Authors Note:
after today there will be one chapter a day.
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Raiden's heart thudded in his chest as the gates of the Senju compound slowly creaked open, revealing the fortified heart of the legendary clan. The air inside was thick with tension, a reflection of the war that had ravaged the world outside. He could see shinobi moving about, some practicing their techniques, while others conversed in hushed tones, always on alert. Raiden had grown up hearing stories about the conflict between the Senju and the Uchiha, but now, standing in the heart of the Senju's stronghold, the reality of it felt much heavier.
The emissary led the group of Uzumaki shinobi deeper into the compound, passing rows of training grounds and small barracks. Raiden's sharp eyes caught sight of scars left from recent battles—burn marks on walls, the unmistakable scent of burnt wood and scorched earth lingering in the air. Despite the compound's defenses, it was clear that the Uchiha had struck hard and recently.
Standing before Raiden was Hashirama Senju, though younger than Raiden expected—perhaps only seven years old. His face was still round with the softness of youth, but there was an unmistakable spark of intelligence and kindness in his dark eyes. Hashirama's short stature and lean build reflected the early stages of shinobi training; he wasn't yet as muscular or imposing as the warriors around him, but there was already a graceful energy in his movements.
His dark hair was tied back messily, though a few strands had escaped, framing his face with a youthful charm. The boyish enthusiasm in his wide smile was infectious, yet Raiden could sense something deeper beneath the surface—a seriousness beyond his years. Despite his age, there was a natural confidence to the way he carried himself, and the other Senju warriors around him treated him with subtle respect, as if they were already aware of his future greatness.
Though Hashirama was young, the weight of leadership already rested on his small shoulders. Raiden could see a glimmer of hope in Hashirama's eyes, an unshakable belief in a better future, even as the world around him was consumed by war.
"Hashirama Senju," Raiden thought, recognizing him immediately.
The boy who stood before him was destined for greatness—that much was clear from the way the other Senju shinobi moved out of his way, their heads slightly bowed in respect.
"You must be Raiden Uzumaki," Hashirama called, his voice carrying easily across the courtyard, despite the activity happening around them. He approached Raiden and extended a hand, a broad smile on his face. "It's good to finally meet you."
Raiden took the hand, surprised by the warmth in Hashirama's demeanor. For someone raised in the midst of war, Hashirama seemed almost untouched by the bitterness that surrounded him.
"It's an honor to meet you too," Raiden said, keeping his voice steady, though the tension in his chest hadn't eased. He wasn't used to this kind of friendliness, especially from someone as important as the Senju heir. It was disarming.
Hashirama's eyes twinkled with genuine interest. "You'll be staying with us for a while, right? I've heard a lot about the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques. Maybe we can train together sometime."
Raiden blinked. Train? He hadn't expected such an informal suggestion, especially not so soon after arriving.
Before he could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Hashirama."
Both boys turned to see Butsuma Senju, Hashirama's father, stepping into the courtyard. His presence immediately shifted the atmosphere, the warmth that had been in Hashirama's greeting evaporating under the stern gaze of his father. Butsuma was a tall, broad-shouldered man with an air of cold calculation about him. His eyes, like steel, flicked between Raiden and his companions.
"We have business to discuss," Butsuma said curtly, ignoring Raiden for the moment. "You can train later."
Hashirama nodded respectfully, though Raiden could see the flicker of frustration behind his eyes. "Yes, Father."
Butsuma's gaze then shifted to Raiden, assessing him. The weight of the Senju clan leader's scrutiny was heavy. There was no warmth in his eyes, only the cold, calculating look of a man who saw alliances as tools of war.
"Raiden Uzumaki," Butsuma said, his voice hard and direct. "I've heard much about your prowess in fūinjutsu. Your skills will be useful. The Senju are always in need of more ways to counter the Uchiha's abilities."
Raiden felt the weight of those words. Useful. That's what this was about, wasn't it? His presence here wasn't just about diplomacy—it was about strengthening the Senju clan's arsenal against the Uchiha. But Raiden wasn't surprised. In a world consumed by war, utility was everything.
"Of course," Raiden replied, keeping his tone respectful. "The Uzumaki clan values its alliances, and I'll do everything I can to help."
Butsuma gave a short nod before turning away, his focus already shifting to other matters. "Hashirama, make sure our guests are taken care of. We'll meet later to discuss strategies." And with that, he strode off, his presence leaving an uneasy silence in his wake.
Hashirama sighed once his father was out of earshot. "Don't mind him," he said, offering Raiden an apologetic smile. "He's... intense. Always thinking about the next battle."
Raiden couldn't help but smile faintly. "It's alright. I get it." He could sense that there was a lot more to Hashirama than his father's war-driven mentality. Hashirama's warmth and idealism were a stark contrast to Butsuma's cold pragmatism.
