After a few weeks of traveling, Kushina and her caravan of Uzumaki finally reached the Hidden Stone village. They had moved through seven different countries to get here, though five of them were little more than patches of territory compared to the sprawling Land of Lightning or the jagged Land of Earth.
At the front gate, a full honor guard had been assembled. The Tsuchikage and his higher council waited to receive her.
Ōnoki, small and wrinkled yet radiating presence, bowed slightly.
"Lady Kushina, welco to our village."
The act of deference pleased her more than she cared to admit. Almost nothing brought her more joy than watching these vile Kage- the sa n who had conspired for the destruction of her holand- forced to grit their teeth and grovel.
She gave only a nod in response, lips curling into a smug smile.
"Take to my clansn. Imdiately." She commanded imperiously.
"Of course, right away," Ōnoki replied, his tone even and courteous.
On the surface, he was calm, dignified, even friendly- the image of a wise elder hosting an honored guest. But Kushina could taste the truth beneath. Rage simred in his chest, his pride burning that a red-haired girl dared to command him as if he were a servant.
She delighted in it.
They walked together through the streets of Iwagakure. Children laughed as they played with hoops and sticks, and couples strolled past carrying baskets of food. Whether this parade of normalcy was ant to soften her, Kushina couldn't be sure, but it wouldn't matter.
"This village is ugly," she remarked, her tone as sharp as a thrown kunai. "So bland and depressing- just like the rest of this land."
Ōnoki felt a vein throb at his temple, but Kushina pressed on rcilessly.
"Konoha was much better. Green, full of life- that is, before I obliterated them."
Her eyes t his, steady and unblinking.
"Take to my clan. I don't need a tour of this drab graveyard you call a village."
Cold sweat gathered on the Tsuchikage's brow. Without another word, he picked up his pace.
----
The place where the Uzumaki were kept was no prison. It was a sprawling mansion, larger than most compounds in the village, its tiled roof shining under the sun. It was probably better than Ōnoki's own quarters. Kushina noted the subtle calculation in it: a gilded cage designed to soothe, distract, and buy ti.
Her clansn stood in neat lines outside the building, anticipation plain on their faces. Red hair, vibrant even after years of captivity, blazed like fire in the light. Kushina's heart squeezed at the sight, though she kept her expression cool. They were dressed well, robes and tunics of far better make than what Kumo had given its captives. Clearly, another ploy to appease her. Regardless, the Tsuchikage and the rest of this rotten village would get theirs eventually.
Ōnoki offered her a scroll with both hands.
"This contains all the fuinjutsu knowledge we obtained from Uzushiogakure."
Kushina accepted it silently, fingers tightening. No doubt, the techniques had already been copied, preserved, and dissected by Iwa's shinobi. Still, she let it pass. For now.
She stepped forward, shaping stone beneath her feet into a raised platform with so rudintary Earth Release. Her chakra pulsed outward as she addressed them.
"I am Kushina Uzumaki, the new leader of our clan."
A hush fell. Every eye fixed on her.
"For years, since the destruction of Uzushiogakure, our family has been scattered across the world. So were forced into hiding, abandoning their heritage just to survive. Others were hunted, studied, and shackled like prized specins by the Five Great Ninja Villages." She cast a hard glance at the Tsuchikage.
"Not even our so-called allies of Konoha ca to our aid. They stood by during the invasion, and again as survivors struggled. They declared themselves righteous while abandoning us."
The crowd stirred, anger bubbling in their throats. Faces twisted, grief mixing with hatred. Each one had a grudge against the Hidden Leaf.
"But no longer!" Kushina's voice rose, strong and fierce. "With my power, the Uzumaki will suffer no more. The hidden villages already whisper my na with fear. They bend and bow like beaten dogs." She gestured toward Ōnoki, who kept his face perfectly composed even as his inner emotions betrayed him.
"I, Kushina, Uzumaki, will gather every last one of you and tear down those who dared to break us apart. I swear it, dattebane!"
The air cracked with their cheers. It was raw, desperate- the joy of a people who had lived too long in darkness suddenly glimpsing the sun.
Kushina stood tall, letting the sound wash over her. Inside, her heart filled with pride. She had been practicing her public speaking. Learning how to kindle their spirits is one of the most essential aspects of leadership.
"Co with to join your brothers and sisters," she said at last, and the Uzumaki obeyed without hesitation.
----
Later, after seeing them settled with the caravan, Kushina sat across from Ōnoki in a private chamber. Tea stead between them. They still had things to discuss.
"So," Ōnoki began mildly, "what are your plans for the future? Iwagakure is prepared to support you in any way you wish."
They both knew it was a lie. They both knew the chasm between them was unbridgeable. Yet diplomacy demanded the farce. He hoped to delay any potential action she might take, even by a little bit.
But, unlike him, Kushina didn't put on any airs. She spoke bluntly, "We need contractors and building supplies. Enough to build a village."
Ōnoki's brows twitched, but he nodded.
"That can be done."
"We'll need five billion ryō," she added, as if discussing the weather, "and chakra tal weapons in large supply."
The old man inhaled sharply through his nose. That was wealth enough to cripple their economy. Chakra tal was rarer still, a treasure hoarded for their own shinobi.
Still, he nodded again, though his eyes narrowed.
Kushina let a thin smile curve her lips. Kumogakure, who was far wealthier, had already paid dearly. Now Iwagakure bled as well. Her village, the Uzumaki's new ho, would be built upon the coffers of her enemies.
"As long as you leave our clan untouched, I won't burn your village," she said lightly, letting a sliver of Kurama's malice seep into the room.
Ōnoki's cup rattled as his hands shook.
"I-I wouldn't dream of it," he stuttered slightly.
Kushina's gaze lingered. She didn't need Kurama's chakra to sense the truth. His fear was genuine, yes- but beneath it, coiled like a viper, was hatred, envy, and resentnt. A festering intent to harm. She's certain he's planning sothing.
Her jaw tightened. A single flick of her wrist, and she could silence him forever. Yet she held back and refrained from taking imdiate action.
Kirigakure still held her kin. To slaughter every village that wronged her now would only put their lives in jeopardy. A cornered animal lashes out- and if Kiri believed they would be destroyed regardless, they might kill her clansn out of spite.
She swallowed the fire in her chest and rose. "This eting is over."
----
That night, away from the eyes of Iwa, Kushina retreated into the quiet of the seal. Kurama lood over her, nine tails coiling lazily, eyes glowing like embers.
"You let that old fossil live," he said, voice rumbling with disapproval.
Kushina crossed her arms, scowling. "I had to. Kiri still has so of ours. If I crushed him now, they might…" She trailed off, lips pressing thin.
Kurama huffed, turning his head away, though his tails swished closer. "Tch. You always find an excuse. Weak-hearted woman."
Kushina smiled faintly. "Says the fox who gets sulky when I ignore him."
His ears flicked, eyes narrowing. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I don't care what you do- so long as you stick to our plan."
"Liar," she teased softly, stepping close enough to press her palm against the thick fur of his chest. His heartbeat reverberated beneath. "You care, dattebane."
Kurama growled, but he didn't move away.
For the first ti that day, Kushina allow
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