Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

Months later, Konoha—already bracing for conflict—had fully mobilized its war machine. By September of the 31st year of Konoha, the Ninja Academy welcomed a new round of enrollment.

This year, however, things were different. The minimum age for admission had been lowered to five years old, although these younger children were required to pass an entrance test. In the shadow of a looming war, many of Konoha's clans, which had previously avoided sending their children to the academy at such a young age, began enrolling them under family orders.

The reasoning was straightforward: if war broke out, the older ninjas would be sent to the frontlines first, followed by the younger generations. The academy was the primary source of new shinobi, and in the event of prolonged conflict, even academy students would inevitably be drawn into battle. By enrolling their children early, clan leaders hoped they could build bonds with other students, knowing that teamwork was essential in the field.

On a sunny morning, Tsunade and Kushina led Raiden to the academy. Today was his enrollment day, and they had decided to personally escort him.

"Nai-chan, do I really have to go to this school?" Raiden whined as they walked. His tone was exaggeratedly pitiful, though his bravery in voicing his complaints was evident.

Alongside the trio were two boys: Namikaze Minato, whose blonde hair shone brightly in the sunlight, and Shinnosuke Sarutobi, a spirited brunette and son of the Third Hokage. These two were Kushina's teammates, and they had tagged along after hearing about Raiden's enrollment.

While the minimum age for enrollment had been lowered, Raiden wasn't quite five yet—just a few months shy. Despite this, Uzumaki Mito insisted he attend, believing he was too isolated and needed interaction with peers his own age. Mito didn't see Raiden as cannon fodder; she only wanted him to make friends.

At the academy gates, Raiden continued his dramatic complaints, though he secretly knew the act wouldn't work.

"Oh, so this brat doesn't want to go to school?" Shinnosuke teased. "Kushina, you need to discipline your little brother!"

This was Shinnosuke's first time meeting Raiden, and he immediately saw him as an immature child in need of a big brother's guidance. Namikaze Minato, however, knew better. Ever since the Cloud Village kidnapping incident, Minato had occasionally visited Kushina's house, where he had witnessed Raiden training under Uzumaki Mito. He knew Raiden's abilities and maturity far exceeded what the boy let on.

"Who is this guy, acting like he's my superior?" Raiden thought, narrowing his eyes at Shinnosuke while maintaining an innocent expression. Behind the mask, though, he was already plotting to humble the Hokage's son.

"Raiden, you'll like the academy. There are lots of kids there," Kushina said in a sweet tone, but halfway through her sentence, she stopped, realizing who she was talking to. "Wait, my brother doesn't play with little kids!"

Tsunade, watching Raiden's antics, sighed. "It was Mito's idea for you to attend the academy. Staying home all the time isn't good for your growth. At the academy, you'll meet peers who can challenge you. Ninja life is about teamwork—you need to learn how to work with others."

"Really?" Raiden replied, his tone shifting back to its usual confident self. He stuffed one hand casually into his pocket and gestured dismissively at Shinnosuke with his other hand. "If everyone at this academy is like him, it's going to be pretty disappointing."

The sudden shift in Raiden's demeanor stunned Shinnosuke. For a moment, he stared at the boy, trying to reconcile the naïve child from earlier with this sharp-tongued imp.

"You little—" Shinnosuke began, but Raiden cut him off with an exaggerated, innocent blink.

"Can't a little brother act cute?" Raiden teased, tilting his head and feigning wide-eyed innocence.

"Unbelievable brat," Shinnosuke muttered, turning away in frustration. His gaze fell on the crowd of students and parents at the academy gates, many of whom he recognized.

"Oh, it's Shinnosuke! What brings you here?" a voice called out.

Shinnosuke turned to see a man with spiky pineapple-like hair approaching. Beside him were a teenager and a young boy, all sporting the same hairstyle—a clear sign of their Nara clan heritage.

"Shikaku, Uncle Nara, and little Shikadai, why are you all here?" Shinnosuke greeted them excitedly.

"Shikaku?" Raiden thought, observing from a distance. "That must be Shikamaru's dad. And the older man must be Shikaku's father—Shikamaru's grandfather? But who's the kid? His uncle or older brother?"

The sight intrigued Raiden, though he quickly reminded himself that the timeline of the current world was decades removed from the events he remembered. Many faces from the anime he once knew were likely gone, casualties of the Second and Third Ninja Wars.

At the academy gates, Tsunade placed a reassuring hand on Raiden's shoulder. "Alright, Raiden, we're leaving you here. The academy has an entrance test for early enrollees. You'll be fine."

"Good luck, Raiden!" Kushina cheered, slapping him hard on the back. Raiden winced in pain, muttering complaints under his breath as he rubbed the sore spot.

Gathering himself, Raiden stepped forward. He knew that this day marked the start of his true journey as a ninja. The world he was stepping into was one of blood, death, war, and betrayal. From this point on, he would have to rely on his own strength to survive.

Around him, other children were entering the academy, their faces lit with excitement and anticipation. Raiden, however, wore a somber expression. Unlike the others, he understood the harsh reality of the path they were about to walk. While the other children dreamed of becoming heroic shinobi, Raiden knew many would never make it back from the battlefield.

Konoha, long a symbol of relative peace, was on the brink of war. The looming conflicts of the Second and Third Ninja Wars would soon transform the academy's cheerful halls into a pipeline for the frontlines.

(End of Chapter)

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