Chereads / Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki / Chapter 12 - Chapter 12: The Messenger from the Cloud Village!

Chapter 12 - Chapter 12: The Messenger from the Cloud Village!

"I'm off!"

The first rays of morning sunlight had just touched the earth when Uzumaki Kushina dashed out of the house, a small bag slung over her shoulder.

"You can do it today! Make sure you pass the exam!" Uzumaki Mito cheered from the gate of their home. Standing beside her were Tsunade and Raiden, both watching Kushina as she made her way to school. Mito waved enthusiastically, her encouragement echoing in the air.

"I know! I'll definitely pass! After all, I'm going to become the first female Hokage!" Kushina shouted back confidently, disappearing down the street.

Raiden tilted his head, his voice calm but curious. "Sister woke up so early today. Isn't she usually the type to arrive at school just before the bell? Why is she so eager today?"

"Ah, I know why," Tsunade interjected. "Sarutobi-sensei mentioned it a few days ago."

"Apparently, there's a mission from the Cloud Village arriving in Konoha today. They're here for an exchange program, and one part of their visit involves observing the ninja school. You know, the ninja school that our Second Grandfather established is still one of a kind in the ninja world!"

Pride welled up in Tsunade's voice as she spoke. Indeed, the ninja school was a revolutionary concept, ensuring children gained basic skills and knowledge before stepping onto the battlefield.

During the Warring States period, children as young as eight were sent into combat. The establishment of the ninja school pushed that age to twelve, a small but meaningful improvement. Though far from the ideal envisioned by Hashirama and Madara, the school significantly reduced the fatality rate among young ninjas by preparing them for missions after graduation.

Raiden's expression turned serious. "Cloud Village? Isn't that the place that's infamous for stealing bloodline limits?" His words were sharp, but he quickly softened his tone upon noticing Mito and Tsunade's surprised looks. "That's what I've overheard from people in the village," he added nervously, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.

"You little rascal, you seem to know a lot!" Tsunade laughed, ruffling Raiden's hair.

Mito smiled, nodding at Raiden's quick explanation. "He's not wrong," she said. "Cloud Village has a history of trying to acquire bloodline limits by any means necessary. Still, it's a positive sign that they're sending an envoy this time. Since the Second Hokage's death, this is the first formal interaction between Konoha and the Cloud."

"Teacher Sarutobi has worked hard to maintain peace," Tsunade added, a note of admiration in her voice.

The ninja world was far from stable. While Mito's presence deterred war from reaching Konoha, conflicts between nations persisted, and smaller countries suffered the most.

"Let's go, Raiden," Mito said, placing a hand on his head. "Today, I'll teach you the Four Symbols Seal."

"Okay, Grandma," Raiden replied, taking her hand as they headed back to the study.

Tsunade's jaw dropped. "The Four Symbols Seal? At his age?" she exclaimed.

"Grandma, isn't that a bit much? He's just a child! How could he possibly understand such an advanced technique?"

The Four Symbols Seal was no ordinary sealing technique. Considered an A-rank skill, it required precise chakra control and a deep understanding of sealing principles. Tsunade couldn't fathom how a child could grasp it.

Mito, however, waved her concerns away. "You worry about your own training. Don't forget to master the Yin Seal I taught you—it'll be essential for you in the future."

Tsunade sighed, watching as Mito led Raiden away. Her doubts lingered, but she didn't notice the faint, light-blue diamond on Raiden's forehead, glowing softly under the sunlight.

At the Ninja School

Shhh! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

The sound of kunai hitting targets echoed across the playground. A blond boy stood at the center of the field, his throws landing perfectly in the bullseyes.

"That's incredible! What a talented kid!"

Applause erupted from the visiting Cloud Village delegation. Their leader, a tall man with sharp eyes, nodded in approval.

The teacher overseeing the graduation exams beamed with pride. "He's Namikaze Minato, our most outstanding graduate this year. In terms of skill, even some older ninjas would struggle to match him."

Kushina, standing nearby and waiting for her turn, scowled at Minato's flawless performance. "Tch, show-off," she muttered, her competitive spirit flaring.

The leader of the Cloud delegation suddenly noticed Kushina. His eyes narrowed slightly, a faint gleam of interest flashing across them. "That red-haired girl… is she from the Uzumaki clan?" he asked casually.

"Yes," the teacher replied. "That's Uzumaki Kushina. She's quite talented, though her temper leaves much to be desired. She's known as a bit of a bully around here."

The leader chuckled softly, his interest clearly piqued.

When it was Kushina's turn, she decided to emulate Minato's kunai throw. Grabbing three kunai, she hurled them simultaneously.

Clang! The kunai collided mid-air, veering off course. One missed the target entirely, another landed on the outer edge, and only one hit the bullseye.

The teacher sighed, though a small smile lingered. "Well, if nothing else, she's determined."

The leader of the Cloud delegation chuckled. "She has spirit. I admire her courage." Reaching into his robes, he pulled out a kunai. "I'd like to give her a small gift as encouragement."

The teacher accepted the kunai, inspected it briefly, and called Kushina over.

"Kushina, come here," he said, waving her over.

Thinking she was about to be reprimanded, Kushina approached hesitantly. Her eyes widened in surprise when the teacher handed her the kunai.

"This is a gift from our esteemed guests from the Cloud Village," the teacher explained. "They appreciated your courage and wanted to reward you."

"Thank you, teacher! Thank you, Master Messenger!" Kushina exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy. She accepted the kunai with both hands, examining it closely before tucking it into her pouch.

"Keep up the effort. If you perform well in the remaining exams, you'll graduate," the teacher encouraged.

Bolstered by the praise, Kushina steadied her nerves and passed the rest of her exams with flying colors, earning her ninja forehead protector.

The Cloud delegation observed quietly, watching every moment with sharp eyes. By the time they left, the sun was setting, and the sky was painted in hues of red and orange.

"I did it! I passed!"

Kushina's triumphant shout echoed across the quiet streets as she ran home. Her voice broke the serene beauty of the sunset, but for Kushina, the day couldn't have ended any better.

(End of Chapter)

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