The gates of Konoha rose before them, massive wooden structures adorned with the village's symbol, flanked by stone walls that spoke of generations of defines and renewal. Indra's column approached at a measured pace, the morning sun casting long shadows behind them. Already, Konoha shinobi lined the walls and rooftops—not threateningly, but observantly. Every movement was being watched, assessed, and catalogued.
Darui: (Walking beside Indra) "Standard security posture. Heightened, but not hostile. They've got at least three dozen ANBU blended into the surroundings. Two sensor types on the gate towers."
Indra: "Expected. And respectful. They're treating us as the diplomatic delegation we are, not as invaders." His Sharingan was active at its lowest level, enough to track the chakra signatures without being overtly provocative. "The Hyūga are particularly vigilant. See the rooftop to the northeast?"
Rias: (Following his gaze) "Three of them. Byakugan active. They're... focused on our group."
Indra: "Old tensions die hard. The attempted kidnapping of Hinata Hyūga during the last peace talks left scars." His voice remained neutral. "We'll need to be particularly diplomatic with them."
As they reached the gate proper, a delegation awaited them. Tsunade stood front and centre, the Fifth Hokage's hat casting shadow over her determined face. Flanking her were Jiraiya, Kakashi, and surprisingly, Hiruzen Sarutobi in simple robes rather than his Hokage attire. Several clan heads stood behind them—including a stern-faced Hiashi Hyūga whose Byakugan veins were visibly active.
Tsunade: "Welcome to Konoha, Kumo delegation. On behalf of the village, I extend formal greetings and safe passage for the duration of the Chunin Exams."
Her voice was professional, carrying the weight of her office, but Indra detected the slight tension around her eyes. This wasn't just a formal welcome—it was a test, for both sides.
Indra: (Bowing slightly, the perfect angle of diplomatic respect) "Hokage-sama. Thank you for your welcome. On behalf of Raikage A and the Village Hidden in the Clouds, we accept your hospitality and offer our respect for Konoha's traditions and history."
He straightened, meeting her gaze. The moment stretched—the prodigy of Kumo who had exposed Konoha's darkest secrets facing the Hokage who had inherited the aftermath.
Tsunade: "Your journey was uneventful, I trust?"
Indra: "Mostly. We had one... interesting encounter in the Land of Rivers. Which I believe we should discuss in more secure surroundings."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she nodded.
Tsunade: "Of course. First, accommodations. We've prepared the Azure Lotus compound for your delegation. It's secure, comfortable, and has training grounds suitable for maintaining readiness." She gestured to a chūnin who stepped forward with maps. "Your honor guard will be quartered adjacent. All within our security protocols, of course."
Indra: "Of course. We appreciate the consideration."
But before they could proceed, Hiashi Hyūga stepped forward, his Byakugan now fully active, the veins around his eyes pulsing.
Hiashi: "Indra Uzumaki-Uchiha. Your reputation precedes you. As head of the Hyūga clan, I feel compelled to address... historical tensions between our villages."
The air grew still. The Kumo honour guard subtly shifted stances. The Konoha shinobi on the walls became more alert.
Indra: (Turning fully to face Hiashi, his expression neutral) "Hyūga-sama. I am aware of the incident you reference. And I would state for the record: the actions of that Kumo team did not represent the will of the Raikage then, and certainly do not represent Kumo's policies under Raikage A's current leadership."
Hiashi: "Words are easily spoken. Yet you bring armed shinobi to our gates. Including... Uzumaki." His Byakugan swept over Rias and the other Uzumaki in their group. "A clan once allied with Konoha, now residing in Kumo."
Rias: (Stepping forward slightly) "By necessity, not choice. When Uzushio fell, Konoha offered sanctuary to some. But not to all. Not to those who couldn't reach you. Kumo offered shelter when we had none."
Her voice was firm but not accusatory. Stating facts, not assigning blame.
Indra: "The past holds many tragedies, Hyūga-sama. The attempted kidnapping of your daughter. The fall of Uzushio. The Uchiha massacre. The corruption we exposed." He looked from Hiashi to Tsunade to Hiruzen. "We can either be prisoners of that past, or we can build a better future. Kumo chooses the latter. I hope Konoha does as well."
The silence that followed was thick enough to carve. Hiashi's Byakugan remained active, but after a long moment, he gave a single, stiff nod.
Hiashi: "Your words have merit. But watch your people, Uchiha. The Hyūga will be watching."
Indra: "As is your right. And we will conduct ourselves in a manner that gives you no cause for concern."
Tsunade stepped back into the center, breaking the tension.
Tsunade: "Enough posturing. Indra, your key people with me. The rest of your delegation will be escorted to the Azure Lotus. We have matters to discuss."
The Hokage's office was exactly as Indra had imagined from his mother's descriptions—large windows overlooking the village, stacks of paperwork, the distinct smell of ink, old paper, and the faintest hint of medicinal herbs from Tsunade's own additions.
Indra entered with Rias, Darui, and Samui. The Konoha side comprised Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Hiruzen. Shizune stood quietly in the corner, taking notes.
Tsunade: (Sitting behind the desk, gesturing to chairs) "Sit. Let's dispense with excessive formality. You said you had an encounter on the road. Explain."
Indra: "Orochimaru intercepted me in the Land of Rivers. He's attending the exams as the Sound Kage."
The reaction was immediate. Jiraiya stiffened. Kakashi's visible eye widened. Hiruzen's shoulders slumped slightly, as if bearing a renewed weight. Only Tsunade remained composed, though her knuckles whitened where she gripped the desk.
Jiraiya: "Orochimaru... here? As a Kage? That's..."
