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Naruto: Uzumaki Patriarch
Chapter 8: The Fire of the Whirlpool
Konohagakure's streets buzzed with life, a stark contrast to the quiet intensity of Uzushiogakure. Kushina Uzumaki, her fiery red hair a beacon in the crowd, weaved through the market, a basket of groceries slung over her arm. At fifteen, she was a genin on the cusp of chunin, her vibrant energy earning her both friends and wary glances in the Hidden Leaf. But beneath her brash exterior, a knot of unease tightened in her chest. Word had reached Konoha: her cousin, Kazuto Uzumaki, a boy of ten, had become the head of their clan.
Kushina kicked a pebble down the path, her lips pursed. "Ten years old, clan head? Dattebane, that's insane!" she muttered, drawing a curious look from a passing vendor. She ignored him, her mind racing. Kazuto was her distant cousin, a kid she barely remembered from her early years in Uzushiogakure before she'd been sent to Konoha as the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. She'd heard he was a prodigy, a fuinjutsu genius, but leading the clan? That was a burden even she, with her Uzumaki vitality, couldn't imagine carrying at his age.
She stopped at a training ground, dropping her basket to stretch. Her team—Minato Namikaze, a blond genius with a knack for seals, and two others—were late, giving her time to think. Konoha was home now, but Uzushiogakure was her blood. The news of Kazuto's rise had come with whispers of trouble: a Kirigakure raid, repelled single-handedly by the boy they called the Crimson Patriarch. Kushina snorted. "Crimson Patriarch? He's just a kid!" But her amusement faded. The title carried weight, and the raid meant danger. Her clan was under threat, and she was stuck here, playing Konoha's Jinchuriki pawn.
"Kushina!" Minato's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He jogged over, his blue eyes bright with curiosity. "You look like you're about to punch a tree. What's up?"
She crossed her arms, glaring at the ground. "It's my cousin, Kazuto. He's clan head now, back in Uzushio. Ten years old, can you believe it? And he fought off Mist shinobi like it was nothing. Everyone's talking about his seals, like he's the second coming of the Sage or something, dattebane."
Minato raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Kazuto Uzumaki? I heard about him. They say his fuinjutsu makes ours look like child's play. He's got the village spooked—Hokage-sama's been in meetings all week about it."
Kushina's eyes narrowed. "Meetings? About what? Uzushio's our ally!" Her voice rose, drawing looks from nearby shinobi. She didn't care. Konoha's politics grated on her—too many secrets, too many agendas. She'd overheard whispers of a man named Danzo, a shadow who watched her too closely, his eyes cold and calculating. The thought of him meddling with her clan made her blood boil.
Minato hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The Hokage wants to strengthen ties with Uzushiogakure, but… some in the council think Kazuto's too young to lead. They're worried he'll destabilize the alliance. And after that Hyuga envoy came back empty-handed, tensions are high."
Kushina clenched her fists. "Destabilize? Kazuto's holding Uzushio together! If Kirigakure's sniffing around, Konoha should be sending help, not gossiping!" Her chakra flared, a faint red glow that made Minato step back. She took a deep breath, calming herself. "Sorry. It's just… he's family, y'know? And I'm stuck here, playing nice while my clan's in danger."
Minato's expression softened. "You're not stuck, Kushina. You're the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. That's power. If Uzushio needs you, you'll find a way to help." He grinned, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "Maybe you can learn some of Kazuto's seals. Give him a run for his money."
Kushina laughed, the tension easing. "Yeah, right. I'm good with seals, but that kid's on another level, dattebane." She picked up her basket, her resolve hardening. "I'm gonna write to him. See what's really going on. And if Konoha's playing games with my clan, I'll raise hell."
As she walked off, Minato watched her go, his mind on the reports he'd glimpsed in the Hokage's office. Kirigakure's raid wasn't the only threat. Rumors of Kumogakure's movements and whispers of a shadowy group in the shadows were spreading. Kazuto's rise was shaking the shinobi world, and Konoha's leaders were divided—Hiruzen Sarutobi advocating caution, while Danzo pushed for… something else. Minato frowned. Kushina's cousin was a wildcard, and the ripples of his actions were reaching far beyond Uzushiogakure.
Back in her small apartment, Kushina sat at her desk, a blank scroll before her. She dipped her brush in ink, hesitating. What do you say to a ten-year-old clan head? Hey, Kazuto, heard you're running the show now. Don't screw it up, dattebane? She smirked, then started writing, her words a mix of pride and worry. She didn't know him well, but he was Uzumaki. That meant strength, stubbornness, and a fire that wouldn't quit. If anyone could protect their clan, it was him.
As she sealed the scroll, a knock came at her door. A Konoha ANBU stood there, his mask expressionless. "Kushina Uzumaki, the Hokage requests your presence. It's about Uzushiogakure."
Kushina's heart sank. She grabbed her scroll, tucking it into her sleeve. Whatever Konoha wanted, she'd make one thing clear: her clan wasn't a pawn. Kazuto was fighting for their home, and she'd be damned if she let anyone undermine him.
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End of Chapter 8
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