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Naruto: Uzumaki Patriarch
Chapter 10: Shadows of the Leaf
Konohagakure's Hokage Tower loomed over the village, its red roof glowing under the midday sun. Inside, the air was thick with tension, the kind that clung to words unspoken. Kushina Uzumaki stood before the Hokage's desk, her arms crossed, her crimson hair a defiant blaze against the room's muted tones. At fifteen, she was a genin with a temper to match her Jinchuriki status, and today, that temper was barely leashed. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk, his pipe smoldering, his eyes weary but sharp. Beside him, in the shadows, stood Danzo Shimura, his bandaged face unreadable.
Kushina's summons had come after her outburst at the training grounds, her frustration over Uzushiogakure's troubles spilling out in front of Minato and others. Now, standing before Konoha's leaders, she felt like a caged beast. "So," she said, her voice edged with defiance, "you gonna tell me why you're poking around my clan's business, or do I have to guess, dattebane?"
Hiruzen exhaled a thin stream of smoke, his gaze steady. "Kushina, your loyalty to Uzushiogakure is admirable, but your tone is unwise. We're allies with your clan. Their troubles concern us."
"Concern?" Kushina scoffed, leaning forward. "Then why's your council whispering about my cousin Kazuto like he's a problem? He's ten, leading the Uzumaki, and he just stopped a Mist raid cold. You should be sending help, not spies like that Hyuga creep!"
Danzo's single visible eye narrowed, his voice low and cutting. "Toru Hyuga was an envoy, not a spy. Uzushiogakure's young clan head rejected our offer of cooperation. His actions raise questions about the alliance's stability."
Kushina's chakra flared, a red flicker that made the room's seals hum faintly. "Stability? Kazuto's holding Uzushio together while Kirigakure's sniffing around! You think a kid takes on that kind of fight for fun? He's protecting our home, dattebane!" Her fists clenched, itching to slam the desk, but Minato's calming words from earlier held her back—just barely.
Hiruzen raised a hand, his tone measured. "Enough. Kushina, we understand your concern. Uzushiogakure's strength is vital to Konoha. But Kazuto's youth and… unorthodox methods worry the council. Fuinjutsu of his caliber, wielded by a child, could draw unwanted attention from other villages."
Kushina's eyes flicked to Danzo, catching the glint of calculation in his gaze. She didn't trust him—hadn't since she'd arrived in Konoha years ago, a scared kid with the Nine-Tails sealed inside her. Danzo's ANBU watched her too closely, their masks hiding intentions she could only guess at. "Unwanted attention?" she said, her voice sharp. "You mean like Kumo or Iwa wanting our seals? Or maybe someone closer, fishing for leverage over my clan?"
Danzo's expression didn't shift, but the air grew heavier. "You speak boldly for a Jinchuriki, Uzumaki. Konoha protects you, ensures the Nine-Tails remains secure. Your clan's secrets are not our priority—peace is."
Kushina bristled, ready to snap back, but Hiruzen cut in. "Danzo, that's enough." He turned to Kushina, his voice softer but firm. "Kushina, we've received reports of Kirigakure's raid on Uzushiogakure. Kazuto's success is impressive, but it paints a target on your clan. We're preparing to send a diplomatic team to reaffirm our alliance. I'd like you to join them."
Kushina blinked, caught off guard. "Me? Go to Uzushio?" Her heart leaped at the thought of seeing her home, her clan, Kazuto. But suspicion crept in. "Why me? So I can play nice while you poke around our seals again?"
Hiruzen's lips twitched, a faint smile. "Because you're Uzumaki. Your presence will show unity, and your… passion will remind Kazuto that Konoha stands with him. But you'll need to temper that temper, Kushina. Diplomacy requires restraint."
Kushina snorted, but the offer was tempting. She'd written to Kazuto, her scroll still unanswered, and the chance to see him—to understand the kid who'd become the Crimson Patriarch—was too good to pass up. "Fine," she said, grudgingly. "But if I catch anyone snooping, I'm not holding back, dattebane."
Danzo spoke, his voice like gravel. "A Jinchuriki leaving Konoha is a risk. The Nine-Tails must be monitored. I'll assign ROOT agents to accompany her."
Kushina's glare could've burned through steel. "Keep your creepy goons away from me! I don't need babysitters, especially not yours." She'd heard rumors of ROOT—Danzo's secret force, loyal only to him. The thought of them trailing her to Uzushio made her skin crawl.
Hiruzen's pipe paused mid-puff. "No ROOT agents, Danzo. Kushina will travel with a standard team—jounin and chunin, no more. This is a diplomatic mission, not an operation." His tone was final, but Kushina caught the glance he shot Danzo, a silent warning. The Hokage's trust in his old friend was fraying, and she wasn't the only one who noticed.
Danzo inclined his head, but his eye gleamed with something Kushina couldn't place—ambition, maybe, or something darker. "As you wish, Hokage-sama." He stepped back, fading into the shadows, but his presence lingered like a chill.
Hiruzen dismissed Kushina, his voice kind but tired. "Prepare yourself, Kushina. You leave in three days. And… give my regards to Kazuto. He carries a heavy burden for one so young."
Kushina nodded, her defiance softening. She left the tower, her mind a whirlwind. Uzushiogakure was calling, and Kazuto was at its heart—a kid who'd faced down Mist shinobi with seals that shook the world. She admired him, envied him, worried for him. He was family, and she'd stand by him, no matter what Konoha's shadows planned.
As she walked through the village, the scroll in her sleeve felt heavier. She'd rewrite her letter tonight, tell Kazuto she was coming. Konoha's politics could burn for all she cared—Uzushiogakure was her blood, and she'd fight for it, just like her cousin.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen sat alone, his pipe cold. Danzo's words echoed, a quiet threat. Uzushiogakure's prodigy was a spark that could ignite war or peace, and Konoha's balance hung on the edge. Hiruzen sighed, his gaze distant. He'd protect the alliance, but Danzo's ambitions were a blade in the dark, and Kushina's fire might just draw it closer.
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End of Chapter 10
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