Indra: "Plausible. The Sound Village has been recognized by the minor nations council. They have a team registered for the exams. And Orochimaru has always been a master of presentation when it serves his purposes."
Tsunade: "And you spoke with him. What did he want?"
Indra: "To assess me. To establish... boundaries. He knows I represent a variable he can't easily control or predict." He leaned forward slightly. "More importantly, he gave me a message for you, specifically."
Hiruzen: (Voice weary) "What message?"
Indra: "That he's not here for revenge. Not this time. He's here to observe. To... research, in his way. The gathering of all five villages, the concentration of unique bloodlines, the political tensions—it's a living laboratory to him."
Jiraiya: "And you believe him?"
Indra: "I believe he's telling a partial truth. He's certainly not here to launch an invasion—the risk would be insane with this concentration of power. But he'll be observing. Collecting data. Possibly... recruiting."
Kakashi: "Sasuke."
Indra: "Among others. Though I've made it clear that Sasuke and Naruto fall under my protection. As do all Uzumaki and Uchiha, wherever they reside."
Tsunade: "Your protection." There was no mockery in her tone, just assessment. "You're that confident in your ability to enforce that?"
Indra: "Yes."
The single word, spoken without arrogance, just as a statement of fact, hung in the air.
Hiruzen: "Orochimaru was my student. His fall was my failure. If he's here..."
Indra: "Then you'll have to decide whether to treat with him as a fellow Kage or confront him as a traitor. That's Konoha's internal matter. My concern, and my reason for telling you, is that his presence increases the danger level of these exams exponentially."
Tsunade: "Noted. And we'll take appropriate precautions." She studied him. "Now. Your stated reason for coming: to retrieve your father's remains. Fujian Uchiha."
Indra: "Yes. He died loyal to Konoha. But he was buried in an unmarked grave, his name erased because he dared to send his pregnant wife to safety. I intend to give him the honourable rest he deserves, in Kumo, with his family."
Hiruzen: "That decision wasn't mine, Indra. It was Danzo's, through the Council. I... objected. But not forcefully enough."
The old man's regret was palpable. Indra regarded him for a moment, then nodded.
Indra: "The past is a web of compromises and failures. I'm not here to assign blame. I'm here to correct one particular injustice."
Tsunade: "We'll arrange access to the gravesite. But not today. Today, get settled. Let your Genin acclimate. Tomorrow, we can discuss the particulars."
Indra: "Agreed." He stood. "One more thing. During our stay, my people will be sightseeing, training, and interacting with your shinobi. This is an opportunity for cultural exchange, not just competition. I hope Konoha will see it that way."
Tsunade: "As long as your people respect our laws and traditions, they'll be treated as honoured guests. Within reason."
Indra: "That's all we ask."
As they turned to leave, Jiraiya spoke up.
Jiraiya: "Indra. A moment? In private?"
Indra glanced at Rias, who nodded. "Go ahead. I'll get our people settled."
The Azure Lotus compound was as promised—spacious, well-appointed, with traditional architecture that blended Konoha's aesthetic with clear accommodations for guests. Rias oversaw the distribution of rooms, the setting of security protocols, the settling of Gennin who were trying not to stare too obviously at their first view of Konoha.
She was checking the perimeter seals when a voice called out.
Naruto: "Hey! You're from Kumo, right? The Uzumaki?"
She turned. Naruto stood at the compound's entrance, bouncing slightly on his feet, his bright orange jacket impossible to miss. Behind him, Jiraiya watched with an unreadable expression.
Rias: (Smiling) "Yes. Rias Uzumaki. And you must be Naruto. We're cousins, of a sort."
Naruto: "Cousins! That's so cool! I mean, I always wanted family, and now... there's a whole clan in Kumo? And you're one of them?"
Rias: "There are about fifty of us now. Survivors and descendants. Indra found us scattered across the minor nations, brought us together, gave us a home in Kumo."
She gestured him inside. Jiraiya followed, his eyes missing nothing.
Jiraiya: "Your security is impressive. Those seals on the walls—Uzumaki work, but modified. More... efficient."
Rias: "Indra's improvements. He has a talent for optimizing existing systems." She led them to a courtyard garden. "Would you like tea? We brought some from Lightning Country."
As she prepared tea, Naruto bombarded her with questions.
Naruto: "What's Kumo like? Is it really in the clouds? Do you know my parents? Well, you wouldn't have known them, but do you know about them? The scroll you sent—I could read parts of it! Stuff about seals that no one here could teach me!"
Rias: (Laughing softly) "One at a time, cousin. Kumo is mountainous, yes. Beautiful in a stark way. As for your parents..." She glanced at Jiraiya, who gave a slight nod. "We know of them. Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. Heroes. Your mother was from the main Uzumaki line. You have her strength."
She poured the tea, the aroma of mountain herbs filling the air.
Naruto: "And the biju! In your letter, you said Kumo has two of them? And they're... free?"
Rias: "Not free. Protected. Partners. Matatabi and Gyūki live in Kumo by choice. Indra created... accommodations for them. Smaller avatar forms they can use to interact without causing panic. They're part of the village's defense, but they're not prisoners."
Jiraiya: "That's unprecedented. Biju cooperating willingly with humans..."
Rias: "Indra treats them as people. Not as weapons or demons. He talks with them. Learns from them. And in return, they've chosen to protect Kumo." She sipped her tea. "It's part of his philosophy—that power shouldn't be about domination, but about mutual benefit."
Naruto: (His voice quieter) "The Nine-Tails... inside me... it's always been angry. Hateful. But sometimes, lately... I feel like maybe it's not all hate. That maybe..."
