After the genjutsu was dispelled, Tsunade learned that Tianqi had already been thrown in prison. She rushed to Sarutobi Hiruzen's office with the other two.
"Oh, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru—you're back. How was it? Have you gotten used to your first mission so far from home?" Sarutobi said with a smile as he watched the three rush into his office.
"Old man, cut the small talk. We came here today to find out whether there's any fairness or justice left in the village. Why was Tianqi arrested and thrown in prison? You have to give me a reasonable explanation!" Tsunade demanded angrily.
"Take a look at this, and you'll understand." Sarutobi studied Tsunade for a moment, then handed her a document envelope. If anyone else had asked him that way, he would have ignored them. But Tsunade was different: she was the granddaughter of two Hokage and a princess personally granted that title by the daimyo of the Land of Fire. Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't disregard her words.
"I'll see what reason you have." Tsunade took the envelope, opened it, and read the documents inside.
"Impossible! How could this be? Tianqi was clearly with us. How could he have gone to the Land of Earth? This can't be real—it's fake!" After reading the documents, Tsunade threw them to the ground. Her face was full of confusion, disbelief, and bewilderment.
Orochimaru and Jiraiya didn't know what was in the documents, but when they saw Tsunade's expression change, they picked them up and read them.
"This... This can't be right, can it?" After reading them, both wore the same expression as Tsunade.
"Now you understand why he was arrested, don't you? He attacked the Land of Earth without authorization, disrupted the peace, and deliberately provoked a war. Do you realize how serious these charges are?" Sarutobi said to them.
"Teacher Sarutobi, are these allegations true? Could they be fake? Could the enemy have deliberately framed Tianqi?" Orochimaru reasoned.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure he was framed," Jiraiya chimed in.
"Impossible. The Tsuchikage personally sent someone to deliver this report. I also sent people to investigate, and it's true: a Konoha Ninja named Uchiha Tianqi attacked Iwagakure in the Land of Earth." Sarutobi Hiruzen's words crushed their last hope.
What they didn't know was that the entire Shinobi World had already heard that a Konoha Ninja had single-handedly taken on the Land of Earth. There were no secrets that stayed hidden forever. No matter how hard Iwagakure tried to cover it up, enemy Ninja had still uncovered the truth. For a time, Iwagakure in the Land of Earth became a laughingstock across the Shinobi World.
"Damn it! Who leaked the news? If I find out who it was, I'll make sure they suffer a fate worse than death!" Ōnoki was so furious at his subordinate's report that he smashed a teacup against the floor.
"We can't let this go on. If the Land of Earth shows weakness, the other great Ninja villages will seize this chance to make a big deal out of it. What should we do?"
"I've got it! Someone, bring me my orders. Find a small country nearby that's mocking us and wipe it out. Then press Konoha to give me an answer I can accept!" After thinking for a long time, Ōnoki finally came up with a solution. He summoned a subordinate and issued his orders.
This show of strength should be enough. I hope the other great Ninja villages won't cause trouble. Otherwise, the Land of Earth will truly be out of options. We've already lost so many Ninja; if we start another war, Iwagakure might end up a minor village.
"It's all Konoha's fault! Damn Konoha Ninja! Damn Uchiha Tianqi! None of this would have happened if not for him!" Thinking of all the trouble, Ōnoki began cursing Konoha and Uchiha Tianqi.
"Teacher Sarutobi, can't you think of a way to help Tianqi?" Tsunade knew that if these charges were upheld, Tianqi might never be able to live in the village again. Ordinary people would surely protest someone breaking the peace without authorization. They didn't like war, after all. If the village fell into chaos, Tianqi's crime would only seem worse.
"Yeah, please help Tianqi, big brother," Orochimaru and Jiraiya pleaded on Tianqi's behalf.
"Do you think I don't want to? The Land of Earth demands an explanation and insists that Tianqi be killed. The council of elders has decided to hand him over. The best I can do right now is make sure Tianqi stays alive in Konoha."
"Starting a war is out of the question. Sigh, all I can do now is find a way to negotiate with the Land of Earth and compensate them as much as possible. This time, the compensation will probably cost us dearly. And I still haven't convinced the council of elders. This is driving me crazy."
Sarutobi sighed. "Now you understand. The village will handle this fairly and impartially. Stop pestering me. I'll find a way to deal with Tianqi's situation. All of you, leave."
"All right, then. Teacher Sarutobi, you have to protect Tianqi."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, and the three left the Hokage office building.
"This has gotten out of hand. I can't believe big brother Tianqi managed to attack the Land of Earth while he was with us. I have no idea how he traveled such a long distance and got back so quickly," Jiraiya said, puzzled.
"Hmm... I think he must have some kind of secret technique that lets him move at incredible speed. Otherwise, he couldn't have made the trip there and back so quickly," Orochimaru analyzed calmly.
"But I really admire Tianqi. In such a short time, he made it all the way to Iwagakure, fought the entire village alone, won, and got away unscathed. He's incredibly strong." Orochimaru's expression turned to one of admiration.
"Yeah, big brother Tianqi is amazing." Jiraiya nodded, his face full of admiration.
"Enough. This isn't the time to talk about how strong Tianqi is. He's been arrested. We need to think of a way to help him. With the kind of strength he showed when he attacked Iwagakure, if we really push him too far, Konoha could be the next Iwagakure." Tsunade was deeply worried. She cared about Tianqi, but she was also afraid he might lose control and cause trouble.
"What can we do? We have no influence and no high standing. What could we possibly do?" Jiraiya waved a hand helplessly.
"Standing! I know who we should go to." Hearing Jiraiya's words, Tsunade rushed out.
"What's gotten into her?" Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru.
"How should I know?" Orochimaru shrugged.
Tsunade and Jiraiya split up, and Tsunade went straight to her grandmother Uzumaki Mito's residence. Jiraiya's mention of high standing had made her think of her grandmother.
Her husband had been the First Hokage, the God of Shinobi, and she was the sister-in-law of the current leader. If she pleaded for Tianqi, the village's leadership would surely listen to her. Even the daimyo couldn't ignore her. She could surely protect Tianqi. Excited, Tsunade rushed into Uzumaki Mito's home.
Meanwhile, in the prison, a special visitor arrived in front of Tianqi.
"Well, if it isn't our very own Uchiha Tianqi, the Demon. What happened to you?" Danzo said with a mocking smile.
The visitor was none other than Shimura Danzō, who had always disliked Tianqi.
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