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Naruto: Amongst the Whirling Tides Chapter 8
🕑 Added 2023-09-03 07:30:54 +0000 UTCHi all,
Here is the next chapter. Naruto arrives at the island, and Danzo calculates his losses, already looking for a way to replace the manpower he lost.
Chapter 8
The whirlpools took Naruto by surprise.
Naruto sat at the ship's bow after returning topside, eager to witness their arrival at the island. His excitement quickly turned to disappointment when he discovered the island was shrouded in a thick layer of mist.
"That is a lot of mist to cover an entire island. Is it natural?" Naruto asked.
"That is a good question," Jiraiya said. "The mist isn’t a natural occurrence. It first appeared on the night of the Uzushio invasion. It serves as a defensive measure to keep onlookers from seeing what is going on on the island. The hidden villages that launched an attack on the island had a difficult time safely landing on its shores."
"How come it is still working after all this time?"
"That is the million Ryo question," Jiriya snorted.
"Look, Naruto," Hinata said urgently, grabbing his arm and pointing to the water.
"What are you—" Naruto's mouth dropped open when he saw the mass of rotating water in the distance. “Bloody hell.”
How could he have overlooked it earlier? The whirlpool was easily thirty feet in diameter, and to make matters worse, it was flanked by two more whirlpools. They weren’t close enough to merge, but their proximity created an obstacle that made navigation difficult. He could already feel the drag on the boat as it became entangled in the whirlpool's rotation.
"I should have seen this coming," Naruto muttered. "The literal definition of Uzushiogakure is the Hidden Village of Whirling Tides. Are we going to be okay?"
"It's not a problem, Naruto," Yusuke called out from the helm. "Once you know how to navigate through them, these whirlpools are as dangerous as a bathtub drain."
"How did the Shinobi forces navigate the whirlpools?" Naruto questioned.
Jiraiya sighed. “They were betrayed. One of the island residents revealed the secret to safely navigating through the whirlpools. Even so, the hidden villages lost several boats and dozens of shinobi to the depths of the sea. There is a difference between knowing how to do something and actually being able to do it. But they were deemed acceptable losses."
"Did you know that the largest whirlpools are known as maelstroms?" Neji informed him. "This is the literal meaning of your name. Your parents chose an appropriate name for you.”
"Did you just crack a joke?"
"You don’t have to sound so surprised," Neji said irritably.
“Why wouldn't I be? Everyone in the Hyugi clan has a large stick lodged up their—"
"Naruto," Hinata exclaimed.
"I’m not talking about you, Hinata," Naruto assured her. "Um, what I meant to say is that you are the ideal embodiment of the Hyuga family's characteristics."
“I want to hurt you,” Neji stated.
"Why are you even standing next to us? Not that it bothers me, but did we just become friends?"
"Hiashi-sama is busy discussing matters with the clan members down below," Neji explained. He requested that I remain by Hinata's side to ensure her safety."
"Hinata, I believe what he really means is that I may be a threat to your virtue," Naruto loudly whispered to her.
Hinata remained silent, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Naruto grinned. He intended to continue teasing her in order to help her overcome her shyness. He had a feeling she would reciprocate in kind when she truly let go.
The next twenty minutes were terrifying as the ship navigated its way through a maze of terrifying whirlpools. As they got closer, the whirlpools made a loud, shrieking noise that grated on his ears. The ship shook violently beneath his feet, scaring him into thinking it would be ripped apart by the immense forces acting on it.
Naruto felt a wave of relief wash over him as they emerged unscathed from the other side. The ship gradually approached the island. Despite the layer of mist obscuring his vision, Yusuke appeared to be confident in his direction. The ship breached the mist and sailed through it for a few minutes before it disappeared. They had entered an expansive underground cavern. Torchlight danced along the cavern walls, creating a mesmerising, flickering glow. The sheer size of the space was such that it could easily accommodate three ships positioned side by side.
After a minute, the ship decelerated gradually as it manoeuvred towards a vacant dock. Everyone got off the boat, and Shikaku led them to a set of stone stairs.
"This must have taken a long time to build," Naruto said as they ascended the dimly lit stairs. "Considering its uniformity, the underground cavern cannot be entirely natural."
