The Uzumaki Clan hall reverberated with echoes of words like 'explosion' and 'Kumogakure' as a council meeting unfolded. To an outsider, the scene would be bewildering, for it was a young boy who addressed the esteemed elders and the clan's patriarch gathered in the hall.
"And with that, I conclude my plan. What are your thoughts?" Akira declared, finishing his speech and taking a sip from the cup of tea placed before him. He couldn't help but wonder if a sealing jutsu had been used, as the tea remained curiously warm.
Meanwhile, the elders and Kazuki, the patriarch, remained silent, unsure of how to respond. They had anticipated a plan related to a new Shadow Clone seal scroll, but what Akira presented surpassed their expectations. It wasn't the complexity of the plan that astonished them, but rather its simplicity and effectiveness, something they hadn't considered possible.
Breaking the silence, Kazuki approached Akira and patted his shoulder, his face beaming with pride. "Excellent, my son," he commended.
The elders nodded in agreement. The plan was undeniably impressive, offering the best possible solution given their current predicament. If executed correctly, it had the potential to significantly minimize casualties.
Observing the positive reaction from those in attendance, Akira couldn't help but release a sigh of relief. The absence of objections reassured him. After numerous trials and errors with his abilities, he had formulated this plan, which currently boasted a success rate of 82%. While not flawless, he considered it a favorable margin, particularly when compared to the initial success rate of a mere 12%. However, a crucial detail weighed on his mind. "Have the civilians been evacuated?" he inquired.
Kazuki nodded, exuding assurance. "Yes, rest assured. Apart from the Uzumaki Clan residing in Uzushiogakure, there are no civilians remaining in the Land of Whirlpools."
The First Elder spoke, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Ironically, their status as ordinary people spared them, allowing for their safe escape. Meanwhile, we, as ninjas..." He trailed off, leaving the rest unspoken, yet the shared understanding among those present filled the silence.
Akira sighed, his thoughts echoing the First Elder's sentiment. "Indeed, who would have thought that weakness could prove advantageous?" While he acknowledged that their insignificance to the ninja village and perhaps adherence to the rule of not attacking civilians had spared them, he knew the truth that lay beneath the surface.
In the Land of Whirlpools, encompassing Uzushiogakure, preparations for battle were underway. Alongside the clan members, ordinary civilians resided in the land, prompting the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools to issue an urgent evacuation warning. It was evident that the impending battle would unfold here.
Furthermore, the position of the Land of Whirlpools' daimyo had been bestowed upon the leader of Uzushiogakure, recognizing the close ties between the Uzumaki Clan and the governing authority. This consolidation of power aimed to unite the village and the ruling body, facilitating a cohesive defense strategy.
The council meeting delved into the intricacies of the battle arrangements, following the plan outlined by Akira. While he had devised the plan, he acknowledged its limitations as a rough outline, given his limited understanding of warfare. As discussions progressed, Akira listened intently, interjecting only when necessary. He couldn't help but lament the fact that he had not anticipated his reincarnation, which left him devoid of knowledge in war strategy from his previous life. However, he swiftly dismissed such thoughts, recognizing that dwelling on the past held no value in the current circumstances.
Significantly, the meeting saw the active participation of Uzushiogakure's Jonin, the backbone of the village's fighting force. Though their numbers amounted to approximately 25, relatively small compared to the forces of the Five Great Nations, it was a formidable count for a single clan, particularly during the tumultuous Warring States period. While certain restrictions limited the Uzumaki Clan from fully mastering ninjutsu, their expertise in techniques like Rasengan and Shadow Clone allowed them to stand on par with any Jonin.
Following the comprehensive discussion of battle strategies, Kazuki, the esteemed leader of Uzushiogakure, rose to address the assembly, capturing everyone's undivided attention. "Now, as we enter the final stage of war preparation, we must remain on high alert at all times," he declared, emphasizing the imminent nature of the upcoming battle.
With Kazuki's commanding words, the meeting concluded, and the Jonin dispersed to make necessary preparations and maintain a state of constant vigilance, ready to respond to any signs of enemy activity. Akira observed the departing Jonin, intending to join them in the battle preparations. However, before he could take a step, his father intercepted him, questioning his intentions. Perplexed by the obvious nature of the question, Akira responded with a puzzled expression, "To prepare for the battle?"
This time, it was not his father but one of the Elders who stood up, fixing Akira with a stern gaze. With a serious tone, the Elder posed a question, "Why are you preparing for the battle?"