Rias: "Maybe it's lonely. Scared. Trapped." She reached across, touching his hand. "I'm not a jinchuriki. I can't pretend to understand what you carry. But I know this: in Kumo, we're researching ways to help biju and jinchuriki both. To make it less... painful. For both of you."
Naruto's eyes were wide, hopeful in a way that made Rias's heart ache. This boy had carried so much, alone for so long.
Jiraiya: "This research... it's based on Uzumaki sealing techniques?"
Rias: "Partly. Also on Indra's... unique insights. And on what the biju themselves have told us about their nature." She looked at Naruto. "When this is over, you should visit Kumo. Meet the clan. See that you're not alone. That there's a place where Uzumaki are valued, not feared."
Naruto: "I'd like that. A lot." Then he grinned, the familiar brightness returning. "But first, I'm gonna show everyone what Konoha can do at these exams! Your genin better be ready!"
Rias: (Smiling) "They are. But it's good to have worthy competition. Makes us all better."
They talked for another hour—about Uzumaki history, about life in Kumo, about Naruto's training with Jiraiya. As they prepared to leave, Rias brought out a package.
Rias: "For you. From the clan. Traditional Uzumaki clothing, modified for movement in combat. And some scrolls—basic sealing techniques that should be in every Uzumaki's repertoire."
Naruto took the package, uncharacteristically solemn.
Naruto: "Thank you. Really. It means... a lot."
Rias: "Family should look after family. Even when they're in different villages."
As they left, Rias watched them go, feeling the strange twist of seeing this bright, lonely boy who was kin, yet stranger. The complexities of their world, she thought, were both heartbreaking and beautiful.
Indra followed Jiraiya not to another office, but to Training Ground 7—the same one where Team 7 trained. Kakashi was already there, leaning against a tree. And standing in the center, practicing shuriken throws with precise, controlled motions, was Sasuke Uchiha.
Sasuke: (Without turning) "You're him. The Uchiha in Kumo."
Indra: "Yes. Indra Uzumaki-Uchiha. Your cousin, once removed."
Sasuke turned. His eyes were dark, intense, holding a weight far beyond his years. The Last Loyal Uchiha of Konoha, they called him. What a burden that must be.
Sasuke: "You sent me the scroll. The Lightning Release: Volt Tackle. It's... difficult. But I'm making progress."
Indra: "I can see that." Indra's Sharingan activated briefly. "Your chakra control needs refinement. You're forcing the lightning through your system rather than guiding it. That causes tissue damage over time."
He approached, ignoring the watchful eyes of Jiraiya and Kakashi.
Indra: "May I demonstrate?"
Sasuke nodded, stepping back. Indra took his position. Instead of the complex hand signs Sasuke had been using, Indra used only three, then held out his hand. Lightning crackled, but it was different—smoother, more fluid, almost liquid in its flow.
Indra: "The secret isn't in generating more power. It's in reducing resistance. Your body is part of the circuit. If you fight it, you lose efficiency. If you guide it..." The lightning formed a perfect sphere in his palm. "You become the path, not the obstacle."
He let the technique dissipate.
Indra: "Your training is good. But it's missing foundation. The Uchiha had specific methods for integrating elemental natures with Sharingan development. Those were lost with the massacre."
Sasuke: "And you have them?"
Indra: "Some. Reconstructed from my father's notes, from my own research." He reached into his pouch, withdrawing a scroll. "This is for you. An A-rank Fire Release technique: Blue Flare. It was one of my father's signatures. It requires fine chakra control and works synergistically with the Sharingan's predictive abilities."
Sasuke took the scroll, his fingers tightening on it.
Sasuke: "Why? Why give me this? We're from different villages. We're... competitors."
Indra: "Because you're Uchiha. Because the knowledge shouldn't die. Because..." He looked at the training ground, at the memorial stone just visible through the trees. "Because carrying a legacy alone is too heavy. Even if we're in different villages, we're still clan."
Kakashi spoke from his position against the tree.
Kakashi: "That's unusually generous for inter-village relations."
Indra: "It's not about villages. It's about blood. About history." He turned to Sasuke. "My father loved Konoha. Believed in it. Even when he sent my mother away to protect her and me, he stayed. Fought. Died for this village. And they buried him in an unmarked grave."
The bitterness was there, just beneath the surface.
Indra: "I don't hate Konoha. But I don't owe it loyalty either. What I owe is to my father's memory. To making sure his sacrifice isn't forgotten. And to making sure the Uchiha legacy isn't reduced to a massacre and one surviving heir full of hate."
Sasuke: "You think I'm full of hate."
Indra: "Aren't you?"
Sasuke didn't answer, but his silence was confirmation enough.
Indra: "It's alright to hate, Sasuke. What was done to our clan... to your family... hate is a natural response. But don't let it be the only thing you are. Don't let it blind you to everything else."
He stepped closer, his voice dropping.
Indra: "I read the reports. The truth about the massacre. Itachi was manipulated. Used. But he still made the choice. And Obito... he's still out there. Your hate isn't misplaced. But it needs direction. Purpose. Otherwise, it consumes you."
Sasuke: "What would you know about it? You weren't there. You didn't see..."
Indra: "No. I didn't. But I've seen the graves. Tomorrow, I'm going to see them. You should come with me."
Sasuke looked at him, then at Kakashi, who gave a slight nod.
Sasuke: "Why?"
Indra: "Because sometimes, facing the reality is better than living with the memory. And because... we should pay our respects together. As the last Uchiha of Konoha and the Uchiha who never was."