"We are Shinobi, gaki," Anko mocked him. "Have you forgotten about earth elemental jutsu?"
Naruto bowed down to her. "I appreciate your insight, snake-sensei."
"Never call me that again," Anko snarled.
They emerged into the sunlight at the top of the stairwell. There were numerous large tents in the area. Dozens of people were bustling around, each lost in their own tasks, while the ear-piercing sound of children's laughter echoed as they scrambled onto a dilapidated structure. The group found themselves in a small area that was somewhat isolated from the rest of the destroyed village. This was due to two collapsed statues lying prone on the ground, forming an inverted 'V' shape. The statues were enormous, with faces comparable in size to the Hokage monument in Konoha.
Based on the immediate surroundings, it appeared that the former village of Uzushio was nothing more than ruined buildings and barren land. Nothing appeared to be growing in this area. He noticed that someone had already marked out space for crops and was currently working on preparing the ground for cultivation.
"Even if Shinobi were to come here, we would be well concealed in this location," Hiashi approved.
Two Shinobi stood guard nearby and approached them as soon as they emerged from underground. Each of the shinobi had a ninken trailing behind them, revealing their clan affiliation.
"Welcome, Lady Tsume," one of the men said. "I am relieved to see you arrived safely."
"Tonashi," Tsume said, flashing her canines. "The trip was uneventful. How are things going around here?"
"We have settled in well enough," Tonashi replied. "With the supplies we have, we can easily survive for several months without any problems. We are already working on developing infrastructure that will allow us to be self-sufficient."
"All right," Tsume said. "Remember that Jiraiya is the leader, so he is the one to whom you must report. Rather than forming clans, our goal is to build an inclusive community."
"Understood," Tokashi replied before turning to the older man. "Jiraiya-sama, how should I address you?"
"Ugh, there is no need for honorifics," Jiraiya grumbled. "Please call me Jiraiya. We will figure out the chain of command later. Let us just go with the flow for the time being."
"You are taking this far too casually, Jiraiya," Hiashi chided.
"Then it is a good thing I have you by my side to keep me on the straight and narrow," Jiraiya replied. "Tonashi, you may resume your duties. We will find our own way."
Tonashi nodded, and the two guards went back to their stations.
"I am going to join my wife," Inoichi announced. "I would like to see how she is doing with preparing the ground for planting. Ino, you are also coming. Your mother will want to know that you arrived safely."
"Fine," Ino sighed as she followed her father.
As they made their way through the tents, the group gradually dispersed, with each person heading off to do their own thing. There was a communal fire pit and seating near the centre, where the villagers could share meals or gather for special events. A cluster of tents had been erected around it to provide some basic services. A medical tent, a makeshift restaurant, a library, a supply store, and Jiraiya's office were among them.
Naruto ran into a lot of familiar faces, despite the fact that he had never spoken to the majority of them before. The defectors mainly consisted of the Hyuga, Akimichi, Inazuka, Nara, and Yamanaka clans. There were also people from less prominent clans and families who weren’t affiliated with any clan.
“Where is the Sarutobi clan?” Naruto asked. "I expected them to be among the first to want to leave the village."
"They remain loyal to the village, even though they are angry about Danzo becoming Hokage," Jiraiya responded. "They don’t want to dishonour Hiruzen's legacy by abandoning the village. Their reasoning is that because Danzo is an elderly man, he will not be able to hold the position of Hokage for long. When he is gone, they will be able to return the village to its previous glory."
“They are naive. Danzo can inflict a lot of damage in a short period of time," Naruto sighed.
Anko had taken charge of Sai and led him to a location where she could question him. Her goal was to determine if he posed a potential problem for their group. She wasn’t sure how much information she could get from him with the cursed seal on his tongue. Jiraiya would have to figure out how to break it. Perhaps they could find some useful information on Danzo, but that seemed unlikely.
Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro were directed to tents reserved for them. The three Suna shinobi appeared uneasy as they were surrounded by many people from a rival village. Despite the fact that everyone was no longer a part of Konoha, the three could not adjust to their new reality so quickly. Furthermore, they were concerned about Chiyo's ability to handle Danzo.
