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Two Years Later.
"2322, 2323, 2324... Five thousand side kicks! If you can't finish, then it's ten thousand frog jumps!"
Don't get the wrong idea—this isn't Jitou training, but Akio...
A year ago, Akio accidentally lost to Jitou in a taijutsu duel. Since then, he embarked on an intense training regimen, pushing his body to its limits.
At first, it was difficult to adjust, and his clan members often whispered about it. After all, despite his perpetually mature face, Akio was already 63 years old. However, over time, he got used to it. Perhaps regaining the body of a 22-year-old rekindled his youthful spirit.
"Sensei! I did it!" From a distance, Jitou ran over, excitement written all over his face.
Akio stopped his side kicks, his expression turning bitter. "You mastered it so quickly..."
Jitou had been training in Chidori, a technique Akio had taught him a month ago. Originally, Akio hadn't planned to introduce it so soon. However, training in taijutsu alongside Jitou made him realize something—his own taijutsu talent paled in comparison. Or perhaps taijutsu training was simply most effective during puberty?
Regardless, part of the reason Akio taught Jitou Chidori was to slow down his taijutsu training. As a teacher, being outclassed by his student was embarrassing... But he hadn't expected Jitou to master it in just a month.
Though Akio felt bitter, he quickly composed himself and put on a disdainful look. "It's been an entire month, and you're only just mastering Chidori? What's there to be happy about? In comparison, Izuko learned the Rasengan in just three days!"
"Understood, Sensei! I'll work even harder!" Jitou responded loudly before dropping to the ground to start push-ups.
Akio's face darkened. "If you work any harder, Nanako is going to laugh at me until I die of embarrassment..."
He quickly interjected, "You can ease up on taijutsu training for now. Have you forgotten about the advanced forms of Chidori I told you about?"
Jitou immediately sprang to his feet. "I remember! Chidori Stream and Chidori Sharp Spear! I'll go train right away!"
Watching Jitou rush off, Akio sighed in relief. Having a taijutsu prodigy as a student was a lot of pressure. Izuko was easier to handle—though her ninjutsu talent was remarkable, Akio had lived in the shinobi world for over sixty years, mastering over a hundred wind and fire techniques. He could teach her at his own pace. But taijutsu... Akio had never trained in it seriously before. He relied purely on the Uzumaki Clan's physique and his Yang-natured chakra for endurance.
This year of taijutsu training had resulted in significant improvements. In numerical terms, his "body" stat had increased by over a hundred points, now nearing 500.
"But this still isn't enough... Jitou's taijutsu level may only be around 300 for now, but he's only 13. He has at least five more years of rapid growth ahead of him," Akio thought grimly. "I can't slack off!"
"How many side kicks was I at again?" He muttered before shaking his head. "Never mind. Let's just say 2000 and keep going!"
"2001, 2002, 2003..."
An hour later, after completing 5000 side kicks and 10,000 frog jumps, Akio was about to take a break when Nanako ran over.
"Sensei, the clan leader wants to see you!" Now 16, Nanako had grown into a beautiful young woman. Akio had heard rumors that many young men in the clan had dueled over her...
"What is it, Nanako? Did some clan boy get injured over you, and now it's escalated to the clan leader?" Akio teased.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them, bracing himself for an outburst.
To his surprise, instead of retorting, Nanako's face flushed red. "Of course not! The clan leader needs to discuss something important with you. The Second and Third Elders are also present. It must be something big..."
Akio blinked in surprise. Aside from when he first met her, it had been five years since he'd seen Nanako act so shy.
"This reaction... does she have someone she likes?" he muttered before deciding not to pry. Mito had married into the Senju Clan at 15—Nanako having a suitor at 16 wasn't strange.
Pausing for a moment, he nodded. "Got it." He waved her off and headed to the clan hall.
Half an hour later.
In the Uzumaki Clan's great hall, Akio stared, dumbfounded. "A nation? You're joking, right, my dear nephew?"
Indeed, the clan leader had summoned Akio to discuss the establishment of an Uzumaki nation.
Akio glanced at the Second and Third Elders. "Was this your idea?"
"Uncle, it's our collective decision." Surprisingly, it was the Second and Third Elders who addressed him as "uncle"—both of them were actually Akio's grand-nephews. The entire Uzumaki Clan had practically become their family's dominion.
Akio pondered. In the original timeline, there were mentions of the Land of Whirlpools, but only as a nation that had been destroyed.
"Why the sudden decision?" he asked, still confused.
The three exchanged glances before the clan leader slowly spoke. "Because of our population. Since the battle with Kaguya, our clan has remained secluded for 14 years. We originally had around 3,000 members, but now we exceed 10,000. And in the coming years, our numbers will only grow. Furthermore, many civilians, weary of the Fire Country's wars, have sought refuge with us. They number in the tens of thousands."
Akio nodded, deep in thought. "So we have that many children under 16..."
The clan leader's face darkened. "Uncle, can you focus on the serious matter at hand?"
Akio chuckled awkwardly. "I get it. But once we establish a nation, we won't be as closely tied to the Senju anymore. If we're attacked, what then?"
The Second Elder frowned. "Attacked? By whom? Our clan is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the Senju are to the west. Even if our relationship weakens, the Senju wouldn't attack us. The Kaguya Clan was once a concern, but they might not even exist anymore."
Akio raised an eyebrow. "Have you considered the Land of Water across the sea? Or the Land of Lightning further north?"
The three hesitated before shaking their heads. "They're still embroiled in constant internal conflicts. Why would they target us?"
Akio froze, then suddenly understood. He knew that in just a few years, the Five Great Shinobi Villages would emerge—but his nephews had no idea.
Lacking confidence in defending against potential invasions, Akio stalled. "Let's wait a few more years. I have a feeling the Fire Country will see major changes soon. We should observe for now."
Though puzzled, the three weren't in a rush. With their population still growing, waiting a few years wouldn't hurt.
And so, the talk of founding a nation was put on hold. Akio returned home with a new notification:
"Witness and completely alter a major side storyline in the Naruto world: The Founding of the Land of Whirlpools. Reward: 2 (*10) Witness Points."
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