I'm drawing manga in Naruto

He quickened his pace and hurried towards Hiruzen Sarutobi's location, but he hadn't arrived yet...

"Alright, everyone, go back now. We're all here, so we can set off."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, signaling the children's parents to leave.

"Teacher, Akabane is here too. Let's set off. It might take a long time to travel with the children."

Orochimaru chimed in at the opportune moment.

"Okay, let's go!"

Kazama Saichi gave the signal, and the caravan set off.

From beginning to end, Akabane was not given a moment to speak. As soon as he arrived, he saw Hiruzen Sarutobi walking ahead without looking back, looking like he was leading the charge to intimidate the evil forces.

hate it!

That cunning old man is definitely no good. So what if he didn't give me a drawing?

Akabane was indignant as he glanced at the caravan.

Who knows what the caravan contains are the "specialties" that Hiruzen Sarutobi mentioned? If they actually throw back the specialties that others have offered to them from Uzushio Village, they might be ostracized by the entire village.

Then, Akabane glanced at the little girl who was following him anxiously, looking flustered.

Alas...that's all.

Akabane patted the little girl's head and sighed slightly—she had agreed to be tricked herself.

"Brother Akabane".

"It's alright, let's go."

Even though his heart was bleeding, he could only comfort the little girl. Her father hadn't come yet, and he couldn't just leave her behind halfway.

On the way back, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed his true form.

This is a warning: any "traitorous ninja" who dares to make a move will be met with the wrath of the Ninja Doctor.

The First Shinobi World War had just ended, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation was at its peak. He was not at the level of the Five Great Village Kage, and few ninjas dared to provoke him. Therefore, everyone returned to the Land of Fire from Uzushio Village unharmed.

however……

When everyone returned to the Land of Fire and arrived at the Temple of Fire, Akabane saw a magnificent and splendid convoy.

The conspicuous banner clearly belonged to the military guards, instantly revealing his identity—the daimyo of the Land of Fire!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils contracted slightly.

He had considered that the daimyo might object, but he never expected that he would run into the daimyo's car on the way back.

They came too fast!

When the two convoys met, Kazama Satoshi didn't dare to block the way at all. He quickly moved to the sides and knelt down respectfully.

Orochimaru and the others stood aside and greeted them respectfully in a half-kneeling position.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Hiruzen Sarutobi salutes.

The Shadow is the head of the village, but in name he is appointed by the daimyo and is considered to be under the daimyo's command.

"Oh~ It's Hiruzen. I was just on my way to the Fire Temple when I ran into you. It's been so long since I've seen you, I've missed you. Why don't you come up and have a cup of tea?"

The voice of the great name came from the carriage.

His voice was gentle and refined, possessing a unique persuasiveness that made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze. Just by listening to his voice, many people would probably unconsciously believe what Daiming said.

"Thank you, Your Excellency!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi politely thanked him, then slowly approached the daimyo's carriage.

Upon reaching the carriage, he nodded and smiled at the head guard. The head guard paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Lord Hokage, please!"

He then lowered the wooden ladder, lifted the curtain, and gestured for Hiruzen Sarutobi to come forward.

Akabane watched the Third Generation go up, then lowered his head again.

coincidence?

He doesn't believe it.

Too many coincidences are no longer coincidences, and this seemingly accidental encounter is no exception.

Perhaps it was a warning, or perhaps it was an exchange of benefits; in any case, the Daimyo's intentions were very clear: he simply didn't want to strain the relationship between the Land of Fire and Konoha too much.

After weighing the pros and cons, he chose to visit the Fire Temple under the guise of a trip, where he unexpectedly encountered Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hiruzen, I've heard some things about how you led your team to escort the caravan these past few days. I heard it was quite dangerous, which made me worry about your students. But seeing them all safe and sound today puts my mind at ease."

Daming poured a cup of tea, smiled gently, and said...

"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. It was the students' youthful impetuosity that nearly led to their defeat at the hands of the rogue ninjas. Fortunately, they were highly talented and managed to hold on until my arrival."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said.

"Is that right?"

Daming smiled, not taking it to heart, and changed the subject, "By the way, who are those children?"

"Your Excellency, the patriarch of the Uzumaki clan has taken a liking to Kurama Akabane of the Kurama clan and wishes to marry into the Kurama clan. That's why he sent a team back, and the other children came to visit relatives on the way."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued in his reply.

"I see. Speaking of Kurama Akabane... I've heard of that name before. He seems to be a pretty good young painter. I wonder which one he is?"

Daming nodded with a smile, then curiously peered out from the car.

"Did you see the most beautifully dressed red-haired girl? Her closest boy is Kurama Akabane."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed him out directly.

The little girl is very attached to Akabane. Although they're not inseparable, they can tell who's closer to whom at a glance.

