In Konoha
While Minato, the Hokage, traveled to the border between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth to hold the Five Kage Summit with the other four Kage, the entire village had already entered a state of heightened war readiness. The transformation was palpable—every street corner now bore the weight of impending conflict, and the very air seemed to hum with nervous energy.
The village's defenses had been fortified beyond their peacetime standards. Guard rotations had been doubled, and elite ANBU squads patrolled routes that had previously required only minimal supervision. Sensor-type ninjas maintained constant vigilance at the village's perimeter, their chakra detection abilities stretched to their limits as they searched for any sign of enemy infiltration.
Throughout Konoha, ninjas from different departments worked with focused intensity, each unit preparing for their specific roles in the approaching war. The atmosphere was one of disciplined urgency—everyone understood that the next few days could determine the fate of not just their village, but the entire ninja world.
In the Academy's largest classroom, Kushina stood before a gathered assembly of the village's sealing specialists. Her usually vibrant red hair was pulled back in a practical style, and her expression carried the weight of someone who understood the critical importance of what she was teaching.
"The sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan are particularly effective against reanimated corpses," she explained, her voice carrying clearly through the room. "Unlike living opponents, the reanimated dead require complete spiritual binding to stop their regeneration."
The assembled ninjas—some veteran specialists, others newly assigned to the sealing corps—listened with rapt attention. They knew that Kushina's knowledge could mean the difference between life and death for countless comrades on the battlefield.
Minato had already anticipated that Madara would employ the Edo Tensei—the Reincarnation of the Impure World technique—to compensate for his lack of living forces. The intelligence reports suggested that their enemy had access to genetic material from numerous deceased powerful ninjas, potentially creating an army of immortal warriors.
Against such opponents, traditional combat techniques would prove insufficient. The reanimated dead felt no pain, required no rest, and could regenerate from wounds that would kill any living being. Only sealing techniques could truly neutralize them, unless the caster himself chose to cancel the jutsu.
"Remember," Kushina continued, demonstrating a complex hand seal sequence, "the Four Symbols Seal can contain most reanimated opponents, but for particularly powerful individuals, you may need to combine multiple sealing arrays."
The importance of the sealing corps had never been more apparent. Every ninja who mastered even basic sealing techniques represented a crucial asset in the coming war. Their skills could save dozens of lives by neutralizing threats that conventional weapons could not touch.
Meanwhile, in the medical division's headquarters, Chiharu worked alongside Konoha's medical ninja corps with the same focused determination. Her hands moved with practiced precision as she prepared medical supplies and reviewed treatment protocols for the unique injuries that the war might bring.
She had learned fundamental medical ninjutsu from Tsunade during her early training, understanding even then that healing arts would be essential to her role as a ninja. In wartime, every additional medical ninja represented an extra layer of protection for the lives of combatants. A skilled medic could mean the difference between a wounded warrior returning to fight another day or becoming another casualty statistic.
"The reports indicate we may face opponents with unusual regenerative abilities," Chiharu explained to a group of field medics. "Standard treatment protocols may not be sufficient for injuries inflicted by reanimated ninjas or those enhanced by forbidden techniques."
The medical corps had been expanded beyond its normal capacity, incorporating civilian doctors and even Academy students with basic medical knowledge. Every pair of hands that could bind a wound or provide basic first aid was precious when facing the scale of conflict that approached.
Yet amidst all this frantic preparation, one notable figure remained conspicuously absent from any assigned duties. Naruto Uzumaki, son of the Fourth Hokage, had received no transfer orders and had not been assigned to any combat group or support unit.
The reason for his exclusion was both protective and strategic. As a jinchūriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox, Naruto represented both an incredible asset and a prime target for their enemies. The village leadership had made the difficult decision to keep him away from the front lines, despite his growing strength and desire to contribute.
This decision, however, did not sit well with the young ninja himself.
On the deserted streets at the edge of Konoha, Naruto wandered aimlessly with his hands thrust deep in his pockets, his expression a mixture of frustration and restless energy. The normally bustling commercial district was nearly empty, its shops closed and its residents either evacuated or busy with war preparations.
The silence was oppressive, broken only by the distant sounds of training exercises and the occasional patrol passing by. Naruto's footsteps echoed off the empty buildings, a lonely sound that seemed to emphasize his isolation from the village's collective purpose.
Everyone around him had a role to play, a contribution to make to the war effort. His mother was teaching vital sealing techniques. His sister was preparing to save lives as a medical ninja. His father was forging the alliance that would unite the ninja world against their common enemy.
And he... he was doing nothing.
The frustration gnawed at him as he walked, his mind churning with thoughts of how he could prove his worth. He had grown stronger over the past months, his control over the Nine-Tails' chakra improving dramatically. Yet the village's leadership continued to treat him like a liability rather than an asset.
