "Identify yourself! Why did you intrude on the Hokage's property?"

The Anbu, wearing a fox mask, drew a dagger and pointed it at Raiden.

"Huh?" Raiden responded, his voice a low growl of displeasure. Without forming a single hand seal, countless thunderballs appeared around him, crackling ominously.

"He's able to summon thunderballs without a seal?! Disperse!" the fox-masked Anbu shouted, leaping to the courtyard wall. The other two quickly followed suit.

However, the last Anbu—who had initially recognized Raiden—knelt on one knee and called out, "Lord Raiden, this is a misunderstanding! Please, hold your hand!"

But it was too late.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The thunderballs homed in on the fleeing Anbu, detonating with precise force. The three on the wall fell unconscious, their bodies twitching from the shocks as they collapsed to the ground.

"So strong!" the kneeling Anbu thought in awe.

But before he could react further, a powerful grip seized his neck. He felt the air being crushed from his lungs.

"Tell the old man," Raiden said icily, "this is my house—not his."

The Anbu barely registered the words before being hurled over the courtyard wall, landing with a heavy thud. Raiden followed up by tossing the other three unconscious Anbu out of his property as well.

Closing the gate behind him, Raiden turned back toward his home.

Reclaiming His Home

The garden was immaculate, its cherry trees flourishing, their pink blossoms contrasting beautifully against the neatly trimmed grass. It was clear that someone had been tending the grounds diligently.

Raiden walked through the garden, taking in the familiar surroundings before heading toward the study. Upon opening the door, a cascade of dust fell from the frame.

"...No one's been here?" Raiden muttered, confused. "Hasn't my sister been living here?"

Activating Kagura's Mind, Raiden expanded his sensory field across all of Konoha, searching for Kushina.

The Hokage's Office

In his office, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly froze mid-motion. He felt a disturbance—a massive surge of sensory energy piercing Konoha's protective barrier. Rising from his chair, he walked to the window, a pipe dangling from his lips.

"Who's probing Konoha with such force?" Hiruzen whispered. "Even the barrier was bypassed..."

The barrier protecting Konoha had been crafted by the Uzumaki Clan in collaboration with the Senju. For decades, no one had managed to breach its defenses undetected.

"Report!" A masked Anbu burst into the office, kneeling before the Hokage. "Lord Hokage, Uzumaki Raiden has returned!"

"Raiden...?" The Third Hokage's eyes widened briefly before he returned to his desk. Reaching for his crystal ball, he connected to the village's surveillance network.

A Stroll Through Konoha

Raiden strolled leisurely into Konoha, ignoring the watchful Anbu trailing behind him. The bustling streets of the village were alive with activity, the cherry blossoms adding a sense of tranquility to the scene.

"Konoha has changed quite a bit," Raiden murmured to himself, taking in the sights.

As he approached the commercial district, passersby couldn't help but gawk. His striking red hair, towering height, and sharp features drew the attention of villagers and especially young women, who whispered and giggled amongst themselves.

Ignoring the stares, Raiden entered a clothing shop, quickly selecting a few outfits. Exiting the store with a small package, he made his way toward the nearby bathhouse.

An Unexpected Encounter

As Raiden approached the bathhouse, a familiar voice reached his ears.

"Lucky, lucky! Konoha girls are definitely the best!"

Raiden smirked, instantly recognizing the voice. "If you're not busy, come bathe with me, Brother Jiraiya," he called out casually.

"Ahhh!" Jiraiya nearly fell off the roof in shock. "This kid's back?! It's been years!"

Jumping down, Jiraiya quickly joined Raiden at the bathhouse entrance.

In the Bathhouse

By the time Jiraiya entered, Raiden was already lounging on the edge of the pool, his eyes closed in relaxation.

"Did you tell the Hokage you're back?" Jiraiya asked, settling into the water nearby.

"No," Raiden replied lazily, "but someone must've reported it by now."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Makes sense. So, what's the story? Did you complete your Sage training?"

"It's done," Raiden said simply. "But it's not particularly useful in combat—not without some creativity, anyway."

Jiraiya stared in surprise. "You've completed it? At your age?!" He recalled his own struggles mastering Sage Mode, a feat that took him well into his twenties. Raiden, at just thirteen, had already succeeded.

"Forget Sage Mode," Jiraiya said, shaking his head. "What's your next move?"

Raiden's expression turned serious. "I'll wait and see what the old man has planned for me. For now, I just want to make sure my sister is safe."

Jiraiya frowned slightly, sensing the subtle tension in Raiden's words. "Well, whatever you choose to do, you're strong enough now to handle most threats."

Raiden smirked, his gaze drifting to the ceiling. He knew the Third Hokage was watching through his surveillance jutsu.

The Hokage's Decision

In his office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat deep in thought, puffing on his pipe. Uzumaki Raiden had grown far stronger than he had anticipated. Keeping him under house arrest was no longer feasible.

"It seems the time has come to give him a role," Hiruzen mused aloud. After a moment's contemplation, he nodded to himself.

"Raiden will serve as my personal guard."

This arrangement, Hiruzen reasoned, would allow him to monitor Raiden closely while ensuring the village's security.

Visiting Konoha Hospital

After leaving the bathhouse, Raiden walked toward Konoha Hospital. Clad in his new attire, he felt a sense of renewal. The sights and sounds of the village filled him with a calm determination.

As he entered the hospital, he whispered to himself, "I'm back, Konoha."

(End of Chapter)

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