The Maelstrom Saga

by Shadow Legion

The Kumo kidnapping of Hinata was successful however she was not alone. Naruto was kidnapped too... How would the consequences be so large? Watch the couple become a legend. Canon pairings and ShinoFu and ItachiIzumi.

10. Remember

Beta: Lord Farsight, AnarionRising27 and Ookami88.

Consultation: Fan1One and Solvdrage.

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Next Day, Hyuuga Clan Head's House

December twenty seventh used to be Hitomi and Hiashi's happiest day, but it all changed on the third anniversary. For nearly ten years the Hyuuga mother cried every night for her eldest daughter and surrogate son, she prayed with tears to Kami and her ancestors that they were still safe, warm and well-fed.

She prayed one day the children would come back to Konoha, to her and her husband, and they all could enjoy having meals together and listen to Naruto's boast about his latest prank before they chided him while their daughter Hinata giggled at the scene.

Her prayer had finally been answered and her daughter had returned home safe. Yesterday was the happiest moment in Hitomi Hyuuga's life.

All thanks to Naruto who fought tooth and nail to gain the Raikage's trust and became the greatest criminal in Kumo history: just to bring Hinata back home. Now they could all be a family, along with her future son in law and his fellow clanswomen.

This abduction reminded her of Kumo's attempted kidnapping on Naruto's mother more than 25 years ago but it was foiled by his father and it made them become a couple in the end. Although this time Kumo was successful at kidnapping their son and her daughter Hinata, but Naruto saved Hinata from that terrible breeding program and they fell in love with each other. The damned Kumo unintentionally created and bonded the two couples.

"Thank you very much for saving my daughter, Naruto. Thank you, thank you!"

Yesterday there was a scream from the clan meeting room they just left when she was enjoying the reunion with her eldest daughter. Everyone rushed back into the meeting room and found there were slashes on the walls and Naruto was missing but his katana was still in the room. Hitomi and her firstborn immediately stormed out after Natsu informed them on what she saw.

It was the first time she saw her husband run at such a speed, almost fast enough to catch the son of the Yellow Flash. The reason for this antic? Their daughter's innocence.

Hinata later privately told her that they consummated their relationship out of love prior the escape and that she had no regret. She was careful not to let her 7 years old sister overhear it. Yes, the Hyuuga mother held traditional views on marriage as much as her husband did. But based on the disturbing facts in Kumo, the kind and considerate mother understood and accepted that they had had such an intimate relationship.

And after what Naruto had done, the boy was worthy to have her daughter's hand. After the dinner yesterday, Naruto bowed deeply to her and her husband in front of her daughters and his Uzumaki clanswomen, formally asking for their blessing to marry their firstborn daughter, much to Hinata's and her parents' happiness. Hitomi smiled at what Naruto said to them.

"I ask you for your eldest daughter's hand in marriage. I promise to cherish and love her forever and I promise to protect her with my life!"

'Minato, Kushina, you should be proud for your son, and I'll be very happy to call him my son.' She smiled again at the scene that Hinata hugged Naruto crying in joy before he asked her the question.

"Sorry I don't have a ring here, I will get one eventually… But will you marry me?"

"Yes!"

Hitomi would love to give him his parents' wedding rings, so he could properly propose to her daughter, but… when Naruto was in Hiashi's custody nearly 13 years ago, his parents' belongings except baby appliances were all kept in their house.

Thirteen years ago Hitomi came to her Uzumaki friend's house to share the joyous news that she's pregnant too. She had hoped her child would become friend with Kushina's. She saw her friend was happily knitting a scarf.

"For Minato?" Hitomi asked. Kushina gently patted her swollen belly.

"No, for my child dattebane!"

But Minato and Kushina's house was destroyed several years ago.

"I think Naruto shouldn't learn of that his mother had personally knitted a scarf for him. It was kept in the house. He has been hurt a lot and I don't want to see him hurt again."

Hitomi walked pass the family dojo and saw her younger daughter train with her tutor. Naruto and Hinata gave her a few Uzumaki training dummies as a gift. Their quality was even better than the Hyuuga ones and Hanabi liked them a lot. The blond had joked and teased his lover's sister they should get dolls for her. The Hyuuga mother giggled at Hanabi's response.

"I'm not a little kid!" She pouted. The 7 years old girl actually had an impressive collection of dolls in her room. She then lovely hugging her sister and surrogate brother for the present.

Hinata and Naruto would marry once the Kumo matters were dealt with and they found closure, and they would begin to rebuild Uzushio. Hitomi and Hanabi were very sad that Hinata would leave them soon again despite being happy for her happiness. It would take days to travel to the Land of Whirlpool but Hinata promised she would come to visit Konoha often, and the Hyuuga family would be welcomed to come to Neo-Uzushio as honoured guests.

Hanabi insisted that the mother and daughters spend their night sleeping together yesterday: sharing their experience and tales of the past 10 years. The mother was the first one to wake up and it made her smile that her daughters cuddled together in their sleep. It's very amusing to see drool coming out of her daughters' mouths.

Now she was preparing a welcome back party for Hinata and Naruto in the evening that every clan head and their heir/heiress would attend too. The Hyuuga matriarch was confused that Naruto requested her to send an invitation to the Aburame heir's girlfriend too. Hiashi had mentioned that Shibi's son had not had a girlfriend yet.

'How does Naruto know about the Aburame heir?'

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The Namikaze District

Tayuya, Honoka and Hinata were worried when they saw the expression on Naruto. It was impassive and calm but they knew underneath it was all pain, sorrow and rage. He just hid his negative emotions very well while always kept his happy mask to cheer everyone up.

What was standing in front of them was a charred and ruined building that used to be Minato and Kushina's house. Kurama had told them a beautiful portrait of Naruto's parents, and all of them wanted to see it, but the house was completely destroyed, and nothing was left.

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FLASHBACK

Three of them were having a meeting after dinner yesterday, and Tayuya was not very happy at what Naruto promised to the Konoha council.

"WHAT THE FUCK NARUTO!? I thought we were going to leave here soon after we brought Hinata back to her parents!" Tayuya banged the dining table hard and cared little about using profanity in the Hyuuga clan head's residence. She didn't want to have anything to do with the village that failed to save her clan. This village had deliberately removed the Uzumaki history from the academy curriculum despite her ninjas wearing the Whirlpool clan crest on their uniform as some sort of remembrance. "Look, I don't mind that we stay here for a few weeks for Hinata's sake. But we are not sure how long it will take to solve the Kumo matters. It might be YEARS!"

