Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

The moment Uzumaki Raiden stepped through the courtyard door, Uzumaki Mito's calm yet commanding voice reached his ears. He made his way toward the study, noting the emptiness of the house.

The once-bustling home was now quiet. When Raiden was younger, a nanny had cared for him, but after he was weaned, Mito had taken on the responsibility. Now, Nawaki was a genin who spent most of his time training with friends, Tsunade was a busy jōnin, and Kushina was assisting at Konoha Hospital. Apart from Mito, only the kitchen staff remained.

As Raiden walked along the corridor, his gaze drifted to the overgrown weeds in the yard. His thoughts were scattered as he reached the study. The door creaked open on its own, revealing the room bathed in sunlight.

"Come in," Mito said, smiling warmly from behind her desk.

Raiden stepped inside and knelt before her. Though it had not been long since his departure, Mito's appearance struck him—her frailty and the weariness in her eyes made his heart sink.

"Grandma, I'm back," he said softly, trying to mask his worry.

Mito smiled gently. "The opponents you faced were powerful. When I saw you after the battle, your chakra reserves were nearly depleted, barely enough to sustain your life. Without intervention, you might not have survived."

She reached out to pat his head, then motioned for him to come closer. "Don't sit so far away; I can't see you clearly."

Raiden hesitated but moved closer, noticing how her once-sharp eyes struggled to focus until he was right beside her.

"Your eyes…" he murmured, his voice trailing off.

"It's nothing to worry about. This is just what happens when you grow old." Mito waved her hand dismissively before pulling him into her lap. She gently stroked his face, her touch filled with love and sadness.

"Raiden, I don't think I'll be able to watch you grow much longer. Now that you're back, I want you to stay here with me. Before I go, there's something important I must entrust to you."

As she spoke, a red chakra began to emerge from her hand. Raiden's vision blurred, and the next moment, he found himself in a completely unfamiliar space.

Raiden floated in the air, surrounded by chaos. Beneath him was a formless expanse of light, while above, dark clouds churned ominously, flashes of lightning illuminating their depths. In front of him stood an enormous pyramid-shaped structure made of golden chains.

"Grandma, what is this?" he asked as Uzumaki Mito appeared beside him.

"This is the seal that contains the Nine Tails," she explained. "You remember what I told you before, don't you? This structure houses its immense power."

As Mito spoke, the chains began to unwind, the pyramid dissolving to reveal the slumbering form of the Nine Tails.

"Raiden, this is the Nine Tails. And I've decided to entrust it to you."

Her words hung heavy in the air as she continued, her tone resolute. "Becoming its Jinchuriki will bring many challenges. People may look at you with fear or disdain. Even your friends might abandon you. Your movements will be watched, your life restricted. But I know you will rise above these hardships. If you can master the Nine Tails' power, you'll gain the strength to protect those you care about."

Raiden's gaze was drawn to the enormous beast before him. Its oppressive presence far exceeded anything he'd experienced before.

The Nine Tails stirred, opening its fiery eyes and unleashing a wave of malevolent chakra. "Uzumaki Mito, what are you planning this time?" it growled, its voice rumbling like thunder.

Despite its rage, Mito remained calm. With a simple glance, the golden chains tightened, binding the Nine Tails in place.

"Nine Tails, this child is Uzumaki Raiden. He will inherit my mantle as your Jinchuriki."

The beast roared in fury. "You dare seal me in a child?! A mere brat?!"

Its massive tails lashed out, but the chains held firm. Mito's gaze softened as she addressed Raiden. "This is your burden now, but it will also be your strength. Use it wisely."

As she spoke, the chains began to retract, pulling the Nine Tails toward Raiden. The beast struggled violently, its chakra raging against the seal, but Mito's will prevailed.

"Grandma, must it be now?" Raiden asked, his voice trembling with emotion.

Mito smiled, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "This is the time, my dear. Do not resent this responsibility. Use it to bring light to the world."

With a final gesture, the Nine Tails' chakra surged into Raiden, his consciousness fading as the seal completed.

Raiden awoke in the chaos of his own mindscape. Before him stood a massive cage housing the now-bound Nine Tails. The beast roared, its chakra battering the confines of its new prison.

Outside his consciousness, Raiden's body glowed with the Nine Tails' red chakra, a tail forming behind him. Mito, her strength waning, placed a hand on his forehead, whispering a final command.

"Seal it, Raiden."

Summoning his chakra, Raiden focused. Lightning crackled across his mindscape, forming a net above the cage to reinforce the seal. The Nine Tails snarled in defiance but could not break free.

When Raiden awoke, Mito lay slumped over her desk, her breathing shallow. He knelt beside her, panic rising in his chest.

"Grandma, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice shaking.

Mito smiled weakly. "I've done all I can. Go fetch Nawaki and Kushina. I've already called for them."

Raiden obeyed, stepping outside to find Kushina and Nawaki waiting with grim expressions. As they rushed to Mito's side, Raiden glanced at the gathered figures of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, as well as the surrounding Anbu.

"How is she?" Hiruzen asked.

"She's asked to see them," Raiden replied, his tone heavy.

In her final moments, Mito spoke softly to her family, offering words of guidance and love. She entrusted the house to Nawaki, her savings to Kushina, and reminded them to look after Raiden.

"Jinchuriki bear great burdens," she said, "but they are also protectors. Help him carry this weight."

As her voice faded, she closed her eyes, her breathing slowing until it stopped completely.

Outside, the barrier surrounding the house vanished, signaling the end of an era.

(End of Chapter 65)

>>>>>>>

Please leave PowerStones and Reviews if you're enjoying the story

Read up to Chapter 100 ahead on [Patreon.com/ggfanfiction]