Rebuking Danzo

Before rushing to the scene, Kushina had left home in a hurry, was already prepared to cause a ruckus at the Anbu.

But when she saw her daughter, she realized that the situation was slightly different from what she had imagined.

Naruto and Karin squatted by the fire, observing the grilled fish. The Third Hokage stood nearby with two unfamiliar middle-aged men, seemingly engaged in conversation.

All she knew was that the expressions on the faces of the two middle-aged people, the man and the woman, seemed somewhat forced.

"It's Kushina. What's she doing out at this time?"

Looking at the travel-worn Kushina, Hiruzen Sarutobi maintained a gentle smile.

"How dare you say that? It was all because of your two classmates!"

Kushina retorted irritably to the Third Hokage, but she also knew that this matter had nothing to do with the old man in front of her, so she quickly apologized to him.

"I'm sorry, Third Hokage, I'm not in a good mood."

In front of the children, the two naturally couldn't explain the situation in detail.

"Hey, Naruto, your mom's here."

Noticing that Naruto's attention was still focused on the grilled fish, Choji, drooling, reminded him.

"Oh no? Mom's at this time—oh no, she's really here!"

Upon seeing Kushina, Naruto instinctively tried to grab Karin and run away.

However, he immediately realized that it was a holiday and he hadn't skipped class, so there was no need for him to hide from his mother.

Immediately afterwards, Naruto saw the Third Hokage and Kushina walk a little further away and start whispering to each other.

Despite this golden opportunity, the two secret agents remained rooted to the spot, showing no intention of making a move.

"I know about this. The Fifth Generation has only just left the village, and they're already getting restless."

When he thought of his two old classmates, Hiruzen Sarutobi had mixed feelings.

He knew that the other party was protecting the relationship between Konoha and the Daimyo, and that their actions were for the sake of the village.

Kushina knew this too, but what she resented was that the other party wanted to impose the Jinchuriki's will onto Karin.

But--

Perhaps because she had spent so much time with Kazashiro, she had temporarily forgotten that there was no such thing as voluntary consent in such matters.

"This matter..."

Kushina hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

If the village truly needs Karin to be Jinchuriki, then as a member of Konoha, she has no right to say anything.

"In any case, it is absolutely unacceptable for these two to make this decision by bypassing Kazashiro."

Seeing Kushina's expression, the Third Hokage knew what she was thinking. Hokage sighed helplessly and gently placed his somewhat withered hand on Kushina's shoulder.

"You've worked hard for Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said this sincerely.

"You flatter me, Third Hokage."

Just as the two were changing their mindsets, the two advisors, who had barely broken free of the seal, stormed into the Hokage's Office.

Although every time Kazashiro secretly left the village, he always left the affairs to Itachi to handle.

But this time he left the village openly and legitimately. No matter which direction he came from, even if Fugaku Uchiha wholeheartedly agreed, Itachi, who had just become Chunin, could not continue his work.

To prevent the older generation from causing trouble, Kazashiro handed over all matters to Shikaku.

"Shikaku!"

Upon opening the door and seeing Shikaku, Mitokado Homura immediately called out his name in an angry tone.

"Advisor Mitokado? Didn't you go to the Hyuga Main Family?"

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Shikaku, though still unaware of what had happened, sensed that trouble was brewing for him.

Stepping forward, Mitokado Homura sneered, "Hmph, you seem to know everything. But do you know that Kushina, as Jinchuriki, attacked us and even left home without any ANBU supervision?!"

"Kushina's supervisory order was lifted as early as when the Fifth Generation became the Acting Hokage."

Shikaku, with his high intelligence, immediately understood what the other party had done.

He immediately replied to the other party in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant.

"Resolved?"

Mitokado Homura was speechless after hearing Shikaku pause, she could only manage to utter this one sentence.

"This is an irrational act. Even when Mito-sama was alive, the Nine-Tails went berserk. I strongly oppose releasing Kushina from her confinement!"

Utatane Koharu, stepped forward to chime in, her eyes fixed on Shikaku.

The two men's attitudes at this moment were nothing like Kazashiro's obedient demeanor in the village. If someone who didn't know their background were here, they would probably be fooled by them.

But they were facing Shikaku.

"Neither the Third Hokage nor Advisor Danzō, objected to this matter. Besides, the Fifth Generation himself is Jinchuriki. Do you mean we should also put him under surveillance?"

Shikaku's voice rose a few decibels because he heard a familiar knocking sound coming from the corridor.

"Good."

A cold voice rang out at the doorway, and the two advisors instinctively turned their heads, only to see the figure they did not want to see.

Shimura Danzō.

At this moment, he didn't even bother to lift his eyelids; he simply stood quietly at the door, leaning on his cane.

Even so, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura visibly tensed up.

"Danzo, you..."

"Flame, the Fifth Generation has never established a personal ANBU, yet you've summoned Anbu Ninja from the Third Hokage's era to participate in village affairs. Doesn't that seem a bit like overstepping your bounds?"

Without giving the other party a chance to speak, Danzo revealed that the other party had summoned the Anbu.

"They are all Jonin of the village, and according to regulations, they are allowed to participate in village affairs."

Utatane Koharu wasn't intimidated by Danzo; she stepped forward and looked him directly in the eye.

This guy still has some guts.

"Koharu, I thought your courage had been completely worn away with age, but hmm, not bad."

Danzo nodded, acknowledging the other party's explanation.

"Then what about the Jinchuriki? When the Fifth Generation left the village, he didn't seem to specify what would happen to them."

"Danzo, you are currently only the head of the Anbu Training Department, responsible for training Anbu for the village. You have no right to interfere in our affairs."

Utatane Koharu completely ignored him and instead refuted Danzo.

"Your status Hokage Assistant was abolished long ago with the Fourth Generation's appointment, and your intelligence gathering authority was also taken away by the Fourth Generation. You have no right to interfere in our actions now."

Holy crap, Utatane Koharu, that old woman, is so brave?!

Shikaku was intimidated by the other party's domineering attitude and subconsciously took a step back.

Everyone thought Danzo would fly into a rage, but Danzo response shattered their expectations.

"Good."

After hearing the other party's rebuttal, Danzo nodded, and then, under the surprised gazes of everyone, slowly left through the doorway.