The next morning, under a grey sky that threatened rain, Indra and Sasuke walked through the Uchiha district. It was... eerie. Beautifully maintained buildings, clean streets, gardens tended—but empty. No children playing. No adults going about their day. No life.
Indra: "They keep it up."
Sasuke: "The Hokage's orders. As a memorial. Sometimes I come here just to... remember what it was like. The sounds. The smells."
They reached the compound's central area. And there, behind the main family building, was the cemetery.
Row upon row of graves. Hundreds of them. Some elaborate, with family names and inscriptions. Others simpler. And in one section...
Indra: "The children."
Graves smaller than the others. Dozens of them. Indra walked slowly along the rows, reading the inscriptions. Some as young as a week old. Infants. Toddlers. Children who would have been Sasuke's age now.
And among them, pregnant women. "Uchiha Hana, 24, and unborn child." "Uchiha Yumi, 22, expecting."
His hands clenched at his sides. His Sharingan activated without conscious thought, the Tomoe spinning slowly.
Indra: "He killed new burns, Pregnant women, Not in battle. Not in some grand conflict. In their homes. In their beds."
His voice was flat, controlled, but beneath it raged a cold, precise fury.
Sasuke: "Itachi. He... he looked me in the eyes afterward. Told me to hate him. To get stronger. To come for him."
Indra: "Itachi was a tool. A broken, manipulated tool. But Obito... he facilitated this. He helped. He watched." Indra turned to Sasuke. "Your hate should be for both of them. But more for the one who orchestrated it. Danzo is dead. But Obito lives. And he'll answer for this. I promise you that."
They moved to the adult graves. Indra found his father's—a simple marker with only a number. No name. No dates. Just "Plot 47."
Indra: "They erased him. Even in death."
Sasuke: "I remember Uncle Fujian. He was... kind. He used to bring me sweets when he visited. He'd ruffle my hair and tell me to take care of my brother." Sasuke's voice broke slightly. "I didn't understand why he stopped coming. Then... then it happened."
Indra placed a hand on the grave marker. His chakra flared briefly, and the stone reshaped itself, forming letters, an inscription:
"Fujian Uchiha. Loyal son of Konoha. Beloved husband of Delia. Father of Indra. He chose honour over obedience, family over tradition. May he find peace."
Sasuke: "You can... reshape stone?"
Indra: "One of my abilities. Matter manipulation." He knelt, placing a bundle of lightning lilies—flowers that grew only in Kumo's highest peaks—against the stone. "I was nine when I got the news. My mother... she didn't cry. Not where I could see. But for weeks, she'd wake up screaming in the night."
He stood, looking at the rows of graves.
Indra: "We lived in a small town in the Land of Hot Springs. My father would visit when he could—disguised, careful. He'd teach me things. Basic chakra control. History. He told me about the Uchiha. About our eyes. About our potential. About our... curse."
Sasuke: "Curse?"
Indra: "The curse of hatred, he called it. The tendency of Uchiha to feel too deeply, love too strongly, and when that love is lost... to fall into darkness." He looked at his Sharingan reflected in a puddle. "He warned me about it. Told me to cherish what I had, so I'd never have to know that loss."
Sasuke: "But you did. You lost him."
Indra: "Yes. And it hurt. But I had my mother. I had the Uzumaki who became family. I had Kumo, which gave us sanctuary. My love wasn't reduced to one person, one thing. When he died, I didn't have nothing left. That's the difference."
He turned fully to Sasuke.
Indra: "You lost everyone. Everything. All at once. No one should have to bear that. No child." He placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "I'm taking my father's remains back to Kumo. Where he'll be honoured, remembered. Where my mother can visit him. Where he belongs with family."
Sasuke: "And the others? All these graves?"
Indra: "They stay here. This is their home. Their memorial. But you... you don't have to be alone with them. You have a standing invitation to Kumo. To train. To learn. To be with what remains of our clan."
Sasuke: "I'm a Konoha shinobi."
Indra: "You're an Uchiha first. And right now, you're the only Uchiha in Konoha. That's a heavy burden. I'm offering you... respite. Not defection. Respite."
They stood in silence for a long time, surrounded by the ghosts of their clan.
Sasuke: "The Volt Tackle technique... I'm having trouble with the third chakra pathway. It keeps collapsing."
Indra: "Show me."
And there, among the graves of their family, Indra began to teach Sasuke. Correction of stance. Adjustment of chakra flow. Refinement of technique. Two Uchiha, from different villages, bound by blood and loss, keeping their legacy alive in the only way they could—by passing it on.
When Indra returned to the Azure Lotus compound, evening was settling over Konoha. The village lights were coming on, giving the place a warmth that contrasted with the grey afternoon.
Rias met him at the gate.
Rias: "Sasuke?"
Indra: "Alive. Hurting. But strong. He'll be a formidable shinobi one day." He looked tired, she realized. Not physically—his chakra was as deep and calm as ever—but emotionally. "The graves... there were so many, Rias. Children. Babies."
She took his hand, leading him inside to their rooms.
Rias: "I met Naruto. He's... bright. Like sunshine. But lonely in a way that aches to see."
Indra: "Two boys, carrying the weight of their legacies. One with too much family in graves, one with none at all." He sat on the engawa, looking out at Konoha's nightscape. "This village... it's beautiful. Alive. But it's built on so much pain. So many secrets."
Rias: "Like all villages. Like Kumo had its darkness before you."
Indra: "Yes. But seeing it here... it makes our mission clearer. We're not just showing Kumo's strength. We're showing there's another way. That villages don't have to be prisons of the past."
She sat beside him, leaning against his shoulder.
