Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

The cave where Uzumaki Raiden and his team rested had only one entrance. For security, the group had set multiple traps near the entrance. Yet, when Orochimaru walked in holding a steel wire, none of the traps triggered.

"There are people here?" Orochimaru remarked as he entered the cave, his pale face briefly showing surprise before a faint smile curved his lips.

"Raiden? What are you doing here?"

Following behind Orochimaru, Tsunade supported an injured Jiraiya. Her initial shock at the sight of familiar faces quickly turned to relief. "Raiden, come help me!" she called out, waving one hand.

Fugaku and the others relaxed upon recognizing the new arrivals. "It's Lord Orochimaru, Lady Tsunade, and Lord Jiraiya," Fugaku said with a sigh of relief.

"Phew, I thought it was someone else," muttered Might Duy, patting his chest. Without waiting for Tsunade's direction, he rushed over to help support Jiraiya.

Raiden and the rest remained cautious, their guard only lowering after Hiashi and Raiden exchanged a confirming glance with Minato. Once assured, Minato rushed forward. "Lord Jiraiya, what happened to you?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.

"Minato…" Jiraiya raised his head weakly, his face a mixture of embarrassment and fatigue. "To meet you in a place like this... I must look like a mess."

"Teacher Jiraiya, don't say that," Minato said earnestly. "You're the strongest ninja I know." Together with Duy, Minato helped Jiraiya to a stone slab deeper inside the cave. Tsunade followed closely, maintaining the flow of her medical ninjutsu. Despite her efforts, the wound on Jiraiya's back stubbornly refused to heal.

Setting Traps and a Peculiar Injury

"I'll handle the traps. Tsunade, keep working on healing him," Orochimaru said flatly, stepping outside the cave. His calm demeanor piqued Hiashi and Fugaku's curiosity. Both decided to follow Orochimaru to observe how he set traps, eager to learn from one of Konoha's most renowned shinobi.

Back inside, Raiden approached Tsunade and glanced at Jiraiya's wound. "Lady Tsunade, what happened? How did this happen to him?"

"We encountered a strong enemy," Tsunade replied while focusing on her medical ninjutsu. "This idiot got hurt protecting me."

Raiden nodded, then asked, "Why are you here, though?"

Tsunade briefly explained their mission: infiltrating Shuri City to gather intel and, if possible, assassinate a high-value target. "We were forced to retreat after we ran into a Jinchuriki—Four-Tails," she added.

Raiden's eyes widened. "You were in Shuri City? Was the explosion part of your mission?"

Tsunade paused, her gaze sharp. "Explosion? What explosion?"

"The Tailed Beast Bomb," Raiden explained. "We encountered Four-Tails Jinchuriki during our mission to destroy Shuri City's supplies. We barely escaped after triggering the explosion."

Realization dawned on Tsunade and Jiraiya simultaneously. "So it was you," Jiraiya muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. "You're the reason they noticed us…"

Minato quickly stepped forward, apologizing, "We had no idea there was a Jinchuriki stationed in Shuri City. I'm so sorry, Lord Jiraiya. Our mission not only failed but caused complications for yours."

Jiraiya sighed, his anger dissipating at Minato's sincerity. "The Four-Tails Jinchuriki is indeed a significant figure," Jiraiya admitted, his tone more resigned than accusatory.

The Bigger Picture

Raiden fell into thought, piecing together what Tsunade had shared. "Lady Tsunade, is Iwagakure losing ground on the front lines?" he asked.

Tsunade nodded, explaining the current state of affairs: Konoha had negotiated a truce with the Land of Lightning, and both Shimura Danzo and Hatake Sakumo were redirecting their forces to the Rain battlefield. Mito Homura's political maneuvers were also paying off, reducing civilian resistance to Konoha's presence in the Rain's territory.

Raiden listened intently. The introduction of a Jinchuriki signaled desperation on Iwagakure's part. If Konoha could hold out, the tide of the war might turn in their favor.

"Jiraiya's wound is strange," Raiden said, his focus shifting back to the injury. "Even with your skill, Lady Tsunade, it hasn't healed?"

Tsunade frowned. "There's a toxin inhibiting cell regeneration. I've stopped the bleeding, but without the proper equipment, I can't prepare the antidote."

A Prophetic Moment

Despite his injury, Jiraiya gestured for Minato to approach. "Minato," he began, his voice heavy with effort, "this isn't the best timing, but I have something important to ask. Would you become my disciple?"

Minato's eyes widened as Jiraiya continued. "The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku once gave me a prophecy. I believe you're the Child of Prophecy who can change the ninja world."

Raiden raised an eyebrow at the timing, muttering to himself, "Feels more like a farewell speech."

Minato, moved by Jiraiya's words, dropped to his knees. "Lord Jiraiya, it would be an honor to become your disciple!"

"Good," Jiraiya said with a weak grin, summoning a large scroll from thin air. He unrolled it in front of Minato, revealing the names of past summoners. "This is the summoning scroll for Mount Myoboku. Write your name and leave your handprint."

Raiden leaned over to inspect the scroll. His curiosity was piqued as he wondered who the first summoner might have been. However, when he tried to touch the scroll, an unseen force repelled his hand.

"Don't bother," Tsunade said with a smirk. "The scroll is bound to the will of the summoning beasts. Unless they accept you, you can't interact with it."

Raiden chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head. "Just curious."

As Minato completed the ceremonial process, Jiraiya smiled. "From today forward, you're my student."

An Ominous Development

Their moment was interrupted when Orochimaru burst into the cave, Hiashi and Fugaku close behind. His usual calm was replaced with rare urgency.

"The enemy is approaching!" Orochimaru announced.

Everyone instantly tensed. Grabbing their weapons, they prepared for what was coming next.

(End of Chapter)

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