Remnants of the Vortex

Although I had heard from my father, the Third Raikage, that Kumogakure had been searching for survivors of the Uzumaki Clan in the ninja world, I hadn't paid much attention to it in recent years. To actually see one in the flesh today! If Kumogakure could integrate an Uzumaki into its ranks in the future, wouldn't that be an incredible boost? Like a tiger gaining wings? Might we even be able to go toe-to-toe with Konohagakure?

As long as they have the talent to become a ninja, surely an Uzumaki could at least grow into a jonin, right?

No, no, stay calm. Although the Uzumaki are also quite overpowered, the cheats in Konohagakure seem even more ridiculous...

But regardless, this is still an Uzumaki!!!

As long as they aren't completely useless, their potential ceiling is quite high.

Heaven knows how the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed back in the day...

As the son of the Third Raikage, Dada decided he must help the village secure this opportunity; it was necessary to cozy up to him.

"Are you the legendary Uzumaki Clan member? Wow, I'm actually seeing one for real!" Dada immediately put on an expression with stars in his eyes, possessing three parts cuteness, three parts curiosity, three parts innocence, and a final part of simple honesty.

This veteran-level acting made the maid, Meizi, who was behind him, curl her lip. The Young Master was starting his con games again; he usually dealt with the elders in the clan who spoiled him exactly like this...

As expected, Dada's handsome face didn't just work on the elderly; his peers fell for it too. Uzumaki Hirohiko immediately took the bait, scratching the back of his head and saying insincerely, "Haha, the legendary Uzumaki? That's embarrassing, haha. Actually, I'm quite ordinary, aha, ahahahaha."

Dada continued, "Brother Hirohiko, do you live in Kumogakure? I haven't seen you around before."

I don't care if you were from Kumogakure or not, he thought, after today, you certainly are. Even if you were just passing through, don't even think about leaving.

"Maybe it's because I just arrived. Our family just moved to Kumogakure, haha." If one had to describe him in a sentence, this Uzumaki Hirohiko was like a total simpleton.

A vibe of a side character covered in death flags from a shonen manga wafted off him...

The whole family of Uzumaki came; that's good news.

Dada continued to butter him up: "Welcome to Kumogakure, Brother Hirohiko. I've often read in books that if Uzumaki clan members become ninjas, they are extremely powerful. I wonder if Brother Hirohiko plans to become a ninja?"

Dada wanted to know if this Uzumaki family had the talent to become ninjas. While even ordinary Uzumaki clan members held high value—after all, there would always be descendants who could become ninjas—it would naturally be best if this whole family were ninjas.

"I entered the Ninja Academy yesterday! I will definitely become an excellent ninja, earn lots and lots of money, buy a big house in Kumogakure, and let my parents and little sister live a good life!" Suddenly, Uzumaki Hirohiko started reciting his life plan as if he'd been injected with adrenaline; all that was missing was a "This is my Ninja Way."

Dada chatted a lot more with Uzumaki Hirohiko. Their family came from the Land of Grass. He hadn't been born when the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed, so he knew nothing. Ever since he had memories, he had been a refugee from a fallen nation.

The family had been in a semi-wandering state in the ninja world, finding it hard to truly integrate anywhere. After all, the features of the Uzumaki Clan were too obvious, and they were essentially "wanted" in the underworld, so they dared not stay anywhere for long, living a very difficult life.

In just the eight years of Hirohiko's life, he had already moved to three different countries and five different locations that he could remember.

A few months ago, the family had intended to settle in the Land of Grass for a while—reclaiming some wasteland, catching some fish, chopping some firewood, and struggling just to make ends meet. Ever since Uzumaki Hirohiko had memories, this was the life he had lived.

As it turned out, the family was spotted by Kumogakure ninjas on a mission. Knowing that finding Uzumaki survivors was a key part of the "Fire Stealing Plan," they immediately finished their C-rank mission and sought out Hirohiko's family.

Although the whole family were ordinary people and didn't possess any fuinjutsu knowledge—which disappointed the Kumogakure ninjas executing the mission—they at least had two children, Hirohiko and his sister, who might yet become ninjas.

At first, Hirohiko's father was unwilling to come to Kumogakure. However, Kumogakure had recruited many people from the ninja world in recent years and had accumulated some experience. Seeing that the other party was so poor they didn't even have spare pants, they didn't waste words and went straight for their living conditions, promising basic survival guarantees. By the time one reaches the state of Hirohiko's parents, there isn't much left to be picky about, so after hesitating, they agreed.

Thus, Hirohiko, his parents, and his little sister moved from the Land of Grass to Kumogakure.

It is worth mentioning that after the Kusagakure heard the news, acting on the mentality of "I don't value them, but if you want them, I'll block you," they tried to intercept Hirohiko's family to hold onto these Uzumaki. But after a Kumogakure jonin stepped on the head of the Kusagakure leader and had a "friendly discussion," the leader expressed that Kusagakure had always been a reasonable place...

Dada knew this batch of Uzumaki was secure, so he felt relieved. They chatted about some trivial matters, exchanged addresses to consider themselves friends, and then he skipped away. Before leaving, he even bought Hirohiko a large bag of candies from the shop window.

Hirohiko looked at Dada's retreating back, the candy in his hand feeling heavy. If he rationed it, it could last a long time. He originally felt it wasn't right to take things from others, but Hirohiko's family had been poor since he was young; where had they ever eaten such colorful candy? Thinking of his father, mother, and sister at home who had never tasted such good things, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

But in his heart, Hirohiko already felt that Dada was truly a great person!!!

Although, when he wanted to touch him, the other party dodged... that was a bit sad...

After Dada left, he found a sushi restaurant to have dinner. While eating, he grumbled to himself: I wonder if I'll have the chance to eat Ichiraku Ramen in this life.

Come to think of it, Ichiraku Ramen might not even exist yet. Should I register the trademark? If I register Ichiraku Ramen in Kumogakure, what will happen to the one in Konohagakure? Will it change its name to Otsutsuki Ramen?

Just thinking about it was amusing, hehe.

"Sister Meizi, let's go take a look at the orphanage."

"Very well, Young Master. Please follow me this way. The orphanage is on the north side of the village, near Training Ground No. 7."

The group marched off in a grand procession; naturally, someone else stayed behind to pay the bill.

The Kumogakure orphanage had just been established, but the building wasn't newly constructed. It had previously been a warehouse for storing unimportant supplies, and now it had been converted into an orphanage that could accommodate about 50 people.

When Dada arrived, he happened to see someone organizing the orphans into lines outdoors.

"Numbers 1 through 15, stand on the left. Those after 15, stand on the right." A ninja who looked like a total rookie was holding a small notebook and giving orders.

Dozens of children were lining up obediently according to instructions. If this were his past life, dozens of kids would have turned the place upside down, but in this world of Naruto, it was surprisingly orderly.

A feeling of repression and caution permeated the training ground.

Dada looked at these children who were about his age and discovered that there was no childlike innocence in their eyes; there was only caution and indifference.

That rookie ninja continued: "Pair up for taijutsu practice. The bottom 10 won't get any dinner today."

[If you enjoy this novel, I hope you will take a moment to share it on Facebook. The author is deeply grateful.]