King Kong Blockade and Historical Inheritance
Border of the Land of Whirlpools.
Naruto Uzumaki was diligently practicing the Adamantine Sealing Chains, a signature technique of the Uzumaki Clan, under the watchful guidance of the clan's elder patriarch.
Unlike conventional ninjutsu, Fūinjutsu (Sealing Techniques) were designed to bind or suppress chakra rather than manipulate elements. Similar to Sage Mode, they didn't require affinity with a specific chakra nature but demanded immense chakra reserves and exceptional control.
As the direct descendant of the Uzumaki Clan and the Jinchūriki of Kurama, the Nine-Tails, Naruto had chakra in abundance. However, mastering the intricate theories behind sealing techniques was another matter entirely. Many of the clan's doctrines seemed cryptic to him, and despite two months of rigorous training, he had yet to fully command the Adamantine Sealing Chains, an art once wielded flawlessly by his mother, Kushina Uzumaki.
After another session of theoretical instruction, Naruto turned his attention to a group of captured White Zetsu clones—remnants of the Akatsuki's machinations.
At his request, the patriarch dispelled the seals binding them, allowing Naruto to use them as live targets for his training.
As he concentrated, golden chains emerged from his back, coiling and slashing through the air toward the unshackled White Zetsu. Theoretically, repeated captures should have forced the clones into submission, turning them into helpless prey.
However, White Zetsu were biological constructs born from Hashirama Senju's cells, operating with an instinctual adherence to their programming. They immediately countered—some using Wood Release to intercept the chains, while others vanished underground using Mayfly, attempting to escape across the Land of Whirlpools' borders.
Their resistance proved futile. The Adamantine Sealing Chains made quick work of them, subduing all escapees within half a minute. However, due to Naruto's lack of precision, one clone perished in the process.
The patriarch observed the fallen White Zetsu and sighed with mild regret.
"Naruto, where exactly did you find these strange creatures? They resemble humans, yet they are not. If we had such training tools in the past, the Uzumaki Clan's mastery of sealing techniques would have advanced much faster."
"I'm not too sure. Maybe they just… spawn in the wild?" Naruto replied evasively.
Of course, he knew the truth. White Zetsu were once humans—victims of the Infinite Tsukuyomi cast eons ago. Their bodies were assimilated by the God Tree, their chakra drained, their individuality erased. They were, in essence, puppets operating on a programmed will.
"Spawn in the wild?" The patriarch mused for a moment, then chuckled as he grasped Naruto's attempt to change the subject. He didn't press the matter further, just as he refrained from questioning Naruto's decision to leave Konohagakure. As long as Uzumaki blood flowed in Naruto's veins, that was enough.
Having successfully redirected the conversation, Naruto turned to the patriarch. "I should be considered proficient in the Adamantine Sealing Chains now. When do I move on to the next sealing technique?"
The patriarch's expression darkened slightly, and he shook his head. "You're too impatient, boy. Your technique still lacks refinement. If you leave with such crude skills, you'll bring shame upon the Uzumaki name."
Naruto held back a sigh. Uzumaki Village had long since been destroyed. There was no village left to disgrace, and the new one had yet to be rebuilt.
He refrained from voicing that thought aloud. Otherwise, the patriarch would launch into yet another sermon about how "sealing is the ultimate technique" and that everything—including enemies—could be sealed away.
Not that Naruto entirely disagreed. After all, Chibaku Tensei, a technique used by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki (the Sage of Six Paths) to create the moon, was itself a sealing jutsu.
However, just as Hashirama Senju didn't unify the world with only Wood Release, true power depended on the wielder, not just the technique.
After some thought, Naruto asked, "How advanced does my sealing need to be? Surely I've surpassed you when you were my age."
The patriarch scoffed. "Of course not. But you're not too bad either."
Then, his tone grew serious. "To be considered truly proficient, you must inherit my will—you must reach the level where you can suppress the Nine-Tails within you."
"That won't be necessary. Kurama and I are partners. I can use his chakra freely."
The patriarch gave Naruto a long look. "I know you two are friends. But remember—once, the Land of Fire and the Land of Whirlpools were as close as family, yet when our people were slaughtered, Konoha stood by and did nothing. Power must ultimately be in your own hands."
After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "By the way, when I speak, can Kurama hear me?"
Naruto nodded. "He's listening right now."
At that, the patriarch stepped closer, his voice softening. "What I said just now… don't take it to heart. If you and the Nine-Tails are allies, then you must protect each other. Never betray that bond."
Naruto blinked, while Kurama internally sighed at the elder's fickle temperament.
After an awkward silence, Naruto changed the subject. "Elder, since you founded the Land of Whirlpools, do you have any advice for rebuilding Uzushiogakure in the future?"
The patriarch gave him a measured look before exhaling a heavy sigh.
"The world changes. From the chaotic Warring States period of my youth to today's era of 'one country, one village'—I do not fully understand this new system. Nor do I wish to involve myself in it."
He looked out toward the sea.
"The reason I helped establish the Land of Whirlpools was simple—I wanted to give our clan a place of refuge. I even deliberately avoided taking prime territory from the Land of Fire. Yet in the end, the Land of Whirlpools still fell."
His voice wavered, the weight of past regrets evident.
He had walked the length of his homeland, but none of the faces he once knew remained. No homes. No family.
"As long as our people survive, the Land of Whirlpools will never truly be gone."
Moved by the elder's words, Naruto nodded solemnly. Then, remembering something, he asked, "By the way, have you compiled the clan's historical records and sealing techniques? They're vital."
The patriarch smirked. "Of course. I don't need sleep anymore, so I finished long ago. I even added a seal to prevent thieves from stealing them."
Naruto chuckled. "Then thank you, elder. How can I ever repay you?"
The patriarch's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "If you truly wish to thank me… why not rebuild the Uzumaki Clan? Our numbers are far too few."
Naruto's face fell. "Elder, I'm not even ten years old yet. Isn't that a little unreasonable? Ask Fuuma Arashi instead."
"Do you think I haven't already?"
Naruto's face twitched in sympathy for Fuuma Arashi, who was in his thirties and now burdened with the pressure of revitalizing the Uzumaki lineage.
At that moment, Naruto's expression darkened. The memories of his shadow clone had just returned to him.
"Elder, I need to postpone training today. Something urgent has come up."
"More White Zetsu?" the patriarch guessed.
Naruto shook his head and gazed across the sea.
"No. Mist Shinobi have appeared at our border. They're heading toward Uzushiogakure."
Without another word, he vanished with Body Flicker Technique.
The patriarch watched Naruto disappear, then turned toward the distant horizon.
Long ago, Kirigakure had coveted the Land of Whirlpools, but back then, he had been alive to deter them. After his death, the nations had descended like vultures. And Konoha had done nothing.
Now, history threatened to repeat itself.
But at least this time, Uzushiogakure had Naruto Uzumaki.
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