The map of the Elemental Nations stretched across the war room floor. Colored pins marked regions of interest—places forgotten by the great villages, where lost clans and forsaken bloodlines still clung to survival.
The young Patriarch stood at the center, his gaze unwavering.
"The time has come," he said. "We will build more than a village. We will forge a sanctuary for all those abandoned by this world."
Tsunade, standing beside him in her crimson battle cloak, raised an eyebrow. "You're starting to sound like your uncle Mito."
He smiled faintly. "That's not such a bad thing."
System Prompt: Quest Activated – Founding the Crimson Alliance
Objective: Recruit 3 Abandoned or Neutral Clans
Reward: Hashirama Senju Template (Sage Mode Variant)
Clan 1 Target: The Fuma Clan – Land of Rivers
Known for their monstrous chakra and deadly wind-style jutsu, the Fuma had long been driven into hiding after clashing with the Land of Fire decades ago.
Land of Rivers – Fuma Stronghold
The Uzumaki envoy approached under cover of dusk. Tsunade led the warriors, with Raika (wielding Hinata's template) and Juzo (Inosuke's template) guarding the flanks.
When the Fuma warriors emerged—hulking, red-eyed, and suspicious—the Patriarch stepped forward alone.
"I am not here to fight," he said. "I'm here to offer a place at our table. A village where power isn't feared—but sharpened."
The Fuma Clan Head, a scarred warrior named Gendo, growled, "And why would we serve you?"
"You wouldn't," the Patriarch replied calmly. "You'd fight with us—as equals. No collars. No leash. And in return…"
He held up a scroll. Inside: sealing techniques lost to time. Chakra armor blueprints. And a system-created elixir that doubled chakra growth.
"…you gain the future."
System Update: Fuma Clan Recruited.
Patriarch Reward – 50% of Fuma Bloodline Assimilated. Wind Nature Enhanced.
As the Fuma joined, a new crimson banner was raised alongside the Uzumaki crest.
Back at Uzushiogakure, Tsunade crossed her arms. "You're building a force strong enough to rival the Five Nations."
"I'm not trying to rival them," the Patriarch said. "I'm building something they can't control."
System Notification: Quest Progress – 1/3 Clans Recruited
Hashirama Template Unlock: 33%
That night, under a blood moon, he opened the template interface.
Template: Hashirama Senju (Sage Mode Variant) – 33% Activated
Skills Unlocked: Wood Release (Sprout Level), Minor Sage Chakra Pool, Accelerated Healing Factor
Vines crept across his fingers, and for a moment, he felt the heartbeat of the earth itself.
"This is only the beginning," he whispered.