"Are you an Uzumaki?"
Minato woke to the sound of Jiraiya snoring loudly on the bed opposite his. There was one reason why they were in Whirlpool country and Minato knew Jiraiya would be too hung over to get him started on the task.
Uzushiogakure had close ties with Konohagakure, due to Uzushio's Uzumaki clan and Konoha's Senju clan being distant relatives. Because of this, all chunin and jonin vests of Konoha shinobi bore the swirling crest of Uzushiogakure, symbolizing the strong friendship that reside between both villages. Minato was here with Jiraiya to learn the way's of fūinjutsu under the Hokage's and the Uzumaki clan's allowance. Every members of this clan were very knowledgeable of fūinjutsu.
This reputation earned them renown and fear worldwide. Minato knew fūinjutsu, but had come here to learn more before war between the nations potentially broke out. As a feared country, Uzushio would likely come under heavy attack because of their status.
Minato left the inn to look for an Uzumaki and start his training. "Red hair..Red hair, just find someone with red hair and ask them." He mumbled under his breath as he took in his surroundings. He strolled around for at least an hour. The village seemed to be composed of several cylindrical buildings, similar to those of Kirigakure. A wide river cut through the village and was gapped by large bridges. The surrounding countryside was dominated by steep hills and many geese flying around.
Minato walked into a more affluent part of the village, with taller buildings and potted plants, it was higher up with a clear view of the far away ocean and native birds. Minato stumbled into something as he was looking at a group of geese in a 'V' formation. He had hit a young man, with short blood red hair and violet eyes.
"Sorry." Minato said as he stepped back politely and unintentionally gave a slight shrug of his shoulders.
The man's grave face broke into a curt smile. "It's okay." He went to continue on his way but Minato's voice made him halt.
"Are you an Uzumaki?" Minato knew the answer to his question, only Uzumaki's had that hair colour.
"Hm, yeah I am" He slanted a look to the blonde.
"Namikaze Minato" Minato went to shake his hand and the young man looked down at it in question. "I'm here from Konoha to learn fūinjutsu from your clan."
Minato's name seemed to click in his head."Oh, we've been expecting you." His earlier brusque smile turned into a grin.
He shook his outstretched hand and motioned that the blonde walk with him. "I'm Uzumaki Jinzuk, It's nice to meet you finally, Namikaze-san." His sentences were somewhat dragged out in a patient tone and manner. As they walked Minato learn't of his fate on this island.
Learning fūinjutsu was not all that was in store for him. In return for learning their clans sealing secrets he would have to serve Uzushio as an Uzushiogakure gennin, meaning missions. Not action packed, kill-the-bad-guy kind of mission's, but the old gennin mission's. A.K.A. free labour and endless demeaning jobs.
Jinzuk saw Minato visibly deflate. "You'll be a solo gennin, only taking job's from the Uzumaki clan." Jinzuk smirked even more, there was more in store for the blonde but he would take it slowly.
Due to the sudden collapse of Uzumaki Clan structure when Mito Uzumaki passed, various other clans sought out the sealing techniques and attacked. The numbers within the clan had dwindled and there were no viable candidates for clan head at the time. Meaning Jinzuk, Mito's genius nephew took charge of the situation and made an official alliance with the Leaf Village (Whereas before, it was simply here say).
Jinzuk had requested a powerful ninja to marry into the Uzumaki in exchange for learning the fūinjutsu, preferably a female ninja. The Hokage had sent Minato instead, as he already knew about basic seals. He had told Jinzuk not to tell Minato of his potential future. Their plan would fall into action on it's own.