The Advisors Take Action

By the time Hiashi led his men back to the clan's territory, the two elders had already left.

Seeing Hyuga Munekata sitting quietly on the steps of the courtyard admiring the flowers and plants, Hiashi knew he was a step too late.

"Hiashi, as the Clan Head, why are you so panicked? This is truly unbecoming."

Zongfang glanced at Hiashi without expression, then reached for the watering can placed not far away, preparing to water his beloved flowers and plants.

"It's nothing. We just heard that the advisor was visiting, so we came to see if there's anything the Hyuga Clan can help with."

Hiashi subtly emphasized the fact that the main branch of the Hyuga Main Family had lost its power, and that Hiashi, was the only one who could call the shots in the Hyuga Clan.

"Is that so? The two advisors were simply concerned and came to visit the old ninja who had rendered great service to the village."

Hyuga Munekata's words drew inward criticism from Hiashi and his guards.

What have you Main Family done for the village? All you do every day is direct the Branch Family to do this and that for you. You're nothing but a bunch of freeloaders!

If the two guards, who came from the Branch Family, hadn't been so well-mannered, they would have slapped him across the face long ago.

Hiashi didn't get angry even after being rebuffed by Munakata.

After giving this elder, who had once bullied and oppressed him, a deep look, he silently led his men away from the courtyard.

Shortly after Hiashi left, the Second Elder Hyuga Shota, who had remained inside the house without showing his face, finally opened the sliding door.

"Jianming is gone?"

Hyuga Munekata didn't even turn his head, seemingly having already guessed the Fourth Elder's departure.

"Yes, he was unwilling to stand with the advisors, even though they promised to persuade the daimyo to improve the Main Family's situation."

Hyuga Kenmei was the most astute of the four elders.

"A wise choice. Advisors are nothing but remnants of the past. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi is now just a frail old man."

Tilting the showerhead and watching the water cascade onto the flowers and plants, Hyuga Munekata's words were exceptionally clear-headed.

"So you still agreed..."

Before Hyuga Shota could finish speaking, he realized he had asked a stupid question.

"Hmph, you finally understand?"

Birdsong drifted from the sky, Hyuga Munekata looked up at the blue sky.

"Caged Bird, huh? In a sense, isn't our Main Family also one of them?"

As the two advisors traveled around, some of the Anbu and former members who had benefited from the Third Hokage's policies were regrouped by them.

After issuing orders to Senju Yoshika and Sarutobi Mitsume, two veteran Anbu members, the two advisors visited Minato Namikaze, Anbu current head of the Konoha.

However, Minato was busy meeting up with his teacher to meet Obito, and the two were greeted by Kushina, who was preparing dinner alone at home.

Kushina was completely bewildered by the arrival of the two advisors, but out of courtesy, she received them anyway.

"Kushina, you know the current situation in the village. Although the Fifth Generation didn't say it personally, the Seven-Tails must stay in Konoha."

Kushina Utatane Koharu but did not drink it. Instead, she glanced at the Anbu guards behind her and explained her purpose.

Upon hearing the name "Seven-Tails, "Kushina felt a surge of emotion.

She had already guessed why the two had come.

"Sealing such a massive Tailed Beast in the back Yamanaka is not a long-term solution. The most urgent task is to find a suitable Jinchuriki for it."

Finding Jinchuriki for the Seven-Tails is the first step in the two advisors' return to work.

They wanted to use this incident to prove to the outside world that their words still carried some weight in Konoha.

"Karin Uzumaki was brought back from Kusagakure Fifth Generation. Konoha gave her peace, and in return, she should make contributions to Konoha."

The fact that the two chose Karin Jinchuriki was not unexpected for Kushina.

Based on what we can see so far, Karin inherited more of the Uzumaki bloodline than Naruto.

That dazzling red hair is the best proof.

Kushina clenched her fists, forcibly suppressing her dissatisfaction, and forced a smile, "I understand. I'll talk to Karin. If she's unwilling—"

"Don't misunderstand, Kushina. We're not here to discuss anything, but to inform you."

Mitokado Homura coldly interrupted Kushina, leaning back slightly to bring the Anbu closer. "We've already sent Anbu to protect Karin. Until she becomes Jinchuriki, she'll be living under our protection."

The two understood Kushina's personality and knew she was not someone to be trifled with.

But they didn't expect that Kushina would dare to attack them under the protection of the Anbu.

Chains emanating from her body easily bound the Jonin -level Anbu, while Kushina grabbed the two advisors by the collars and lifted them up, one in each hand.

"Kushina, what are you doing?!"

One of the Anbu shouted at the other party, only to be met with even tighter binding.

"You two old bastards, what are you going to do to my daughter? You'd better watch out!"

Kushina has completely transformed into Blood Red Pepper Mode, with her red hair flying everywhere.

Even the two consultants felt their lives were threatened at that moment.

"You, are you going to rebel?!"

Mitokado Homura was already having trouble breathing, tried to scare the other man away, but Kushina didn't care. She forcefully threw this man, who was said to be second only to the Third Hokage in strength, against the wall.

"If Mito-sama could see you like this, she would be ashamed!"

The intimate contact between his back and the wall caused Mitokado Homura immense pain, but what was even harder for him to accept was that Kushina brought up Mito Uzumaki to reprimand them.

"Mito-sama, she--"

Mitokado Homura wanted to retort, but how could he possibly argue with Kushina had lived with Mito for a period of time?

"You have no right to talk about Mito-sama!"

Golden chains bound Mitokado Homura as well.

I @!￥!￥!#%￥

Mitokado Homura was physically silenced, is suffering in silence. Regardless of her qualifications, can't you at least give her some space to speak?!

The tight chains made it difficult for him to even breathe, let alone speak.

Utatane Koharu, saw it clearly but didn't try to refute it.

Since the Anbu had already been dispatched, no matter how strong Kushina was, she couldn't change the outcome.

Therefore, this female consultant's treatment was much better than that of Mitokado Homura.

Although being lifted up by the collar and held above one's head is not a very nice treatment in itself.

"Hateful!"

After calming down, Kushina realized this as well. She used Sealing Jutsu to bind everyone present in place before hurriedly leaving the house to search for Karin's whereabouts.

The two Anbu were very efficient; they found Karin's location in no time.

It was by a small river that could be found anywhere in Konoha. Because it was a day off, Naruto and Karin, along with their peers, had gathered there.

Although they had found their target, the two did not act rashly.

The reason was simple: an old man who seemed out of place appeared at what should have been a children's gathering.

They were all very familiar with this old man; he was none other than the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.

At that moment, he was holding the grilled fish that Naruto had handed him, savoring its taste with a smile.

Taking Karin away in front of the Third Hokage is obviously unrealistic.

As the two hesitated about what to do, a hand suddenly patted their shoulders, freezing them in place.

"Fanghua, Sanmu, are you two here to play with the children too?"

The two turned their heads stiffly and saw yet another Hiruzen Sarutobi, looking at them with a serious expression.

Shadow Clones? When?