Shukaku rampaged, and the Fourth Kazekage put a stop to it. After some time in the empty town of Sand Village, the focus turns to Rasa, the fourth Kazekage, as he stood where Yashumaru died. There were still blood stains where his body blew up. The loss of his brother-in-law was heavy on his heart, but he was powerless against the council's decision.
Rasa gazed up at the night sky, the gentle glow of the moon and a reflection of a child reflecting in his troubled eyes.
It was Gaara, suspended in the air by chains made of Gold Dust, a result of his father's Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai. The moon shone behind his back, and the chains held him in the sky like a human cross. Rasa looked at the newly carved mark of 'Love' (愛) seemed to mock him as blood dripped from it.
Two elders, Chiyo the puppet master and her brother, Ebizō, jumped near Rasa. They had disappointment clear on their face.
Chiyo gazed upon the chained child whose suffering she sealed with her own hands. It was she who sealed the Shikaku in Gaara when he was in his mother's womb.
"This Jinchuriki," she declared, the word like grit, "is a failure." She turned to Rasa, her disappointment cold and sharp. "And this failure, Kazekage, reflects the weak young blood of our village."
Rasa sighed deeply, weariness evident from the burden of his responsibilities. "I know this, Lady Chiyo. Do not lecture me on what our village lacks."
Chiyo scoffed at Rasa's response. "I'm just pointing out that the children from other villages are much more capable and stronger than ours. We must do better in nurturing our future shinobi. While perusing the medical journal the other day, I stumbled upon a remarkable young medical prodigy from Leaf Village. This young boy, a mere few years older than your eldest, has already made a name for himself in many circles."
Rasa confirmed, his tone weary but knowledgeable. "My spies in River Country informed me. He is the subject of discussion both there and in the Fire Country. He is the youngest medical apprentice ever and an inventor and apparently a budding ninja at the academy. Rumours name him the smartest child alive."
Chiyo added, "He is also an apprentice of the Senju princess, one of the legendary Sannin."
Surprised, Ebizo asked, "Who is this boy?"
Chiyo replied, "Ryu Hamura."
"The subordinate clan of the great Senju clan," Ebizo mused. "I heard they were all dead."
Chiyo explained, "Throughout history, that clan has been known as the builders and creators of remarkable artefacts. That teapot we use for sealing Shukaku is also their creation from ancient times. So it's not a surprise this boy is a creator."
Rasa then looked at the siblings seriously and said, "This Ryu kid was attacked in River Country by elite rogue ninjas of Cloud Village, and he survived somehow. He is bound to become a formidable enemy, if he is not one already. He carries a bounty greater than most Jonin. I do not know if this price is for his knowledge or his strength, but I fear it is for both."
She mused, "The Leaf produces these rare talents at a very young age and too often. Even now, I see the shadow of that yellow-haired brat in my sleep. His student also made a name for himself at a very young age. Even now there are quite a few names I keep hearing again and again."
Ebizo asked, "What was this Leaf brat doing in River country?"
Chiyo answered, "There are rumours of a continental communication network being built in the River and Fire nations. It will immeasurably strengthen the Leaf's spy network and their political reach."
"Communication network is a great feat," Rasa said, but his tone was dismissive. "But we have more pressing needs. We need food and water. Our village cannot afford such grand luxury. We are bound by the chains of hunger."
Chiyo, however, held a longer view. "You are right, but the boy's deed is greater still. I am told he is not just a face; he actively builds the technology himself. Other than the communication network, he seeks to build a whole city in the Western zone of River Country that will act as a manufacturing hub for the Fire Nation."
Rasa replied, "That part of river country is a barren waste opposite to the lush green east. If he plans to feed his people solely on goods moved by road... the cost will consume even his vast fortune."
"Perhaps," Chiyo allowed, "but if the whispers of his pockets are deep and keep getting bigger. His company keeps launching one thing after another. He may fail at keeping this city afloat and running, or maybe not. But this could be a great opportunity for us if he has a plan in his mind."
Ebizo said, "Elder Sister is right; this venture offers us a learning opportunity. Our own land is not so unlike that region. If he succeeds, then we could learn from him."
Chiyo stepped forward, bringing their thoughts back to Gaara, and asked, "What is to be done with the boy? We can seal the beast back in the old teapot."
Rasa's gaze was hard. "No. Even if he is flawed, he is the best vessel we have for the beast. Until we find another, it's useless to kill him. I can subdue him whenever I want."
Chiyo countered, her voice laced with worry. "We cannot afford another rampage, Kazekage. As he grows, I hope he regains more control over the tailed beast."