Naruto had been sitting with his elbows on the table his fingers knitted in front of his face and he was looking at the table. "I'm very sorry, Tayuya, Honoka. I dragged you both into this, but that mummy man is right. I feel it's my responsibility to clean up the mess. I'm very sorry. I wish you'd stay with me, but I won't blame you if you insist leaving. I'll give you some golds so you can support yourself." It made him more uneasy when Honoka had her eyes closed and was silent. The eldest Uzumaki even crossed her arms over her chest and he didn't know what she was thinking.

"Those old fucks…" Tayuya balled her hands into fists. Hinata had told the Uzumaki women what happened in the council meeting. She fumed at the fact that those people gave her clan head a hard time. "I have a bad feeling about that Danzo guy…"

"Naruto," Honoka finally broke the silence. The blond Uzumaki was slightly afraid that she might not accept his decision. "What you did to the Kumo jinchuurikis is right, I'd do the same if I were you. For that I accept your decision and I'll stay here with you. Why, Tayuya? Because it might be safer for us to stay inside of Konoha's walls because Kumo is dangerously close to Uzushio. Not to mention Kiri is even closer too and she was the one that formed the Combine that destroyed our country. We might probably be the only Uzumakis in the world, and we have to sticktogether. Uzushio can wait, and the Kumo problem must be dealt with before we move to rebuild Uzushio, so I'll stay with you Naruto."

The blond stood up and bowed to his fellow Uzumaki sister. "Thank you, Honoka."

Tayuya felt a bit uncomfortable when her two fellow clansmen turned to look at her. "Alright! Alright! I will stay too, Okay?"

FLASHBACK ENDS

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She and Honoka both wore battle kimonos and Hinata wore a ceremonial kimono for the Hokage's announcement, while Naruto was still in his black Uzumaki armour and bodysuit with the Arashi on his back. The blond was armed to the teeth, it was obvious that he didn't trust and didn't like Konoha very much. He was the one hurt most and was the most reluctant one to stay in Konoha. He was just too nice to people, but that's why she liked him and accepted him as her leader.

At first everyone thought there was a barrier that protected Minato's and Kushina's scrolls, but there was no barrier and the scrolls were nowhere to find. The ex-Kumo ninja believed the fire was not accidental, because he set fires in the Raikage Office and the archive library to hide the fact he stole the classified files. They agreed to this suspicion. But the question was: who was responsible?

"Let's go guys," Tayuya said. "There's nothing left here. We'll search for the other places later. Natsu, please take us to the Hokage Tower."

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Ten Minutes Later, Council Chamber, Hokage Tower

Except the Namikaze and Uzumaki clan liaison, all the ninja councillors were reviewing Kumo's Ten Year Plan and her war plans Naruto brought back.

Two more years Kumo would abrogate the treaty and wage war on Konoha before Suna and Kiri. Leaf being first was not only because of its geographically convenient position, close to Suna, Kiri and Iwa, but also because it was the village with the largest ninja population and many clans with diverse bloodline limits.

There was a report about the Slave and Breeding Program Naruto personally wrote along with the evidence files. The Kyuubi jinchuuriki had requested the ninja councillors to keep it classified for Hinata's well-beings. The program was disturbing, female councillors Mikoto and Tsume were the most distressed. The messy handwritings clearly showed Naruto's desperation to get Hinata and the other girls out of Kumo regardless the escape plan being perfect or not.

Hiashi's fists were shaking with fury at what Kumo attempted to do to his eldest daughter. 'I swear Kumo will pay for this!'

The disturbing fact didn't end here, however. The following Cloud's plan for Konoha made everyone shocked: Kumo would send Konoha females, kunoichis and civilians, to the Breeding Program to increase their number. Inoichi Yamanaka and Unkai Kurama were more horrified that Kumo had particularly targeted Ino and Yakumo respectively for the breeding purpose, despite the rarity of the Kurama clan bloodline limit.

Shikamaru and Choji however wouldn't fare any better as Kumo had plan for them: Konoha male ninjas would be used as grunts and cannon fodders to fight against the other villages, especially Rock. The Raikage expected high casualty on the war on Iwa.

Kumo had underestimated Konoha though. While the Raikage began his Ten Year Plan since the Namikaze-Hyuuga Incident, the Hokage had initiated Crimson Contingency in the midst of this crisis. The Leaf village not only mobilized reserve forces including Mikoto Uchiha, Hitomi Hyuuga and Yoshino Nara, but also expanded Jiraiya's intelligence network which performed intelligence gathering and counterintelligence.

When the tensions with Iwa and Kumo were rising, more measures were taken. First the expansion of the Konoha Cryptanalysis Team which was responsible for decrypting foreign village's messages. The hidden Leaf village was home to more than 25,000 ninjas, it preferred to use intelligence and tactics to counter the brute forces of Iwa and Kumo in order to minimize casualty, in case of multiple frontlines as the Leaf had fought Rock, Cloud and Mist simultaneously in the last war.

However, the Leaf intelligence services were still insufficient to face the threats nonetheless; hence two Konoha garrisons had been established in Fire Country: one in the northern border and the other one in the western border.

The northern garrison was stationed by 1,500 strong Leaf ninjas and was led by Hayama Shirakumo to defend against the Cloud village.

The western garrison was stationed by 3,500 Konoha ninjas and was led by Kosuke Maruboshi, the former Konoha Eternal Genin. The old veteran reluctantly accepted the promotion to jonin in the wake of the Namikaze-Hyuuga crisis. His abilities spoke volume that he handled the border clashes very well. The old man finally found peace at his past mistake that killed his teammates.

Fresh genins wouldn't need to be stationed in either garrison until they had more than six months experience. Ninjas in the Konoha garrisons stayed there for three months and each of them would have to take shifts twice a year. In the event of an invasion either by Iwa or Kumo, Konoha would be able to immediately send a reinforcement of more than 4,000 ninjas to help either garrison.

Iwa had learned the culprits of the abductions in Earth Country and had ceased to look for troubles in the western border, thanks to the information brought by the rogue Kumo ANBU operative- Naruto Arashi/Namikaze. They shifted to make troubles at the Lightning Country borders.

Leaf was now on alert and wary of Kumo. Due to the ninja world's foremost event – the Chunin Exam was going to be hosted in Konoha this time; the hidden Leaf village didn't have plan or resource to take action against Kumo other than reinforcing the northern garrison. The Hokage and the shinobi council agreed that Kosuke's garrison could divert 2,000 ninjas to Hayama's garrison once they confirmed Iwa ceased hostility.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was now reading the Kumo R&D project documents Naruto brought back, but they were practically useless: no detail or blueprints, only coded names and the funds involved. One project attracted the Professor's interest because it cost astronomically, and only the Cloud village that had the best economy could afford this project.