Rias: "The Gennin did well today. Sightseeing, but observant. They noted security postures, tactical layouts, even social dynamics. Erza already has three pages of notes on Konoha's defensive structures."
Indra: (A faint smile) "She would. Good. This is as much an intelligence gathering mission as a diplomatic one. Within bounds, of course."
They sat in comfortable silence for a time, watching the village.
Rias: "Tomorrow, the exams begin in earnest. Registration. Preliminary assessments. Are you ready?"
Indra: "Yes. And no. Ready for the competition? Certainly. Ready for the politics, the games, the subtle knives in the dark?" He shook his head. "But we'll manage. We always do."
He thought of Sasuke among the graves, of Naruto's hopeful eyes, of the rows of small stones marking children who would never grow up. Of his father's unmarked grave, now marked.
Indra: "We're going to do something unprecedented, Rias. We're going to show that villages can cooperate even as they compete. That bloodlines can be shared, not hoarded. That power can be used to build, not just destroy."
Rias: "And if they don't accept it? If they see our openness as weakness? Our sharing as vulnerability?"
Indra: "Then we'll be strong enough to withstand their misunderstanding. And patient enough to wait for them to learn."
He stood, offering her his hand.
Indra: "Come. Let's check on the genin. Tomorrow begins the real work."
Hand in hand, they walked back into the compound, leaving Konoha's lights sparkling below them—a village of contradictions, of beauty and pain, of legacy and loss. And in its midst, the lightning from the mountains, there to compete, to learn, to remember, and perhaps, to begin healing wounds that had festered for too long.
The Chunin Exams would begin in earnest tomorrow. And with them, a new chapter in the relationship between Leaf and Lightning. Between past and future. Between what was, and what could be.
Naruto practically floated back to his apartment, the package from Rias clutched to his chest like a treasure. The Uzumaki clothing felt substantial through the wrapping, and the scrolls... actual Uzumaki sealing techniques! Not the basic stuff Iruka-sensei had shown him, but real clan knowledge.
Naruto: (To himself as he climbed the stairs) "I have family. Real family. Not just old man Hokage or Iruka-sensei being nice because they have to. Actual cousins! A whole clan!"
He burst into his apartment—cleaner now that he actually had visitors sometimes—and tore open the package. The clothing was a deep, vibrant red with subtle whirlpool patterns along the edges. It felt... different from normal fabric. Lighter but stronger. When he held it up, he realized it was designed like a combat uniform, with reinforced joints, hidden pockets, and even places for sealing scrolls.
Naruto: "Whoa... this is awesome!"
The scrolls were next. Three of them, each marked with Uzumaki symbols he somehow recognized despite never being taught them. Blood memory, Rias had called it. The first contained basic sealing theory—but "basic" by Uzumaki standards meant things that would be advanced anywhere else. The second had practical applications: storage seals, barrier fundamentals, even the beginnings of space-time techniques.
But the third... the third was personal. A letter from Venelana Uzumaki, Rias's mother. Naruto's mother's cousin.
He unrolled it carefully, the elegant handwriting somehow feeling familiar.
"Dear Naruto,
If you're reading this, then you've met my daughter Rias, and Indra has deemed the time right for you to know more of your family. Your mother, Kushina, was my favorite cousin. We grew up together in Uzushio before everything fell apart. She was fierce, passionate, and had the loudest laugh of anyone in the clan. She would be so proud of the young man you've become.
I want you to know that you are not alone. The Uzumaki scattered after the fall, but we are still a clan. Still a family. And family looks after its own. When you are ready, there is always a place for you in Kumo, if only to visit, to learn, to know where you come from.
The techniques in the other scrolls are your birthright. Learn them. Master them. But more importantly, live well. Be happy. That's what Kushina would have wanted most.
With love,
Your aunt, Venelana Uzumaki"
Naruto read the letter three times, tears he refused to acknowledge blurring the words. He had an aunt. People who remembered his mother. Who knew her laugh.
For a long time, he just sat there, holding the letter, the weight of years of loneliness slowly being replaced by something else—connection.
Then he remembered what Rias had said about the Biju in Kumo. About Matatabi and Gyūki being partners, not prisoners. About research to help Jinchuriki.
Naruto: (Taking a deep breath) "Okay, Nine-Tails. Let's try this again. A different way."
He sat cross-legged on the floor, closing his eyes, focusing inward. The familiar darkness of his mindscape formed around him—the damp, sewer-like environment, the massive gate at the end.
Naruto: "Hey! I know you can hear me! I want to talk!"
Silence. Then a low, rumbling growl that vibrated through the mental space.
Kurama: "Talk? What could you possibly have to say that I haven't heard a thousand times before, brat? More pleas? More threats? More naive nonsense about 'understanding'?"
Naruto: "Not this time. I just... I met my cousin from Kumo. She says they have two tailed beasts there. Matatabi and Gyūki. And they're... they're not locked up. They have smaller forms they can use. They talk to people. They're part of the village."
The silence this time was different. More attentive.
Kurama: "The Two-Tails and Eight-Tails... cooperating with humans. Willingly." A snort, but there was something behind it—not just disdain, but something almost like... curiosity. "They were always the softer ones. Gullible."
Naruto: "My cousin says they're researching ways to make it easier. For the Biju and the Jinchuriki. So, it doesn't have to be... like this." He gestured at the bars, the darkness, the hostility.
Kurama: "Research." The word dripped with contempt. "More human experiments. More attempts to control, to use."
Naruto: "No! Not like that! She said—"
Kurama: "I don't care what she said!" The roar shook the mindscape, water rippling violently. "I have been trapped in humans for generations! Used as a weapon! Hated and feared! Your village sealed me in you as a weapon, not a person! And now you come with pretty stories about Kumo treating biju 'nicely'?"
