Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

As night descended, the crescent moon hung high in the sky, casting a faint silver light. On a vast plain in the Land of Earth, Raiden Uzumaki stopped with Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, deciding to spend the night there.

"Let's rest here tonight and continue our journey in the morning," Raiden announced. "Until Minato arrives, follow my instructions."

Still covered in blood from the earlier battle, Raiden began preparing to clean himself. In the skirmish with Iwa-nin, he avoided flashy Lightning Release techniques to stay inconspicuous, relying on hand-to-hand combat instead. As a result, his body was caked with enemy blood, leaving him sticky and uncomfortable.

"Yes, understood," Obito replied, nodding as he unpacked supplies for the night. He pulled out water and ration pills to restore his energy.

Kakashi, half his face wrapped in bandages, surveyed the open plain with his uncovered eye and frowned. "Raiden-sama, why choose a plain for camping? Without any natural cover, it's harder to evade detection. Shouldn't we find a spot with more complex terrain?"

Raiden waved off the formal title with a chuckle. "Don't call me 'sama.' I was your father's teammate and your teacher's friend. Just call me 'brother.'"

He grinned as he unfurled a scroll and began summoning water. "As for why I chose this spot—it's precisely because it's an open plain. The terrain makes it hard for us to hide, but the same applies to the enemy. And here, my speed gives me a huge advantage. If anyone comes, I'll eliminate them before they even realize what's happening. No enemy, no trace of us left behind."

Kakashi nodded, acknowledging the strategic insight, and stepped forward to help. Forming hand seals, he used a Water Release jutsu to rinse the blood off Raiden.

"You've mastered three chakra natures already—Lightning, Earth, and Water? Impressive, Kakashi," Raiden remarked, grinning. "But honestly, if this water hadn't come out of your mouth, I'd be more grateful."

Rin and Obito stifled laughs as Raiden's teasing defused some of the lingering tension.

"Obito," Raiden called, "light a fire. The temperature drops sharply at night in these plains."

"Light a fire? Won't that make us easy to spot?" Obito asked, wide-eyed.

"Don't worry. We'll be fine."

Raiden created a shadow clone, which quickly set up a barrier to conceal their presence. The air shifted subtly, and even Obito could sense the protective chakra enveloping the area.

"Barrier ninjutsu?" Rin guessed, her knowledge of medical and sensory techniques aiding her understanding.

"Correct. No one will find us. You're safe with me," Raiden assured them. He pulled another scroll from his pouch, summoning firewood, tables, chairs, and even fresh meat and seasonings.

"Don't just stand there," Raiden said, gesturing at the surprised trio. "Let's eat."

Obito's face lit up. "Barbecue? On a mission? You're amazing, Brother Raiden! Can you teach me how to summon food like that?"

"Maybe later," Raiden replied, ruffling Obito's hair. "Now, get to work."

Rin and Obito eagerly started cooking, and even Kakashi, initially reluctant, joined in. The crackling firelight painted their faces with a warm glow, their earlier fears melting away into laughter and smiles.

Raiden watched the three children fondly. "After the stress they've endured, they needed this moment. A good meal and some warmth can do wonders for their spirits."

Suddenly, a breeze rustled through the camp as a figure appeared beside Raiden.

"Seems I arrived just in time," a familiar voice said.

"Minato-sensei!" Rin and Obito exclaimed, rushing over to greet him.

Raiden, reclining on a chair, glanced at Minato without moving. "You're late."

Minato smiled faintly, but his expression turned serious when he saw Kakashi's bandaged face. "Kakashi, are you hurt badly?"

"It's nothing serious," Kakashi replied. "Rin took care of it. I'll recover soon."

"I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier," Minato said apologetically.

"It's fine, Sensei," Kakashi replied, but Raiden cut in.

"Minato, where were you? These kids almost got themselves killed."

Minato sighed. "I was called away by Danzo for a special mission. But I finished quickly and came as soon as I could. You're here because of the scroll, right?"

"Sharp as ever," Raiden said with a smirk. "Since you're here now, I'll head back. I've been gone long enough."

Minato nodded, his eyes glinting with understanding. "Thank you, Raiden. These kids owe you their lives."

Raiden clapped Minato's shoulder, slipping something into his hand. "We'll talk back in the village." With a wave to the group, Raiden vanished in a puff of smoke.

The next day, Raiden rejoined Konoha's surprise attack troops, who were retreating under cover of darkness. As they rested near the border of the Land of Fire, urgent news arrived:

"Captain! One of our scout teams has gone missing southeast of here, about 100 kilometers away. We suspect it's an ambush."

Raiden immediately stood. "Prepare a strike team. Twenty of our best."

"But if it's a powerful force, shouldn't we send more?" Yūhi Shiguro asked.

"No need. Against strong opponents, numbers can backfire. Twenty jōnin are enough."

Within minutes, Raiden and the strike team set out. As they approached, the report grew clearer: seven enemies wielding distinctive weapons.

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen," Raiden muttered grimly. "Perfect."

Addressing his team, he said, "The mission is dangerous, but here's the incentive: any of you who kills one of the Seven keeps their weapon as a trophy. Let's go!"

The jōnin exchanged excited glances before vanishing into the forest, their resolve sharpened for the coming battle.

(End of this chapter)