"Taijutsu, fuinjutsu, genjutsu. You've reached a solid level in all these areas," the gray-haired man said, standing before a boy sprawled on the ground, who looked about thirteen but was only nine. "The style I'm teaching you doesn't end with chakra claws. That's just the beginning, but even that makes you stronger than the clanless and others who haven't been trained as intensely as you. You fight fiercely and lethally, as I taught you. I'm pleased with your progress in this regard. You're definitely ahead of the schedule we're following, especially in terms of physical development. At least I managed to pass something down to you through blood, unlike your father and uncle, who were like your grandmother—short and overly broad." He smiled, recalling those who had passed. "Now, about fuin. The Sharingan has greatly helped you in this. Without it, you'd have to study much longer. I don't encourage relying on it, but it's foolish to ignore an advantage. Advanced seals come easier to you than to others. You have enough chakra. But don't get cocky. There are many things I haven't taught you yet—you simply wouldn't understand. You haven't forgotten how one earns the title of fuinjutsu master, have you?"
"No, Grandpa." The boy was still catching his breath after a grueling sparring round. "An Uzumaki aiming for the title of master must present their own seal, containing no fewer than ten complex symbols. Then, the candidate must prove the seal works before the council of elders and the Clan Head. After demonstrating its function, the council evaluates its usefulness and grants the title of master."
"Exactly. Right now, you've only reached the level of an advanced seal maker, capable of creating seals with no more than five simple symbols. This is just the beginning. You still have much to learn. Study and study again. As for genjutsu, I can't teach you anything new—I've passed on everything I know. I can only compare you to a full Sharingan user, and it's not in your favor, but that's something you'll grow into. Their level is so high you can't tell reality from illusion. Your genjutsu, for now, can only immobilize and confuse the senses. Maybe it's the tomoe, I don't know. In the future, we'll solve the issue of not having a teacher for this. Rest assured."
The old man sat beside his protégé and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket.
"Today, we'll begin your ninjutsu training. See this paper? It'll determine your affinity for chakra nature transformations. Ninjutsu. Tell me about it, and then we'll get started."
"About what exactly, old man—the paper or the elements?" The teacher gave his student a stern look. "Alright, alright. Nature Transformation is an advanced form of chakra control that involves shaping and defining your chakra into an innate chakra nature, altering its properties and characteristics for use in techniques. There are Five Basic Nature Transformations—fundamental chakra natures that form the basis of all elemental ninjutsu. These are the Fire Release (Katon), strong against Wind but weak against Water; the Wind Release (Futon), strong against Lightning but weak against Fire; the Lightning Release (Raiton), strong against Earth but weak against Wind; the Earth Release (Doton), strong against Water but weak against Lightning; and the Water Release (Suiton), strong against Fire but weak against Earth. Each nature is superior to one but inferior to another. However, in some cases, a technique with an inferior nature can win a fight if its level is higher than the enemy's technique. If two techniques of the same nature compete, the principle of counterbalance applies. It states that two techniques with the same nature cancel each other out if they use the same amount of chakra. So, if I hit you with Water but put more chakra into it than you, I'd win. But that's a crude comparison because, as in any shinobi discipline, it's not just the amount of chakra but the skill of the user that matters. So far, I've won all my fights thanks to my reserves. My reserves let me overpower opponents with sheer quantity."
"And I'm glad you understand your weaknesses, Okami. I see you haven't forgotten anything. Now, channel chakra into it."
Obediently channeling chakra, the teacher and student awaited the result.
The old man said, surprised, "Unexpected."
"No kidding," the boy confirmed.
---
*Third-Person Perspective. Setsuna Uzumaki.*
Watching his grandson return from yet another mission, Setsuna felt pride. Okami was developing well for his age and would have no equal among his peers. He only regretted having to leave the clan; the lack of peers and interaction with equals was turning his grandson into a hermit. Take a mission, kill the target, get paid, and back to training. Thankfully, Kotetsu had entered their lives.
Someday, Setsuna hoped he could return to the clan with his grandson. But that would require strength—strength to silence all the dissenters.
He kept his finger on the pulse of events surrounding the clan, but information wasn't always timely. Thoughts about the clan flowed like a slow river.
"Master."
The Second appeared beside the pensive Setsuna and handed him a scroll.
