It was a terrifying day for the Uzumaki Clan. One could argue that it was the moment when the great Uzumaki Clan lost its status, identity and itself. The cousins of the great Senju Clan, reduced to ashes. The forces of Iwa, Kumo and Kiri had surrounded them and were ready to advance to the final assault, but the Uzumaki's were a tough bunch. They won't go down without a fight.

Uzumaki Masakazu, named after his father Uzumaki Masa was helping his father get ready by sealing weapons. He was an anomaly for an Uzumaki. While he knew about Fuuinjutsu, he had yet to show an aptitude for it, as by his age Uzumaki's tend to show their genius in the obscure field of ninja arts. His another striking feature was his dark blue hair unlike his red-headed clansmen, an attribute he was said to have been obtained from his late mother. His mother had passed away during his birth 7 years ago. She was a civilian-born kunoichi but a heck of a fighter, as he had been told.

"Are all the weapons sealed Kazu?", his father asked as he stopped polishing his sword and sheathed it. "Uh-huh" was the only reply he could give. His father was the only person in his life. While not bullied or singled out, Masakazu faced a lot of stares because of his non-Uzumaki traits. And now his father was going to be taken out of his life like his every other family member. He had no illusions about what was going to happen that night; his father was going to die and most probably himself too. His only thought was he gets a fair life next time.

Suddenly, he felt heavy and his eyelids began to droop. It didn't take much time for him to fall in deep sleep. Masa felt bad for putting his son under a genjutsu but it was a necessity for Kazu to survive. He carried him to a room in the basement and placed him on one of the beds. He then brought few scrolls, one of them containing a goodbye letter to his son and placed them on the bedside table. He kissed his son's forehead, looked at him for a moment with misty eyes just taking in his face. He sealed the room with every security seal that he knew and left the house with a sad but a determined face. The Uzumaki's will live again.

Masakazu woke to the feeling of being cramped coupled with a thirst. He looked around the room with bleary eyes confused. The last thing he remembered was helping his father prepare for the fateful battle. He stood with a start; What had happened? Was the war over? How had he survived? Many questions plagued his mind as he began to search frantically around the room for an exit; Then he saw it, a stack of scrolls on the table. Picking up the first scroll with the label 'Dear Kazu', he opened it with a sense of dread,

Dear Kazu,

I know you must be confused, my son. While selflessness is a quality that many assign to the Uzumaki's, we are indeed selfish, just not limited to us but our family. It was this selfishness that made me do what I did. I did not want for you to just surrender your life because of the cycle-of-hatred but live it to the fullest aiming to one day break it. I know it will be hard life full of challenges, but I have complete confidence that you would overcome them.

As for myself, don't waste your life in sorrow for your old man. I have lived mine to the fullest, and it is time for me to join your mother. My second cousin, Kushina was sent to Konoha 2 years ago and it will be best for you to go there. Now this is my advice, if you don't want to go to Konoha, it will be your choice as I would hate to force anything on you after all that has happened. If you decide to go to Konoha, there is a letter in the scrolls for the Hokage, explaining all the circumstances.

Also remember, you are not an exception. I know for sure that many of my Uzumaki brethren have made choices like myself and taken steps to ensure the Uzumaki bloodline. So there are your clansmen, spread throughout the elemental nations. Try to find them and complete our broken family again.

Now coming to the other scrolls, they contain chakra exercises, clan techniques, taijutsu and body conditioning exercises. Train yourself to be a great ninja and make our clan proud. Also, if my calculations were not wrong, you have been under the genjutsu-stasis for about two years and will need to train your body again.

There is a seal on the door, just channel your chakra to open it. Best of luck to you son, and more importantly remember that whatever you do, your mother and I will be always proud of you.

Love,

Dad

Kazu just sat on the bed motionless with tears streaming under his eyes. Why was life so unfair for him, he thought. Then he remembered the words of his father and his resolve strengthened. He will make his clan, most importantly, his father proud. He will make his mark on the world. The Uzumaki will rise again. With a determine face, he stood up, channeled his chakra to the seal on the door and was ready to face the world with a bittersweet smile on his face.

AN:

Hey guys, this is my first time writing fanfiction. Now, I have been an avid reader for couple of years but never could write one. Now because of Mr. Virus, I have a lot of time on my hands and a lot of ideas and so decided to write one. As I am rookie, I hope that you will excuse my poor writing and correct my mistakes in the comments.

Thanks, I hope that you like my idea.