Just as he passed by a deep, stone-lined well that had served the district for generations, there was suddenly a slight movement from within its depths. The sound was subtle—a wet, sliding noise that seemed out of place in the morning air.
Naruto's senses, sharpened by years of training and the enhanced awareness that came with being a jinchūriki, immediately picked up the disturbance. His head turned toward the sound, and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw a toad about half the size of a human crawling out of the well.
The toad's orange and brown coloring was distinctive, and Naruto recognized it immediately as one of the communication specialists from Mount Myōboku. Its appearance in Konoha was unusual—these toads typically remained at the sacred mountain unless summoned for specific purposes.
"Isn't this one of the toads in charge of communications at Mount Myōboku?" Naruto muttered to himself, his earlier frustration momentarily forgotten in the face of this unexpected encounter. "Why is it suddenly here?"
When the toad spotted Naruto, it immediately hopped closer, its expression showing recognition and relief. "Isn't this Naruto? Are you in charge of security in this area?"
The question struck Naruto like a physical blow, highlighting once again his lack of official duties. His expression flickered with pain before he managed to compose himself, though the toad's innocent assumption stung more than he cared to admit.
"I remember you," Naruto said, forcing his voice to remain steady as he searched his memory for the toad's name. "Your name is... Toad Daisuke?"
The toad's eye twitched visibly, and it let out a small sigh of exasperation. "It's Kosuke. Gamakichi Kosuke."
"Close enough," Naruto said with a dismissive wave of his hand, his casual attitude masking the embarrassment he felt at forgetting the name. "But why did you suddenly come to Konoha? Is there something important happening?"
The toads from Mount Myōboku had a strict protocol about visiting the human world. They wouldn't come to the village without a compelling reason, especially during such tense times. Their presence usually indicated either urgent news or a direct summons from one of their contracted ninjas.
Gamakichi Kosuke's expression suddenly became serious, and he straightened to his full height as he remembered the urgency of his mission. "The Fourth Hokage asked us to monitor the situation at Rōran from Mount Myōboku. It seems that someone has set their sights on that place."
The name meant nothing to Naruto, but the toad's serious tone suggested that whatever Rōran was, it was significant enough to warrant constant surveillance. The fact that his father had specifically requested this monitoring indicated that the location held strategic importance.
"Not long ago, my friends discovered enemy movement in that area," Kosuke continued, his voice carrying the weight of genuine concern. "The situation appears to be escalating rapidly."
"Rōran?" Naruto repeated, his brow furrowing in confusion. The name was completely unfamiliar to him, and he couldn't recall hearing his father or any of the village's senior ninjas mention it during their strategic discussions.
"It's an ancient civilization that was located in an oasis in the Land of Wind," Gamakichi Kosuke explained, his tone taking on the quality of someone recounting historical facts. "The kingdom was destroyed by war more than ten years ago, leaving only archaeological ruins and crumbling structures behind."
The description painted a picture of a once-great civilization reduced to rubble, another casualty of the endless conflicts that plagued the ninja world. But if it was merely ruins, why would enemies be interested in it now?
"What could the enemies possibly want there?" Naruto asked, his curiosity overriding his earlier frustration. "If it's just ruins, what value could it have?"
Gamakichi Kosuke's expression grew even more grave as he prepared to reveal the true significance of the location. "Beneath the ruins of Rōran, there flows a powerful force called the Dragon Vein. The enemy's target is undoubtedly that power source."
"The Dragon Vein?" Naruto's eyes widened as he processed this information. He had never heard of such a thing, but the toad's serious demeanor suggested it was something incredibly dangerous.
"It's an ancient source of chakra that predates the current ninja villages," Kosuke explained. "The power contained within it is said to be capable of granting incredible abilities to those who can harness it properly."
The implications hit Naruto like a thunderbolt. An ancient power source that could grant incredible abilities, now being targeted by enemies during the most dangerous period in recent ninja history. This was exactly the kind of threat that could tip the balance of the coming war.
"That's terrible!" Naruto exclaimed, his expression suddenly becoming solemn as he grasped the full scope of what this meant. "In that case, we absolutely cannot let them succeed!"
The thought of such power falling into the wrong hands was terrifying. If their enemies could access this Dragon Vein, they might gain abilities that would make them even more formidable than they already were. The ninja alliance his father was working so hard to forge might prove insufficient against such enhanced opponents.
Gamakichi Kosuke nodded gravely, sharing Naruto's concern. "I must inform the Fourth Hokage of this development immediately. The situation requires his personal attention."
But then the toad's expression softened slightly, and he added in a more reassuring tone, "However, you don't need to worry too much about the immediate danger. The power of Rōran's underground Dragon Vein has been sealed."
