Hello cousin nice to finally meet you," Akashi exclaimed as he walked up to Kushina who had entered the room with Tsunade and a handsome yellow-haired kid that he recognized as the famous Minato Namikaze.
Without any hesitation, he gave her a big hug while laughing.
Kushina who was already unsure of how to react at finally meeting another Uzumaki after so long was so confused that she didn't respond for a moment before returning his hug.
Turning toward Tsunade he smiles.
"Thanks for bringing her her aunty." He said cheekily e I should let
"I told you not to call me like that you disrespectful little shit! You should call me big sister or princess!"
Tsunade eyes lit up with anger as she responded even though she technically was his aunt and it was how he was supposed to address him.
"Calling a woman so much older than me sister feels disrespectful, I really can't do that no matter how much you say it, Aunty," Akashi said and he could see a vein appear on her temple after all she knew perfectly well that he was lying.
Knowing that if it continued she would hit him as she did many times before, he changed the subject.
Turning his attention toward Minato
"And who might you be? You must be important if they agree to bring you here" Akashi asked even though he knew very well who he was.
"Ha, Huh, no, I'm Minato, Minato Namikaze, a friend of Kushina, nice to meet you, your highness!"
"Minato, huh, I think I know that name," he said feigning ignorance as tap his temple as if to remember something.
"Ah yes, you are the boyfriend!" he exclaimed joyfully.
Hearing the word boyfriend surprised everyone before Minato and Kushina both blushed fiercely at the same time
"I see that you're already in a relationship, and it is progressing well, already bringing him to meet the family."
"It's not like that!!" they shouted in protest under the amused eyes of the onlookers but Akashi was not paying any attention to their protest
"Nice to meet you Minato," he said warmly wrapping the blushing young man into a tight embrace.
After the embrace something occur to me
"What an idiot I didn't even properly introduce myself. You may already know me from Aunty Tsunade but I'm Akashi Uzumaki nine years your little cousin," he said smiling at them
"And this is Karin Uzumaki my friend and the old man is Kuroko Uzumaki, my guardian and teacher. come in we have a lot to talk about right," he enthousiatly guided them inside
"There is another that I must introduce too," he said, and while walking inside he introduced the staff and guards.
In what was now the Uzumaki compound Akashi and Karin were having an animated discussion with Kushina, and Minato the atmosphere was warm from the beginning while Tsunade and Kuroko stayed a little more reserved even if they were often dragged into the conversation.
Akashi with his enthusiasm and outgoing attitude was able to create a good atmosphere, and the fact that the two ninjas of Konoha were genuine good people made it easier to get along with them.
They discussed a lot about everything and anything tour some parts of the compound, he showed part of the renovation and some buildings that would be used to distribute the weapons to the villages.
At the end of the day, The three people left the Uzumaki compound happily after having had a good time.
Kushina made big strides as she happily walked back toward the Senju compound
"So what did you think of him?" Tsunade asked as she looked at them with seriousness
"He- he is how do I say that, intense!" Minato said and Kushina couldn't help but nod
"I think that I kind of understand why the Hokage asked us to be cautious around him,"
"To me, he was like a wave, it's hard not to be carried away by his rhythm," Kushina said reflecting on the time they pass together with Akashi
"I think, I just realize I don't usually find myself in that situation, following someone else rhythm I mean, it was funny,"
"Hum,"
After a while of silence, Tsunade adopts a more serious tone
"I see that you understand that he is impressive for his age, and not just in size, but are you really sure you understand why the old man wants you to be cautious around him!?"
They looked up to see that Tsunade had not just adopted a more serious demeanor but her gaze was also more intense as if she was dissecting their expression and answers it was the same gaze that she had when she was operating on her patients.
It was a stark contrast to the casual expression that she had a few minutes earlier.
They straightened up at that before they answered,
"It's because of the tension existing between Konoha and the Uzumaki since the last war, we are not as close as we used to be."
"And because they formed an alliance with the nation of the sky that attacked us and killed a lot of ninjas in the village, a lot of people lost friends and family during those attacks,"
"I see that you understand, but this isn't even the end there are more things that had us, some secrets 'curse you Danzo' and others less so. like the fact that Konoha will no longer be the only village benefiting their expertise in seals. The villagers are still resentful of the Sky country." She then turned her gaze toward Kushina walking beside her
"And you, my dear Kushina are in the middle of that! You were sent her as a symbol of our unbreakable bond, this bond is broken, riddle with suspicion and resentment,"
Understanding what Tsunade was saying their gazes hardened "Are you afraid that they may try to turn me against Konoha," she questioned
"This is indeed one of the fears of that old geezer,"
"If they are so afraid why don't they just order me to stay away from them this isn't like they don't restrict my move all the time,"
"Because it would be a blatant sign of disrespect and distrust, it would be like saying that you want to be friends with someone while sitting on the hand they tend toward you,"
After an uncomfortable silence, Tsunade broke the silence putting her hand on the kids' heads.
"Don't worry too much about that we are here with you, you don't have to worry," she said ruffling their hairs
The next day
Akashi was seated in his official kimono contrary to the last day when he received Tsunade and kushina.
His attire, like the sitting arrangement of the room with Kuroko and a few others, showed the formality of the next event.
Soon the head of the head of one of the royal clans of Konoha Furuma Uchiha, his son Fugaku Uchiha, and two other elders of the clans Mikami and Daiga Uchiha arrived at the estate.
'And it starts, the beginning of a long day' Akashi thought before showing a bright smile
"Good morning, master Furuma, this is a pleasure to finally meet the head of the Estime Uchiha clan, I heard a lot about you, this is my guardian Kuroko Uchiha," Akashi said with a smile as he respectfully lowered a little his head toward the old man
"This is a pleasure to meet you too, Your Highness, Sir," he replied returning the bow
"This is my son Fugaku, and those are Elder Mikami and Daigo,"
"A pleasure to meet you all, please take a seat,"
'So this is him, huh,' Akashi though as his eyes remain a second longer on one of the elders who did the same as if looking for someting.
After that, they all started their conversation.
In front of the elders with his natural abilities and the experience of Kuroko the conversation as formal as it was flow easily.
From the initial condolence about the destruction of Uzushio, the congratulation on their return to Konoha where they belong, the talk about the past rivalry of their clans, and the conversation about the future, until finally, they talked about what they really wanted weapons and seals.
Even though Konoha already had an agreement, it was Konoha, not the clans, and certainly not the royal ones.
Already prepared and having already assisted in a lot of discussions like that Akashi didn't get tricked or manipulated by the Uchiha, but wanted to make a good Impression Akashi offered them very favorable terms.
In the end, the Uchiha left the Uzumaki compound very satisfied with promise of further cooperation between the two clans.
Barely three minutes after the departure of the Uchiha as if on cue the delegation of the Hyuga arrived at the door.
Another round of greeting, condolence, congratulation, discussions, and negotiations promises of corporations started.
It lasted for two hours the same amount of time as the Uchiha before it ended.
Then it was the turn of the Aburame, then the Akimishi.
After the four royal clans, it was the turn of the other clans the Sarutobi, the Yuhi, the Hatake and many others without end.
At the end of the day when the sun was about to go day akashi just sat there his head resting on one hand knowing that he would have to do the same thing tomorrow.
"Fucking hell, I hate that part of the position,"