Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

Leaving the Hokage's office, Uzumaki Raiden made his way to the Uzumaki family's old house. Dinner was a heated affair, as Uzumaki Kushina, clearly relieved by his recovery, couldn't resist scolding him for his reckless actions. Despite her reprimands, Raiden knew it stemmed from genuine concern, and he accepted it in good humor.

After the meal, Raiden decided not to return to his house by the waterfall. Instead, he activated his Kagura Mind's Eye, sensing the presence of familiar chakras scattered throughout the village. Among them, one stood out—Uchiha Fugaku. Without hesitation, Raiden set off for the Uchiha clan's compound, his first stop in assembling his team.

Raiden's Vision and the First Recruit

The Third Hokage's decision to grant Raiden the freedom to choose five subordinates was a rare privilege, one Raiden intended to use wisely. With his growing strength and newfound authority, Raiden saw this as the perfect opportunity to start laying the groundwork for his ultimate plan: confronting Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu.

While Raiden possessed incredible power, he was under no illusion about the magnitude of the threat posed by the Rinnegan and Madara's overwhelming abilities. Victory required careful preparation and a team of exceptional allies.

One cornerstone of this plan was Uchiha Fugaku. As a talented member of the Uchiha clan, and someone who would later unlock the Mangekyō Sharingan, Fugaku's potential was undeniable. Though not yet the jaded, reserved leader of his future, the Fugaku of today was still youthful, optimistic, and full of promise—qualities Raiden intended to harness.

The Uchiha Compound

The Uchiha compound, nestled in the heart of Konoha, stood apart from other clans. Despite its integration into the village, the Uchiha clan operated with a distinct autonomy, a reflection of their role as the leaders of the Konoha Police Force. The clan grounds bustled with life, and the iconic Uchiha crest adorned every visible surface.

As Raiden strolled through the compound, he noted the curious stares from Uchiha clansmen. While outsiders were uncommon visitors, Raiden's status as a key figure in Konoha seemed to grant him a degree of respect, or at least a lack of outright hostility.

Guided by his sensory abilities, Raiden soon found himself in a quieter part of the compound, a small park on its outskirts. There, he spotted Fugaku sitting on a swing, engaged in lively conversation with a young woman. The girl, with her delicate features and composed demeanor, exuded a quiet elegance that immediately caught Raiden's attention.

Interrupting a Date

From a distance, Raiden chuckled to himself. "Swinging under the stars with a pretty girl? Seems like Fugaku's luck is better than I thought."

Despite his amusement, Raiden didn't want to interrupt unnecessarily. He lingered at the park's edge, observing the pair with mild curiosity. Fugaku, animated and cheerful, was a stark contrast to the solemn leader Raiden remembered from his past life.

As minutes passed and the conversation showed no signs of slowing, Raiden decided to step in. His mission was too important to delay.

Fugaku's companion noticed Raiden first, gently nudging Fugaku and gesturing in his direction. When Fugaku turned and recognized Raiden, his face lit up with genuine joy.

"Raiden! You're here!" Fugaku exclaimed, quickly standing and rushing over to embrace him. "I heard you were discharged from the hospital—this is fantastic!"

Raiden returned the hug, amused by Fugaku's enthusiasm. "I'm fine now. I thought I'd pay you a visit. Am I interrupting something?" He cast a teasing glance at the young woman, causing Fugaku to blush.

"N-No! Not at all!" Fugaku stammered. "Let me introduce you. This is Mikoto, my… uh, girlfriend. She's from the Uchiha clan as well."

Mikoto stood gracefully and offered a polite bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Raiden. Fugaku often speaks highly of you."

"Likewise," Raiden replied with a warm smile. Though her demeanor was gentle, Raiden could sense the strength and discipline of a capable kunoichi beneath her reserved exterior.

A Serious Proposal

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Raiden turned to Fugaku. "I came to discuss something important. Would you mind walking Mikoto home first? I'll wait here."

Fugaku hesitated, glancing at Mikoto, who quickly shook her head. "I'll be fine," she assured him. "This is the Uchiha compound, after all."

With that, Mikoto departed, leaving Fugaku and Raiden alone in the park.

"What's this about?" Fugaku asked, his tone serious.

Raiden took a deep breath. "The Third Hokage has granted me the authority to assemble a team of six. We'll be handling high-priority, dangerous missions. When I thought about who I'd want by my side, you were the first person who came to mind. So, what do you say?"

Fugaku's eyes widened. "You want me on your team?"

Raiden nodded. "I know you've been stuck with the Police Force, but your talent is wasted there. Join me, Fugaku. Let's put your skills to real use."

Fugaku's expression flickered between excitement and uncertainty. "I'd love to, but my father… he wouldn't approve. He's the one who placed me in the Police Force to begin with."

Raiden smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about that. The Hokage will handle it. All I need is your agreement."

Fugaku's hesitation melted away, replaced by a determined grin. "Alright, I'm in! So, who else is on the team?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out," Raiden said with a smirk.

Recruiting Hyuga Hiashi

As they left the park together, Fugaku couldn't contain his curiosity. "Where are we headed next?"

"The Hyuga compound," Raiden replied. "I'm recruiting Hiashi."

Fugaku raised an eyebrow. "Hiashi Hyuga? The heir of the Hyuga clan? Interesting choice."

(End of this chapter)

Let me know if further adjustments are needed!