Ichigo rushed through the winding paths of Kumogakure, heading straight for the Uzumaki compound. As he ran, the poisonous whispers of the villagers stung his ears.
"I heard that Uzumaki family is planning revenge for their homeland."
"Seriously, what were the Raikage and the Elders thinking, bringing them here?"
The fear and resentment were palpable. How did it get like this so fast? Ichigo wondered, his teeth gritted. The carefully constructed peace, the hope for a new clan, was already being threatened by baseless rumors.
He finally reached the compound and found Megumi, Akira, and Saori sitting quietly on a mat. The children looked worried, and Megumi's face was etched with concern.
"What's happening, Ma'am?" Ichigo asked, breathless.
"The rumors, Ichigo-kun," Uzumaki Megumi replied, her voice strained. "I need to confront the Raikage about this and clarify this mess before it gets any worse."
Just as she finished speaking, a Cloud Ninja appeared at the compound's newly built fence. "The Raikage wishes to speak with you," the ninja announced.
"Well, that's my cue," Megumi said, standing up with determination. She turned to the boys. "Yasu, Ichigo, can you stay here and watch over Akira and Saori?"
"Sure," Yasu and Ichigo replied in unison, a silent promise to protect the children.
With a final, reassuring look at her children, Uzumaki Megumi followed the ninja to the Raikage's office.
At the Raikage's Office
The Third Raikage sat in his chair, his expression unreadable. Opposite him, in an uncomfortably formal setting, sat the envoys from Konoha: Minato Namikaze, the brilliant Yellow Flash, and Homura Mitokado, one of Konoha's elders. The Raikage's own elders flanked him.
Hiruzen is playing one of his typical strategic games, the Raikage thought, a muscle twitching in his jaw. Spreading rumors to turn the people against the Uzumaki, hoping we'll reject them so Konoha can scoop them up. Even if I can see the tactic, I can't prove this.
The tension in the room snapped when Uzumaki Megumi walked in. She immediately noticed the two unfamiliar figures and looked at the Raikage with confusion. She had expected to discuss the slander, not a diplomatic meeting.
Homura, the Konoha elder, spoke first, his tone polite but condescending. "Hello, Uzumaki Megumi. I am Homura, one of the Konoha elders, and this is Minato Namikaze, a Konoha Jonin."
Megumi's eyes widened in realization.
The Raikage interjected before she could speak. "They are here to speak with you. They wish to get you and your children back to Konoha. It seems we've reached an impasse."
Homura quickly jumped in, pressing their advantage. "What we are asking is simply for the Uzumaki clan to return to Konoha. They are one of the core clans alongside the Senju and Uchiha. Their place is a must, back in the Fire Country."
"And where were you when Uzushiogakure was destroyed?" the Raikage countered, his voice booming.Homura sneered calmly"And who destroyed Uzushiogakure?"
one of the Kumo elders retorted, not missing a beat. "That is precisely why we housed the Uzumaki clan. To repent for our mistake. They are now officially members of our village."
Homura's mouth curled into a sneer. "Then why have I heard rumors about the Uzumaki clan flooding your village with plans for revenge?"
The atmosphere crackled with hostility. The Raikage raised his hand, cutting through the rising argument. "Let Kumogakure's Uzumaki Clan Head speak. What is your final decision, Megumi?"
Megumi took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. She looked from the hostile faces of the Konoha envoys to the stern but expectant faces of the Kumo council.
"I have decided to stay in Kumogakure," she said, her voice clear and ringing with conviction. "Yes, Uzumaki blood was spilled by Kumo's hands. But we need to move past that. Kumogakure is the village that housed us and offered us a safe haven. And as for the rumors, they are simply rumors." She looked directly at Homura and Minato. "From this day forward, the Uzumaki Clan of the Clouds will be under the Raikage's governance. That is my decision."
Homura and Minato's faces twisted into frowns. "But the Uzumaki are the founders of Konoha! That is your rightful home!" Homura protested.
Megumi returned his sharp gaze with an even sharper one. "And where were you all when Uzushiogakure was destroyed?" she challenged. "The only person you managed to rescue was conveniently the heir of the original matriarch. And now you want to swoop in and claim us? Kumogakure provided us with a safe place to stay. If I joined Konoha, how exactly can I ensure my clan's safety in front of your experimental noses?"
Homura and Minato were rendered speechless, their diplomatic mission shattered by her blunt accusations.
The Raikage's face broke into a triumphant, satisfied smile. "Then it is decided," he declared, slamming his hand on the table. "The Uzumaki clan will stay in Kumogakure. No demands from Konoha will be accepted."
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I had more conflicts that can focus to balance my writing,I took a break and Now I am back