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The forge had been bustling with activity for an entire month. Finally, the forging process had come to a temporary halt.
During this time, Akio persistently pestered Tobirama for more chakra-conducting metal and managed to craft himself two additional shuriken. For now, that would suffice.
With the shuriken completed, it was time to start working on sealing scrolls.
Akio spent a full six months experimenting with different types of bark to determine the best material for making scrolls, only to realize in the end... that Hashirama's Wood Release was the most suitable.
Having wasted half a year, Akio was eager to begin production immediately. However, he soon discovered that the Senju clan's compound was brightly decorated—New Year's had arrived.
Spending the New Year with Hashirama and Tobirama, Akio turned another year older. He was now 30. However, in the eyes of others, he already looked like a 55-year-old man.
With the New Year celebrations over, Akio threw himself back into the study of sealing scrolls.
Initially, he thought that, given his expertise in sealing techniques, crafting sealing scrolls wouldn't be difficult. However, sealing scrolls involved spatial manipulation, a field he was entirely unfamiliar with. He had no choice but to seek Tobirama's help.
Since the Senju clan frequently had to leave for battle, and Tobirama often led these missions, what was supposed to be a simple project ended up taking three whole years.
Three years later, as Akio stared at the familiar kanji before him, he almost cried...
"You have witnessed and slightly altered a side story in the Naruto world: Sealing Scrolls. Witness Points Earned: 2 (*2)."
"I spent three years... and only got 4 witness points?"
"Slightly altered? Does that mean there's barely any difference from the original creator's version?"
"Damn it, who in the original story actually developed this? Are they really that skilled? Even better than Tobirama and me combined?"
"Well, at least I gained something—my sealing technique has improved by one level, which is equivalent to earning 20 witness points..."
In the end, Akio could only console himself this way.
"Great-Grandfather, Kenji is here to see you!" A childish voice snapped Akio out of his chaotic thoughts.
Akio's face darkened. "That little troublemaker again!"
Senju Kenji, the child of Hashirama and Mito, and the future father of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade. Originally, Akio had been excited to meet such an important figure, but over the past three years, this boy had become his greatest headache.
Perhaps due to inheriting Hashirama's genes too well, the child had displayed an uncanny knack for being a menace from a young age.
In the past three years, Kenji had torn up Akio's experimental sealing scrolls five times, nearly disrupted his Transformation Jutsu by pulling on his beard four times, and secretly swapped his crafting materials three times...
"Little Kenji, you're here! Come, let Great-Grandfather give you a hug." Akio quickly stored away the newly completed sealing scroll before stepping forward to greet him.
"Ah... not my beard again!" Akio grimaced as he handed Kenji over to Mito.
"Second Granduncle, you're still working on sealing scrolls? Need any help?" Mito asked with a smile.
"No need, I just completed it. I was actually planning to inform Hashirama and Tobirama of the good news." Akio couldn't hide his excitement.
"Oh, congratulations! Hashirama should be in the hall right now, but Tobirama left yesterday."
"Left again? Which minor clan is acting up this time?" Akio asked.
Ever since Hashirama utterly crushed Madara over three years ago, the Senju and Uchiha clans hadn't clashed again. Most likely, Madara still wasn't confident in defeating Hashirama and wouldn't risk another battle. Though conflicts continued over the years, they were mostly small skirmishes, and Tobirama often led forces to deal with unruly minor clans.
"It's not a minor clan this time. The Daimyō of the Land of Fire summoned him for an audience," Mito replied.
"The Daimyō?" Akio was puzzled. The world of Naruto was one dominated by shinobi, but it wasn't entirely ruled by them.
In the Land of Fire, even with all the ninja clans combined, there were only a few hundred thousand shinobi. In contrast, the civilian population numbered in the tens of millions. It was the Daimyō who governed these people.
The ninja clans, skilled in battle but clueless about managing an economy, begrudgingly acknowledged the Daimyō's authority and maintained a façade of respect.
However, the Daimyō was well aware that for clans like the Senju and Uchiha, this "respect" was nothing more than a formality.
The fact that the Daimyō had summoned the Senju clan now made Akio extremely curious.
With his doubts in mind, he headed to the clan's main hall, followed by Mito and the troublesome Kenji.
"Father!" Kenji called out as soon as he entered. Akio's face turned green... This brat only became well-behaved in front of Hashirama, meaning Akio was the only one getting bullied. No wonder Mito always seemed amused from the sidelines...
"Second Granduncle, you're here. How's the sealing scroll project?" Hashirama asked.
"It's fully completed. Once I document the production process, we'll be able to mass-produce them," Akio said with a smile.
"That's great! This will make our logistics so much easier," Hashirama beamed.
"By the way, Hashirama, about Tobirama..."
"Oh, Tobirama went to the Land of Fire's capital. The Daimyō apparently had some important matters. Don't worry about him, Second Granduncle," Hashirama said casually.
After a few more words, Akio left the hall to record the sealing scroll's production method. He also created a summoning scroll and bound four shuriken to it. Finally, his busy period had come to an end.
He had been away from the Uzumaki clan for nearly four years. After taking a short break, he planned to bid farewell to Hashirama and return to the Uzumaki for a visit.
Unexpectedly, Hashirama sought him out that very evening.
"Second Granduncle, Tobirama just sent a message back. The Daimyō has summoned multiple ninja clans. The Uchiha, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, the Aburame… representatives from all these clans have arrived. Tobirama is worried he can't handle it alone and asked for you to go as well."
"Me?" Akio raised an eyebrow. "Aren't there plenty of other Senju who are free? Besides, you don't seem that busy yourself…"
"The Uchiha sent Izuna as their representative. Madara didn't go, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to meet the Daimyō personally," Hashirama said awkwardly. "As for why you… well, Tobirama specifically requested you. He said that even though you can be a bit... unconventional—ah, no, he said you have unique insights."
"Hah, he probably meant I have a knack for scheming," Akio grumbled. "Fine, I'll go. But after supporting Tobirama this time, I'm heading straight back to the Uzumaki. I hope by the time I return, your kid will have learned some manners."
"Alright, thank you… But, what's wrong with my son?"
"He's too clever!" Akio huffed before walking out of the hall, leaving Hashirama with a confused expression.
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