Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

A few days later, at the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth.

A light drizzle fell from the sky, mingling with the scent of gunpowder in the air. In Yulu Town, the rain extinguished the smoldering flames of battle, leaving behind rising plumes of steam.

A fierce battle had just ended. After hours of fighting between Konoha's and Iwa's ninjas, Iwa had retreated, leaving Konoha forces to take control of Yulu Town. Following Orochimaru's orders, Konoha's ninja began clearing the battlefield and recovering the bodies of their fallen comrades.

Orochimaru stood in the rain, his green vest tattered and his body stained with blood. He stared at the devastated battlefield, lost in thought. Although Konoha had driven Iwa's forces away and claimed the town, the victory came at a steep cost.

Many of Orochimaru's comrades, familiar faces from years of war, had perished.

"Lord Orochimaru, the envoy from Lord Raiden has arrived," a voice interrupted his thoughts. A ninja appeared, kneeling before Orochimaru.

"Bring them to me," Orochimaru replied, his hoarse voice devoid of emotion. The ninja quickly departed.

Soon, the envoy arrived with Shimura Danzo in tow. Ever well-informed, Danzo had rushed to the scene upon learning of the envoy's arrival.

"Lord Orochimaru, this is the Four Tails captured by Lord Raiden," the envoy, an Aburame clan ninja, explained, setting a pack on the ground. From it, he produced a "sealed container."

"This is the container Lord Raiden created with his sealing technique to confine the tailed beast?" Orochimaru asked, intrigued. He picked up the container and examined it closely. Orochimaru, ever curious about unknown jutsu, was fascinated by the complex seals inscribed on the container.

"How do we open this seal?" he asked, turning the object in his hands.

"My apologies, Lord Orochimaru, but only Lord Raiden knows the method to unseal it," the Aburame ninja replied, bowing deeply.

"Very well. You may leave," Orochimaru said with a wave of his hand. The envoy departed, leaving Orochimaru alone with Danzo.

"This act of Raiden's—is it a show of defiance?" Danzo asked, scowling. "Refusing to provide the unsealing method seems like a deliberate attempt to undermine us."

"Heh heh heh... Let him be," Orochimaru chuckled, entirely focused on studying the container.

"We're expected to use this to negotiate peace with Iwa," Danzo continued, ignoring Orochimaru's amusement. "This, after Minato's team destroys the Kannabi Bridge..."

Both men were aware of the Third Hokage's plan. Orochimaru's expression turned contemplative.

"My junior is truly remarkable, managing to capture the Four Tails from Iwa," Orochimaru remarked, a hint of admiration in his tone. "But to use a tailed beast as a bargaining chip? No wonder Raiden is frustrated."

Had it been Orochimaru's decision, he would have used the tailed beast to strike fear into Iwa, rather than engage in peace talks. But Hokage's orders were absolute, and Orochimaru knew he had to comply.

"Hand the Four Tails over to me," Danzo demanded.

Orochimaru didn't respond, continuing to study the seals on the container. Danzo, recognizing the refusal, snorted and stormed off.

Once Danzo left, Orochimaru smirked, his chakra flowing into the container. A small plume of smoke emerged, revealing a hidden scroll. Orochimaru retrieved and read it, watching as it burned to ashes in his hands moments later.

"So, this is the game you're playing, Raiden," he muttered with amusement. "Very well. For the sake of your sealing technique, I'll play along this time."

The scroll had been left by Raiden, containing instructions hidden within the seals of the container. Orochimaru, skilled in sealing techniques, had deciphered it effortlessly.

With the Four Tails in his possession, Orochimaru began mobilizing his forces, preparing to launch an offensive against Iwa. His goal was to create a diversion, giving Minato's team the opportunity to complete their mission.

Meanwhile, after days of travel, Minato's team had passed through the Land of Birds, skirted the edge of the Land of Rain, and entered the Land of Earth.

As the team advanced, Uzumaki Raiden received new orders from the Third Hokage in the Land of Wind.

"The troops led by Jiraiya are failing? Even Sakumo is gravely injured?!" Raiden exclaimed upon reading the latest dispatch.

The new orders instructed Raiden to abandon all operations in the Land of Wind and lead his forces to the Land of Hot Springs to provide support.

"So, that's the real reason for the retreat," Raiden muttered. "The news from Jiraiya must have reached the old man late. Only now is he realizing how dire the situation is."

Turning to his messenger, Raiden issued instructions: "Notify everyone to prepare to leave camp. We depart in five hours."

"Also, form a vanguard of five Jonin to move ahead to the Land of Hot Springs," he added.

The camp quickly became a flurry of activity. Injured soldiers were sent back to the village, while the remaining forces packed up and began their march. Only a small contingent was left behind to maintain contact with Konoha's spies embedded in Iwa.

Raiden's forces departed so discreetly that neither Suna nor Iwa noticed the operation.

At the border of the Lands of Birds, Rain, and Earth, Minato's team pressed forward. As the sun began to set, Minato brought the group to a halt in a clearing.

"Let's rest here for today," he instructed. "From now on, we're likely to face more organized resistance."

As they prepared to set up camp, a ninja hawk descended, landing on Minato's shoulder. Minato retrieved the message tied to its leg, letting the hawk fly off again.

"A reassignment? Now, of all times?" Minato murmured, scanning the scroll. It was a directive from Shimura Danzo, ordering Minato to assist a Konoha team in distress before continuing with the Kannabi Bridge mission.

"What's going on, Minato-sensei?" Obito asked, noticing the troubled expression on his teacher's face.

"We might need to split into two teams for the next phase of our mission," Minato replied.

(End of Chapter)