Another thing to deal with.
Stepping outside, Akaba noticed that the training grounds had far fewer ninja than usual.
Not only that, even Koharu Utatane was missing.
It seemed this female elder would also be heading to the border and front lines to help run the medical stations.
Konoha still valued the Land of Whirlpools quite a bit.
Of course,
The goal this time wasn't to save the entire Uzumaki Village or guarantee the rescue of every single villager.
What Danzo planned to do was simply create an escape route, letting some of the villagers flee and preserving a spark for the Uzumaki clan.
How many people managed to escape depended on the Uzumaki themselves. Besides that, the daimyo of the Land of Fire likely had his own plans regarding the Uzumaki clan too. Even if they escaped to the Land of Fire, the Uzumaki still wouldn't be entirely safe.
Both the Uzumaki clan and Konoha already understood this unspoken agreement between them.
After reading those thirty chapters, The Third awarded Akaba an additional 1500 points. Adding those to the previous four days' accumulation, Akaba now had 3000 points total.
Without hesitation, he upgraded his attributes first.
Spending 10 Spirit Points cost him 2500 points.
Leaving the temporary office tent, Akaba sent Sakuma Yunlang to deliver the manga to Izumi Yamano.
He also took the opportunity to inquire within the clan about the rocking chair design he had previously requested.
Previously, he had promised Sage Fukasaku he'd make one and provided the design blueprints to the clan for reference, hoping they could build one based on it. It had been nearly four or five days—did the craftsmen finish yet?
Akaba hadn't gone outside in four days and had no idea what had been going on beyond the clan compound.
Today, stepping out for a walk, he discovered half the clan's ninja were gone. Upper-level jonin and chunin had practically vanished, leaving only a few genin visible during his walk through the training grounds.
Were they conscripted?
Akaba mused as he made his way toward the clan leader's residence.
Sakuma Goro hadn't left either, though he wasn't idle—he held several books in his hands, doing something unknown.
"Clan Leader, what exactly is going on here?"
Akaba asked curiously.
"They're off practicing Medical Jutsu."
Sakuma Goro sighed, then waved the books in his hand.
Book Title:
Basic Analysis of Healing Techniques and Emergency Care.
Author: Tsunade.
[SHOCKING!] The Illusion-Masters of the Sakuma Clan – Now Doing *This* Every Day?!
Akaba already imagined how to promote this—painting the picture of the whole clan following the village's grand policies with absolutely positive energy.
But speaking objectively, for a physically frail clan like theirs, learning some healing techniques wasn't bad either—it prepared them for emergencies.
Moreover, not all members of the Sakuma possessed illusion talents, but their natural talent in chakra control was undoubtedly superior to others, making mastering Medical Jutsu much easier.
He sat down and spotted the chair that Sakuma Goro was sitting on.
Wasn't that his rocking chair?
Though its shape looked a bit odd, its function remained the same.
Noticing Akaba's gaze, Sakuma Goro chuckled and said, "Your chair's really comfortable to lie on, so I had the craftsmen make over a hundred more and let the caravan sell them to wealthy nobles."
"You've really got a head for business."
Akaba gave him a thumbs-up.
Making over a hundred rocking chairs, giving one to Sage Fukasaku was nothing at all.
After all, the cost of a few pieces of wood wasn't much. When sold to rich aristocrats, the price would at least multiply tenfold.
Akaba ordered five rocking chairs.
One went downstairs at home, one in his bedroom, one in the private chamber, one he gifted to Mito Uzumaki, and the last one he reserved for Sage Fukasaku.
Once the chairs were properly placed, Akaba lay on one inside the private chamber, gently swaying back and forth. Not only was it relaxing, but he could also see the bustling traffic outside the shop. It was quite pleasant indeed.
However, from the perspective of onlookers like Multiple Shadow Clones and Sakuma Yunlang, things weren't quite so cozy.
We're working hard here, while you're just lying around doing what?
It was seriously provoking resentment.
But clearly, Akaba didn't care about their opinions.
In *Naruto*, the Hyūga arc had passed its third or fourth day. From initial explosive excitement and widespread public frenzy, things had now settled into familiar routine.
What hadn't changed, though, was that the manga continued selling exceptionally well.
This was largely thanks to the Uchiha clan.
Unlike before when they might have bought only twenty or so copies, this time the Uchiha practically owned a copy apiece. It made them very happy.
As two powerful clans, they often threw stones into the well when the other fell in and loved watching their rivals' embarrassment.
For instance, during the story arc involving the Uchiha, those chapters sold especially well within the Hyūga clan too. It just proves: the wheel of karma always turns.
After lazing around for a while, Akaba stood up, grabbed the chair by the door, and headed toward the Senju compound.
After all, he still had to make regular offerings at Grandma Mito's place.
Especially since his own little sister remained in her hands.
Akaba knew it well, but his dignity definitely took a hit—especially for a Sakuma heir known for avoiding manual labor. Hauling such a massive chair on foot was bound to draw curious stares.
Therefore...
Needless to say, Transformation Jutsu really was extremely useful.
Carrying the chair, Akaba arrived at the entrance of the Senju clan territory. The gatekeeping Chunin recognized his Transformation Jutsu, simultaneously noting his Jonin uniform and the flashy chair he carried.