Hell Storm.

What was it? Even the ex-Kumo ANBU claimed he had no knowledge of them. The R&D Center was full of mysteries, and it was very well guarded. The facility was in complete lockdown when the initial explosions went off. Naruto told them that his shadow clone encountered heavy resistance, twenty ANBU at least, even the Raikage Tower didn't have so many ANBU guards.

So many questions but little answers, the Hokage doubted the Konoha spymaster would be able to find out, but he would task Jiraiya to dig information about them nevertheless.

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Training Ground Three

Taking the opportunity that her two teammates were now sparring, Sakura mustered the courage and walked towards her sensei who was reading his little orange book sitting next to a tree.

"Sensei, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure. Spill it."

It annoyed her more when she heard a perverted giggling coming from the jonin, but Inner Sakura had suggested that she should get a copy of that book. The pinkette ignored both of them.

"You told us you'll let us know about that blond when we came back. You seem very close to him. Can you tell us about him now, please?"

"You want to know him? You give up on Sasuke and have the hots for him? I'm surprised." The Team 7 jonin leader chuckled. "Sorry to inform you, but he's taken."

Sakura gaped and she immediately responded while waving her hands frantically. "N-No! It's not what I want to ask him about, sensei! A-And o-of course I know he's taken! That Hyuuga is his girlfriend!"

"Then, tell me, why else do you want to know about him?" Kakashi lifted his eye from his book and was now carefully looking at her.

"W-Well, Sasuke has been searching for that guy…"

It wasn't too hard for the Hatake genius to figure out: Sakura wanted to help her love interest. Sasuke was awed by Naruto's brutal action towards Gato's army albeit sickened too, then he became a bit more obsessed with the blond because of his fight against Itachi Uchiha. The avenger had been searching for Naruto and had been asking Kakashi the same question a few times.

The jonin closed his book and looked at his pink-haired student directly. "You want to find the blond so you can impress your Sasuke, right?"

The pinkette was speechless but it was obviously a yes, the scarecrow sighed. At first, he didn't care about this, but it was very likely Kumo would come to Konoha's doorsteps for revenge or continue her conquest plan when the two jinchuurikis returned. His student needed a reminder of that wake-up call.

"I'll tell you about that blond," the jonin sighed again when he saw stars in Sakura's eye. "But I have a far more important matter to bring up to you: frankly your infatuation to Sasuke worries me. I saw your actions on the bridge and they were unacceptable. If you keep going like this, especially in a war, the whole Team 7 might have their names carved on the Memorial Stone. Don't tell me you have forgotten that lesson two months ago."

Sakura was stunned and started to shiver. How could she not forget that lesson?

Based on the last war experience, especially the case that the severely outclassed and outnumbered Team Choza: Maito Gai, Genma Shiranui and Ebisu's encounter with the whole Seven Mist Swordsmen, the Konoha leadership believed a new battle formation for genin teams was needed in order to let their genin soldiers survive against stronger foes.

This gave birth to the Assault-Recon Platoon concept that emphasised more on hit and run, credit to Shikaku Nara, Tsunade Senju and Jiraiya.

81 out of the 240 academy graduates this year passed the actual genin exams two months ago. These newly minted genins gathered for the introduction of the platoon formation. They would form platoons after each of them completed a C-rank mission.

Almost all female genins except Fu and a few others clustered around Sasuke Uchiha and were immaturely competing about their love for him, until the arrival of their jonin senseis in shunshin. Needless to say, the jonins were very, very displeased to see this.

"These fangirls are disgraces to kunoichis!" Kurenai said and the other female jonins nodded.

All fangirls were punished to run fifty laps of the training ground and all of them were exhausted before they finished their twentieth lap due to the diet they took.

"HOW THE FUCK YOU ARE ON DIET!?" Anko yelled angrily when she realized the situation. Other kunoichi jonin became furious too.

The girls were all scolded and lectured: kunoichis must eat as much as they could and be strong enough otherwise, they could face a fate that's worse than death. The high number of rapes committed in the last war was a testimony. Wars with Iwa and Kumo could happen anytime, and this kind of girls would be begging for death when captured.

All the fangirls whined and complained and didn't take the advice seriously. A harsher punishment was swiftly carried out while the males were all asked to leave.

What was the punishment they received? Twenty more laps, and they were all made to finish the laps in… underwear only, despite the rain and cold. It was to give them a slight feel of being violated and a mock war experience.

Sakura remembered that the kunoichi jonins coldly ignored their protests and ruthlessly pressed it forwards with snakes Anko provided to "motivate" them. The kunoichi senseis even had the consent of the Hokage and the Slug Sannin.

The Haruno remember that evening the cold rain continued relentlessly.

The punishment was harsh, but it was necessary. The female jonins considered it a sweet mercy compared to what enemy would do to these girls. The running kept the fangirls warm, but they were crying. In the end none of the girls finished the laps, much to the jonins' disappointment, but they were all dismissed and sent home because it was late night already.

By the next day, all the fangirls except Sakura and Ino had quitted the program. There was an uproar from the civilian councillors especially Sakura's aunt, but they were silenced and put down by the glares and killing intents sent by the Slug Sannin and the kunoichi senseis. Several academy staff including Suzume were immediately sacked or suspended and brought to the Torture and Interrogation Department.

A platoon must be comprised at least 5 teams of different roles. Most of the fangirls took the washout lane and it was insufficient to form five platoons. In the end the jonins decided that this year genins would form platoons with the last year batch.

Teams 7, 8 and 10 officially would form a platoon with Teams Gai and Shizune/Anko. Later this platoon would be christened K-15: Fifteenth Platoon of Battalion K.

"Keep your fangirl attitude in check! Otherwise I won't be easy on you next time! Got it?"

Sakura shuddered and her eyes watered at that painful and humiliating memory and she remembered what Anko had told them, even the kinder Kurenai and Shizune were sending them harsh looks.

The wakeup call did the work: the two remaining fangirls started to change for the better. They trained hard with the helps from Ino's father and cut their hair short for close quarter combat. They had also quitted diet and even gained extra muscle in such a short amount of time even the kunoichi senseis were impressed and happy about the result. But she couldn't help it when her Sasuke was in danger, like what happened in Wave Country when he was nearly killed by Haku and Itachi.

"Is it wrong to love someone?" Sakura whispered sadly and she was looking down. Tears began flowing down her cheeks after sending a glance at Sasuke's way. "Can't I love him?"

