Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

"No!" Uchiha Fugaku roared, running to the edge of the barrier, his eyes wide as he stared at the scene outside.

Gradually, the flames dissipated, but the sight before them left everyone within the barrier stunned.

"What's going on here? Barrier unit! How dare you disobey my order!"

Nara Shikashin muttered in disbelief, staring at the scene before him. Suddenly, as if realizing something, he shouted at a distant ninja.

Outside the barrier, the civilians of the Land of Rain were surrounded by another, smaller layer of purple chakra. This second barrier, though adjacent to the one they stood within, appeared distinct. It shimmered with golden lightning on its surface, unlike the ominous purple flames of the "Four Purple Flame Formation" they used.

"Disobeying orders? No!" A ninja from the barrier unit looked confused, glancing at the unusual scene. He shook his head. "That barrier isn't ours!"

The leader of the barrier unit, after closely inspecting the unfamiliar chakra field, confirmed loudly, "Report! The barrier over there wasn't created by us!"

"Not ours? Then whose?" Shikashin stepped closer to examine the new barrier, now visibly intrigued.

On closer inspection, Shikashin noticed the stark differences between the two barriers. The protective dome for the civilians was hemispherical, resembling an inverted bowl, and it lacked the telltale signs of manual chakra reinforcement. In contrast, their barrier required the constant effort of four stationed ninjas.

"Who could have done this?" Shikashin muttered thoughtfully, standing beside Uchiha Fugaku. Fugaku, his initial despair replaced with relief upon seeing the civilians unharmed, cheered briefly before shifting his attention to the new barrier.

"This formation… It looks familiar," Fugaku said, glancing surreptitiously at Uzumaki Raiden, who stood at a distance, deep in thought. Fugaku quickly pieced it together but chose to remain silent. Raiden wasn't seeking credit, so Fugaku didn't expose his involvement.

"It doesn't matter who created it," Fugaku finally said. "The important thing is that the civilians are safe."

"Senior Shikashin, I have a few suggestions I hope you'll consider," Raiden said, walking to the edge of the barrier and addressing Shikashin sincerely.

Raiden had crafted the outer barrier using his own chakra, seamlessly connecting it to the existing formation. For someone with the Uzumaki clan's advanced sealing techniques, altering the "Four Purple Flame Formation" was a trivial task. Raiden had no intention of stealing the spotlight, but he had work to do.

"Suggestions? Let's hear them," Shikashin said, scrutinizing the boy before him with interest. Raiden's reputation as a young genius had preceded him, piquing Shikashin's curiosity.

"Senior," Raiden began, "I understand your hesitation in accepting the Rain Country's civilians—fearing spies could infiltrate. But I believe we can't forfeit this opportunity to win the hearts of the Rain Country's people."

He gestured toward the civilians outside the barrier, their gratitude palpable even through their suffering.

Shikashin's eyes narrowed as he listened, surprised by Raiden's perspective. "Go on," he said, motioning for the boy to continue.

"When I arrived," Raiden explained, "Uchiha Shinki briefed me on the situation. Our retreat to Sanfang City was a result of logistical sabotage by Rain Country ninjas who know these lands. The lack of support from Rain's government compounded the issue, but this airstrike presents a chance to rebuild our supply lines—and extend an olive branch to Rain's people."

Raiden's voice carried conviction as he emphasized, "The Fire Country's enemy is the Earth Country. The Rain Country was never our true adversary. By demonstrating goodwill, we can sow seeds of doubt in Rain's alliance with Earth. Their government's choice to side with Earth over us doesn't mean the people will."

Raiden's words were calculated, and Shikashin picked up on the unspoken message: public perception could pit the Rain's populace against its leaders. Public outcry could even cause internal strife, weakening the alliance between the Rain and Earth.

"Re-align with the Rain Country?" Shikashin sneered. "Do you know how many Konoha lives were lost because of their betrayal?"

Raiden, unfazed, replied evenly, "Nations don't act on betrayal or loyalty—they act on interests. If aligning with Rain saves lives and shortens the war, why let past grievances blind us? Isn't the ultimate goal to end this conflict?"

Shikashin's frown softened into a thoughtful expression. His anger had been feigned, a test of Raiden's resolve and reasoning. The boy had passed. "Interesting… But you missed one crucial problem: the medical system. We can't support such an extensive rescue operation."

Raiden hesitated, realizing he hadn't considered this aspect.

Shikashin continued, "Many of our medical facilities were destroyed in the attack, and we're short on supplies. More importantly, we lack the medical personnel to handle such a surge of patients. Offering inadequate aid would only foster resentment, not gratitude."

Raiden listened intently, but then a sharp determination returned to his face. "We don't need to heal everyone. We just need enough survivors to see us as their saviors and spread word of Earth's atrocities."

Shikashin chewed over Raiden's words, impressed by the boy's pragmatic outlook. "You've convinced me. Very well. I'll give the order to open our barriers and admit the Rain's survivors. However, certain strategic locations remain restricted."

As dawn broke, Iwagakure's airstrike force retreated. Rain extinguished the flames in Sanfang City, revealing a landscape of destruction and despair. Civilians searched for loved ones amid the rubble while Konoha's lower-rank ninjas provided aid.

Raiden stood among the wreckage, rain streaming down his face. "This is the real battlefield," he murmured. "The cries of pain, the sorrow… It's all here."

Closing his eyes, he lifted his head to the stormy sky. "I've decided—I will change this ninja world!"

(End of Chapter)

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