Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

"Konoha's Shinto Swordsmanship has no equal!"

Just as Uzumaki Raiden was about to meet his end, a resolute shout echoed across the battlefield. In the next instant, a white light flashed before Raiden, and the rock ninjas who surrounded him were suddenly struck by an unseen force, violently thrown backward in unison.

The Shinto Sword Style, an ancient form of swordsmanship, dates back to the Warring States period. Perfected by Saito Yakuro during that era, this style eventually faded as samurai lost prominence and ninjas became the dominant force in protecting the daimyo. With the decline of the samurai, the teachings of the Shinto style were nearly lost to history.

Yet, now, Konoha's own Hatake Sakumo resurrected the forgotten art, demonstrating its brilliance once again.

In front of Raiden, a white-haired ninja appeared, standing confidently. Although the man's back was turned, Raiden instantly recognized him—Hatake Sakumo, the legendary White Fang of Konoha.

"How are you holding up, kid? You're not hurt, right?"

Sakumo turned his head slightly, flashing a confident smile. His relaxed demeanor belied the grim situation, but his piercing gaze spoke volumes of his unshakable self-assurance.

Raiden wanted to greet him, but before he could speak, the rock ninjas, recovering from their staggered retreat, launched a coordinated assault. The ground trembled as earth dragons and spikes surged toward Sakumo from all directions. Their chakra-fueled attacks were aimed to kill.

"Don't worry." Sakumo's voice remained calm as he smirked at the incoming barrage.

A split second before the attacks converged on him, Sakumo's blade swung horizontally in one fluid motion. A blinding arc of light flashed across the battlefield. In that moment, all the incoming ninjutsu dissipated, crumbling into harmless chunks of mud and debris.

The rock ninjas exchanged shocked glances, retreating swiftly to regroup around Roshi. They instinctively surrounded the Jinchuriki, casting wary glances at the fearsome White Fang.

"By mixing lightning chakra into his strikes, he neutralizes attacks the moment they make contact," Raiden thought in awe. "He has no Kekkei Genkai like the Byakugan or Sharingan... how does he do it?"

Raiden's admiration deepened. Through his Kagura's Mind Eye, he had sensed the incoming attacks but could never have dismantled them so thoroughly. Sakumo's skill was leagues beyond his own.

"Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo!"

Roshi, clutching his injured side, snarled. His expression twisted with both pain and fury. "So, Konoha sent you to the battlefield… it seems we need to raise the stakes!"

Hatake Sakumo's eyes narrowed at Roshi's words. The killing intent radiating from him was palpable. Just as Sakumo prepared to strike, a rustling sound came from the nearby forest. Both Konoha and the rock ninjas turned toward the disturbance.

Konoha reinforcements had arrived.

Roshi's face darkened as he pushed his comrades aside. Surrounding himself in a chakra-infused cloak, he began gathering energy for a devastating attack. The air trembled as the tailed beast's power condensed into Roshi's mouth—a Tailed Beast Bomb.

"Run!"

Hyuga Hiashi, Uchiha Fugaku, and others shouted, their voices tinged with panic as they dashed for cover.

Raiden tried to move but found his body unresponsive. His chakra reserves were completely depleted from the earlier battle. Exhausted, he collapsed to the ground, helpless as the Tailed Beast Bomb hurtled toward him.

"Is this the end?" Raiden thought as darkness began to cloud his vision.

In his last conscious act, his fingers brushed the hilt of the Totsuka Blade, which shimmered faintly before solidifying into its true form—a sleek, black katana.

The next moment, everything went black.

Hatake Sakumo acted swiftly, grabbing Raiden and escaping the blast radius just as the Tailed Beast Bomb exploded. The earth shook violently, sending debris flying like bullets. The once-thick forest was reduced to a barren crater.

Konoha's reinforcements, led by Tsunade, arrived in the aftermath. Spotting Raiden unconscious in Sakumo's arms, Tsunade immediately took charge, her expression a mix of worry and determination.

Raiden awoke days later in Konoha Hospital, his first sight being Kushina's tear-streaked face.

"You're finally awake!" she cried, collapsing onto his chest in relief.

Raiden's voice was hoarse as he reassured her, though his mind raced with questions about the battle and his treasured sword. Tsunade, now overseeing his recovery, explained that the Totsuka Blade had been taken by Uzumaki Mito for safekeeping.

Satisfied, Raiden allowed himself to relax. The warfront in the Land of Rain had shifted, with both sides exercising caution. For now, Konoha seemed to hold the upper hand.

Three days later, Raiden was discharged from the hospital. Alone, he walked through Konoha's bustling streets. The village had grown livelier with the recent truce with the Cloud Village, offering a stark contrast to the war-torn lands he had just left.

Arriving home, Raiden found himself greeted by the familiar yet commanding voice of Uzumaki Mito:

"Come to the study. We need to talk."

(End of Chapter 64)

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