White clouds drifted.
The sky was clear for miles.
As a Konoha genin, Kazuku embarked on his first mission.
He knew plenty about the Land of Whirlpools' background.
After all, Naruto's protagonist, Uzumaki Naruto, was a descendant of the Uzumaki clan.
The Land of Whirlpools was founded by Uzumaki Ashina.
Its citizens were all Uzumaki clan members.
Born with vast chakra reserves, they were renowned for sealing techniques.
Including Minato's Eight Trigrams Seal for the Nine-Tails, Danzo's Four Symbols Seal for a bridge…
And the most famous, Reaper Death Seal, all came from the Uzumaki.
But their sealing prowess made other ninja villages fear them.
So, many villages united, attacked, and destroyed the Land of Whirlpools.
Only a few Uzumaki survived, living incognito, displaced.
Karin and her mother's plight showed this.
It was clear their bloodline was a double-edged sword.
Without a strong protector, they'd lose dignity, becoming ninja tools.
Kazuku glanced at Uzumaki Yuna trailing behind.
She was lucky, born in this era.
As long as Hashirama lived, the Five Great Villages' peace treaty held.
Ninja might clash over missions, but no large-scale wars would erupt.
From Hashirama's second Edo Tensei by Orochimaru…
Tsunade's gambling habit came from him.
Tsunade wasn't born yet.
Meaning Hashirama's "terminal illness" would let him live a few more years.
"Wait…"
Kazuku recalled.
Hashirama's death triggered the First Ninja World War.
And late in that war, Tobirama died in a Kumogakure coup.
After, Sarutobi Hiruzen became Hokage.
"Was the Land of Whirlpools destroyed under Sarutobi's rule?"
Kazuku mused.
No wonder some thought Sarutobi was shady.
Too many odd events happened on his watch.
"Tch, just the First Hokage's grandson, a ninja by connections. What's so great?" Yuna muttered behind Ashina.
Ashina pretended not to hear.
He couldn't afford to offend either side.
"But still, the First Hokage's grandson on this mission…"
To Ashina, it was clearly to train Kazuku.
Ninja earned rewards and village contribution per mission.
Contributions determined promotion to jonin.
"Looks like Lord Tobirama has high hopes for Kazuku," Ashina sighed.
The route to Whirlpool was familiar.
Bandits were the only real threat, and he could handle them alone.
Konoha's ninja weren't strictly needed.
This escort was more symbolic than practical.
Most crucially, as the First Hokage's grandson, Kazuku was vital to Konoha.
If enemies appeared, Sarutobi would prioritize Kazuku.
Yuna would be second.
As for Hatayama Sakumo, Ashina had no impression—probably a nobody.
Through his analysis, Ashina doubted Team 7's reliability, even questioning Tobirama's choice.
But as he deemed them unreliable, Sarutobi, leading the group, growled, "Everyone, be careful!"
His perception matched Ashina's.
As if confirming Sarutobi's warning, enemies burst from the trees.
Like two phantoms, they charged Yuna.
Instantly…
Sakumo used Body Flicker, appearing before Yuna, drawing his chakra short sword.
His kunai clashed with the enemy's blade, sparking red.
Then, a kick to his shoulder threw him off balance.
To stabilize, he retreated, leaving Yuna exposed.
Simultaneously, Ashina drew his samurai sword to strike, but the enemy's moves were sharper.
They parried with a black kunai, sparking dazzling lightning, infusing it with Lightning Release chakra for extra sharpness.
Only then did Ashina see their face.
These weren't bandits—they were trained ninja!
But…
Why were ninja ambushing here?
Questions flooded Ashina's mind, but he knew now wasn't the time.
The priority was resolving this crisis.
Then…
Ashina's peripheral vision caught Yuna, rigid with fear, legs rooted, eyes wide with terror, frozen.
Worried, he shouted, "Yuna, fall back!"
In this critical moment, he dropped honorifics for brevity.
But faster than words, a third shadow shot from the trees, fingers reaching for Yuna's chest.
The ninja who repelled Sakumo shifted, slashing at Ashina to pin him down, keeping him from Yuna.
At the same time, a fourth shadow attacked Sarutobi's vitals, clearly to tie him up, preventing a rescue.
As for Kazuku, the seven-year-old?
They ignored him.
What threat could a kid pose?
His hair wasn't red—he wasn't Uzumaki.
No threat, no value.
None of the sudden ninja spared him a glance.
"Uzumaki miss, you're mine."
As the third ninja's fingers neared Yuna's collar, ready to snatch her…
The ignored Kazuku appeared before him.
Though he couldn't use Body Flicker, Might Batsu's training made him faster than Danzo.
Their eyes met. Kazuku clenched his tender fist, swinging at the ninja.
Had he used a kunai, the ninja might've been wary. But seeing just a fist…
He laughed, mistaking Kazuku for a servant protecting his mistress.
He didn't take him seriously.
Those soft little fists, even hitting his chest, would be nothing.
Clearly, he didn't grasp the gravity.
Cherry Blossom Impact!
(End of Chapter)