The next day, the entire shinobi world was shaken to its core. The five great nations received official and unofficial reports, confirming that Kumogakure had declared the formation of a new Uzumaki clan. A freshly constructed compound was allocated to them on one of the mountaintops, and Jonin were dispatched to help other scattered Uzumakis find their way to the Hidden Cloud Village.
Ichigo, hearing the announcement, couldn't help but feel a profound sense of responsibility. I think I just made a major change to the timeline, he thought, a mix of awe and anxiety churning in his stomach.
In Konoha, at the Hokage's Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk, a grim expression on his face as he read the report. He laid the file down and looked at the four figures before him: the elders Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and the young, fiery couple, Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze.
"So, you've all heard about Kumogakure's declaration, correct?" Hiruzen asked.
Danzo, his face a mask of cold fury, was the first to speak. "Shameless. Utterly shameless! How dare they claim the Uzumaki clan? They were one of the villages that helped destroy Uzushiogakure!"
Homura looked at Danzo. "Did you find anything, Danzo?"
"I had a spy in Kumogakure to monitor their orphanage," Danzo replied, his voice laced with annoyance. "I got regular updates, but I haven't heard from him since the incident. He's likely gone. The last intel I got was that he was spying on one of their depots."
"It seems they are amassing military might," Hiruzen mused, taking a puff from his pipe. "If there's a proper spark, it could ignite the Third Shinobi World War."
Kushina, who had been listening in silence, spoke up. "Can't we regroup the Uzumaki who are outside Konoha?" she asked, her voice laced with desperation.
Hiruzen's gaze softened with sadness. "We have been trying, Kushina, but we haven't found any. Other villages seem to be holding any Uzumaki they find as prisoners."
"Can we send an emissary to retrieve the Uzumaki already in Kumo?" Kushina pressed. She couldn't stand the thought of her long-lost clan members being in the hands of the very village that had tried to kidnap her years ago. She yearned to reunite with her family.
"That can be arranged," Hiruzen said, looking at Homura. "Homura, you will be in charge of this mission. Minato will accompany you."
"Of course," Homura said with a nod. "Minato, we'll depart tomorrow morning."
Minato, his own anger simmering beneath the surface, agreed. "That's fine with me."
After the meeting was dismissed, Hiruzen sat alone in his office. He took another long puff from his pipe, his thoughts a tangled web of strategy and concern. He called an Anbu. "High-class mission," he ordered. "Spread misinformation about Kumo's public declaration regarding the Uzumaki family."
Currently in Kumogakure
Ichigo stood on a small hill, looking down at the construction site. It was the new Uzumaki compound, a place of red roofs and swirling clan symbols. He had brought Amanai and Yasu with him. Yasu, a boy with silver hair, was a good friend, kind-hearted and a bit quiet, much like Chad from his old world.
They had been invited by Uzumaki Megumi herself. As they entered her new, partially built home, she greeted them with a warm smile. "Amanai-san, Ichigo-kun, and..." she looked at Yasu and smiled. "...welcome, come in."
The house, even in its unfinished state, was decorated with Uzumaki symbols and splashes of red. Megumi served them tea. "I can't thank you enough, Ichigo," she said, her eyes shining with gratitude. "None of this would have been possible without you."
Ichigo, feeling a familiar wave of embarrassment, shrugged. "No need, ma'am."
Amanai, ever the matron, asked, "So, have you found any other families like you?"
"Yes," Megumi replied, her face beaming. "Two more families are joining us. So far, it's going well, and they've all agreed to come here."
Yasu, hesitant as ever, spoke up. "Ichigo said there were kids I could play with."
Megumi laughed, a light, musical sound. "Yes, they're arranging their rooms right now. You can go meet them there."
As Yasu and Amanai went to explore, Ichigo looked at Megumi. "Ma'am, can I speak to you alone?"
She nodded and led him to a quieter part of the house. "What is it, Ichigo?"
"Do you really like Kumogakure?" he asked, the question direct and honest.
Megumi was stunned by the question. "I'm starting to," she said after a moment. "Of course, I hated Kumo at first. But they're the ones who gave me a second chance at life. So yes, soon I think I'll come to love it here."
"I was scared you might feel trapped," Ichigo admitted. "But I have a second question. How can I get stronger? Can you give me some tips?"
Megumi smiled. "Of course. I'd start with physical training, which it seems you're already doing. But for weapons, you should definitely pick up a sword. You should start with the basics."
Swordmanship it is, Ichigo thought, a plan beginning to form in his mind. But I don't have a teacher.
"Ma'am, do you know swordsmanship?" he asked hopefully.
"Unfortunately, my expertise lies in sealing and medical ninjutsu," she replied. "I'm sorry."
"That's okay," he said. "I've troubled you enough. Thank you, though. I'm going to go meet Akira and Saori." He got up to leave, but Megumi's voice stopped him.
Megumi look up on him, her eyes narrowed in contemplation. She was observing him, trying to sense his dormant chakra. She was astonished. This chakra level... it's far more potent and larger than the average Uzumaki of his age.Should I tell him about this? she wondered.
Ichigo, meanwhile, was already thinking about his next step. He had to find a sword master. I wonder if I should get a sword like Ichigo's True Shikai from bleach, he mused, a mental image of his old zanpakuto, two blades of different sizes, flashing in his mind.
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