"I didn't say you can't love Sasuke," the jonin clarified in a softer tone. "As long as your feeling doesn't endanger the team and the mission."

Minato Namikaze was aware of the situation in his team: Rin's affection towards Kakashi, and Obito's affection towards her, but the Yellow Flash never said anything as long as the team performed expectantly fine. The team was even entrusted with the critical mission of destroying Kannabi Bridge in the last war.

The last Yondaime's student noted Team 7 was similar to his old team except Kiba wasn't smitten with Sakura, and Rin wasn't a fangirl even back in the academy days. Even nowadays what happened to his teammates grieved the grey-haired jonin and he had to make sure nothing bad happened to this Team 7.

Kiba and Akamaru were rarely an issue. Sasuke? As long as no one mentioned Itachi he'd be fine. The problem was Sakura and the grey-haired jonin wanted to make his female student change for the best, but how?

'Stick seems not quite effective,' the Hatake thought. 'Probably I should use sensei's method: using carrot as well to motivate Sakura.'

"I have no issue with your abilities, but when it comes to Sasuke your performance starts to have problems. Don't you ever wonder that your method always backfires? I wonder why you don't impress Sasuke with your medic skill again?"

"A-Again?" A surprised Sakura raised her head. "Did I? But w-when was it?"

"You never noticed you actually did it? It's when everyone has learned that you are the one in the platoon closest to reach medic level 2, even Ino and Neji couldn't compete against you. Sasuke was impressed you even beat the last Rookie of the Year and the Hyuuga prodigy in that skill area."

Her Sasuke was impressed at her not-so-important medic skills? "Really? But I didn't see it."

"It must be Lee," Kakashi groaned. "He was shouting something about your 'Flames of Youth' that got you sacred away and distracted, not to mention him and Gai hugging afterwards. I also saw Sasuke's expression when you healed him in a training exercise. You can really impress Sasuke if you prove yourself as a capable kunoichi."

The pink-haired kunoichi shuddered at her first encounter with the self-proclaimed Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast with a terrible haircut who swore to protect her with his life. She shuddered more at what Lee proclaimed and his ridiculous self-imposed rule.

"I'LL RUN 300 LAPS AROUND KONOHA BACKWARDS ON MY HANDS ONLY IF I CAN'T BEAT NEJI THIS TIME!"

The sight of see two men hugging and crying each other's name and the illogical appearance of that sunset and crashing waves were worse! Hell, even the waves raised by Itachi's partner in Wave Country weren't even that terrifying!

"The Fifth Hokage used to be Sasuke's mother's sensei and she is the best medic in the world, so combat medic is a very honourable position." The jonin stood up. "Think about what I just said: take your kunoichi career seriously and everyone even Sasuke will be impressed. It's for your good. Anyway, regarding the blond you want to ask about, the Hokage's announcement today is about him, then I'll tell you more about him if you want to."

If Sakura kept going like this, then Kakashi would have no choice but to kick her out of Team 7 for everyone's sake. The Haruno could be reassigned to the Cryptanalysis Team or a hospital. He went to call for his male students before they went to attend the Sandaime's announcement.

On the way to the Hokage Tower, Kiba was frustrated that the Uchiha kicked his ass again. Sasuke noted that tear stains on his female teammate's face but she didn't come to bother him this time. What did she and sensei talk about?

Sakura's inner self was excitedly shouting that she should use this approach. 'How come I didn't notice my medical skills could impress Sasuke? His mother's teacher is the world best medic, and I will be the next world best combat medic!' She was inwardly banging her head against a wall and she now remembered Sasuke was awed when the mysterious blond's Hyuuga girlfriend injured Itachi, a true kunoichi. 'Then I will try to focus on my medic skills. It's a many-win situation, and everyone can respect me after all! Wait… The announcement is about him. Is that blond really a big shot?'

XXXXXXXXX

At the Same Time, Council Chamber, Hokage Tower

Accepting the decision to stay in Konoha didn't mean Honoka was happy about it, especially for an undetermined length of time. Unlike Tayuya, the 15 years old Uzumaki girl was raised by her Uzushio survivor parents. They had taught her everything they knew including combat arts and survival skills. They believed she could survive in this harsh and corrupted world alone but the incident on the Summoning Island proved otherwise. Thanks to the fact that Naruto stubbornly followed her to the island, Honoka survived the monster's rampage. It was a great lesson that it's best to have someone watch your back and she firmly believed the three Uzumakis needed to stick together even she hated staying in Konoha.

"Remember Uzushio," Kaasan's tearful last words on her death bed. Honoka promised her she would never forget it.

Remember the day the Combine with over 30,000 ninjas and three jinchuurikis attacked the peaceful village without provocation…

Remember all 2,000 valiant Uzushio ninjas that fought to their last breath in this losing war to buy time for the evacuation of non-combatants…

Remember the Combine wiped Uzushio off the map and committed the genocide of the ancient clan, and…

REMEMBER KONOHA'S FAILURE TO RESCUE UZUSHIO…

'So they are the elders who gave Naruto a hard time yesterday…' Honoka was looking at Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado with wariness and disdain. Tayuya was right: the one-eyed mummied man was also giving her a bad feeling. There was something strange about him but it frustrated her that she couldn't figure out what it was.

The three Uzumakis and Hinata Hyuuga were now standing in front of the Konoha council. They greatly distrusted the Sandaime Hokage and the three esteemed elders because they were involved in the decision making during Uzushio's Last Stand. Lady Kushina had kneeled and begged the Leaf leadership to send helps to the besieged hidden Whirlpool village.

Kurama didn't know whether they kept their promise, but he feared he didn't want to know. What the fox did know that Kushina was totally devastated when the news of the Fall of Uzushio reached Konoha. She didn't eat or sleep for the entire week and nearly rendered mute.

The rest of the ninja councillors were Kushina's generation, but it didn't mean she could trust them all, even Hiashi. Just like Naruto did when they went to the Summoning Island, they all had to earn her trust.

Naruto Namikaze had been given temporary special jonin rank while the three girls were given genin rank. Lady Tsunade was a fellow Uzumaki, but she was fair and didn't play favouritism and nepotism. Using Tayuya's words, she didn't give a fuck about the rank because she used to be freelance kunoichi after all.

Honoka then looked at the bright side; perhaps they could use Konoha as a base. The incoming Chunin Exam could broadcast to their fellow survivors scattered around the world to come to Leaf before they moved to the Land of Whirlpool and declared the country's independence with international supports.