Naruto had used his Adamantine Sensing Chains to assess the intentions of the three Suna siblings. Given his doubts about their loyalty, he did not hesitate to use this method. After all, it was better to err on the side of caution than to live with the consequences of any potential miscalculation later on. While it may not be the most ethical thing to do, he felt compelled to protect his new home.
Naruto frowned as he noticed the Hyuga clan's tents were set up separately from the others. Even though they were working towards a common goal, they acted as if they were separate from the rest of the group, keeping a distance. Hinata seemed to have the same thought as she gave her father a questioning look.
"I didn't arrange this," Hiashi said. "It appears that amidst all the upheaval, the Hyuga clan finds solace in familiarity, even for the former branch members who now have their freedom. I will communicate my displeasure regarding this matter."
“Hinata nee-san!” A voice yelled.
Naruto turned to see a Hyuga girl charging towards them. With her straight, flowing black hair, she bore a striking resemblance to Hiashi.
"Hanabi," Hinata said to the girl as she rushed into her arms. Naruto, I would like you to meet my younger sister."
"You look absolutely adorable, like a doll," Naruto exclaimed. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "I have a sudden desire to mess up your hair just for fun."
"Unhand me, you cretin. Who the hell is this bald uncle?" Hanabi slapped his hand away.
Naruto couldn't help but laugh at her response. She was definitely a firecracker.
"Hanabi, show some decorum," Hiashi said, frowning.
“Sorry, father,” Hanabi said. Her bright expression quickly faded as she straightened up.
“What a killjoy,” Naruto muttered.
"Would you mind repeating that?" Hiashi squinted.
"I believe you heard me perfectly the first time," Naruto retorted. He decided to retreat before he got into any further trouble. "I am going to join Gai in the medical tent to see how Lee is doing. Would you like to come with me, Hinata?"
Hinata gave Naruto a warm smile. "I would be delighted."
"You need to unpack your belongings before you go wandering off," Hiashi said.
"I will do it later, father," Hinata said, following Naruto.
"I am going with them," Hanabi declared, and she dashed off without asking her father's permission. Neji followed, eager to see his teammates.
"I feel your pain, Hiashi," Jiraiya said as he watched them leave. "It appears that your eldest daughter is maturing and beginning to challenge your authority."
"Jiraiya, please be quiet."
Naruto and his friends entered the medical tent, where they discovered Lee in one of the beds. Tenten and Gai were standing by his bedside.
"Hey, Lee," Naruto said. "It’s uncharacteristic of you to be lying around in bed."
"It is good to see you are doing well, Naruto!" Lee gave him a thumbs up. "It’s not a big deal. Just a minor setback in my training."
"You shouldn’t have been training in the first place," Tenten snarled, her foot tapping against the floor. "You could have aggravated your injury."
"Tenten, can you imagine a worse situation than this? I can't use one of my arms and legs anymore; they're completely useless!" Lee yelled in frustration before calming down. "Please forgive me; I have been lacking in my usual youthfulness lately."
“It’s fine,” Tenten said, biting her lip.
It was difficult to see Lee so downcast. Naruto admired Lee for his unwavering determination and strong work ethic. Even though he lacked genuine talent, he never let it define him. He had already developed into a formidable shinobi, pushing Gaara to his limits in their fight. Lee would undoubtedly be the strongest shinobi in their generation if he possessed the same prodigious talent as his teammate and combined it with his insane training schedule.
"I am sure there is something we can do to help you," Hinata said kindly.
"It is unusual for you to give up so easily," Neji observed.
“Don’t let it bother you,” Naruto said, coming to sit on the end of his bed. "I will retrieve Tsunade so she can heal your injuries."
“Tsunade?” Tenten asked, surprised. "Do you know her, Naruto?"
"Not at all," Naruto replied. "But I think I can persuade her to join our little village."
"I would like to meet her," Tenten exclaimed, clearly excited. "She is an incredible kunoichi, demonstrating that women can be just as strong as men. I wonder if I could get some training advice from her."
Everyone was silently staring at her.
"Obviously, the most important thing is for Lee to be healed," Tenten said, her cheeks flushing.
“It is most youthful of you to help out Lee, Naruto,” Gai said. "I have been at a loss as to whether or not my dear student will be able to continue his shinobi career."