"To fight, naturally," Akira responded, his confusion growing as he struggled to understand the intention behind the Elder's query.
Upon hearing Akira's words, the council elders observed him in silence, their expressions filled with a bittersweet mix of bitterness and nostalgia. The First Elder, the most senior among them, rose from his seat and approached the young Uzumaki with a sigh.
"Ah, child," he began, his voice tinged with a reminiscent tone. "Do you know that I am over 70 years old? I bore witness to the era of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara firsthand, as did every elder present here. Their power was truly awe-inspiring and shook the very foundations of our world during the warring states period. Even today, their influence lingers. It was their tireless efforts that led to the establishment of the One Nation, One Village system. And despite Madara's ill-fated rebellion later on, no one can deny the sheer strength he possessed."
As the First Elder's words hung in the air, Akira's confusion deepened. The bitterness and nostalgia in the elders' expressions hinted at a hidden layer of meaning behind their cryptic words. Akira could sense that something significant was being conveyed, yet it remained just out of his grasp.
Attempting to bring clarity to the situation, Akira mustered the courage to interrupt the elder's storytelling and spoke with a respectful yet determined tone. "I apologize for any interruption, but I would greatly appreciate it if you could speak directly and plainly. What is it that you're trying to convey?"
Hiroshi, startled by the interruption, snapped back to the present and let out a hearty chuckle. "Ah, my apologies for drifting off. You see, young Akira, what we're trying to express is that we don't want you to participate in this battle. The plan is for you to escape with the others."
Akira's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and determination glinting within them. He understood the elders' intention now—they sought to protect him, to spare him from the dangers that lay ahead. However, the fire within his spirit burned fiercely, and he could not accept such a fate.
Escape! The true objective of the plan was not to engage in combat but to ensure their safe retreat. After all, could Uzushiogakure, even with the aid of shadow clones and extensive preparations, single-handedly confront four or even five nations, including Konoha? As extraordinary as the Uzumaki Clan's vitality was, they would inevitably succumb to fatigue. They were a small nation, not a large village capable of enduring prolonged warfare.
The priority lay in the safe evacuation of women and children, recognizing their limited contribution in battle. Ensuring their well-being would relieve the frontline fighters, providing them with solace knowing their loved ones were out of harm's way. This aspect of the plan resonated deeply with Akira, reminding him of his mother and Kushina.
However, this did not imply that the ninja on the frontlines were mere sacrificial pawns. They too had an escape plan, albeit one fraught with inherent risks. Otherwise, Akira would not have devoted so much effort to increasing the plan's success rate. It was not about sacrificing lives but rather finding a way for everyone to survive and escape the clutches of war.
"What do you mean? I can take on at least one jonin!" Akira attempted to argue, but he was swiftly interrupted before he could finish his sentence.
The Sixth Elder joined the conversation with a determined tone, underscoring their point. "We understand, and that's precisely why we need to protect you. Besides, you're still a child." Despite Akira's continued resistance, the elder's gaze softened as she spoke with a touch of bitterness. "Listen, Akira. We are old, and that's an undeniable truth. Our generation's era is coming to an end, while yours is just beginning."
The Fourth Elder, speaking from the side, expressed a hint of longing, an unspoken desire for the young child to transcend the limitations imposed by time on their once-mighty clan. Her voice carried a mixture of pride and resignation. "You, my dear, hold the flame of hope within you," she murmured, acknowledging the potential for Akira to surpass the legacy of the Uzumaki in their own unique way.
After her heartfelt words, the Fourth Elder stood up and approached Akira with a gentle smile, looking at him affectionately. "Remember this, Akira. You won't be the second Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara, but the first Uzumaki Akira."
The remaining elders nodded in agreement, their expressions displaying support for Akira's chosen path. His gaze then turned to his father, who had been silently listening to the conversation. Sensing his son's gaze, he spoke in a serious tone. "As the patriarch of the clan, I concur with the decision of the elders. Besides," he added, his smile revealing his deep emotions, "what father wouldn't want their child to be safe?"
Akira couldn't help but be moved by the words of everyone present. It was now clear to him that the weight he carried on his shoulders had significantly increased. He not only bore the fate of the clan but also their hopes and dreams.
...
Three days later, a boat docked outside the Land of Whirlpools, and a middle-aged man disembarked, gazing toward the horizon where a city lay. He wore a ninja headband bearing the symbol of Kirigakure. "So, that's Uzushiogakure," he mused, contemplating the forthcoming encounter with the legendary village.