When it came to the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, Sarutobi Hiruzen unquestionably wanted them. These were techniques capable of effortlessly restraining even Kage-level powerhouses.
Even the Four Symbols Seal that had once nearly threatened Arata's life had originated from the Uzumaki clan. If such sealing techniques could be brought under his control, his political capital would increase tremendously. He would also gain far more options when it came to cultivating talent.
But that was only if he personally handled the negotiations and brought the Uzumaki clan into Konoha.
Now, however, it was Arata doing it.
If Arata succeeded, wouldn't the Uzumaki clan simply become a force under his command?
After the earlier rescue operation, it was obvious that the Uzumaki clan already held Arata in high regard. If this matter were finalized by Arata as well, then from then on, the Uzumaki would almost certainly stop taking Hiruzen, the Hokage, seriously at all.
So whether out of fear of Arata himself, or to prevent the Uzumaki clan from settling old scores with him, Hiruzen now had only one choice—
He had to push this long-coveted ally onto the opposite side of Konoha.
...
Outside Konoha's gates, after exchanging a few words with Uzumaki Yūki, Arata prepared to step into the village.
Naturally, the other Uzumaki clansmen could not just stand around idly and followed him in as well.
The Uzumaki clan was planning to join Konoha as an entire clan—so none of them were exceptions. Even though many of them were elderly, women, or children, in a real fight they still possessed a certain degree of combat ability.
At this moment, Konoha's attitude was still unclear. There was no way they would let Arata and Yūki walk into the village alone and risk danger.
As such a large group moved toward Konoha, they were immediately spotted by the gate guards.
Coincidentally—or perhaps not—the guards this time were once again Hiruzen's men. It wasn't Sarutobi Shinnosuke this time, but another unfamiliar face to Arata.
The moment they saw the Uzumaki clan's unmistakable red hair, the guards instantly stood alert.
In the blink of an eye, more than twenty ninja were already standing in front of Arata. At a glance, every single one of them possessed jōnin-level strength.
This was likely the entirety of the gate's defensive force—hidden sentries included.
They had no choice but to be tense. These were Uzumaki clansmen—people who had suddenly appeared at Konoha's gates with no explanation. No one could be sure of their intentions.
According to reports from the scouts, only Arata had returned to Konoha. So how had such a large group appeared out of nowhere?
They hadn't seen anyone traveling along the road. Otherwise, they would have intercepted them long ago.
What they didn't know was that the Uzumaki clan hadn't been traveling at all. The entire journey had been made by Arata alone—he had simply used Kamui to transfer them out at the gate.
At this moment, one of the Sarutobi clansmen stepped forward and said cautiously to Arata,
"Arata, what are you trying to do? Don't you know the Uzumaki clan is not part of Konoha? How can you bring so many people into the village?"
Although the Uzumaki were technically Konoha's allies, everyone knew that the clan had already been surrounded and attacked—possibly even wiped out.
As for why these people had come to Konoha, the guards didn't know the exact reason, but it wasn't hard to guess. Most likely, the Uzumaki clan had suffered catastrophic losses and was now seeking Konoha's help.
Even so, Konoha was not a place outsiders could enter freely. Even Uzumaki clansmen needed an escort—and official authorization from the Hokage.
This Sarutobi clansman was clearly shrewd. He didn't immediately demand documents. Instead, he questioned Arata's intentions outright—his words strongly implying that Arata was colluding with outsiders to invade Konoha.
Hearing this, several Uzumaki clansmen immediately flared up, ready to curse him out.
Konoha hadn't come to their aid when they were under attack—fine. But now, the moment they tried to enter the village, they were being deliberately obstructed. Where was the behavior of an ally in that?
And the implication in his words was obvious—he was trying to frame them.
Fortunately, Uzumaki Yūki raised his hand in time to stop them. Otherwise, before any discussion about joining Konoha even began, the two sides might have already come to blows.
Most Uzumaki were fairly even-tempered, but there were always exceptions—hotheads who ignited at the slightest provocation. Kushina, for example, was exactly that type.
Yūki had anticipated this, which was why he stepped forward the moment his clansmen were about to speak.
Arata frowned when he heard the guard's words.
This guy was at least a bit smarter than Sarutobi Shinnosuke—he didn't charge in looking for a fight and instead tried to use authority to suppress the situation.
If he had actually tried to start something, Arata would have happily obliged.
In terms of strength, Arata—now at the peak of the Super-Kage tier—was nearly unmatched in the entire shinobi world.
He had just driven off Uchiha Madara, a legendary figure revered across the shinobi world. How could he possibly fear a mere jōnin—or even several dozen of them?
Against Arata, these people wouldn't even get the chance to form hand seals. His speed was already approaching the realm of space–time ninjutsu. If he wanted to kill all of them, it would take no more than a blink.
But since this man was using authority rather than force, Arata couldn't openly lash out.
Because if he did, it would truly cement the accusation that he was helping the Uzumaki clan invade Konoha. No matter how eloquent he might be afterward, the villagers would inevitably begin to question him.
After all, no matter how you looked at it, the Uzumaki were not Konoha ninja. Arata openly siding with them did appear improper on the surface.
Arata wasn't foolish. He didn't follow the guard's line of argument and instead changed the topic.
"The Uzumaki clan is joining Konoha. You don't need to worry about it. I'll take full responsibility."
As he spoke, Arata casually released his chakra.
Having already fused Uchiha Madara's bloodline, his chakra alone now stood at the very pinnacle of the shinobi world.
The instant it was released, violent winds roared, and cracks appeared in the ground around them. The pressure was far greater than that of the Edo Tensei Tobirama during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Arata was very measured—he couldn't attack freely, but that didn't mean he couldn't intimidate.
As his aura surged, the Sarutobi clansman who had barely maintained his composure instantly found himself unable even to stand steadily.
He was a jōnin, yet he was this overwhelmed. It was obvious that Arata existed on an entirely different plane of power.
This pressure was even more terrifying than that of Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen himself. The guard immediately understood—if he continued blocking them, he might die without ever knowing how.
Moreover, Arata's words had been impeccably phrased. He would take responsibility. As an ANBU vice-captain, he was qualified to handle such matters.
These kinds of affairs were usually managed by ANBU anyway.
Remembering Shinnosuke's fate, the guard finally lost his nerve.
"Y–You… you may go in…"
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