'Uzushio will rise again…'

Patience was the key to success; they had to endure for Neo-Uzushiogakure. The Whirlpool nationalist reluctantly put a Leaf hitai-ate on her forehead after she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Naruto and Tayuya put theirs on their foreheads too, and Hinata put hers around her neck.

The Uzumakis made a deal with the two Hokages: they could resign from Konoha ninja forces after Kumo was dealt with. Their fellow Uzumaki Hokage had honoured their request to have their forehead protectors in crimson colour. The Uzumakis greatly appreciated Naruto's fiancée following suit despite not an Uzumaki yet. Four of them all had worn crimson armbands with the Uzumaki crest on their left arms, with the crimson hitai-ate it contained a significant meaning.

Remember Uzushio.

Twenty minutes later, Honoka crossed her arms observing the people of Konoha who were waiting for the Fifth's announcement, obviously an opportunity to solidify her position. People cheered thunderously when an ass-kisser shouted: "The son of the Yellow Flash is back!" when they saw Naruto.

She overhead many parents telling their children to try to get close to him. There were fangirls too, blowing kisses, squealing or shouting at her clan head with: "Marry me, Lord Namikaze!" or "I love you! Son of the Yellow Flash!"

The chain-user and Tayuya chuckled seeing the girls' faces when Naruto showed to the villagers his fiancée. It seemed the announcement boosted the morale in Konoha when all the Leaf ninjas rejoiced seeing the son of the beloved Yondaime Hokage. She scowled at the scene. 'No one ever mentioned Naruto being the son of the Red Death who had an impressive kill count in the last war for Kami's sake! What is Lady Kushina to them?'

She saw Tayuya's expression and knew she was pissed too. That's it. She didn't want to see this anymore, she and her fellow redhead asked Hizashi to take them to Lady Kushina's old home, the Uzumaki Manor, the house she used to live in before she married to Minato.

They appreciated the fact Hinata's parents were making their stay as comfortable as possible, but they didn't like to stay under someone's roofs. Once the manor was cleaned, they would move in.

Naruto's rank was temporary, and he might be given jonin rank when Jiraiya dug up information about "Naruto Arashi." Speaking about his godfather, the blond had mentioned his adult literatures and he was not happy about this. The Sannin still had time to write smuts while searching for him and Hinata? Her Uzumaki brother would demand a good explanation when they met.

She wanted to demand an answer too but everyone was happy for the return of the son of their beloved Yondaime Hokage and she didn't want be an asshole to rain on their parade. The question she wanted to ask was: did Konoha really ever send aids to Uzushio?

Kurama had mentioned that Kushina used her status as the Fourth Hokage's wife to secretly search for the classified documents regarding Konoha's involvement in the Fall of Uzushio yet in the end she couldn't find any of them.

The fox speculated that no such file ever existed, and he told them, for their sake, this secret should remain untouched…

XXXXXXXXX

20 Minutes Later, Hokage Tower

"I thought there wouldn't be many people to come here."

"I thought you would wear something nice, kid."

The Sandaime smiled as he listened at the conversation between his second successor and her nephew after the announcement on Naruto's and Hinata's return to the village. They were now walking downstairs and the Hokage being at the front. The village population's reaction to the announcement was similar when Minato was inaugurated Hokage nearly fifteen years ago on the very same roof with his wife Kushina. Hiruzen noted that despite the appearance Naruto shared similar traits with his mother, while Hinata was like his father: quiet and meek. It seemed history liked to repeat itself, their son and future daughter in law were met with thunderous applause. There was no doubt the young couple would one day become as great as Minato and Kushina.

Yesterday was the happiest day for him too, for the past ten years he was living with regret and sorrow and blamed himself for failing Kushina's last wish. But now it was over, and he could step down from the Hokage position without leaving too much trouble to the Slug Sannin.

Early this morning his three friends came to his house for breakfast so the Senju princess wouldn't know it. They strongly advised him to do everything necessary to entice the three Uzumakis to stay permanently. It made sense that they wanted Kushina's son to stay, jinchuuriki after all.

Why the Uzumaki girls too? They didn't explicitly state the reason, but the God of Shinobi looked underneath the underneath and knew what they thought of the two Uzumaki girls: backup jinchuurikis.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed at their zealous militant ideology. Konoha was a ninja village, yes, but it didn't mean it should be fully militaristic and ruled with an iron fist like Kumo or Kiri and looked at what happened to them! Even if Naruto didn't rebel, it was a matter of time before someone else started it. This was not what Hashirama Senju envisioned when he created this village, why couldn't they understand his predecessors and the Will of Fire?

Fortunately, Tsunade wasn't there when Koharu suggested this idea on the Uzumaki girls. Things would turn out very ugly if the Slug Sannin heard what the elders planned for her Uzumaki clanswomen. The Senju was always at odd with them, no wonder she demanded their retirement as a condition for her to become his successor, non-negotiable.

He would make sure his three old friends retired the advisor post and let the next generation handle matters, then he could spend more time with his family and start to enjoy his student's great literature, those books were still wrapped up. Now he couldn't wait to read them!

'Playing shogi with Asuma and taking Konohamaru to trips, life will be good. Better if Biwako is still here…'

Homura's reasons did have logics, though, Leaf really needed to enlist the Uzumakis to strengthen her defence, especially Project Firewall, which reinforced the village walls with fuinjutsu. It was that Jiraiya and other Konoha seal masters carried out the tasks.

But the seal techniques involved in the defence originated from Uzushio and even Jiraiya couldn't perfectly replicate the Uzumaki advanced seal techniques.

He was sure the Uzumakis would not be happy when they learnt this, but it was necessary and critically important to have the Uzumakis to reinforce Konoha defence before the Kumo jinchuurikis returned. Uzushio's barriers withstood several Tailed Beast Balls in her last stand, and only Uzumakis were able to set it up without too much hassle.

Thankfully his second successor was an Uzumaki, Hiruzen would leave this to her to sort this out.

XXXXXXXXX

30 Minutes Later, Moritake Cafe

Hinata was wolfing down her favourite cinnamon buns; she hadn't had one since their escape from the Cloud village. She would later join her mother in preparing for the evening party. Her fiancé was staying with the Hokage and the Slug Sannin. The blond not only requested for his parents' and great grandfather's scrolls, but also a scroll authored by Shodaime and/or Nidaime, namely the tomb location of a certain someone.

'If Naruto's parents' killer is indeed that man and he is still alive, then Naruto will inform the Hokages and the council of his existence and prepare for his return. I'll be at his side when he faces that man….'