Unrolling it, he skimmed the contents and burned it with a flame.
"Is this true, Second?"
"Yes, Master. One of the clan's scouts personally delivered it to me."
"Understood. You're dismissed."
"Yes, Master."
The Second's figure vanished, and Setsuna began to think about the situation.
"War."
It wasn't the first war Setsuna had lived through, but now he had his grandson by his side. And the enemies were numerous and dangerous.
---
After washing up from a sweaty run back home, I lay on my futon, lost in thought. I recently turned ten.
A round number. It's been ten years living in this cruel world. Training on the brink of passing out from pain and the endless stream of new knowledge pouring into my head have made me, in my own opinion, a pretty strong shinobi. Tai, fuin, gen—all these aspects are at a solid level. Compared to my opponents after the Hyuga, I was simply better than everyone and won without much effort. This isn't boasting—it's the reality of life. Comparing clan training to those who picked up skills from various sources, I saw a huge gap. I've already taken down several shinobi and dozens of ordinary people—what kind of missions haven't I had? Targets weren't always regular people; sometimes they were aristocrats protected by samurai, or just unusual targets. The second-to-last one even had a kekkei genkai of speed, but, alas, he couldn't do anything against me. I simply took his head off when he fell under my genjutsu. I gave the body to Setsuna since he assigned the mission; he seemed interested. The unique traits of clans here are certainly intriguing. Speed fascinated me too. As the old man explained, the more chakra the guy poured into his body, the faster he was—a local speedster.
But for now, I can't graft any additional kekkei genkai onto myself, and I don't even know how to do it. I've got enough to figure out with my own. My chakra keeps growing, but my control hasn't improved much. If it weren't for ninjutsu, I'd be some kind of Might Guy, just without the Eight Gates. I don't want to limit myself to taijutsu. Praise be to whoever put me here for giving me the Sharingan.
About a year ago, the old man and I tested my affinity. Lightning, fire, and water. Quite the explosive mix. I feel the lightning and fire came from my would-be mother, and the water from my father. Good thing the old man knew a lot of ninjutsu. He'd collected plenty over the years. I wasn't stuck with just weak techniques—some required even my reserves to strain.
Oh, how I suffered through ninjutsu training. And no clones to cheat with, like Naruto. Tobirama, hurry up and be born, please—I'm no genius to invent techniques, especially complex ones. I'm still struggling to master the claw technique that can cut from a distance, and that's without a nature component.
At first, I could barely spit out a stream of water. My brain just couldn't comprehend or adapt to how it was done. I suffered for a month until I got it, and then it got easier. Choking wasn't fun. Fortunately, my reserves let me train for hours on end, memorizing all the techniques. As the old man said, you never know what might come in handy in a fight.
Now, my arsenal includes a dozen water and fire techniques and a few lightning ones. The old man didn't know many lightning techniques, despite living for a century and a half, it seems. But I'll have to find or create those myself. I've got some ideas, but my control isn't there yet.
The Sharingan helped in this regard, but not to the extent of copying ninjutsu on the fly like Kakashi. The third tomoe just wouldn't come, even though the chakra channels in my eyes were channeling five times more chakra than a year ago. There's no catalyst for progress.
"Ahh." Yawning sweetly, I was about to fall asleep when the door opened. Sliding the paper partitions aside, Kotetsu looked at me with her pupil-less white eyes.
"Sorry, Master. Master Setsuna is calling for you."
"What's up, Kotetsu?" I asked my loyal samurai as I quickly got dressed. She unabashedly stared at my body. Pervert. Though with her Byakugan, I bet she's already seen everything there is to see. Kotetsu's situation is interesting. Though she's a samurai, she stopped using a sword long ago. The Byakugan, transplanted after a year of training, gave her the ability to see a person's chakra system. She's now my sparring partner too, knocking out my tenketsu eight out of ten times. In the two cases I manage to knock her out, I do it at speeds she can't react to. Now she's a shinobi, but that's beside the point.
"I don't know, Master. I was asked to fetch you and told there's important news. Follow me, please."
"Alright, lead the way." I don't like sudden news and surprises.
We descended from the second floor of the house that had become home over these five years. Kotetsu led me to the backyard, where the old man stood on the grass, gazing at the stars. Cold and distant.