The eyes behind the gate glowed with furious red light.
Kurama: "Those two have always been weak! Accepting scraps of kindness from humans who would turn on them in an instant! I am not weak! I will not be tamed! I will not be a pet!"
Naruto: "That's not what I'm asking! I'm just saying maybe... maybe we don't have to be at war all the time! Maybe we could—"
Kurama: "GET OUT!"
The mental push was violent, throwing Naruto back into consciousness. He gasped, opening his eyes to his apartment, sweat beading on his forehead.
Naruto: (Panting) "Okay... not ready to talk yet. But... he listened. At first, he listened."
He looked at the Uzumaki clothing, at the scrolls, at the letter. For the first time, he had something besides anger to offer the beast inside him. A different possibility. Not today, maybe not for a long time. But the seed was planted.
A knock at his door.
Sakura: "Naruto? You in there? We're meeting at Training Ground 3 in thirty minutes! Kakashi-sensei actually gave us a time!"
Naruto: (Jumping up, stuffing the precious items into a drawer) "Coming! Be right there!"
He took one last look at the letter before closing the drawer. Family. He had family. And maybe, just maybe, that changed everything.
Sasuke's apartment was stark, minimalist. A place to sleep, to train, to plan. Not a home—homes had family, and his family was in the ground.
He laid out the scroll Indra had given him on his low table. "Blue Flare - A-rank Fire Release Technique." The description was detailed, the hand signs complex but efficient. But what fascinated him were the notes in the margins—his uncle Fujian's handwriting, according to Indra.
"The key is compression. Most fire techniques expand outward. Blue Flare compresses inward first, increasing temperature exponentially before release. Visualize not an explosion, but an implosion that then redirects."
"Sharingan synchronization: time the release with the predictive function. Don't just aim where they are—aim where they will be when the flame arrives."
Sasuke's fingers traced the characters. This was more than a technique scroll. It was a piece of his uncle, of his clan. A fragment of the Uchiha legacy that hadn't been lost.
He stood, moving to the centre of the room. Ran through the hand signs slowly, precisely. Felt his chakra gather, fire-nature energy swirling in his chest. Compress, don't expand. Implosion, then...
A blue spark flickered at his fingertips, then died.
Sasuke: "Timing's off. The conversion from compression to release..."
He tried again. And again. Each failure taught him something. The technique was difficult, demanding perfect chakra control and timing. But he could feel its potential. Blue flames burned hotter than orange—much hotter. This wasn't just another fireball; this was something that could cut through defenses, that could...
That could kill Itachi.
The thought came unbidden. With this technique, with the Volt Tackle, with everything he was learning... he was getting stronger. Strong enough, someday, to face his brother. To make him answer for what he'd done.
But then Indra's words echoed in his mind: "Itachi was a tool. A broken, manipulated tool. But Obito... he facilitated this. He helped. He watched."
Who deserved his vengeance more? The brother who had wielded the blade, or the shadow who had sharpened it?
Sasuke sat again, looking at the scroll. At the graves he'd visited that day. At the small markers for children, for pregnant women.
Sasuke: (Whispering to the empty room) "Father. Mother. I'm... I'm not alone anymore. There's another Uchiha. One who remembers you. Who honours you."
The loneliness that had been his constant companion since that night... it wasn't gone. But it had shifted. Become something with edges, with definition, rather than just a void.
Another knock—less urgent than Sakura's had been for Naruto.
Kakashi: "Sasuke? Training ground in twenty. And... bring the scroll if you want. We can work on it."
Sasuke carefully rolled the scroll, securing it. He changed into fresh clothes, strapped his weapons pouch, and paused at the door. Looked back at the empty apartment.
Sasuke: "I will restore our honor. I promise."
Then he left, closing the door on the silence.
Sakura arrived at Training Ground 3 early, hoping to organize her thoughts before her teammates arrived. They'd both been acting... different since the Kumo delegation arrived. Naruto was bouncing with some secret excitement. Sasuke was even more intense than usual, but with a focus that seemed different from his usual brooding vengeance.
And then there were the Kumo shinobi themselves.
She'd seen them around the village today. Not just the Gennin—who were impressive enough with their discipline and strange equipment—but the older ones. The Jonin. And especially that woman, Rias Uzumaki, who was apparently Naruto's cousin.
Sakura: (Muttering as she set up training posts) "She's... well, she's everything I'm not."
It wasn't just the obvious—though that was painful enough. Rias had curves in places Sakura didn't, hips that swayed with confident grace, a bust that filled out her Kumo uniform in ways that made Sakura acutely aware of her own... slenderness. But it was more than physical. It was the way she carried herself. Confident without being arrogant. Powerful but approachable. A Jonin, apparently, and not much older than Sakura herself.
And she was an Uzumaki. From a clan. With history, with legacy. What was Sakura? A civilian-born girl with good chakra control but no special bloodline, no clan techniques, nothing but hard work and...
"Hey, Forehead!"
Sakura turned, forcing a smile as Ino approached, followed by Shikamaru and Choji. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio looked relaxed, though Shikamaru had that analytical look he got when he was processing something complex.
Ino: "Waiting for your boys? They're probably off doing something dramatic. You know how they are."
Sakura: "They'll be here. Kakashi-sensei actually gave us a set time for once."
Shikamaru: "Mm, probably because of the exams. Everything's getting formalized." He looked toward the village centre. "Saw the Kumo delegation today. Interesting group."