The news of their victory over Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki spread like a wildfire over the village. Naruto and Hinata quickly became some sort of celebrities and many people wanted to ask them questions. It became worse when Lady Tsunade announced her as the future daughter in law of the Fourth Hokage. Thanks to her Branch bodyguards and guides she could enjoy her favourite food without being disturbed by anyone.

One of the bodyguards had told her that Honoka and Tayuya had left earlier for Kushina's old residence with Uncle Hizashi and they would meet up at the Uchiha compound and they would join the evening party. Then the same Branch member mustered up all his courage to ask her a question:

"Can Lord Namikaze remove the Caged Bird Seals?"

The reinstated heiress smiled and replied with a subtle hint that "nothing is impossible" to her Naruto, she then asked them to drop the honorific to him as he didn't like to be called that way. The two Branch members understood and smiled.

"Hey! Let me though! I want to speak to Hinata Hyuuga!"

The Hyuuga heiress turned around to see the commotion and it was Sasuke Uchiha. She remembered Sasuke's eyes when they encountered Itachi in Wave. That pair of eyes bore the same burning hatred in them that Kurotsuchi's and Sayuri's had held when they realized the true identity of their master.

"What can I do for you, Uchiha?" Hinata politely asked after she told her bodyguards to let him through and offered him a seat. She set up a privacy seal around their area to prevent someone trying to hear their conversation or reading lips.

So the blond was the son of the Yellow Flash, no wonder he could defeat that man! Now that was wonderful! But killing Itachi was his job, no one else's, not even the son of the Yellow Flash could take away this purpose from him! It made him jealous when he saw the Hyuuga and the blond drew blood from that man.

Sasuke had secretly copied the hand seals of that blond's assassination technique that nearly pierced Itachi's heart. He had tried to activate that jutsu in Tazuna's backyard at night while everyone was asleep, but to his surprise, he couldn't activate it. Then Kakashi arrived stopping him and warned him never to try using this technique. The jonin told him that he was lucky that he didn't have wind affinity, or his arm would be shredded to pieces without an insulation seal.

If he couldn't use Wind Strike, fine. There were other ways to kill Itachi, like that strange chakra cloak and chakra balls that destroyed his Susanoo. He didn't want to beat around the bush, mum was waiting for him at home and he had training to do, so he went straight forward. ''I'll cut to the chase: I want to 'borrow' your scrolls and armour and I'll return them to you after I finish my business with a certain person. I also want to ask your boyfriend to teach me including how to have that chakra cloak and chakra balls-" His talk stopped when he saw the Hyuuga activated her bloodline and was glaring at him.

Not even Neji or other Hyuuga he met had ever showed this kind of look and the Uchiha could swear she had looked into his soul.

"Sasuke Uchiha, please take the seat. We should talk."

"What? I don't have the time."

"Please take the seat. We need to talk."

"Listen Hyuuga, there is no need-"

A kunai suddenly appeared on Hinata's right hand and she used it to tap the wooden table violently several times. "I DON'T HAVE THE TIME EITHER!" She pointed her kunai to a chair opposite to her. "I SAID TAKE THE SEAT NOW BEFORE I WHIP YOUR BUTT WITH THIS KUNAI!" She released her killing intents in H's unique dominatrix style. The former sex slave hated to use that Kumo kunoichi's way and gestures, but she had now lost her patience and she reluctantly agreed that this method always got the job done. Thank Kami that she had set up privacy seals around their area otherwise she would get more unwanted attention.

To say that Sasuke was shocked was an understatement. He knew the Hyuuga was strong as she injured Itachi, but she seemed the friendliest in the blond's group. She could be convinced easily to do what he demanded. His mother did chastise him but never in the way that this Hyuuga had just done. His clanswomen and fangirls never yelled at him once. Somehow, he had a vision that he now lying on the table and being spanked with his pants down. He now became fearful and did what Hinata said like a good boy.

Hinata continued in a kinder voice. "That will be impossible to do since they are clan techniques and you, a clan heir, should know better than anyone that you should respect clan secrets! And you are about to cross the line by demanding to have the Uzumaki clan secrets!"

The Uchiha blinked his eyes, confused. "The Uzumaki clan?"

Hinata buried her face in her hands and let out a frustrated sigh, how could she forget that the younger generation of Konoha didn't know about the Uzumaki clan, which was from a foreign village.

"Fine, then I'll tell you about the Uzumaki clan. The Uzumaki clan is the cousin clan to the Senju clan, and also the ruling clan of the destroyed hidden Whirlpool village. They are feared and respected worldwide because of their prodigious skill in fuinjutsu. Seal art is the best counter against ninjutsu and genjutsu because they can render most of ninjutsu and genjutsu useless and our victory over Itachi is a testament to that. The chakra chains materialized from Honoka is a bloodline limit of the Uzumaki clan, but they are like the Sharingan, not everyone in the clan manifests them. You have seen the effect of the chakra chains used against Itachi's avatar. The First Hokage's wife was an Uzumaki and so is the Fifth although her surname is Senju. You can ask your mother more about the Uzumaki clan, because one of her genin teammates was an Uzumaki."

Sasuke raised his eyebrows. He had seen his mother's genin team photos. One of her teammates was a Hyuuga, obviously Hinata's mother, and the other one… He could admit that the redhead was more beautiful than their Slug Sannin sensei, but he didn't want to admit that that red-haired kunoichi was even more beautiful than his mother.

"Now you want to ask for the armour, right? The armour is covered with seals that nullify most ninjutsu and genjutsu. But even if you have Naruto's permission, I'm afraid it won't work next time because Itachi won't fall for the same trick again. I'm sure he must have a way to counter the Shield seals, like using taijutsu or kenjutsu." She repeated what Naruto taught her: "Ninja combat arts are divided into four main categories: ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu and bukijutsu. Fuinjutsu isn't a main category because it isn't a very common combat art and it is extremely difficult to learn, Jiraiya the Toad Sannin is the world renowned seal master but even he cannot fully utilize fuinjutsu and he can't create the Uzumaki advanced seals like Shield, so you can now understand why most of the ninjas don't learn it.

"These categories are paper-scissor-stone like elemental chakra, each of them has advantages and disadvantages over another. Ninjutsu and genjutsu are strong against taijutsu and bukijutsu but weak to fuinjutsu. Seal art, however, is vulnerable to taijutsu and bukijutsu and that's why the Uzumaki clan compensates with kenjutsu. The Uchiha clan is a very strong ninja clan with powerful ninjutsu and genjutsu, but the Uzumaki clan is her natural enemy with fuinjutsu."

