Throne Of The Uchiha

Trap

The northwest region of the Rain Country was primarily the battleground between Iwagakure and Amegakure. Skirmishes were frequent, though rarely escalated into full-scale warfare. The Rain ninja, under Hanzo the Salamander's leadership, prioritized expelling foreign forces rather than initiating direct conflict. Though battle-hardened, they avoided unnecessary bloodshed, especially while facing pressure from the three great powers—Wind, Fire, and Earth.

Even with his legendary reputation, Hanzo was not reckless. Despite being dubbed a demigod, he lacked the scale to challenge three Great Nations simultaneously.

> "Hinata Ning, Aburame Nozawa," said Uchiha Fugaku, "in the early phase of the mission, we'll focus on skirmishes with Rain shinobi. These encounters will help sharpen our coordination and allow the newer members to adjust."

> "Captain, I'm already accustomed to combat," said Yamamoto Ichisuke, eyes steady. "Please don't let me hold the team back."

Fugaku studied Yamamoto's young face. His resolve was admirable, but he still lacked the depth of battlefield experience.

> "You're underestimating the Rain shinobi," Fugaku replied. "Under Hanzo, Amegakure has risen to rival the Five Great Nations in combat ability. If not for its small population, it might already be counted as a sixth. Rain ninja are adept at ambushes and guerrilla warfare—engaging them isn't a simple drill."

> "More importantly, we're not testing strength—we're building trust. Rain shinobi rarely fight to the death unless provoked. In contrast, confronting an Iwa platoon early would almost guarantee casualties. As your captain, it's my duty to ensure mission success and your survival. Some see shinobi as tools—I see you as comrades."

The team fell silent. Since entering the ninja world, they'd all accepted death as a companion—but few leaders had ever said aloud that their lives mattered.

> "Captain… I understand now," Yamamoto said, bowing his head. "I'll adapt. I won't endanger the team."

Fugaku gave a slight nod. Overhead, a rumble of thunder echoed as the drizzle became a torrential downpour.

Though Rain Country saw precipitation year-round, such storms were rare even here. The sudden deluge soaked through their rain cloaks and limited visibility. The muddy haze of falling rain blurred even close-range sightlines.

> "We'll seek shelter," Fugaku ordered. "This weather makes us easy targets."

Hinata Ning activated his Byakugan, veins bulging around his eyes. Beside him, Aburame Nozawa adjusted his cloak. His parasitic insects clung to his body—rendered nearly useless in heavy rain, unable to fly. Inuzuka Maru's nose twitched, but he frowned.

> "My scent-tracking's useless in this storm," Maru said.

Suddenly, Hinata Ning's hand shot out.

> "There's a trap ahead. No chakra signatures nearby… but something's off."

He threw a kunai, which struck hidden earth. With a grind of stone, spikes erupted upward—clearly Earth Release.

Fugaku's three-tomoe Sharingan whirled into motion. Despite the rain masking chakra and visual cues, his eyes cut through the distortion.

> "Fall back," he commanded. "This is likely a chain-trap. Hinata, check below us."

Hinata's Byakugan peered through the mud and stone.

> "There are detonating tags buried below—linked from the spikes to beneath our feet!"

> "Yamada Shinji, use Earth Release: Earthquake Core," Fugaku said. "Everyone else, be ready to jump—gain height and avoid the blast!"

At that moment, a stone spike hurled through the air and struck a cliff face. Sparks flared from impact—

BOOM!

A detonation rang out from a distant rock formation—spreading shockwaves at alarming speed.

Yamada slammed his hands into the mud.

> "Doton: Jishin Kōka!"

The earth rumbled. Cracks splintered outward, and a platform of stone surged upward beneath the team, lifting them out of the buried trap zone.

> "Release the jutsu," Fugaku instructed as the tremors calmed. "That explosion was louder than the rain. Enemy shinobi will be alerted. We change course."

Had they walked just a few steps further, they would have been scattered by the spikes—and the explosive tags buried below would have sealed their fates.

The mission had barely begun. A loss now would provide enemies, or even rivals within Konoha, with ample fodder for criticism.

They swiftly abandoned their location. Fugaku and Hinata took the lead, their Sharingan and Byakugan working in tandem, scanning for signs of danger—leaving no blind spots.

> "Fugaku," said Hinata, "a canyon lies ahead. There's a cave entrance partway up the cliff face—we can take shelter there."

At the canyon base, a river roared. Fugaku surmised it must flow to the sea—Rain Country's geography depended on this drainage, or the nation would've drowned long ago.

Aburame Nozawa released several insects into the cave ahead.

> "No signs of life inside," he confirmed. "Safe to enter."

One by one, all twelve members climbed inside. The interior resembled a massive karst cavern, with columns of stone connecting levels, and hollows shaped by centuries of water erosion.

Fugaku removed his soaked outer cloak and laid it on a dry stone slab. Rain poured in sheets just beyond the cave mouth, the river below churning.

Everyone spread out and took the moment to rest.

> "As a new Chūnin, you have to be more cautious than the rest of us," Hinata said to Yamamoto. "In wartime, caution is survival."

> "Thank you, senior," Yamamoto replied, bowing. "Today's trap taught me how easily we can die. I'll remember it."

Inuzuka Maru stroked his ninja hound's fur. Occasionally, he fed the dog thin strips of jerky from a pouch.

Fugaku glanced at the animal.

> "What's his name? He's an impressive one."

The dog was striking—snow-white with a vivid blue streak along its spine. Its powerful build and keen gaze marked it as a seasoned partner.

> "His name's Aimaru, after the blue on his back," Maru said proudly. "He's not just my companion—he's family. We've trained together since I could walk."

Fugaku nodded. That bond—ninja and ninken—was the strength of the Inuzuka clan. A connection forged through childhood, loyalty, and battle.