"What's up, old man?" I hadn't seen him this pensive in a long time.
"Look at these stars, Okami. They're so far from us, yet they still shine for us."
I didn't know people here understood the concept of stars and their light. I didn't interrupt him.
"I wanted to shine on your path all these years. I wanted my light to give you a glimpse of your own path. And I'm glad I managed to open your eyes, even a little. The strength you have gives you choice. A choice many are denied."
"Old man, did you drink that sake I gave you for your birthday?" I'd grown attached to him over this time and didn't understand why he was saying this. Approaching him, I looked at his face and eyes, still fixed on the stars.
"We're returning to the clan, and I hope for a long time. It's a necessity, but also a pleasant surprise." He turned his head and looked into my eyes. "Ashina, the Clan Head, is summoning us back to the clan. He's lifting our exile and reinstating my status. In this dire hour, they need my help—and yours. War has come to the doorstep of our home."
I knew he wasn't joking. But what war? With whom? And how could I help in this?
---
*Third-Person Perspective. Kotetsu.*
Packing her things and sealing them into scrolls, the young girl, whose beauty was starting to bloom, reflected on the twists of fate.
Five years ago, she never imagined she'd serve a shinobi and receive one of the most valuable things in this world: power.
Peaceful service on a distant island, where people were unaware of the full tragedy of the era. The art of the sword and armor like a prison. Tradition and subservience. That's what she was taught and all she knew. Disgusting. Trading her loyalty for dust, for nothing.
But the tragedy that took her entire family gave her a push. A fate that changed. A sword that spilled the blood of a headless enemy. A boy whose eyes she'd never forget. All of it changed her life. The first months were unfamiliar. Hand-to-hand combat training and chakra control. Medical knowledge and its practical application. All of it overwhelmed the young girl's mind, and though her grief didn't vanish, it became distant, as if from a past life.
The gift from Master Setsuna also brought changes. At first, it was difficult. Perceiving everything in such a radius gave too much information—far too much. Her head ached for six months. Her chakra depleted quickly, and chakra exhaustion plagued her constantly. All these challenges and training opened her eyes to a new world. The world of shinobi and ninja. A world where she could find retribution.
Seeing the strength of Master Setsuna and Master Okami, she realized she'd been like a frog at the bottom of a well. There were evenings after training when she wondered what would have happened if she'd been as strong then as she was now. Would she have lost all her loved ones, or could she have easily defeated all her enemies? Enemies she hadn't forgotten. Master Okami promised to help her with that.
She endured all these tests of spirit and mind, and the Byakugan, which spurred her growth, revealed new horizons she now saw clearly. She was no longer blind. And she knew where to aim. To stay by her master's side. Always and everywhere.
Including in battle. War awaits.
---
Following closely behind the old man, I thought about this war situation. Kotetsu moved in the middle as the most vulnerable of us.
The Kiragiruzu Clan, which attacked the border outposts, was ruthless. The declaration of war was sudden.
Apparently, they didn't care about losses. After killing five of ours while losing over twenty of their own, they declared war on our clan that same day. Well, "our" clan—I didn't really identify with the Uzumaki. For now, the closest people to me were Setsuna and Kotetsu. And Akihiko, who raised me until I was five; I'll need to find her after all this. But here, I had no choice, none at all. The old man was resolute, including about my participation in this. The clan was in danger. According to him, this wasn't the first such war, but this time was a special case.
And that's because the Kiragiruzu, with a kekkei genkai that gave them gills and the ability to breathe underwater, had a massive numerical advantage. Colossal, according to the old man. If the Uzumaki had a population of about three thousand, half of whom were combat-ready, the Kiragiruzu had around eight thousand warriors. This was worsened by their ability to attack from underwater. But the old man said the clan had long solved that problem. The war would be fought on land. He told me all this on the way back to the clan.
Years ago, the journey that took us weeks now took only five days. We ran fast, but Kotetsu tired quickly. Though her chakra had increased due to the Byakugan, she couldn't keep up with me, let alone the old man. Without her, I think the old man and I could've made it in two or three days—running around the clock with our reserves was an easy task.
A slaughter awaits us, according to the old man. Our forces are about fifteen hundred against eight thousand. I still didn't understand how I could help in this situation. I wasn't a monster like Hashirama or Madara, who could replace entire armies. But the old man said I had a very important task waiting for me. Without explaining what it was.