Sasuke didn't know whatever to feel complimented or insulted; the Hyuuga admitted the Uchiha clan elite but the Uzumaki clan was more powerful. 'Well, the Uzumaki clan is a cousin clan to the Senju after all, just another natural enemy to the Uchiha. Madara is the strongest Uchiha the clan ever has, but he still lost to Hashirama Senju…'

"You think we are stronger than Itachi because we won," Hinata said. "But NO, you are wrong. You have to know that capture is much harder than kill. If they came with intent to kill, then the outcome of the battle could be different." She recalled that her fiancé mentioned that Itachi didn't go full out, as he didn't sense his malice while his shark-faced partner's was enormous. Something was not right about the Uchiha Butcher.

Sasuke raised another question. "But what about Itachi's shark-faced partner? I've checked the Bingo Book and he is Zabuza's fellow swordsman in the Mist, S-rank. Even Kakashi was already hard pressed against Zabuza, who is A-rank, but Naruto made them look like pushovers."

"That's because Kisame and Naruto are the same combat specialist type: swordsmen with monstrous chakra reserve. Kisame has stronger brute strength and is a kenjutsu master with a powerful sword, but Naruto is faster, and he has a good sword too. Most importantly, Naruto has far more chakra than that Kiri missing-nin and he outmanoeuvred him in the end by manipulating water with his wind techniques."

"And, what do you mean capture? Now I think of it, Itachi and his partner were there to arrest you. Why?" Sasuke asked.

Hinata's face darkened. "I'll tell you why Itachi was there in Wave Country… He and his partner were after Naruto and me. My fiancé Naruto became a criminal in the hidden Cloud village after setting me free because I was a sex slave to breed Byakugan! And those one hundred girls you saw on the ship Freedom were also sex slaves!"

'WHAT!? Sex slaves? Breeders?' Sasuke was shocked at Hinata's revelation. "You gotta be joking right?"

"No I am not, why else do you think Itachi and Kisame came to Wave Country? Your team and Zabuza's team were just in the crossfire. I'll tell you what had been happening in Kumo in the past few years, because soon the world will know what the crimes Kumo committed."

Hinata started to tell Sasuke about her and Naruto's story in Kumo, beginning on the reasons why they were kidnapped: Hinata for Byakugan, Naruto for Hiraishin and Uzumaki's high chakra reserve and potential chakra chains but she skipped the part about Kurama. Then she told him her experience at the Slave and Breeding facility before being saved by Naruto.

The Uchiha was very disturbed when the Hyuuga told him what happened to the girls who were not that lucky enough. Then he became horrified when she revealed that Kumo had plans for the Uchiha clan, particularly the females including his mother, to breed Sharingan once Kumo conquered Konoha.

"You are making this up, aren't you?" A very sick Sasuke asked. His body was shaking, and he dearly wished that she was bullshiting him.

"No, I am not making this up. I have told you that the world will know this soon because we'll release Kumo's crimes to the media in Fire Capital. Naruto had no choice but prematurely launch our escape when he discovered their plan on Konoha and was told to have a baby with me. The hidden Cloud village even has plans on other clans and their women too, but your mother is on the top of the list due to her crippled state."

'Oh my kami, this can't be real…' Sasuke paled and was horrified beyond words when he realized that he would have siblings, but their father wouldn't be Fugaku. He became very distressed and disgusted, sicker than when he saw what Naruto did to Gato's army. The Uchiha couldn't help but put his left hand on his mouth before he dashed to the bathroom.

Hinata looked at him with sympathy. She had the same experience when she learned that Kumo had even targeted the Hyuuga clan, including her mother. Many of her slave-friends were still in Kumo and they had become mothers at young age… The world was so cruel and corrupted, yet she and Naruto were not strong enough to change the world for the better now.

The Hyuuga princess banged her right fist on the table before turning off the privacy seal.

XXXXXXXXX

20 Minutes Later

Sasuke was heading home after buying his favourite tomatoes in the market district. He was in deep thought about his talk with the Hyuuga. The conversation resumed after he came back from the bathroom, he then asked about the chakra cloak and the chakra balls, but she simply told him only Naruto could tell him about them. The talk lasted for a few more minutes, because Naruto and his Uzumaki women would come to the Uchiha compound with a gift in an hour.

'What kind of gift is it?' Sasuke wondered.

Well the gift wasn't important. He was much more concerned about what the Hyuuga said about Kumo. He still had a hard time believing what the Hyuuga said about Kumo.

"NO ICHIZO! NOOOO! NOOOO!" A hysterical cry in the market district derailed his train of thought. The curious boy joined the crowd watching a civilian woman kneeling and crying uncontrollably and there was a kunoichi chunin doing her best to comfort her. The lady was a few years older than his mother, and she was tearfully holding a black scroll.

A body scroll. Another casualty from the Western Garrison; it wasn't uncommon that a body scroll or a severely wounded soldier returned to the village from there every week. His started to resume walking for home and he overheard the whisperings from several bystanders.

"…poor lad got wasted in the Northern Garrison…"

"Impossible! Isn't there always peaceful? What the hell happened?"

"Don't ya know, hundreds of Kumo ninjas lurking there a couple of days ago? Thanks to Lord Jiraiya, they retreated…"

'Northern Garrison? Kumo?' Sasuke thought. 'So the Hyuuga isn't bullshiting me…'

"Poor Mrs. Yamada. Lost her husband in the Kyuubi's Attack. She raised her two sons herself, but the eldest was killed in the Western Garrison three years ago, now her younger son…"

The crying mother kept screaming hysterically wanting her son back. "ICHIZO WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME TOO? NOW I'M ALL ALONE!" The grief stricken mother let out one more scream at her son's name, before she passed out.

XXXXXXXXX

Ten Minutes Later

'Why can't I get that Yamada woman out of my head?' Sasuke thought as he entered the Uchiha compound.

"Brother Sasuke!" Someone shouted and jumped at him when he just passed through the gates. It was Daisuke, Yashiro's youngest son. "Welcome back! Can you play ninja with us? We wanna beat the Hokage's bratty grandson!"

"Yeah!" Inabi's daughter, Miki, agreed. More Uchiha children started to congregate around him, asking him to play with them. "We wanna show him that the Uchiha Corps is the best!"

Sasuke chuckled. The Uchiha Corps was of course even better than the Hokage grandson's, and he would gladly help them to keep it that way.

"OK! Just give me a minute so I can drop my bags in my home." He told the children who then cheered. Unlike that man whom he used to call a brother he would spend some time with them.

All the children survived that night, as Itachi… that monster coldly claimed they were worthless piece of shit, and he didn't bother to kill them. Yet these children lost their parents and older siblings on that terrible night. This left to his mother and the other adult Uchiha survivors to raise the children and he partook some of the responsibilities.