This news brought a measure of relief to Naruto's anxious mind, but he was curious about the details of this seal. "Who was capable of sealing such a powerful force?"
"The people who sealed the Dragon Vein," Kosuke said with a note of pride in his voice, "were your parents."
"My parents?" Naruto's expression shifted from concern to a mixture of surprise and pride. If his mother and father had been responsible for sealing such a dangerous power source, it spoke to their incredible abilities and their commitment to protecting the ninja world.
"That's right," Kosuke confirmed. "Years ago, Minato and Kushina worked together to create a seal that would prevent the Dragon Vein's power from being misused. Their combined sealing expertise created a barrier that has held for over a decade."
Naruto nodded with visible relief. Throughout the ninja world, there were few who could match his parents' skill in sealing techniques. The combination of his father's spatial-temporal jutsu mastery and his mother's Uzumaki clan heritage made them nearly unbeatable when it came to containing dangerous powers.
"I won't talk to you anymore," Gamakichi Kosuke said, preparing to leave. "I have to go deliver this information to the Fourth Hokage immediately."
"Wait," Naruto called out, his mind working quickly. "Dad has left the village to attend the Five Kage Summit and won't be back for some time. All village matters are temporarily under the supervision of the Pervy Sage."
The toad paused, considering this information. If the Hokage was unavailable, then the chain of command would indeed fall to Jiraiya, who held significant authority in Minato's absence.
"Let me pass the information to him for you," Naruto offered, seeing an opportunity to finally contribute something meaningful to the war effort.
As soon as he finished speaking, his feet seemed to catch the wind, and he transformed into a golden blur of motion, rushing toward the Hokage Building with desperate urgency. This was his chance to prove that he could be useful, that he could contribute to protecting the village and the ninja world.
In the Hokage's Office
The Hokage's office felt different without Minato's presence. Jiraiya sat behind the large desk, surrounded by stacks of reports and strategic documents, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by the weight of temporary leadership. The responsibility of managing Konoha's war preparations had fallen squarely on his shoulders, and he was taking the task seriously.
When Naruto burst through the door and delivered his report about the situation at Rōran, Jiraiya's expression immediately became grave. His vast experience as a ninja allowed him to instantly grasp the implications of what he was hearing.
"From here in the village to the Land of Wind," Jiraiya said, his voice heavy with concern, "without Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique, it would take at least one or two days to reach Rōran."
The distance was problematic. Even if they dispatched their fastest ninjas immediately, there was no guarantee they would arrive in time to prevent the enemies from attempting to break the seal. The Dragon Vein represented a power that could fundamentally alter the balance of the coming war.
"Although there is a seal set by Minato and Kushina," Jiraiya continued, his frown deepening, "we still cannot afford to be careless about this threat."
The Toad Sage's instincts told him that this was no coincidence. The timing was too convenient—enemies targeting the Dragon Vein just as the Five Kage Summit was taking place and war preparations were reaching their peak. If the enemy had discovered the location of Rōran, they must have conducted extensive intelligence gathering.
"If they were allowed to obtain Rōran's power," Jiraiya muttered, the implications running through his mind, "the consequences would be catastrophic for our cause."
The thought of their enemies wielding ancient chakra powers in addition to their already formidable abilities was terrifying. The ninja alliance might find itself facing opponents with capabilities that defied conventional understanding.
"It seems the only viable option is to use the reverse summoning technique of Mount Myōboku," Jiraiya decided, his voice carrying the weight of a difficult decision. "I'll have to go there myself."
But even as he spoke, Jiraiya's expression showed his internal conflict. The decision to leave the village during such a critical time was not one he made lightly.
"But aren't you still responsible for the village's preparations for war?" Naruto asked, his voice reflecting genuine concern about the implications of Jiraiya's absence.
The question highlighted the impossible situation they faced. Jiraiya was needed both here and at Rōran, but he couldn't be in two places at once. The village's war preparations required constant supervision, yet the threat to the Dragon Vein demanded immediate attention.
Suddenly, Naruto's eyes brightened with inspiration, and he stepped forward with renewed determination. "Since Dad isn't here, and the Pervy Sage can't spare the time, let me go instead!"
The suggestion hung in the air between them, and Naruto's expression grew deadly serious as he continued, "I will definitely stop the enemy from breaking the seal and prevent them from controlling the power of the Dragon Vein!"
His voice carried absolute conviction, the same unwavering determination that had seen him through countless challenges in the past. This was his chance to prove that he could shoulder real responsibility, that he could protect something truly important.
But Jiraiya's response was immediate and uncompromising. "Absolutely not! You cannot leave the village at this time!"
The rejection hit Naruto like a physical blow, and his expression shifted from determination to frustration and anger. "Why not? I'm also a ninja of Konoha, and I've become much stronger than I was before!"