---
For the first time in this life, I felt awe. The kind I'd never experienced. Even when I first wielded chakra, I wasn't as shocked as I was now.
Now I understood how the Uzumaki survived where many others perished. And it wasn't because of their chakra reserves or longevity. It was a realm where the laws of nature bowed to these small people. Fuinjutsu shattered all my preconceptions about the purpose of this aspect of shinobi power.
Massive whirlpools swirled through the water, never ceasing their movement for a moment. Like ravenous dogs, they prowled the waters, waiting for an unlucky soul to fall into the abyss. A brave soul trying to pass through would be torn apart and devoured so quickly they wouldn't even realize how they died. Kotetsu's eyes were just as stunned. It would've been funny if the Hyuga saw a Byakugan so wide, but they weren't here. Just small people against the immense power of nature.
"Look, young shinobi. This is the pride of our clan. Yours, Okami. And anyone who stands against the Uzumaki must know they'll be swallowed by the Whirlpool. Now, forward. The Clan Head awaits."
---
We entered the clan in an original way. I thought there'd be a bridge or we'd run across the water. But no, we simply teleported. I was very surprised when I realized how we returned to clan soil. When I asked if we couldn't just teleport and bombard enemies with explosive seals, the old man overwhelmed me with terms and incomprehensible words. To simplify, it came down to there being no seal yet that could encompass all the advantages of spatial movement. To set up the fuin we used, it took two experienced fuin users and a sea of chakra. Limited range, plus the amount of chakra required. Setsuna spent a third of his massive reserves to teleport the three of us. And the seal itself was the size of our house. In short, too many nuances to use it as simply as I described.
Either Tobirama is a genius unseen by this world in centuries of chakra's existence, or the Uzumaki aren't seeing the full picture. I don't believe that dozens or hundreds of fuin masters couldn't come up with what a kid, by their standards, did. I decided to figure this out after the war. Maybe I could be the first user of the Flying Thunder God Technique. If I can create it…
---
Walking through the clan's streets, I saw vast differences from what I remembered. I didn't hear children or other clan members. It was as if everyone had died out. We moved slowly, passing various places and shops. Everything was closed, and only shinobi moved through the streets. Ordinary people had vanished somewhere. Shadows leapt across rooftops, and after a few more minutes, we came across a place memorable to me.
My house with Akihiko. Still standing in its place. Unoccupied, by the look of it. No one had lived there in a long time, I noted. Like a past life. Me and the red-haired girl. Evenings when she read me various scrolls. Our games. Delicious food. Hide-and-seek and her laughter. I felt sad, but I understood it was just a task for her. It made me feel sick, but I didn't let it get me down.
"Master?" The old man had already moved a few streets ahead, not interrupting my thoughts, while Kotetsu stayed by my side.
"Nothing." I smiled, looking into her white eyes. "Let's go."
"Alright, Master."
---
It took ten minutes to catch up with the old man and reach the residence. Setsuna wasn't in a hurry and was enjoying the view. He missed it, I could see it in his eyes. Kotetsu and I, meanwhile, were looking around. Japanese houses and clean streets made a good impression compared to the city we lived in—it was night and day. Various trees and greenery showed that people here loved breathing fresh air. And the river I remembered ran the entire length of the settlement. It divided the clan into two parts and was adorned with various bridges. The cool sea breeze was pleasant on this hot day.
As we toured the clan, with Setsuna sharing various facts about the village, we weren't stopped once. Though there were countless patrols. The clan was on high alert, but active combat hadn't started yet.
When I asked why they didn't stop a girl with a Byakugan and a dark-haired boy walking with an old man, Setsuna laughed and said, first, there's a barrier around and within the clan that protects against intruders and doesn't allow anyone without clearance to enter clan territory. Second, everyone here knew Setsuna by sight and by his chakra. The clan had plenty of sensors. As a medic, he'd treated many clan members. When I asked where we got clearance, Setsuna said I'd had it since birth, and he gave Kotetsu hers on the way here. He thought of everything. I wish I could plan like that.
Entering the Clan Head's residence, we were met by a frantic hive of people running back and forth, shouting and coordinating something. Like an office.