"So," Hashirama said, the light returning to his eyes, "how about that training session? I'd like to see what you can do."
Raiden hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden challenge. But the idea of testing his skills against someone like Hashirama was too intriguing to pass up. "Alright," Raiden agreed, trying to suppress the excitement building inside him. "Let's spar."
The training ground was a small, enclosed space behind the main compound. It was designed for quick sparring sessions, with enough room to move around but limited enough to force close-quarters combat. Hashirama stood across from Raiden, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.
"No holding back, alright?" Hashirama said, smiling, but there was a seriousness in his tone.
Raiden nodded, taking a deep breath as he settled into a stance. He had been practicing his fūinjutsu every day, refining his seals and chakra control under Elder Takeshi's guidance. This would be the perfect opportunity to put his training to the test.
The spar began with Hashirama making the first move. He dashed forward with surprising speed, his hands forming seals as he moved. Raiden's eyes widened as vines of wood erupted from the ground, wrapping toward him. Wood Release, Raiden realized instantly. He'd heard about it—one of the rarest abilities in the world, and Hashirama wielded it effortlessly.
Raiden leaped back, narrowly avoiding the vines, and quickly formed his own seals. "Release!" he called, summoning a small barrier with a storage seal he had prepared earlier. The barrier held for a moment, long enough for Raiden to regroup and plan his next move.
"Impressive," Hashirama said, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Your sealing techniques are fast."
Raiden didn't respond, instead focusing on the scroll he had unrolled. His hands flew over it, inscribing a new seal as Hashirama pressed the attack, more vines shooting toward him. This time, Raiden stood his ground, activating the seal with a quick burst of chakra. A shockwave erupted from the scroll, pushing the vines away and giving Raiden the space he needed to launch a counterattack.
With a flick of his wrist, Raiden sent out a binding seal, aiming for Hashirama's feet. The seal glowed brightly as it raced across the ground, but Hashirama was too quick. He leaped into the air, avoiding the trap with ease.
"Not bad!" Hashirama called out, landing gracefully on the other side of the training ground. "But you'll have to be faster than that!"
Raiden grinned, feeling the thrill of the spar building inside him. This wasn't just a test of strength—it was a dance of strategy, chakra, and precision. And for the first time since arriving in the Senju compound, Raiden felt truly alive.
The spar continued for several more minutes, neither boy gaining a clear upper hand. It was clear that Hashirama was holding back, but Raiden was pushing himself to the limit, determined to show what he was capable of.
Finally, after a particularly intense exchange, Hashirama raised his hand. "That's enough," he said, breathing slightly heavier than before. "I don't want to push too hard on your first day."
Raiden nodded, lowering his guard, his own breath coming in short gasps. "That was... intense," he admitted, a grin spreading across his face.
Hashirama laughed. "You did great! I can see why the Uzumaki clan trusts you with such important responsibilities."
Raiden felt a flush of pride at Hashirama's praise, but before he could respond, the sound of distant conversation reached his ears. Senju shinobi nearby were discussing the latest movements of the Uchiha clan—talk of an imminent attack.
Raiden's smile faded as reality crept back in. The spar had been exhilarating, but the war between the Senju and Uchiha was far from over. And as much as Raiden admired Hashirama's ideals, he knew that the peace Hashirama dreamed of wouldn't come easily.
As they left the training ground, Raiden couldn't shake the feeling that his mission had just become much more dangerous and complicated than he first thought. As the excitement of the sparring match faded, the gravity of the situation began to weigh heavily on him. War wasn't just something he'd heard about in stories or read in scrolls. He was standing in the heart of it, and soon enough, he would be tested in ways he hadn't anticipated.
Hashirama, ever the optimist, gave Raiden a reassuring smile as they walked back toward the compound. "You handled yourself well today," he said, breaking the silence. "I can tell you've worked hard to get to where you are. We'll definitely have to spar again sometime."
Raiden nodded, his mind still racing with everything he had learned in such a short time. "Thanks, Hashirama. It was… eye-opening, to say the least."
They reached the edge of the courtyard, and Hashirama turned toward Raiden. "Rest up," he said, his tone shifting to something more serious. "There's still much to discuss between our clans, and I have a feeling things are going to get more intense soon."
Raiden didn't need to ask what Hashirama meant. The distant conversations he had overheard about Uchiha movements were enough to confirm it: war wasn't just coming. It was already here, and Raiden was now part of it, whether he liked it or not.
As Raiden watched Hashirama disappear into the main compound, he felt the weight of his mission press down harder than ever before. He had come to the Senju clan to form alliances, to build bridges. But in a world ravaged by conflict, even the most peaceful of intentions could be swallowed whole by the fires of war.
And in the distance, Raiden could almost hear the drums of battle beginning to beat.