"An explanation?" Duanmu Ci's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable force. "Explaining yourself to those with malicious intent is weakness. It only gives them more material to fabricate rumors. They'll twist every clarification you make into a cover-up."
"Then what do we do? Just let them slander us?" Shizune grew anxious. She had watched Taoyuan Village take shape bit by bit, and it embodied countless people's efforts.
"Of course not." Duanmu Ci walked to Tsunade's side and gently pressed a hand to her shoulder, which trembled faintly with rage. A warm, pure stream of Yang Style Chakra flowed into her, soothing her turbulent emotions. "Anger won't solve anything, Tsunade. Danzo wants us to lose our heads or overreact, giving him an excuse to act."
Feeling the warmth and strength from Duanmu Ci's palm, Tsunade took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed her fury, though the sharpness in her eyes remained. "Tell me. What do we do? I'll tear out the mouths of those rumor-spreading bastards!"
Duanmu Ci shook his head, a cold curve forming at his lips. "Tearing out their mouths is too cheap for them, and too crude. We'll use facts to slap them hard enough that the rats hiding in the shadows come scurrying out on their own."
He turned to Shizune, his tone decisive. "Shizune, notify Nonō. Activate the Truth Listener network and trace the source of these rumors with everything we have. Identify the agitators spreading the most specific claims—the ones making the biggest fuss. I want names. At the same time, inform the guards to strengthen patrols within the village, especially around the orphanage, herb gardens, and research facilities. Don't let anyone take the opportunity to sabotage us. Keep things relaxed on the surface, but tighten security underneath."
"Yes!" Shizune's spirits lifted, and she immediately left to carry out his orders.
Duanmu Ci looked at Tsunade again, his gaze softening. "Tsunade, I need your help with something."
"Say it!"
"This afternoon, hold an 'Open Day' in the name of Taoyuan Village Medical Center. Invite every Konoha resident, especially those harboring doubts, to come in and look around. Focus on opening the children's living quarters, classrooms, and playgrounds; the herb gardens and medicinal-material processing workshops; and the medical department's general treatment area." Wisdom gleamed in Duanmu Ci's eyes. "Let them see for themselves whether the children are being locked up for experiments, and whether our medicine is made with 'taboos.' Facts speak louder than words."
Tsunade's eyes lit up. "Great idea! I'll personally lead the tour! I'll make those blind idiots see things clearly!"
"No." Duanmu Ci smiled. "Leave the explanations to Shizune and Nonō. They're more attentive. You, my miracle healer, have a more important task."
He leaned close to Tsunade's ear and whispered a few words. At first, she looked puzzled. Then understanding dawned, followed by an excited smile. "Ha ha, good! We'll do exactly that! I'll make those gossiping bastards' eyes pop out of their heads!"
That afternoon, Taoyuan Village's gates stood wide open.
Though the rumors still circulated, the promise of an "Open Day," coupled with Princess Tsunade's name, drew a massive crowd of villagers. They poured in with curiosity, suspicion, and even a trace of wariness.
Shizune and Yakushi Nonō guided the crowd with gentle smiles. The children read and wrote in spacious, brightly lit classrooms, then ran and played across lush green fields. Their little faces glowed with healthy, happy color. When they saw the visitors, some shyly hid away, while others boldly waved and greeted them. There was not the slightest sign that they had been imprisoned or abused.
The orphanage caretakers were patient and meticulous, while the environment was clean, orderly, and full of life. The techniques were skillful, and all materials used were verified as safe. In the medical department, the injured and ill received standardized treatment in a peaceful atmosphere.
Everything was orderly, bright beneath the clear sunlight. The suspicion on many villagers' faces gradually faded, replaced by shame and renewed trust. With the facts laid bare before them, those vicious rumors collapsed on their own.
Still, there were a few people in the crowd with shifty eyes, whispering among themselves. They tried to steer the conversation, questioning whether the children had been "brainwashed" and whether the medicinal herbs were merely covered up by some trick.
Just then, Tsunade's booming voice rang across all of Taoyuan Village.
"Have you all seen enough? If you have, then listen up!"
Every gaze instantly focused on Tsunade, who stood atop a raised stone platform. Her hands rested on her hips, her presence overwhelming, her golden ponytail gleaming beneath the sunlight.
"I've spent my whole life practicing medicine and saving lives. What I hate most are shameless scum who use patients and children as tools!" Tsunade's voice cracked like thunder, carrying the pressure of one of the Sannin and making those with guilty consciences tremble. "Duanmu Ci built Taoyuan Village, took in orphans, treated the wounded, and improved medical care. Which part of that wasn't for Konoha? For you ungrateful fools to live better lives?"
Her gaze flashed like lightning as it swept across the crowd, precisely locking onto several people Nonō had marked as the worst instigators. Their scalps went numb under her stare, and they instinctively tried to shrink back into the crowd.
"Firing cold arrows from within the crowd, slandering heroes, and destroying Konoha's hard-won peace—what the hell are you?" Tsunade snarled without mercy. "You think no one knows who's causing trouble just because you're hiding in the shadows? Let me tell you this: Duanmu Ci is kind-hearted and can't be bothered to deal with vermin like you! But I have a bad temper!"
She stomped her foot. With a thunderous crash, a chunk of the sturdy stone platform's edge shattered beneath her foot!
"If I hear one more word of bullshit slandering Taoyuan Village or Duanmu Ci, I don't care who sent you—I'll personally twist off his head and hang it at Konoha's gates! Don't believe me? Go ahead and try!"
That peerlessly domineering declaration, combined with Tsunade's terrifying Chakra Enhanced Strength and her inviolable presence, instantly silenced everyone. The rumor-mongers went pale with fright and did not dare make another sound. The ordinary villagers were also shaken by Tsunade's fury and fierce defense. At the same time, they became even more convinced that Taoyuan Village was innocent—otherwise, Princess Tsunade would never have defended it so fiercely.
Within the crowd, several ANBU figures wearing animal masks quietly withdrew. They were clearly returning to report to their master. Danzo's scheme to suppress them through public opinion had been completely crushed by Duanmu Ci's calm response, the display of facts, and Princess Tsunade's thunderous rage. Instead, after a brief setback, Taoyuan Village's reputation became even more firmly rooted in people's hearts.
Standing in the shadows, Duanmu Ci watched Tsunade's back as she unleashed her fury like a lioness protecting her cubs. His eyes were full of gentleness and warmth. It was good to have her by his side. He glanced toward the direction in which the ANBU had vanished, and his gaze turned deep and cold again. Danzo, this is only the beginning.
Danzo's propaganda offensive had temporarily fallen silent, but Duanmu Ci knew that venomous snake would never let the matter rest. At the same time, scattered intelligence intercepted by Nonō's Truth Listener network showed that Kirigakure's activities had become unusually frequent lately, especially along the eastern coast of the Land of Fire. There were signs that elite squads had infiltrated the area. Considering the grudge formed from repelling the AB Combo and crushing the Three-Tails plan, Kirigakure's retaliation was practically inevitable.
Night fell like ink over the increasingly developed Taoyuan Village. Compared to the daytime bustle, the village at night was quiet and peaceful, with only the footsteps of patrolling guards mingling with the chirping of insects.
Duanmu Ci did not rest. He sat cross-legged in his room, but his awareness spread like an invisible web, using the Rinnegan's extraordinary passive perception to cover Taoyuan Village and several miles around it. The immense stamina granted by his Sage Body and his affinity for Nature Energy allowed him to maintain this state for long periods.
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