Pushing through the crowd, which parted when they saw the old man's figure, we climbed to the third floor of the building, though the staircase continued upward. We stopped on the third floor, walked down a corridor, and turned right, revealing a typical reception area. A secretary and a wooden desk. The girl was unremarkable, with a bob haircut and dark hair. Her figure was hidden by plain, office-like clothing with a local flair. She stood and bowed.
"Greetings, Elder. The Clan Head is expecting you."
"Now, now, Iwama-chan, no need to bow. I held you when you were this tiny." He gestured with his hands to show how small she was. She couldn't hide her blushing cheeks when she saw us. As he passed, he patted her head. "We'll go, Iwama-chan. Don't overwork yourself here. I know the Clan Head—he'll dump everything on you and bury himself in calculations."
"Yes, Elder. Thank you for your concern." She bowed again and sat, sorting through the papers piled on her desk. She tried not to look at us. Her cheeks were still flushed.
Kotetsu and I didn't pay it much mind and calmly followed the old man into the office.
A typical Hokage office, like the one shown in the anime. Shelves on the sides holding various scrolls. Windows offering a view of the clan, and a massive wooden desk. Did Hashirama steal the idea for his office from here? Only missing some flowers.
In a chair with a backrest towering over his head sat the current Uzumaki Clan Head, Ashina Uzumaki. An elderly man with long gray hair, a bushy mustache, and a small beard. He wore armor that encased his figure like a fortress, covering his back and neck, black in color. The arm armor was removed, and his eyes firmly and clearly scanned the papers he was reading. He looked harmless, but I wasn't fooled. This old man was the strongest shinobi in the clan. The Uzumaki chose their Clan Head based on many criteria: skills, authority, benefit to the clan, and elder votes. But the main thing—all candidates fought each other to determine who was the strongest. Ashina Uzumaki, having defeated all contenders, was worthy of the title. We approached and stood close to his desk. There were no seats available.
"Clan Head. Setsuna Uzumaki has arrived at your summons." For the first time in my memory, Setsuna bowed. Ashina looked up, giving a slight smile. Nodding at the bow, he spoke.
"Old friend, it's been a while. Ten years have passed. I'm glad you're with us in these troubled times. Take this." He handed the old man a scroll and continued speaking as Setsuna read it. "I'm reinstating you as an elder and appointing you chief medic at our hospital. Your skills will be invaluable, especially now. Patients are waiting. After this meeting, I want you to start treating the wounded. The first battles have maintained a balance so far. Our forces have taken out dozens of those fishy brats, but they're getting injured. We need to get the wounded back on their feet quickly, and I know no better candidate than you."
"Very well, Clan Head. I will carry out your will." As the old man said, Ashina didn't like long conversations. He preferred to speak, not listen. In my opinion, a poor quality for a leader. But it's not my place to judge—here, the strong make the rules.
"And now you, Okami Uzumaki." He finally turned his attention to us. "A young talent. I've read reports about your abilities—remarkable how much can be achieved with the heritage of two great clans." Setsuna didn't seem surprised by his knowledge of my abilities. Looks like this old man keeps his finger on the pulse, with good scouts. Neither I nor Kotetsu noticed them. "I'm glad there are those like you, Okami—strong and young, who will replace us in the future. I wish you well."
"And this?" He frowned when he looked at Kotetsu. The old man had said I'd need to explain who she was myself. A kind of training. I wanted to roll my eyes when he told me that. Training everywhere.
"She's my samurai. She swore loyalty to me. As for the eyes—they're a trophy that enhanced her sensory abilities. I personally take responsibility for her. She'll help me assist the clan."
"Hm." He stroked his beard and smiled. "Good. Even better. Listen to my orders, young Uzumaki. You and your subordinate are receiving a mission of the highest level. A mission I can only entrust to those I trust—guarding the most precious thing I have." Wait, I thought I'd be fighting with everyone, not guarding some trinket. "I'm entrusting you with my granddaughter, young wolf. You must stay by her side day and night while the war rages. Mito-chan, come in."
A red-haired girl, looking about three or four years old, entered the office from behind us. Sitting on her grandfather's lap, she looked at us like a queen regarding peasants.
"Look, Mito-chan, they'll be guarding you. Say hello."
"Hmph." She just huffed and turned her nose up.
Oh, I have a feeling this will be the toughest mission I've ever had.
---