“Don’t worry about it. "Getting Tsunade here should be a piece of cake," Naruto said confidently. “Believe it!“
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Danzo slammed the door shut and slumped into his chair. He leaned back, closed his eyes, and groaned in exhaustion.
He despised giving speeches to appease the public. They lacked the wisdom to govern a village, so why should he have to explain himself? He had been putting out fires for the past few days, following the defection of some of their most prominent shinobi, including both clan heads and their heirs. Despite the fact that he had a lot on his plate, he had the task of assuring the public that everything was under control. This was no easy task, especially given the significant loss of military power they suffered.
He was convinced that Iwa and Kumo were watching their village with bated breath, sensing their vulnerability. He needed to strengthen his Shinobi forces in order to move his plans forward. He had already devised a strategy, but he needed Orochimaru's assistance in order to achieve it. Unfortunately, Orochimaru had gone into hiding, most likely to undergo his rebirth. As a result, he would have to be patient and wait for Orochimaru to resurface.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, and he swallowed his annoyance. He leaned back in his seat and called for the person to enter.
"Lord Hokage," Spook said as he entered and kneeled in front of him.
“Rise,” Danzo ordered. “Have you finished your report? How many people defected from the village?
“Sixty-eight,” Spook replied. "Forty-three of them are active shinobi: seventeen jonin, fourteen chunin, and twelve genin. Except for Shino Aburame, all of the clan heirs from the prominent clans have defected."
Danzo sighed. When he was presented with the actual numbers, he found it difficult to deny the magnitude of the loss. If he had known Jiraiya was planning something like this, he would have been willing to kill the man no matter how many lives were lost. Nonetheless, it is preferable to identify and eliminate traitors before they become a problem. They were not critical to his long-term plans, but they were causing him some issues right now.
“Did you add them to the bingo book like I ordered?” Danzo asked.
“Only the Jonin and Chunin,” Spook admitted. "I believe it would be pointless to include the genin in the book." The other hidden villages are more likely to capture them in order to obtain their dojutsu. Although it is likely obvious to outsiders that they defected with their families, there is no need to publicise it."
“That is an excellent point,” Danzo conceded. "Have any sightings of them been reported?"
"No, but it’s not surprising given that Jiraiya is leading them. He knows more about the Fire Country than anyone else in the village. We are conducting some targeted inquiries, but we do not have the manpower to conduct a full-scale search."
“No matter,” Danzo said. “I will deal with them in due time. Is there anything else?”
Spook paused for a moment. "Sir, I don’t believe Sasuke Uchiha defected with the others. I believe he left on his own."
Danzo tapped his fingers on the desk, the only sign of his agitation. "What is your reasoning?"
"For one thing, we already know he was not in the group that rescued Naruto Uzumaki," Spook explained. "We verified their identities before engaging them."
“What about the group that broke the Suna siblings out of their prison?”
"It's possible," Spook admitted. "However, I believe that if they had intended to include him, he would have been part of the main group. He is, after all, Naruto Uzumaki’s teammate."
Danzi remained silent, motioning for the man to continue. So far, Spook's reasoning has appeared to be shaky at best.
"Sir, we have been closely monitoring his apartment per your instructions," Spook reported. "On the day of his defection, we even conducted a thorough search of his apartment, but there were no indications that he had any intention of leaving."
“Go on,”
"When I later examined his apartment, it was clear that he had hurriedly packed his belongings. It appears that he took advantage of the commotion in the village to flee. I don’t think he was aware of Jiraiya's plans ahead of time."
Danzo nodded. “You have given me some things to consider. You are dismissed.”
“Hai,” Spook saluted before leaving the office.
Spook's suspicions were concerning. Even if his assumption was correct, that Sasuke took advantage of the opportunity to flee, getting away should not have been such an easy task. Konoha's borders were well-defended, and the Anbu were trained to remain vigilant even if something was going on within the village. He appears to have received assistance. Could it have been Orochimaru? He didn't believe that Orochimaru would be foolish enough to disregard his wishes in this matter, especially considering the numerous benefits he would receive from their collaboration. However, due to his unpredictable nature, there was always a possibility that he could be wrong.
