The discussion inside the tent abruptly ceased with the middle-aged man's voice. Sakumo Hatake looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi, a hint of inquiry in his eyes.
"It's the leader of the Uzumaki Family," Orochimaru said calmly.
"Third Hokage Uncle, just let them in," Hayato said with a smile, his tone relaxed. "The method I mentioned also requires their Helping Hand."
"Is it Sugimaru? Come in," Hiruzen Sarutobi mused for a moment before speaking.
Outside the tent, the middle-aged man named Sugimaru Uzumaki was startled to hear that familiar voice.
He took a deep breath, stepping into the tent with a hint of disbelief, his gaze sweeping around before settling on the glowing screen on the table, a look of shock flashing in his eyes.
What kind of new technology was this? He marveled at the instant communicator.
It was indeed the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
A complex expression appeared on Sugimaru's face as he bowed deeply, his voice sincere: "Thank you for Konoha's Helping Hand! If not for Hayato-kun and your reinforcements, my Family..."
He paused, clenching his fist, and said in a low voice, "I truly failed Lord Ashina's trust!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a hidden sense of shame. If Hayato hadn't taken Kushina out of the Village, Konoha's reinforcements might not have arrived in Whirlpool Country so quickly...
However, he concealed this shame perfectly, responding slowly, "The safety of the Uzumaki Family is what matters most. Clan Leader Sugimaru, what are your plans now? Will you rebuild Uzushiogakure on the island, or seek another location?"
Sugimaru frowned, not yet answering.
Hayato then interjected with a smile, "Uncle Sugimaru, join Konoha! The Uzumaki Family's sealing techniques are incredibly powerful, but if you continue to stay on the island, you will sooner or later be harassed by Kumogakure and Hidden Mist. Konoha can give you a more stable future."
Sugimaru Uzumaki was stunned; Hiruzen Sarutobi's appearance had made him forget his original intention for coming.
He took two steps forward and bowed deeply to Hayato.
"Hayato-kun, thanks to you, my Family was able to get through this disaster. I thank you on behalf of the Uzumaki Family! From now on, you will be our eternal friend."
Hayato was momentarily speechless by Sugimaru Uzumaki's deep bow, but he did not avoid it.
During his time with Kushina, he had also discovered that the Uzumaki Family people were very stubborn. If he had avoided this bow, the Uzumaki Family might have found another way to express their gratitude, and besides, they were only expressing their thanks.
Everyone in the tent was silent at this scene, some happy for Hayato, others worried.
For example, Danzo Shimura.
He also realized that the current situation heavily favored Hayato, and many people thought highly of him. It would clearly be unwise to confront him rashly at this moment, so he remained silent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was also silent. He coveted the Uzumaki Family's sealing techniques, but before Uzushiogakure was destroyed, they were only allies and had no right to demand such things.
Now that Uzushiogakure was virtually gone, demanding sealing techniques as compensation would seem even more despicable. It would only be appropriate if they joined Konoha Hidden Village.
However, he could not be the one to say it.
After Sugimaru Uzumaki straightened up, Hayato leaned in and said, "How about it, Uncle Sugimaru? What do you think of the proposal to join Konoha?"
Sugimaru's expression was hesitant. He very much wanted to join, and had brought it up within the Family before, but everyone did not want to leave the place they had always lived. Although he was the Clan Leader, he could not go against the villagers' wishes.
"To be honest, I truly wish to join Konoha. But the opinions of the Family members..." Sugimaru Uzumaki shook his head.
"Clan Leader, where is Big Brother Hayato? Has he not come out yet?"
"Yes, yes, I want to see Big Brother Hayato too!"
His words were interrupted by two clear childish voices. Two children excitedly ran into the tent, a boy and a girl, their small faces filled with excitement: "Clan Leader, where is Big Brother Hayato? Where is he?"
"Orenjiya, Fuine, who told you to run in here? Get out quickly, we have important matters to discuss!"
Sugimaru Uzumaki's face showed anger as he scolded them.
The little girl named Fuine pouted defiantly, her gaze sweeping around the tent. When she saw Hayato, her eyes instantly lit up.
"Brother, look, it's Big Brother Hayato!"
The young girl rushed forward and hugged Hayato tightly.
Behind him, the boy named Orenjiya vigorously pulled his sister: "Move aside, Fuine, get out of Big Brother Hayato's embrace."
Danzo frowned, watching this farce in the tent. Had a perfectly good meeting turned into Uchiha Hayato's personal show?
Hayato was torn between laughter and tears, but he did not waste this good opportunity. He gently broke free from the young girl's embrace and patted her head.
"Is your name Fuine? Are you willing to come with us to Konoha Village?"
"I am willing, I am willing!" Before Fuine could answer, her brother Orenjiya shouted excitedly.
"Is it Big Brother Hayato's Village? If I join, can I also become as strong as you?"
Orenjiya's eyes shone with longing.
Hayato really wanted to say no, because he had a cheat.
But he also didn't want to dampen the boy's confidence, so he smiled and said, "Of course it's possible."
"Me too, me too! When I grow up, I want to be Big Brother's wife!"
Kushina, standing nearby, glared at Hayato. You're not even letting go of such a small child?
Sugimaru Uzumaki's face flushed red: "Enough, you two stop messing around in here!"
He didn't want to be seen as an incompetent Clan Leader by the Konoha people.
The sound of the young girl crying came from inside the tent, while Orenjiya glared at Sugimaru Uzumaki, who had scared her into crying.
"We're not messing around, I'm serious."
Many people poked their heads out of the resting tents, looking towards the meeting place.
"What happened?"
"Are Orenjiya and Fuine there?"
"Sugimaru went there, I wonder what's going on."
Hayato gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a look, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, acknowledged by Hayato's gaze, remained silent, watching him quietly.
Hayato held one Uzumaki Family child in each hand, with Kushina walking behind him, as they approached the tent entrance.
A clear voice spread throughout the entire camp.
Everyone outside the tent stopped their discussions and looked at the owner of the voice.
"Greetings, villagers of the Uzumaki Family. Hello everyone, I am Uchiha Hayato, the Uchiha youth who traveled a long distance to rescue you."
"I once made a promise to Kushina that I would accompany her back to her hometown, and now I have fulfilled it, even at the risk of my life."
"I know you are all confused and have no clear direction for the future. But please believe that having powerful sealing techniques is never a crime! The wrongdoers are those who covet your power."
Some Uzumaki Family members clenched their teeth.
"Join Konoha with me! That's right, Konoha needs your power, it needs powerful sealing techniques to deal with the Tailed Beasts."
"But Konoha will never harm its comrades. Under the leadership of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Konoha is prospering. The strength I have today is also thanks to Lord Third's tolerance."
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened with a pleased expression. That's right, praise him more.
Although there were benefits left by his teacher, Tobirama Senju, Konoha indeed developed most rapidly during his tenure.
"Join Konoha everyone, so that our loved ones and friends will no longer leave us, let us protect our future together!"
[Mission Complete: The Downfall of Whirlpool Country]
[Reward: Beast Ball containing a Pokémon * 1]