Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

After a night of rest, Uzumaki Raiden and the team corrected their direction and began moving toward the heartland of the Land of Rain.

Upon entering Rain's territory, the team's pace slowed significantly. Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hiashi, and Uzumaki Raiden took turns keeping watch, ensuring everyone maintained readiness for any emergencies. Their primary goal was to attack a supply station within the central region of the Land of Rain, controlled by Iwagakure.

A few days later, Namikaze Minato successfully led the team into the Rain's hinterland, reaching the jungle just outside Shuri City.

The sky was dark with heavy rain, which had been falling since the previous night. Hidden within the forest, Raiden and his comrades observed the defense of Shuri City.

"Hiashi, what's the situation? Are there only two guards?"

Minato's eyes were fixed on the two guards stationed at the city gate. He waited for Hiashi's report with a hint of doubt.

"There are two guards at the gate, five more on the city walls, and three concealed guards buried in the ground near the wall," Hiashi reported, his Byakugan activated.

"The attack would draw too much attention. Sneaking in is the only option," he concluded.

"Let's check the defenses of the other gates," Minato decided after a brief pause. Although the Land of Rain is perpetually shrouded in overcast skies, it was still daytime, and the brightness made stealth difficult. A night infiltration would be the optimal choice when defenses were weaker.

The sparse defenses in Shuri City didn't deter Minato's team but instead motivated them. A garrison this Heavy suggested that what lay within was of significant value.

Shuri City was a traditional four-gate structure. After completing their reconnaissance, the team retreated nearly 10 miles to discuss their plan.

"The defenses of the four gates are evenly distributed. None are especially weak or strong," Minato began, sketching a rough map of Shuri City on the ground. "Our focus should be on the difficulty of escape rather than entry."

"I propose sneaking in through the west gate. After completing the mission, we'll flee northwest. This route will avoid the main forces in Sanfang City while allowing us to sabotage roads and bridges to delay enemy supplies," he explained.

"Thoughts?" he asked, looking at his teammates.

Raiden nodded. "The plan makes sense. But what about the timing? Should we go at night or early morning?"

He elaborated on the pros and cons of both options. A night raid would provide cover for finding the supplies, but heightened vigilance would increase the risk. An early-morning attack might catch guards at their sleepiest, but if the mission dragged on until dawn, retreat would be difficult.

"Let's go at night," Minato decided. "We'll split into two teams—one to feint at the east gate and the other to infiltrate from the west."

"No," Raiden interjected firmly. "If we split, our already limited combat power will be stretched thin. A feint will only heighten their alertness and work against us. I suggest we stay together."

After a pause, he added, "Frankly, I'm not convinced attacking Shuri City is the best move. The visible defenses suggest more hidden dangers. If possible, I recommend bypassing this city and targeting other roads and bridges."

His candid suggestion startled the group. This mission was a priority, marked explicitly in their orders, and Raiden's proposal to abandon it was unexpected.

Minato, however, remained resolute. "The mission allows for failure but not for giving up without trying. We'll proceed with the raid tonight."

By 3 PM, after hours of rest, the team began their approach to Shuri City. They were unaware that another Konoha squad was also nearing the city's east gate.

Under the cover of heavy rain and darkness, Raiden and his team infiltrated Shuri City with the help of Hiashi's Byakugan and Raiden's advanced sensory abilities. They avoided detection and scaled the city walls effortlessly.

"How's it going?" Minato asked Raiden after they regrouped within the city.

"I've bypassed the detection barrier without triggering any alarms," Raiden confirmed with a grin.

"Let's move," Minato ordered, heading toward the center of the city.

Shuri City, an important military outpost, was dark and eerily quiet under the curfew imposed by Iwagakure. The team quickly located the most heavily guarded building, suspecting it housed critical supplies.

"That building must be where the supplies are stored," Hiashi said, his Byakugan scanning the area. "There's a strong chakra presence inside. It's likely sealed into scrolls, guarded by the strongest ninja here."

"Is there a barrier?" Minato asked Raiden.

"Yes, but it's unusual," Raiden replied. "It's a defensive barrier, but it's designed to protect from within, not from outside."

The realization unsettled the group. Minato concluded, "This barrier isn't to keep intruders out—it's to prevent someone inside from going berserk."

The ominous revelation didn't stop them. They entered the building and found themselves in a large dojo. Sitting at its center was a middle-aged man with reddish-brown hair and a purple cloak. He wore a helmet-style forehead protector bearing Iwagakure's symbol.

"So, five little mice have wandered in," the man said calmly, his eyes opening slowly to reveal an intimidating presence.

Raiden's heart sank. "It's him," he whispered. "The Jinchuriki of the Four Tails, Roshi."

The revelation sent chills through the group. The chakra emanating from Roshi was suffocating.

"Be careful," Raiden warned. "He's a user of the Lava Release Kekkei Genkai."

Roshi stood, shedding his cloak. His chakra flared violently, creating a crimson aura with a single tail swaying behind him. The temperature in the room soared as magma dripped from his hands.

"We can't let him escape," Raiden shouted. "This barrier isn't to stop intruders—it's to contain him. If we don't defeat him here, we're all dead!"

The team launched a coordinated assault, but Roshi's power proved overwhelming. Even Matt Duy's dynamic entry and Hyuga Hiashi's defense barely held him off. The battle grew fiercer as the entire dojo erupted into flames, Roshi's fiery chakra and magma attacks creating chaos.

Amid the inferno, Roshi emerged unscathed, his crimson chakra cloak pulsating with power. "Impressive," he said. "If only the shinobi from my village were as skilled as you."

(End of Chapter)

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