Ino: "Interesting? That red-haired woman is gorgeous! And those clothes they wear—functional but stylish! I heard she's Naruto's cousin! Can you believe it? Naruto having actual family?"
Sakura: "I heard." Her voice came out tighter than she intended.
Ino's eyes narrowed, her perceptiveness cutting through Sakura's attempt at casualness.
Ino: "Oh, I see. Feeling threatened, Forehead? Don't worry, you're still the only pink-haired bookworm Sasuke knows."
Sakura: "It's not that! It's just... she's a Jonin. And she's, our age. And she's from this legendary clan. And she's... well, look at her."
Shikamaru: "Rias Uzumaki. Age: approximately sixteen, Jonin of Kumo. Summoner of the newly rediscovered Silent Wing Bat Clan. Romantic partner of Indra Uzumaki-Uchiha. And yes, physically striking, but that's the least interesting thing about her."
Choji crunched on a chip bag. "She seemed nice when we saw her at the market. She was buying flowers. Asked about the best places for view of the village."
Ino: "You talked to her?"
Choji: "She asked about the chips I was eating. Said they smelled different from Lightning Country snacks. We talked about regional foods for a few minutes. She was... normal. Friendly."
Shikamaru: "Which is probably strategic. Making connections, gathering information through casual interaction. But genuine too, I think." He looked at Sakura. "You're focusing on the wrong things. Her appearance, her bloodline... that's not what makes her dangerous."
Sakura: "Dangerous?"
Shikamaru: "She's Kumo. And Kumo right now is... problematic. For Konoha's position, I mean." He sighed, the way he did when explaining something obvious that others missed. "Indra Uzumaki-Uchiha. Let me list what we know from intelligence reports and today's observations."
He ticked off on his fingers:
Shikamaru: "One: He created a permanent lake in the Land of Wind desert. Not a water technique that will evaporate. A permanent geographical feature. That's power on the level of First Hokage's forest creation, but with a different element.
"Two: He cured the Mangekyō Sharingan's blindness flaw. Something no Uchiha in history managed, not even Madara.
"Three: He has two major summon contracts—eagles and elephants—and has apparently facilitated a third for his partner. Summon clans don't give contracts lightly, especially not to the same person.
"Four: He's revolutionized Kumo's infrastructure with inventions that have made them economically independent and defensively impregnable.
"Five: He's gathered and protected the largest population of Uzumaki outside Uzushio, and apparently has positive relationships with two tailed beasts."
He looked at their stunned faces.
Shikamaru: "And he's not even twenty. He makes the Sannin at their peak look like... well, like they took longer to achieve less."
Ino: "You're exaggerating."
Shikamaru: "Am I? The lake in Wind Country is documented. Multiple sources. The healing pods in Kumo—we have spies' reports. People with injuries that should be career-ending are back in the field in weeks. Their grain production has tripled. They have some kind of aerial surveillance network that makes infiltration nearly impossible."
He shook his head.
Shikamaru: "And now he's here. With Gennin who are equipped with technology we don't understand. With Jonin who are probably as enhanced as he is in some way. For the Chunin Exams? Yes. But also, to send a message: Kumo is the future. Konoha is the past."
Sakura: (Swallowing) "And... Rias? Where does she fit?"
Shikamaru: "She's, his partner. Probably nearly as powerful in her own way. And she's Uzumaki—Naruto's blood. That creates a connection, a potential loyalty conflict." He looked at Sakura meaningfully. "Your teammate now has family in another village. Family who might offer him things Konoha hasn't. That's a problem for team cohesion."
Before Sakura could respond, Naruto burst into the training ground, beaming.
Naruto: "Hey! Sorry I'm late! Got caught up with... stuff!"
Right behind him, Sasuke arrived with his usual silent grace, a new scroll case at his hip.
Sakura: (Forcing brightness) "You're actually on time! Both of you! Miracle!"
But as she looked at her teammates—Naruto practically glowing with some secret joy, Sasuke focused in a new way—she felt what Shikamaru meant. They were changing. The world was changing. And she was just Sakura, trying to keep up.
After training—which consisted mostly of Kakashi watching them attempt new techniques with that infuriatingly calm eye—Naruto made his usual declaration.
Naruto: "Ramen! I need ramen! All that training worked up a hunger!"
Kakashi: "Actually, not a bad idea. Public place, casual setting. Good for observing how other delegations are interacting with the village."
Which is how Team 7 found themselves at Ichiraku Ramen just as evening settled fully over Konoha. The place was more crowded than usual—with other Konoha teams, but also with shinobi from other villages. Sand ninja in one corner, Stone ninja in another, Mist ninja keeping to themselves.
And at the end of the counter, just being served, were Indra and Rias.
Naruto: (Eyes lighting up) "Cousin Rias! And... uh..."
Indra: "Indra. We met briefly."
Rias: (Smiling) "Naruto. And Sasuke. And Sakura, right? And Kakashi-san."
They made room as Team 7 slid onto adjacent stools. The atmosphere was... charged, but not hostile. Curious.
Teuchi: "The usual for everyone? Except our guests from Kumo—first time! I recommend the miso pork!"
As orders were taken and bowls prepared, Sakura found herself studying the Kumo pair up close. Indra was... intense. Not in a loud way like Naruto, but in a quiet, observant way. His eyes missed nothing. And Rias... close up, she was even more impressive. But also, as Choji had said, normal. She thanked Teuchi warmly, complimented the aroma, asked about the broth's ingredients.
Naruto: "So! You like ramen too! It's the best, right?"
Rias: "We have different foods in Kumo. More grilled meats, mountain vegetables. But this is excellent. Comfort food."