There was another option, but he did not want to think about the implications. Itachi was supposed to have already left the village to rejoin the Akatsuki. Did he come back to help his brother? He had no way of asking Itachi because, even if he had helped Sasuke, Itachi would have already left the village again.
The possibility that one of his most loyal subordinates had betrayed him kept him awake for the rest of the night
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Naruto quickly settled into his new accommodations, a tent roughly the same size as his previous bedroom. Jiraiya gave him a set of storage scrolls containing everything he needed for a comfortable living space—a bed, furniture, blankets, clothes, and a variety of other necessities. Naruto jumped into bed after finishing arranging his room.
He was sleep-deprived, so he took advantage of the opportunity to take a long nap. He woke up in the early evening and after realising that he smelled a little too much, he decided to have a wash. Taking a bath proved difficult because he had to drag a wooden tub into his tent and fill it with heated water.
He initially assumed that getting water would be difficult for the village, but he overlooked water elemental jutsu. Even though no one in the village could extract water from the molecules in the air, there was a ready supply of seawater just below them. There was a simple jutsu that could extract salt from water, providing them with an endless supply. Naruto quickly learned how to perform the jutsu after witnessing it being performed once.
When Naruto emerged from the tent in search of food, he discovered the villagers had gathered in the centre, where they had lit a blazing fire in the fire pit. The Akimichis were roasting meat over an open fire, filling the air with a delicious aroma that made his stomach rumble.
"It is about time you woke up, Naruto," Jiraiys said. "We are gathering together to discuss and make decisions as a village. Grab some food and sit down."
Naruto took a plate of food and sat down next to Shikamaru.
“The fire is making me sleepy,” Shikamaru said in greeting. “It’s troublesome to stay awake.”
A woman in front of them turned around and glared at him. She had long brown hair and some facial features in common with Shikamaru. "If you fall asleep, Shikamaru, I will throw you into the fire."
“Troublesome mother.” Shikamaru slumped in his seat.
“Wow, you are totally whipped,” Naruto whispered loudly. “Is your father the same? Is that why he drinks so much?"
Ino and Choji, who were sitting nearby, burst out laughing.
“It’s not funny,” Shikamaru huffed. "When I marry, I want a simple and agreeable wife who will not cause me any problems."
"Best of luck with that futile endeavour. "You should get a dog instead," Naruto advised.
Jiraiya rose to his feet. "Please pay attention, everyone. To begin, I would like to greet each and every one of you as we embark on this adventure in our new village. Although our motivations for being here may differ, it is critical that we come together as a unified front to face the challenges of this unforgiving world."
Naruto noticed Lee seated next to Gai, glaring in Gaara's direction. That was an issue he needed to address. While he did not think Lee was the type to hold a grudge, he probably needed some closure.
Jiraiya continued. "Our first task will be to come up with a name for this village. Should we keep Uzushio as the name or change it?"
The villagers got into heated debates amongst themselves about the subject. Naruto was irritated that they had to even consider the matter, prompting him to rise and address the villagers. The audience fell silent as they waited for him to speak.
"We should take the name Uzushio and bring it back to its former glory," Naruto declared. "There are still Uzumakis out there, and I intend to bring them back to the island at some point."
"No one asked for your opinion, brat!" someone yelled.
"Who said that?" Naruto growled and looked around. "Do you have the courage to say it to my face?"
"Settle down," Jiraiya said, glaring at one of the civilians. The man flinched and hunched his shoulders to appear smaller. "I want to be absolutely clear. Naruto should not be treated differently simply because he is the Kyuubi's jinchuuriki. He will play an important role in our village."
Naruto was surprised to learn that everyone was already aware of his jinchuuriki status. His godfather was a firm believer in the importance of complete transparency in order to build a cohesive village.
“What do you mean?” Ino asked curiously.
"Because he is an Uzumaki, Naruto's legacy is deeply rooted in this village. As a result, he has a strong claim to anything that belongs to or is associated with the village."
"But there is nothing but ruins," Anko exclaimed.
"Perhaps at first glance," Jiraiya said, smiling. "But let's get back on topic. How should we name the village?"
