Naruto: The Clanless Prince

Sora couldn't wait to return to Konoha.

He was eager to see Uzumaki Kushina, who had only a small window of free time after completing her mission.

Recently, Kushina has been learning advanced sealing techniques from Uzumaki Mito. Three months ago, Mito had finally given Kushina permission to begin taking on missions.

However, due to Kushina's importance to Konoha and her role as the future jinchūriki, the scope of her missions had been restricted to the Land of Fire.

This limitation meant that in the past eight months, Sora and Kushina had barely seen each other. In fact, the number of times they had met could be counted on one hand.

Even so, Sora held onto the hope that she might see Kushina this time when she returned to Konoha. The mere thought brought a smile to her face as she quickened her pace toward the village.

Konoha.

Uzumaki Kushina, having just completed her latest mission, exited the Hokage's office.

She pressed a hand to her sore neck, letting out a small groan. The reality of ninja life was far from what she had imagined.

Up to now, Kushina and her teammates had been stuck completing a string of simple D-rank missions. The monotony left her feeling frustrated and unfulfilled.

'If Sora were here, it wouldn't matter if it was just a D-rank mission,' Kushina thought, pouting as she muttered to herself. She turned and began making her way to Uzumaki Mito's mansion.

The sun had begun to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and red by the time Kushina reached the mansion.

"I'm back!" she called out as she stepped inside.

Silence.

Kushina walked further into the large home, her voice echoing as she called again, "I'm back, Grandma Mito!"

Still, there was no response.

Stopping near the kitchen door, Kushina murmured to herself, "Is Grandma Mito not here?"

Her gaze wandered to the window, where something caught her attention. The branches outside swayed unnaturally, moving in a way that made her instincts flare.

Suddenly, three figures emerged from the shadows beyond the window.

The intruders were shinobi from Kumogakure.

These three ninja had been lurking in Konoha for days, biding their time. They had noticed Kushina's special chakra and coveted it. Today, with Uzumaki Mito absent, they saw the perfect chance to strike.

The Kumogakure shinobi slipped through the kitchen window; their movements were silent and calculated.

Uzumaki Kushina, who had little to no practical combat experience, was overwhelmed with fear and immediately ran.

As she sprinted through the mansion, she cried out for help, her voice echoing, "Is there anyone? Help!"

However, the three Kumogakure ninjas who had infiltrated Konoha were no ordinary opponents. Two were special Jōnin, and the other was a full-fledged Jōnin.

They swiftly caught up to Kushina and subdued her with ease.

With their target secured, the three ninjas wasted no time and quickly began their escape from Konoha.

In the forests of the Land of Fire.

Uzumaki Kushina's hands were bound tightly behind her back, and her chakra was suppressed. Two of the Kumogakure ninjas walked ahead of her while the third trailed behind, gripping the rope that restrained her.

Kushina trudged forward, her steps heavy and her eyes dull.

With each step, they moved farther and farther from Konoha, nearing the border of the Land of Fire.

Suddenly, Kushina stumbled on a loose stone and fell to the ground.

"Hey! Stop stalling! Get up!" barked the ninja holding her rope. Without hesitation, he yanked it roughly, pulling Kushina to her feet.

Kushina clutched the small bell Sora had given her, which she had managed to hide in her hand. She shook it gently, her heart filled with a faint hope for a miracle.

But as they approached the border, no rescue came. Despair began to settle over Kushina, and tears streamed silently down her cheeks.

Thinking of Sora and the possibility of never seeing him again, her heart felt as though it were being crushed.

In desperation, Kushina shouted with all her might, "Sora!"

"Shut up!" the ninja behind her barked. He raised his fist, ready to strike her.

But before the punch could land, the forest suddenly erupted with the deafening roar of thunder.

"Thunder Breath: Fourth Form – Distant Thunder!"

In an instant, a blinding flash of lightning tore through the forest. The Kumogakure ninja who had raised his fist was struck before he could react—his head was severed cleanly, flying into the air.

The other two ninjas froze in shock and instinctively leapt back to create distance.

Before them stood Sora.

His eyes locked onto Kushina, who was trembling in fear. Seeing her dishevelled and hurt appearance, Sora's heart ached.

Without hesitation, he drew his blade and cut the rope, binding Kushina's hands. Gently, he cupped her tear-streaked face, his voice soft but filled with emotion.

"Sorry, Kushina... I'm late."

Overcome with relief and emotion, Kushina threw herself into Sora's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Sora held her tightly for a moment, his heart pounding with both relief and rage. Then, his gaze shifted to the two remaining Kumogakure ninjas. His eyes burned with uncontrollable killing intent as his Sharingan activated, the Two Tomoe spinning menacingly.

He gently placed Kushina against a nearby tree and softened his voice. "Kushina, stay here. I'll take care of them, and then I'll take you home."

Performing the Summoning Jutsu, Sora summoned the White Snake.

"White Snake, protect Kushina," Sora commanded coldly.

Sensing the tension in Sora's voice, the White Snake coiled protectively around Kushina without hesitation.

Sora turned back to his enemies. His Sharingan locked on their every movement. His breathing steadied as he prepared for battle.

Earlier, when he heard the faint chime of the bell Kushina carried, an ominous feeling had gripped him. Without delay, he followed the sound, using his lightning chakra to enhance his speed.

The Jōnin, Oyuro, stared at Sora with a greedy gleam in his eyes. "Sharingan... The Uchiha clan's bloodline limit, huh? What luck! But this kid isn't ordinary. Atui, let's take him together!"

The special Jōnin, Atui, nodded grimly. "Yes, Captain!"

Both Kumogakure ninjas drew their blades.

"Lightning Style: Thunder Flash!"

Oyuro unleashed a wave of electric current, aiming it directly at Sora. Simultaneously, he teleported to Sora's side, his blade thrusting toward Sora's torso.

"Thunder Breath: Second Form – Rice Soul!"

In a flash, Sora countered with five lightning-infused strikes.

The first strike shattered Oyuro's blade, while the remaining four targeted his vital points.

Oyuro reacted quickly, blocking three of the strikes, but the fourth landed cleanly on his chest.

He stumbled back, clutching the scorched wound on his chest, his face twisted in pain and disbelief.

Despite having witnessed Sora's incredible speed when he killed their companion, Oyuro had underestimated just how fast the young Uchiha truly was.

'If I hadn't reacted in time... that last strike would've been the end of me,' Oyuro thought, sweat dripping from his brow.

Sora, however, frowned.

He was starting to feel the strain. The prolonged use of his lightning chakra to reach Kushina so quickly had left his meridians tingling with pain.

Still, Sorasteadied himself. These Kumogakure ninjas had to be dealt with here and now—there was no room for failure.

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