In Kumogakure, the Third Raikage sat behind a heavy wooden desk, papers and dispatch reports spread out before him like a small, ordered battlefield. He scanned the latest intelligence once more, then looked up at his assistant with a cold, measured calm.
"It seems the day of the Uzumaki reconstruction has come," he said, voice low and controlled. "If circumstances were different, I would personally travel there and remove Shanks Uzumaki." He paused as if weighing each word. "But right now Onoki is manoeuvring to cause a major blow against our armies—something I cannot allow. If I were free of that threat, I'd act. Shanks is dangerous: a survivor of the Uzumaki annihilation who now commands power and influence. His defeat of Hanzo proves he is no ordinary target. To bring him down might require myself—or the full strength of our elite: Jonin and S-rank operatives together. We simply don't have the margin for that gamble."
The Raikage steepled his fingers, eyes hard. "So we cannot strike at him openly. That doesn't mean we'll do nothing." He tapped the dossier on his desk. "Send Anbu teams. Quietly. Eliminate the workers and the craftsmen being transported from the Land of Hot Water. And circulate a rumor—don't make it an official decree—that anyone who aids the Uzumaki will face Kumogakure's wrath. Let fear do the rest."
His assistant inclined his head and moved to carry out the orders, the room filling with the same still, efficient menace that always seemed to linger around the Raikage's decisions.
----
Just as Kumogakure had decided to send assassins to target the workers, they also considered it an opportunity to eliminate a few of the Uzumaki siblings if possible. The reasoning was simple: the siblings were already displaying remarkable potential, their talent promising enough to rival the strength of future S-rank shinobi. Allowing such a threat to grow unchecked would spell danger for both Kumogakure and Kirigakure. Unsurprisingly, Kirigakure soon followed Kumogakure's example, dispatching its own assassins to attack the workers and builders traveling from the Land of Hot Water.
Shanks, however, had anticipated this from the beginning. To counter such schemes, he arranged for six of his siblings to escort every caravan bound for the Uzumaki village. With their presence, any assassination attempt was doomed from the start. Each of the six possessed strength far beyond the level of an ordinary Jōnin—capable not only of overwhelming them but also of holding their own against, and even killing, an S-rank ninja. Against such guardians, ordinary assassins stood no chance.
As for Kumogakure's other tactic—the public threat that any village or nation aiding the Uzumaki would incur their wrath—it did manage to intimidate a few smaller countries. Some materials the Uzumaki clan sought to purchase could not be acquired openly, as merchants feared retribution. Yet this obstacle never truly hindered the siblings. Being shinobi, they simply turned to subterfuge—moving in disguise, employing deception, and securing what was needed through clever trickery. Thanks to their skill, the steady flow of construction materials was never interrupted, and the Uzumaki rebuilding continued undeterred.
As for the workers, the people of the Land of Hot Water carried little fear in their hearts. On the contrary, they were eager—almost proud—to assist Shanks in his efforts. Much of this enthusiasm stemmed from the reputation Shanks had built for himself. His image in the Land of Hot Water was nothing short of heroic.
In the early days, when Shanks first set foot in the country seeking opportunities, he had earned the people's admiration by performing a feat that none could forget. Single-handedly, he liberated two villages from the oppressive grip of Kirigakure shinobi who had disguised themselves as bandits. Those so-called bandits had been exploiting the villages, demanding resources and enforcing Kirigakure's influence through fear. Shanks struck them down, breaking their control and giving the villagers their freedom. That act alone etched his name deeply into the hearts of the locals, cementing both his own reputation and that of the Uzumaki clan as protectors rather than conquerors.
Later, when the Uzumaki siblings began accepting missions within the Land of Hot Water, their conduct only strengthened this image. They were courteous, respectful, and often went out of their way to show kindness to the people. Such behavior, rare among shinobi, endeared them to the common folk. Out of both gratitude and respect, workers continued to volunteer for the rebuilding of the Uzumaki village. The flow of manpower remained steady, ensuring that construction progressed smoothly and without delay.
Assassination attempts by Kumogakure and Kirigakure were inevitable, but none succeeded. The siblings guarding the caravans intercepted and neutralized every threat before harm could be done. Not a single worker had been slain, nor had any shipment of supplies been destroyed.
As for the attack on the workers in the Land of Uzumaki, it was out of the question. The reason was simple: above all else, what kept assassins at bay was the knowledge that Shanks Uzumaki himself resided in his clan's land. His very presence served as a formidable deterrent, a silent warning that few dared to test.
----
Shanks, Erza, Todoroki, Makima, and Mereoleona stood together upon a high platform overlooking the construction of the village. From their vantage point, the village's construction was clearly visible. The foundations of homes, walls, and streets were slowly taking shape, and with every stone laid, the dream of their reborn Uzumaki village grew more tangible. A quiet pride settled over them, their hearts swelling at the sight of progress.
Breaking the silence, Erza turned her gaze toward Shanks. "Onii-chan," she began softly, though her words carried weight, "there's something I've been meaning to ask you. Back on the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water, when we fought against the Kirigakure forces, we encountered Mikoto Uchiha of the Uchiha clan. We all know you share a close bond with her. So… what are you planning to do about that? What are your thoughts?"
Shanks drew in a long breath, his eyes lingering on the village below as if steadying himself. "Mikoto and I… we have feelings for each other. If I asked her to be with me, she would agree without hesitation. But I haven't asked—at least, not yet." His tone was calm, yet beneath it was a current of restraint. "Even though I stand among the strongest in the world, our situation isn't what it should be. Right now, we live hidden away in a valley, with no standing, no recognition worthy enough in the eyes of her family or her clan. I don't place much value on titles or status myself, but I know what complications would arise. To gain her parents' blessing, I need to stand before them with something undeniable—a position they cannot dispute."
He turned then, his gaze firm, his voice sharper with conviction. "That's why I've been waiting. The day I become head of the Uzumaki village, I will go to Konoha and ask for her hand in marriage. That same day, I will also make it clear to the world that our ties with Konoha are severed once and for all. No more illusions of alliance. No more false bonds. Whenever I see our clan's emblem stitched on their flak jackets, it fills me with anger. I don't want to see that symbol tainted by association with Konoha any longer. From that day forward, the Uzumaki will stand as their own, free and unbound."
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