Hiashi spoke up after a brief silence. "While I am not normally superstitious, I do have reservations about choosing a new name among the ruins of the old village. Starting over with a new name may not be the best way forward."
Hiashi's support surprised Naruto. The moment he spoke, the others no longer hesitated and spoke up. Some people agreed with Hiashi, while others demanded that a new name be chosen. To make a decision, they had to call a vote. In the end, Uzushio was chosen as the village name, which made Naruto happy.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Jiraiya approached him after the gathering to speak with him. "Naruto, I need you to accompany me to do something."
“What is it?”
"I mentioned before that the Uzumaki clan was keeping a secret. Follow me."
Naruto followed his godfather as he led him away from their encampment. They jumped onto the roof of a ruined building and proceeded east through the ruins of the destroyed village. Even in the dead of night, the enormity of the devastation was evident. It appeared that every single structure had been reduced to rubble.
For the first time, he felt rage towards the four hidden villages that had banded together to destroy Uzushio. The level of devastation here was too much as if the hidden villages harboured a deep resentment of the Uzumakis. He understood that weakening Konoha during the war was a strategic move, but he despised the Shinobi world for its proclivity to annihilate an entire clan for such reasons. When he thought of Sasuke, he could better understand the boy's need for vengeance after losing his entire clan.
After a brief journey, they arrived in a village area that appeared to have been a residential district. Jiraiya pointed to a seemingly ordinary building with a partially caved-in roof. "This is the structure that conceals the entrance to the Uzimakis' secret location. It is only accessible to those who are descended from the main family line."
"Why would such a small building conceal such a big secret?" Naruto asked before the rest of his words could register. "Wait a second. Are you saying that I am from the main line?"
"Kushina personally revealed to me that she was the direct heir of the Uzumaki clan, but her ancestry was concealed when she arrived in Konoha. Even the Third Hokage was unaware of her true identity."
“Why would they allow my mother to move to Konoha if she was so important to the clan?”
"For some reason, she was chosen to inherit Mito's burden of the Kyuubi," Jiraiya explained. "Perhaps the clan sensed that they would be targeted by the other hidden villages and sought to ensure her survival."
They entered the building and had to navigate through a pile of debris to the room in the back, where the roof was still intact. The room was spotless as if someone had just cleaned it, but there was no obvious secret entrance in sight.
Jiraiya walked around the room, rhythmically knocking on the wall with a distinct pattern, until he came to a halt at a seemingly blank section of the wall. “The key to opening the entrance should be here.”
“What do I have to do?” Naruto asked, coming to stand beside him.
Jiraiya handed him a kunai. “Cut your hand and press it against the wall here.”
Naruto did as he was told, cutting his hand with the kunai. Blood quickly welled up, prompting him to press his hand firmly against the wall. Naruto took a step back in surprise as a seal array appeared in front of him. A line emerged from the array's bottom and moved downward, touching the floor before crossing to the centre of the room. The sound of shifting stone filled the room as the floor parted to reveal a staircase leading down.
"Why are Shinobi so obsessed with underground secret locations?" Naruto grumbled.
"You will be on your own from here," Jiraiya said. "I doubt I will be allowed to enter."
“What exactly am I looking for?”
“Who knows?” Jiraiya shrugged. "When she found out she was pregnant with you, Kushina only told me the bare minimum. She wanted you to have a safe haven in case anything happened to Minato and her. Kushina inadvertently revealed one important detail; she appeared surprised that her father had not used the secret to protect the villagers."
Naruto proceeded down the stairwell with caution. When he got to the bottom, he discovered a small chamber with a massive stone door embedded in the far wall.
As soon as he stepped inside, a flurry of fuinjutsu seals appeared on the ground, immobilising Naruto. His feet were firmly planted on the floor, preventing him from moving no matter how hard he tried. Just as panic began to set in, a figure emerged at the centre of the room.
"Who the hell are you? Are you a ghost?" Naruto gasped in surprise.
It became clear very quickly that the man was not real. He appeared slightly translucent, allowing Naruto to see through him to the other side.
"You have finally arrived, my descendant. There is much that we need to discuss.”
So, what do you think? Naruto has met one of his ancestors. What is the secret the Uzumaki clan were hiding?
Thanks for reading.
