Naruto: Chronicles of a Fire Ninja-Chapter 344 - 340: Contract

Kaida, Karin, and Reina went toward the Uchiha clan grounds. On their way, they got some looks from pedestrians, but no one looked for more than a second.

They were just curious about the red hair, but no one knew what it meant since the Uzumaki clan had been wiped out during the Second Great Ninja War. After that, more than two, almost three decades had passed, and many people had already forgotten about them.

But still, Kaida and group took a rather empty route, not wanting to announce to the village and, in turn, the spies about the new addition to Konoha.

They reached the Uchiha headquarters in no time. As soon as the receptionist saw Kaida with two other ladies, he quickly left his table and came toward them.

"Fugaku-sama is waiting for you in his office. Please let me guide you there," the receptionist said.

"Kaida, why don't you take Karin and show her our new village, till then I will complete this meeting of ours," Reina said.

"Okay ma'am. Let's go, Karin," Kaida said. He himself had no reason to go into this meeting—both Fugaku and Reina were much more experienced than him.

"No, I will stay here only. Don't worry, Mom, I will wait outside," Karin said, understanding why her mother was sending her out. She was a girl who had lived her whole life with her mother in a place where everyone was just trying to use them. There was no way she would be alright leaving her mother's side in an unknown place.

"That's fine too. I will bring something for you to eat. Oh! I remember there is a shop here which sells very good dango. Let me bring some for you," Kaida said, gave Reina a smile, and went out, while Reina patted her daughter's head and followed the receptionist toward the office.

...

Fugaku Uchiha sat in his office, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp with anticipation. Now that he had decided to form an alliance with these Uzumakis, it was not an understatement to say that the Uchiha clan would become much more powerful than before.

When Reina Uzumaki stepped into the room, accompanied by the receptionist, Fugaku rose from his seat, offering a courteous nod.

"Welcome to the Uchiha headquarters," Fugaku said, gesturing for her to sit. "I've been expecting you."

Reina inclined her head politely as she took her seat. "Thank you, Lord Fugaku. My name is Reina Uzumaki. I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me on such short notice."

Fugaku replied with a smile, "No need to thank me, Reina-san. The potential alliance between Konoha and the Uzumaki clan is a matter of great importance. For both of us."

Reina's lips curved into a faint smile. "Very well. I'll get straight to the point. My daughter and I have lived our lives on the run, hunted by those who would exploit our abilities. If we are to settle in Konoha, I need assurances that we will be protected—not only from external threats but also from internal politics."

Fugaku nodded. "Konoha values the safety of its citizens. You and your daughter will be given protection from both external and internal foes. However, for the sake of discretion and to avoid drawing unwanted attention, I must request that you and Karin dye your hair black. The Uzumakis' distinctive red hair is too easily recognizable. And currently, it is Iwa who is suspected of kidnapping you, so for some time please live a little discreetly."

Reina's expression tightened slightly, but she remained composed. "I understand the need for caution, and I'll agree to that. But in return, I have my own conditions."

Fugaku gestured for her to continue.

"First," Reina began, "we will need a house—a safe and secluded place where we can live without fear of intrusion. Second, I require a substantial income to ensure our independence. I've spent my life relying on no one but myself, and I intend to keep it that way."

Fugaku leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Those are reasonable requests. But I assume you are not going to ask for these things for free?"

Reina's eyes glinted with determination. "I will provide Konoha with a Truth-Sealing Array—a powerful A-rank Fuinjutsu array even in the Uzumaki clan.

Outside it could be considered almost an S-rank for its applications. It can determine whether someone who is standing inside the array is speaking the truth or not. This alone should be a significant asset for the village."

Fugaku's interest was clearly piqued, but being an expert politician, he didn't show it on his face. "A valuable tool, indeed. I myself assure you that for this array, we will provide you with a starting fund of 2 million Ryo and a house in the Uchiha district."

"I am also willing to teach others the basics of Fuinjutsu. You can share it with the village if you want, but you will have to guarantee our safety till we live in Konoha," Reina said.

Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly, but there was no hostility in his gaze. "A cautious but understandable position. Rest assured, Konoha and especially the Uchiha clan will take every measure to ensure your safety.

As for your conditions, I will personally oversee that you receive a house and a stipend. Your cooperation with the Truth-Sealing Array will be invaluable."

Reina nodded, satisfaction flickering across her face. "Then we have an agreement, Lord Fugaku. But first, let's sign this document," Reina said, bringing out a paper from her purse. Fugaku's eyes went wide as soon as he saw that paper.

It was the densest collection of seals he had ever seen in his life. It was not just the density of the seals that shocked him; it was the warning he was receiving from his instinct that that thing was deadly for him.

"Ma'am, can I first get this checked?" Fugaku asked.

"Sure, I don't have a problem with that," Reina said. She knew no ninja with even a little bit of awareness would sign something like this without confirming its use.

Fugaku nodded and called a Fuinjutsu grandmaster to his office.

...

"How is it possible to keep these many seals on this single paper? By all reasons, it should have blasted long ago. And what does this seal do?"

"This binds the intent of the user by scanning the Yin chakra and Soul energy."

"And what about this one?"

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"This is here to stabilize the 3rd and 4th seal," Reina calmly explained the working of the contract to the grandmaster, while Fugaku was cursing his luck. Even a Fuinjutsu grandmaster didn't know the true working of the seal. Luckily, whatever Reina was saying was easy to verify, so they could be sure that the paper was not harmful to him other than breaking the contract, of course.

After nearly one hour of explanation and testing, the grandmaster was in tears. "I can finally increase my study further now. I have been stagnated at the same post for so long."

"Ahem."

"Oh! Yes, Fugaku-sama. I have verified each of these seals. It is as Reina-sama says—this contract will bind the user to the words written here. If any of you break the words, your chakra reserves will be destroyed, but no one will die."

Fugaku nodded. It was the best outcome because according to the contract, it just needed the Uchiha clan to try their best to protect the Uzumaki family, but there would be no consequence if they were harmed even after they tried their best.

"Reina-san, can you add the clause that we will provide you with VIP-level security? Because this 'best' could also be considered as employing the whole Uchiha clan for your security, which would be a little troublesome."

"Sure," Reina said with a smile and took out a Fuinjutsu brush. She added the clause, and with no more loopholes present, both he and Reina signed the contract.

As soon as that was done, Fugaku felt a wave of chakra scanning him, and not just some outer scan, but something much more detailed and deep.

Now he understood that the discussion of soul between the Fuinjutsu grandmaster of the Uchiha clan was not just talk but something really related to the soul of a person. But pushing those thoughts to the back of his head, Fugaku stood, extending a hand. "Welcome to Konoha, Reina Uzumaki. May this alliance strengthen us both."

Reina rose, shaking his hand firmly. "Thank you. I hope this will be the beginning of a prosperous partnership."

"Till we finalize your house, please stay in the guest house of the Uchiha clan," Fugaku said.

"If it is possible, can you please find a house near Kaida's house? I have taken a liking to that boy," Reina said with a smile.

"I will see what I can do," Fugaku said.

Reina nodded, bowed, and left the office.

As Reina left the office, Fugaku sat back down, his mind already racing with the implications of the Truth-Sealing Array and the possibilities of having an Uzumaki in Konoha.

The alliance was a gamble—on one side, it could create even more tension between Konoha and other villages if the news about the Uzumaki clan forming in Konoha got public, but the sheer profit of that outweighed the risk. That's why they decided to go with this process.