The guard got the message and didn't stop Akaba from entering the Senju compound.
Mito Uzumaki possessed an incredibly sharp sensory ability.
Even if Akaba used Transformation Jutsu, there was no way he could hide from her. The moment he stepped onto the Senju grounds, she already sensed his arrival.
Still, seeing him carrying such a large chair surprised her.
Previously, this kid always brought comics or posters; now he'd changed habits completely, bringing something so big?
Quite a surprise.
"Haha, Grandma Mito, I've been busy lately and couldn't come see you earlier. So I made this chair—it's for you."
As he spoke, Akaba cheerfully set the chair down.
"Silly kid, coming is enough. Why bring a chair with you?"
That familiar response.
Akaba felt momentarily dazed, like he'd slipped through time again—a strange sense of déjà vu washing over him.
"Set it down. And help me move this old one aside while you're at it."
Grandma Mito was genuinely delighted.
Even though it was something new, the purpose of a chair was obvious at first glance.
Akaba carefully placed the chair down, his mood complicated as he helped Mito Uzumaki shift the old one away, then positioned the rocking chair right in the center.
"Kid, you've been quite active lately—starting a medical squad and meddling with the Hyūga clan. It's lucky you even found time to visit an old lady like me."
Mito Uzumaki leaned back, half-closing her eyes as she rocked lazily.
"That's how it plays out. Mostly it's someone else pushing things along; I'm not really involved," Akaba replied awkwardly.
That's just how manga works—he's merely a cross-dimensional content importer.
Besides,
After working with them for a while, he finally realized one thing: doing business with someone like The Third might net you some gains, but they never come out on the losing end.
Like now—no matter how things played out, somehow he ended up with more work on his hands.
Mito chuckled.
This is exactly how political games go; she had seen through them long ago.
She sat up straight and started drawing.
The Whimsical Everyday Life of the Ninja God had been out for a while now, and Volume 1 was doing surprisingly well. While some felt this manga disrespected the First Hokage, nobody dared criticize after seeing the author's name.
Akaba leaned over for a peek.
The chapter seemed to cover what happened right after Hashirama Senju and Madara finished fighting.
Mito immediately covered it up, chuckling softly. "Peeking isn't nice. If you know the plot in advance, it won't be fun anymore—that's what you said, right?"
"Tch," Akaba scoffed, not overly curious.
Because from what he caught a glimpse of — the visuals and phrasing — it was likely explaining where the terms 'Konoha' and 'Hokage' came from.
Knowing what was being drawn, there wasn't much left worth investigating.
After all,
How could he not understand where those names came from?
What he said earlier was merely to fool The Third.
He glanced at it again, his eyes suddenly lighting up.
He'd just posted thirty new chapters, including one about the "Will of Fire."
In that chapter: "Where the leaves swirl, fire shall burn eternal." Then the First's wife stepped forward to explain—
Don't overthink it. The 'leaf' was just a leaf Madara happened to hold, and 'Hokage' came from founding the village in the Land of Fire — that's all there is to it.
Combined with Hashirama's usual somber expression...
Darn it, there went all the emotional moments.
Thinking about this, Akaba hesitated for a moment before saying, "Grandma Mito, let's make a deal. Could you delay releasing this volume?"
"Why?"
Mito couldn't understand at all.
Why hold off on releasing perfectly good manga?
Akaba then explained how he had stockpiled thirty chapters and intended to release them all at once.
And repeated that line:
"Where the leaves dance sounds great — Akaba, you truly understand the spirit of Konoha. Tell me, would *that late guy* have ever understood the Will of Fire or the true spirit of Konoha?"
Only Mito would dare say something like that.
Akaba looked embarrassed, unsure how to respond.
After thinking for a while, he modestly said, "I'm just writing down everything The Third has shown me through his actions and teachings. A shallow person like me could never come up with such profound ideas on my own."
"Hehehe."
Mito sneered mockingly, then shut her sketchpad and leisurely rested on the rocking chair. "I'll hold off for now. When you're ready to tell me, I'll send this volume to Izumi Yamano."
"Thank you, Grandma."
Akaba exhaled in relief.
Though it was just a comedic parody, it contained too many undeniable truths. Add to that her credibility as Hashirama Senju's wife—how could readers not believe her?
Though the words themselves didn't seem objectionable at first glance, anyone familiar with the comedy sketches would probably recall that particular scene immediately.
Fortunately, Mito Uzumaki had backed down a little.
After reflecting on the situation, he felt fortunate to have visited Mito Uzumaki today. Otherwise, had both manga volumes been released at the same time, he might've lost his mind.
Now that he'd come this far, he really ought to pay a visit to Uzumaki Kyoyuki as well.
It had been over ten days since Kyoyuki was last seen. Her Yin Seal was gradually stabilizing, and her chakra fluctuations were no longer so intense.
Still, she wasn't completely stabilized yet, and she also needed to learn other sealing techniques, which meant she couldn't leave the Senju clan for now.
Akaba left behind a copy of the [Mystical Palm Technique] for her.
Although the Mystical Palm Technique was hard for ordinary people to master, members of the Uzumaki clan were all experts at chakra control—they could definitely grasp such ninjutsu effortlessly.
Besides, Mito Uzumaki herself was familiar with medical ninjutsu, and the Senju clan already had a number of aspiring medics.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>