After leaving his grocery bags, Sasuke went to the altar and offered a quick prayer to his ancestors and father in heaven before joining the children. It had been five years and the painful reminders of that night had all been cleaned, but he could still remember that night: bodies lying on the streets, and smokes almost everywhere in the compound.

As he was playing with the children he was struck by a sudden vision, a vision more horrifying than Itachi's Tsukuyomi he suffered here five years ago.

All the compound buildings were burning like the rest of the village. Then he saw a squad of Kumo ninjas chaining and herding his clansmen, including his weeping mother and the crying children, to an unknown place. It horrified him to see the Cloud ninjas treating the Uchihas like some war spoils, and these bastards were smiling lecherously at his mother and the Uchiha girls. He was about to scream…

"You okay, Brother Sasuke?" A concerned Daisuke asked. All children present were worried.

"I'm OK. Just spaced out…" Sasuke placated the children and they were relieved.

He looked at the children's eyes and they were so innocent and vulnerable, and looking at them made him want to protect them, even at the cost of his life. Then a realization hit him, and he finally understood why he couldn't get that weeping mother out of his head: she reminded him of his mother.

'The seniors are too old to fight and mum is crippled. She can't fight… I am the only battle-abled Uchiha who stands between Kumo and my clan…'

He shivered at the thought that Kumo enslaved his clan. He realized that his mother needed him. His clan people all needed him, just as he needed them, and he'd die protecting them. Now he decided that the hidden Cloud village was a more dangerous threat than Itachi, because Kumo would bring them a fate worse than death. He would still seek the son of the Yellow Flash, but for a different reason.

Itachi would have to wait.

XXXXXXXXX

Mikoto, the granddaughter of Izuna Uchiha, looked happily at her son playing with the other Uchiha children. It made her smile to see her son and the other Uchiha children playing and laughing.

Her younger son was a good boy. When the house needed cleaning, he did it. When the house was short on supply, he immediately went out to the market district. He wouldn't let her do most of the chores as long as he's at home. Her younger son always listened to her words except on one issue: Itachi.

Itachi… She sadly knew he would never come back, but he was her son after all, and she loved him dearly no matter what he did.

"Sasuke! No matter what you do, you can't bring back your father and dead clansmen to life, and I miss them too! But we need to move on!"

Her younger son didn't listen and stormed off for his Wave mission, which he believed that would make him one step closer to kill Itachi. Fate was so ironic that her sons crossed path in Wave Country. The mission showed how hell-bent Sasuke was when he recklessly charged at Itachi, even in his exhausted state from the previous battle against the Hyoton user. Thanks to Naruto, Sasuke came out unharmed from that encounter.

It hurt a mother when her children fought each other, and how did Mikoto feel when her two sons were trying to kill each other? Not to mention it freaked her out that Kushina's son and her eldest son nearly killed each other.

'How could I face Kushina if Itachi killed her son?'

Teyaki Uchiha, the senbei shop owner, rushed to her. "Mikoto! The Godaime Hokage, the son of the Yellow Flash, your Hyuuga friend and some of their clansmen are here! Do you know what they want?"

After Naruto invited her and Sasuke to the evening party, he told her that he and his Uzumaki clanswomen would visit the Uchiha compound with a gift. She was curious why he didn't give it to her at the Hokage Tower.

'What kind of gift is it?' She wondered. Well, the gift shouldn't be a big deal. She had a bigger worry as she looked at Sasuke and became fearful on what if he met Naruto again. She was very worried when he yesterday told her that he intended to pay Naruto for private training sessions with the bounty money on Itachi's head once he succeeded.

The blond coincidently had said he should have pursued and kill the Uchiha Butcher and his Mist partner in Wave Country, so he could then use the bounty to rebuild Minato's house and increase the Uzumaki treasury. She was sure that Sasuke would ask Naruto for training with the monetary offer and it's highly possible the latter would agree to it.

'I already lost Itachi and I can't afford to lose Sasuke!' Mikoto thought. 'They might end up killing each other!' It would be the greatest unimaginable pain to a mother. The Uchiha mother had to prevent this.

Mikoto slowly walked towards the guest room with her crutch. All the Uchihas were following their beloved matriarch, including Sasuke who was leading the Uchiha Corps. All of them wanted to see the one who defeated their champion and the greatest traitor in the clan history.

Sasuke believed that Itachi killed Fugaku and many Uchihas for his sick entertainment. In fact, it was that they attempted a coup and he was ordered to take them out. The matriarch wondered if she should let her younger son to know the truth.

But would Sasuke believe the truth and accept it?

XXXXXXXXX

Author Notes:

It's been 3 months since Chapter 09, but my job and being a father leaves me little spare time to write this story. English isn't my first language and I have some difficulty to write stories, but I'm learning and improving my writing skill. Honoka's part was already done two months ago, but I want Mikoto's and Sasuke's parts in this chapter, because their parts fit the title and the theme of this chapter.

Hinata's explanation should be clear enough about their victory in Wave Country: capture is very difficult hence it doesn't mean they were stronger than the opponent. The canon first Naruto vs Sasuke at the Valley of the End doesn't mean Naruto being weaker, because he was sent to capture, not to kill, while Sasuke wanted to kill him, and again in the second battle.

This arc contains a lot of drama and is much about character development, and the problems Naruto and Hinata would face in Konoha. The Kumo matters are temporarily set aside until the later arcs. This arc also lets the readers know Konoha wasn't weak as you have thought despite civilians' interference.

In the wake of Namikaze-Hyuuga Incident, the ensuing crisis and the tensions with Iwa and Kumo, the Leaf village had activated Crimson Contingency that was composed of several plans, new projects and battle tactics, and they will all be revealed or explained in this arc. Overall, Konoha is pretty much like the UK in World War Two that relied intelligence and tactics to fight the brute forces of Kumo and Iwa.

Many readers point out the brutality of Kumo in this story. In fact, Kumo is based on Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany in WW2, because the Hyuuga Affair reminds me of the Munich Appeasement and the Axis Powers bullying their neighbouring countries with their unreasonable thug logics and military powers. I always think of the real-time World Wars when the ninja world had had three world wars before the series. The Kumo Slave and the Breeding Program is based on the similar programs ran by Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany.

I'm not good at writing dialogue and interactions, the talks between Kakashi and Sakura, and Hinata and Sasuke took me weeks. I appreciate everyone's support and love for this Maelstrom Saga despite my amateur writing skills. I will keep improving. I see high expectation on my story and I'll do my best to make this story awesome and more enjoyable.

Please leave a review!