The unfairness of the situation was overwhelming. Everyone else in the village had been assigned important duties, everyone else was contributing to the war effort, and here was finally an opportunity for him to make a real difference—only to be denied once again.
"I'm not some helpless child who needs to be protected anymore!" Naruto continued, his voice rising with emotion. "I can handle this mission!"
But Jiraiya's expression remained firm as he prepared to explain the harsh reality of Naruto's situation. "You are also one of the enemy's primary targets, not to mention that we don't know the true identity or capabilities of whoever is targeting Rōran."
The words struck home, but they also fueled Naruto's frustration. Being a jinchūriki made him valuable, but it also made him a prisoner of his own power. The very strength that should have made him an asset instead made him a liability that needed to be protected.
"I'll entrust everything in the village to Tsunade and go to Rōran myself," Jiraiya decided, rising from behind the desk. The weight of responsibility was evident in his movements as he prepared to leave.
"You should go home and rest," he added, his tone indicating that the discussion was over. "There's nothing more you can do here."
With that, Jiraiya walked past Naruto and out of the Hokage's office, leaving the young ninja alone with his thoughts and mounting frustration.
Crack!
The sound of Naruto's fist clenching echoed in the empty office. His expression flickered between anger, determination, and something approaching desperation. The constant protection, the endless restrictions, the inability to contribute meaningfully to the causes he cared about—it was all becoming too much to bear.
"This time," he whispered to himself, his voice carrying a dangerous edge, "I want to prove to everyone that I don't need anyone's protection."
His blue eyes blazed with determination as he continued, "I will definitely stop those enemies and show you all what I'm capable of!"
The decision crystallized in his mind with startling clarity. He would go to Rōran himself, with or without permission. This was his chance to prove that he was more than just a burden to be protected, that he could be the hero he had always dreamed of becoming.
With newfound resolve, Naruto jumped out of the window of the Hokage's office, his landing as silent as a cat's. The skills he had developed over years of training served him well as he made his way through the village without detection.
Back at his family's home, Naruto moved with purposeful efficiency. He packed essential supplies—ninja tools, food pills, a change of clothes, and emergency medical supplies. Every item was chosen carefully, as he knew he would be on his own during this mission.
As he prepared his equipment, Naruto put on his Konoha ninja forehead protector, the metal gleaming in the afternoon light. The familiar weight of the headband served as a reminder of his commitment to the village and his duty as a ninja.
When his preparations were complete, Naruto formed the familiar hand seals he had learned from his father's teachings. "Summoning Technique!"
Bang!
A communication toad appeared in a puff of smoke, its large eyes blinking in confusion at the sudden summoning. These toads were specifically trained to relay messages between Mount Myōboku and the human world, and they responded to calls from contracted ninjas.
"I need you to ask the toads near Rōran to use reverse summoning to transport me there," Naruto said, his voice carrying the authority he had learned from watching his father give orders.
The communication toad hesitated, sensing something unusual about the request. The timing seemed strange, and the urgency in Naruto's voice suggested this wasn't a routine mission.
Seeing the toad's hesitation, Naruto quickly added, "This is my father's order. Please hurry!"
To emphasize his sincerity, Naruto bowed deeply to the toad, showing the respect that was customary when making such requests. The gesture, combined with his claim of paternal authority, was enough to convince the communication toad.
"I understand!" the toad replied, nodding its head vigorously. "I'll relay the message immediately!"
With that, the toad placed its hands together and canceled the summoning technique, returning to Mount Myōboku to deliver what it believed to be an official order from the Fourth Hokage.
Naruto waited in his room, his heart pounding with anticipation and nervous energy. He knew that what he was doing was technically insubordination, but he also knew that it was the right thing to do. The village's safety, the ninja world's future—these things were more important than following orders that kept him sidelined.
After what felt like an eternity but was probably only a few minutes, the reverse summoning technique activated. Naruto felt the familiar sensation of spatial displacement as the jutsu transported him across vast distances in an instant.
Bang!
When Naruto opened his eyes again, the world around him had changed completely. Gone were the familiar sights and sounds of Konoha, replaced by something utterly alien.
Whoosh!
A strong wind swept across the landscape, carrying with it the bitter cold of the desert night and fine particles of sand that stung his exposed skin. The air was dry and harsh, so different from the humid atmosphere of the Land of Fire.
What appeared before him was a scene of ancient devastation—ruins standing like broken teeth against the endless expanse of desert. Crumbling towers and shattered walls stretched as far as the eye could see, their once-proud architecture now reduced to haunting shadows of former glory.
The moonlight cast eerie shadows across the archaeological site, creating an atmosphere that was both beautiful and deeply unsettling. This was a place where a great civilization had once thrived, now reduced to nothing more than a monument to the impermanence of human achievement.
"Is this Rōran?"