Rushing out of the house, Kushina had already prepared herself to storm the Anbu before she even arrived at the scene.
But the moment she saw her daughter, she realized that the situation at the scene was slightly different from what she had imagined.
Naruto and Karin were squatting by the fire, observing the fish they were roasting. The Third Hokage stood nearby with two middle-aged strangers, seemingly deep in conversation.
All she knew was that the expressions on the faces of the two middle-aged people, one male and one female, seemed a bit forced.
"It's Kushina, huh? How come you're out at this hour?"
Seeing Kushina looking worn from her rush, Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth maintained its gentle smile.
"You have the nerve to say that, and it's all because of those two classmates of yours."
Kushina retorted with irritation, though she knew this had nothing to do with the old Hokage in front of her, so she quickly apologized:
"Sorry, Third Hokage. I'm just in a bad mood."
In front of the children, neither could explain the situation in detail.
"Hey, Naruto, your mom's here."
Noticing that Naruto was still focused on the roasted fish, Choji drooled slightly and reminded him.
"Huh? No way, mom at this hour—oh no, she's really here!"
Seeing Kushina, Naruto instinctively wanted to grab Karin and run.
But he quickly realized that today was a day off, he wasn't skipping class, and there was no need to hide from his mother.
Soon after, Naruto saw his grandfather, the Third Hokage, and Kushina walk a little distance away and start whispering to each other.
Seizing this opportunity, the two Anbu remained in place, showing no intention of taking action.
"I understand this matter. The Fifth has just left the village, and they can't contain themselves already."
Mentioning his old classmates stirred complex feelings in Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He knew they were acting to maintain the relationship between Konoha and the Daimyo, and their actions, though extreme, were for the village's sake.
Kushina also understood this, but what angered her was their attempt to impose the Will of the Jinchuriki onto Karin.
However—
Perhaps because she had spent a long time with Takeshi, she momentarily forgot that in matters like this, "voluntary" was never really an option.
"This matter..."
Kushina hesitated, unsure how to continue.
If the village truly needed Karin to be the Jinchuriki, then as a member of Konoha, she had no right to speak against it.
"No matter what, these two bypassing Takeshi to make this decision cannot be tolerated."
Seeing Kushina's expression, the Third Hokage understood what she was thinking. He sighed helplessly and gently placed his already worn hand on Kushina's shoulder.
"For Konoha, you've worked hard."
Hiruzen Sarutobi meant this sincerely.
"You flatter me, Third Hokage."
Just as their hearts shifted, the two advisors, who had barely broken free from their restraints, burst into the Hokage's office with imposing momentum.
Although Takeshi had always left the village secretly, entrusting affairs to Itachi, this time he departed openly. No matter the circumstances, even if Uchiha Fugaku wholeheartedly approved, newly promoted Chunin Itachi could not continue handling these matters.
To prevent the older generation from causing trouble, Takeshi handed all matters over to Shikaku.
"Shikaku!"
Pushing the door open, Mitokado Homura shouted Shikaku's name with anger at first sight.
"Advisor Mitokado? Weren't you going to the Hyuga main house?"
Seeing their expressions, Shikaku, still unaware of what had happened, already sensed trouble approaching.
Stepping forward, Mitokado Homura sneered: "Hmph, you seem to know everything. Do you know that the Jinchuriki Kushina attacked us and even left home without Anbu supervision?!"
"Kushina's supervision order was lifted as soon as the Fifth became acting Hokage."
Shikaku, with his high intelligence, immediately realized what they had done and responded in a calm, unyielding tone.
"Lifted?"
Mitokado Homura was momentarily speechless, finally managing to mutter this single word.
"This is an irrational action. Even when Mito-sama was alive, the Nine-Tails once rampaged. I strongly oppose lifting Kushina's confinement!"
Utatane Koharu stepped forward to echo his stance, her eyes locked firmly on Shikaku.
At this moment, their behavior was nowhere near as obedient as when Takeshi was in the village. Anyone unaware of the full situation might have been fooled.
But they were facing Shikaku.
"Regarding this matter, neither the Third Hokage nor Advisor Danzo opposed it. Besides, the Fifth himself is also a Jinchuriki. Are you saying we should supervise him as well?"
Shikaku's tone rose slightly as he heard familiar footsteps in the corridor.
"That's right."
A cold voice rang at the doorway. The two advisors instinctively turned their heads, only to see the figure they least wanted to encounter.
Danzo Shimura.
He didn't even bother lifting his eyelids, simply leaning on his cane, quietly standing at the door.
Even so, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura visibly tensed.
"Danzo, you—"
"Homura, the Fifth has yet to establish a personal Anbu. Yet you summoned Anbu from the Third's era to involve themselves in village affairs. Isn't that overstepping your authority?"
Without giving them a chance to speak, Danzo pointed out the overreach.
"They are all Jonin of the village. By regulation, they can participate in village affairs."
Utatane Koharu, unafraid of Danzo, stepped forward and looked him straight in the eyes.
This woman still had some courage.
"Koharu, I thought your courage would have been worn away with age. Hm, not bad."
Danzo nodded, acknowledging her words.
"Then what about the Jinchuriki matter? When the Fifth left the village, he didn't clearly state how to handle it."
"Danzo, you are only the head of Anbu training now, responsible for cultivating Anbu for the village. You have no right to interfere with our matters."
Utatane Koharu completely rejected his argument, countering Danzo boldly.
"Your Hokage assistant position was abolished with the Fourth's tenure, and the intelligence-gathering authority was taken by the Fourth. Now, you have no right to interfere with our actions."
Damn, this Utatane Koharu is bold?!
Even Shikaku was a little intimidated by her assertiveness, instinctively taking a step back.
Everyone expected Danzo to explode with anger, but his next response shattered their assumptions.
"Noted."
After hearing her rebuttal, Danzo nodded, and then, under the surprised gazes of the others, slowly left the doorway.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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