The daimyo glanced at it, chuckled, and then withdrew, saying, "Last time, the marriage alliance with the Senju clan brought many years of prosperity to the Land of Whirlpools. This time, the marriage alliance with the Kurama clan... well, they are a perfect match."

"Thank you for your praise."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a faint smile.

"Marriage alliances can affect the rise and fall of a family, so it's best to be cautious. The Uzumaki clan has always had good judgment, and this time will likely be no exception, so I don't need to worry about it. Alright, I still need to go to the temple to offer incense, so as not to delay the Hokage's schedule."

After saying his name, he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Yes, thank you, Your Excellency."

Chapter 61 Did you sell me out?

Oh no, I feel like I've been tricked!

Akabane sensed the daimyo's gaze and immediately felt that the Third Hokage might have tricked him again.

"Brother Akabane, they seem to be watching us..."

The little girl whispered.

Not only his name, but also the guards around him.

Akabane glanced around and saw the Uzumaki clan children surrounding Kiyotsuki, as well as the truck wrapped in red cloth, which further confirmed his suspicions.

I got scammed!

Boarding school, temporary surname change...

His heart was bleeding, but the matter was already at a point where he had no choice but to act. Seeing the little girl's anxious eyes, he had to reassure her: "It's alright. Lord Hokage will introduce you guests from the Land of Whirlpools to His Majesty the Daimyo."

"Oh, I see."

Uzumaki Seigetsu is the daughter of the Uzumaki clan chief, and in a sense, she is also a princess of the Uzumaki clan and the Land of Whirlpools.

In terms of identity, this explanation was plausible, and since the little girl trusted Akabane quite a bit, she didn't ask any further questions.

Soon everyone saw the third generation get out of the car and stand aside.

Not long after, the daimyo's carriage headed towards the Fire Temple—the two seemed to have reached some kind of consensus, and thus went their separate ways.

"Let's go back to the village."

Hiruzen Sarutobi returned, looking relaxed.

Akabane followed behind without saying a word. With so many children around, now was not the time to ask unnecessary questions.

The two maintained a certain tacit understanding, and the group gradually relaxed only after reaching the outskirts of Konoha Village.

Once they enter Konoha territory, this is their domain. Any outside ninja who tries to make a move will not only face the wrath of the Ninja Doctor, but also the full force of Konoha's firepower.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, and besides, it wasn't just Konoha that suffered heavy losses in the First Great War; at that time, no other ninja village dared to provoke them.

At this moment, Akabane stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Teacher, what exactly did you trade with the Uzumaki Tree Sea?"

"Hmm... If it's just a nominal stay, the daimyo won't have a way out, so we need to give him a way out while also giving him a guarantee."

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked ahead, exhaling smoke from his mouth before speaking slowly.

"So, you sold me out?!"

Akabane said through gritted teeth.

"In a sense, yes."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, "But you didn't come away empty-handed. Do you remember the Uzumaki clan's specialty that I mentioned?"

"Hmm? Could it be..."

Akabane's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Yes, you guessed right, a sealing technique."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly, "The price paid by the Uzumaki clan is sealing techniques."

"hiss!"

Akabane gasped. This was one of the assets that allowed the Uzumaki clan to survive, and they were actually willing to hand it over.

But upon closer examination, this is actually another escape route for the Uzumaki clan—

Possessing sealing techniques and the Uzumaki bloodline, even if the Land of Whirlpools were to perish, they could rely on Konoha to grow another Uzumaki clan.

Compared to wiping out the entire clan, this cost is far less.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but secretly admire the Whirlpool Tree Sea.

"Your Kurama clan's bloodline limit is very strong, but when the bloodline limit grows to a certain point... you should know, what kind of mental monster that is."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly.

"Well, actually it's because of excessive mental strength, coupled with the abuse of power, that led to a split personality."

Akabane offered his interpretation: "In a sense, it can also be considered a mental demon."

“That’s right, but if you have a sealing technique, your clan’s problems will be greatly alleviated.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi uttered the second half of the sentence.

Akabane understood his meaning. Every clan has its own secret techniques, such as the Nara clan's Shadow Imitation Technique and the Inuzuka lineage's Beast Mimicry Ninjutsu. Konoha has the right to know their characteristics and abilities, but not the right to plunder them for its own use, otherwise it would be at odds with all the ninja clans.

The new "Vortex Clan" has only a dozen or so children, but this does not affect the family's rightful power.

Without a formal marriage, the Kurama clan cannot obtain the sealing technique.

Older gingers are more spicy!

The third generation is still young, but these methods are already enough to manipulate Akabane at will.

Akabane hated this feeling, but he had to admit that achieving such a cooperation was entirely beneficial to him.

"You are truly wise."

He gritted his teeth and admitted it, while offering a "praise".

"Hehe, it's just a few years older."

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled as he smoked, ignoring the underlying resentment in his words.

Akabane slowed his pace, and as he passed Tsunade, he heard her ask in a low voice, "What are you talking about? Did our teacher make some kind of deal?"