Indra: (To Sasuke) "The Blue Flare. How's progress?"
Sasuke: "Difficult. The compression phase is... unstable."
Indra: "Try reversing the third and fourth hand signs. The standard sequence assumes Uchiha-level fire affinity from childhood training. Your training was... interrupted. The reversal accounts for a different development path."
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly. He'd been struggling with exactly that transition.
Sasuke: "I'll try that. Thank you."
Kakashi: (Watching the exchange) "Generous of you to share clan techniques."
Indra: "They're not 'clan techniques' if the clan is nearly extinct. They're legacy. And legacy should be preserved." He looked at Sasuke. "My father would have wanted you to have them. He spoke of Fugaku's sons. Of their potential."
Something shifted in Sasuke's expression—a slight softening around the eyes.
Sakura: (Gathering courage) "Indra-san? If... if I may ask? Your inventions. The healing pods. How do they work?"
Indra turned his gaze to her, and Sakura felt like a specimen under a microscope. But not in a cruel way—in an analytical way.
Indra: "Chakra-assisted cellular regeneration combined with precise nutrient and medication delivery. They accelerate natural healing processes while preventing infection and reducing scar tissue." He studied her. "You have an interest in medical ninjutsu?"
Sakura: "I... yes. I'm training under Lady Tsunade."
Indra: "Then you're learning from the best. Our pods supplement medic-nin, they don't replace them. For complex cases, for chakra system damage, for psychological trauma... no machine can replace a skilled healer's touch."
The acknowledgment—respectful, genuine—made Sakura stand a little straighter.
Rias: "Speaking of healing... Naruto, that letter from my mother. She meant every word. When this is over, you should visit. See the clan compound. Meet everyone."
Naruto: "I want to! I really do! And... and see the biju? Matatabi and Gyūki?"
Indra: "If they're willing to meet you. They're individuals, not exhibits. But yes, I could arrange it."
The ramen arrived, and for a few minutes, there was just the sound of eating, of appreciation. Then...
Ino: (Approaching with Shikamaru and Choji) "Well, well. The future of Konoha and the future of Kumo, breaking bread together. Or breaking noodles, anyway."
Shikamaru: "Troublesome. But strategically interesting."
Indra: (Nodding to them) "Yamanaka. Nara. Akimichi. The Ino-Shika-Cho formation. Your clans' combination techniques are masterpieces of tactical coordination."
Shikamaru: "You've studied them."
Indra: "I study everything. The Nara shadow techniques in particular—the way they manipulate darkness as a physical medium. Fascinating applications of Yin Release."
Shikamaru actually looked impressed. Most people didn't understand the complexity behind what his clan did.
Ino: (To Rias) "Your hair is amazing! That color! And so thick! What do you use on it?"
Rias: (Laughing) "Uzumaki genetics, mostly. But there's a seaweed conditioner from the Lightning Country coast that helps with the dryness from high altitude."
As Ino and Rias fell into conversation about hair care, and Choji and Naruto debated ramen toppings, and Shikamaru and Indra discussed tactical theory, Sakura watched. And something in her shifted.
They were just... people. Powerful, yes. From a rival village, yes. But people. With interests, with knowledge to share, with curiosity about others.
Sakura: (To Indra) "The cellular regeneration you mentioned... does it work on nerve damage? There's a technique I've been studying for peripheral nerve repair, but the chakra control required..."
Indra: "Nerve regeneration is more complex. The pods can create optimal conditions, but the actual reconnection requires precise chakra channeling that mimics the body's natural pathways. Tsunade-sama's Creation Rebirth technique is the gold standard for that level of healing."
He went on to explain some of the principles, not giving away secrets but sharing enough to show he respected her interest. And Sakura realized: this was what Shikamaru meant about Kumo being the future. Not because they hoarded knowledge, but because they seemed to... share it. Strategically, yes. But they shared.
As the evening wound down, teams began to head back to their quarters. The Kumo delegation had a curfew, as did the Konoha genin with exams starting tomorrow.
Indra: (Standing, placing payment on the counter) "Tomorrow begins the written exam. A test of intelligence, of information gathering, of handling pressure. Your training will serve you well."
Rias: (To Naruto) "Good luck. But more than luck—trust what you know. Your instincts are better than you think."
Naruto: "Thanks! And... thank you. For everything."
As Indra and Rias walked away into the Konoha night, the two groups separated again—Kumo to their compound, Konoha to their homes. But something had changed. Connections had been made. Perspectives shifted.
Sakura: (As they walked) "They're... not what I expected."
Shikamaru: "No. They're more dangerous because of it. Charm is a more effective weapon than fear. And knowledge sharing creates obligation, indebtedness."
Naruto: "Or maybe they're just nice people who want to help!"
Sasuke: (Quietly) "Both can be true. Strategy and sincerity aren't mutually exclusive."
They walked in silence for a while, each lost in thought.
Kakashi: "Remember: tomorrow is the first real test. Not just of skill, but of judgment. Of how you handle yourselves in a room full of potential enemies. Of what you choose to reveal, and what you choose to conceal."
He looked at each of them.
Kakashi: "Get rest. Be sharp. And... trust each other. That's still your greatest advantage."
As they parted ways—Naruto to his apartment with his new treasures, Sasuke to his with his new techniques, Sakura to her home with new perspectives—Konoha settled around them. A village preparing for the storm of competition, for the gathering of nations, for the beginning of something that would change everything.
And at the centre of it all, lightning from the mountains walked among them, not as conqueror, but as catalyst.
Tomorrow, the Chunin Exams would begin in earnest. And with them, the future.
End of Chapter 26