Rasa looked at Chiyo, a light of distant hope in his eyes. "I pray that is true...." He cast his eyes upon his son, his face twisting with a quiet pain. "Perhaps, one day, he will master the beast himself…. Forgive me, my love... I am a bad father."
Ebizow watched the Kazekage and thought, "Despite his harsh treatment of Gaara, Rasa is still a father." He looked to Chiyo and said, "Let us leave the child to his father's hands, sister. The Kazekage still harbours hope."
Meanwhile, in the Fire Capital, Ryu sat with Ikkyu and Grandpa Dan in the Hamura Industry office.
Ryu said, "I plan to take responsibility for the well-being and future of NARUTO UZUMAKI."
Grandpa Dan and Ikkyu were struck dumb by the pronouncement.
Grandpa Dan frowned. "That fox brat—you wish to take him under your roof? He is not just an ordinary orphan. I don't know how you came to know about him, but considering you, you must already know what he is."
"Yes," Ryu corrected. "I plan to take care of his welfare. He is family."
"But the Leaf Village rulers will not be pleased," Ikkyu warned.
"Especially Danzo and other elders," Grandpa Dan added, his tone firm. "They may view this as political interference and perceive your actions as a desire for military power, considering the status of Jinchuriki as military assets."
Ryu said, "But I am going to present a great justification."
Dan asked, "What justification?"
Ryu replied, "My lineage. I know that guardianship of orphans falls to the next of kin, and if that is not available, then the nearest clan member. We are both half Uzumaki, and I look more Uzumaki than him. It establishes clan connection."
Grandpa Dan frowned, his warning becoming more focused. "Whether you are kin or not, It won't be easy to convince the council."
Ikkyu nodded and said, "Your grandpa's words are true. You must bring more than mere kinship to claim guardianship of a strategic weapon."
Ikkyu asked, "How are you even going to prove your Uzumaki lineage?"
Ryu lightly touched the streak of crimson in his hair near his temple and said, "I carry the clearest mark of the Uzumaki line in my half-red hairs."
Dan replied, "But it is not solid enough proof."
Ryu spoke of the counter-move. "Then I will show them a great demonstration of Uzumaki lineage and power that they cannot deny belongs to Uzumaki."
Grandpa Dan narrowed his eyes. "A demonstration of Uzumaki power... but what? The high-level Sealing Arts are too secret. No, it can't be Fūinjutsu, unless Ryu wants to multiply 100 to his already high bounty and invite every nation's assassins to the Leaf Village."
Then it hit him. Dan asked, "Are you planning on manifesting the Chakra Chains?"
"Yes," Ryu confirmed.
Dan asked, "And can you now?"
Ryu shook his head. "No. I am working on it, but the chains are a technique of will, not just chakra."
Dan groaned, his voice thick with concern, and added, "I believe in you; this trait is widespread among Uzumaki, but not everyone can do it. Many Uzumaki I knew in the past were unable to manifest Chakra Chains. What happens if you fail to manifest the chain?"
Ryu smiled, a cunning edge returning to his eyes. "Then I'll show them something else that is also an Uzumaki trait... Hand-seal-less healing."
"Seal-less healing?" Dan repeated, remembering the few times he'd seen the boy recover from serious injuries almost instantly.
"It is an exceptionally rare trait, prevalent only among the Uzumaki clan." Ryu conceded.
Ikkyu then spoke up, asking a logical question, "Then why not just show them this unique healing jutsu of the Uzumaki Clan?"
Ryu smiled. "Because I could use a good challenge to skill myself up. More importantly, the Chakra Chains are the ultimate display of Uzumaki sealing power. It is a strength the Council will be forced to respect, not merely a medical talent they can ignore."
Ryu thought, "No character used the chakra chains to their full extent in the original story. But I can think of many ways I can use it effectively."
"It's a good attitude to have," Ikkyu agreed, nodding slightly.
"If the Daimyo lends his support, this process will proceed smoothly." Ryu added, looking to Ikkyu.
Ikkyu's smile faded slightly. "My father doesn't like to put himself in an awkward position when it does not benefit him, but I will try."
Ikkyu then frowned. "But the Council will not be pleased with your decision, especially the Hokage's advisors."
Ryu stared at Ikkyu, his gaze intense. "I don't seek power. I aim to protect the last remnant of my clan."
Inside, Ryu thought, "I need to contact him now. This is the right time. I can ease his suffering and slowly prepare him for the final war and what comes after it."
Ryu continued and said, "And I am not obliged to please those geezers. I will take care of my blood, and I will hold the only argument that matters: The blood."
A/N: Hello everyone!
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