Mito Steps In

Tianqi looked up at Danzo, silent. He just stared at Danzo.

Seeing Tianqi remain silent and just stare at him, Danzo grew even more arrogant.

"Heh, Uchiha Tianqi, I told you long ago, don't ever fall into my hands, or I'll make sure you regret it. Look at you now, practically walking right into my trap," Danzo grinned. This was the happiest he'd been in years.

"You're probably still hoping Sarutobi will save you, aren't you? I advise you not to, our Elder Council will never let you off. We're going to hand you over to the Land of Earth, and let them torment you properly," Danzo continued to ramble on.

Seeing Danzo's endless chatter, Tianqi finally couldn't take it anymore. "Are you done yet, Danzo? A couple of taunts are enough, don't push it too far."

"Hahaha, Uchiha Tianqi, you're already a prisoner, what dignity do you think you have? Not only am I going to laugh at you, I'm going to teach you a lesson. Guards, open the cell door!" Danzo ordered, about to have the guards open the cell.

"This, Danzo-sama, please don't make it difficult for us. This cell door cannot be opened without the Hokage-sama's permission," the guard explained with a troubled look. Danzo was a high-ranking elder, so he couldn't be too blunt.

"I'm an elder, I tell you to open it, so open it. You know the consequences of offending me," Danzo threatened the guard. He hated it most when anyone mentioned the Hokage in front of him. Not becoming Hokage was the pain of his life, and no one could bring it up.

"This, this, alright. But just this once," the guard finally opened the cell door reluctantly. He really didn't want to offend the old schemer, Danzo.

"Weren't you quite smug and arrogant before? Come on, keep being smug for me. Look at you now, like a criminal. You disgust me, spit!" Danzo stepped into the cell and began to taunt.

"What the hell! You're really pushing it!" Tianqi, hearing Danzo's insults, finally lost his temper. He unleashed his power, and the chains binding him snapped.

CRACK!

Tianqi broke free from the chains and slapped Danzo.

Danzo, caught completely off guard by Tianqi's sudden outburst, was sent flying by the slap, spinning several times in the air before crashing into the cell door, breaking it. Danzo was knocked unconscious.

The guard stared blankly as Danzo was sent flying.

"Pah! A piece of trash like you, trying to humiliate me? Remember what I told you before? I'll beat you every time I see you. Did you think I was joking?" Tianqi spat on the unconscious Danzo.

"This cell is broken, I'll go to the one next door," Tianqi said to the ninja, then walked over and lay down in the adjacent cell.

"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and close the door, or I might run off," Tianqi said to the still-stunned ninja.

"Ah! Oh, coming right up!" The guard quickly went to close the door, then carried the unconscious Danzo out.

"What kind of prisoner is this? I've been a guard for so many years, and I've never seen anyone like him. He breaks out of his cell, doesn't run, but moves to another cell to be locked up again. What a weirdo," he muttered, carrying Danzo to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Sarutobi was talking with the Uchiha elders.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tianqi didn't even participate in the clan's coup for the sake of the village. He even led us away from the Uchiha. He helps the village with various missions every day. I don't believe you can't see all that he's done," the Elder said to Sarutobi with anger. He no longer had any respect for the Hokage.

"Elder, I am aware of the contributions Tianqi and you have made to the village. But this time, he's gone too far. Letting him be imprisoned is the lightest punishment I could give. Please understand my difficulties," Sarutobi Hiruzen knew what the Elder was saying. Tianqi had indeed done a lot for the village.

Over the years, Tianqi had unconditionally taken on all sorts of missions, moved away from the Uchiha, and fully cooperated with his work. Sarutobi had to admit, Tianqi had been perfect. However, Sarutobi looked at the new document from the Tsuchikage demanding an explanation, and he was in a real headache.

"Hmph! Tianqi merely attacked Iwagakure. Iwagakure isn't exactly a good guy anyway. Attacking them now serves as a deterrent, preventing them from causing trouble for Konoha if they become stronger in the future. I think Tianqi did absolutely nothing wrong," the Elder continued to defend Tianqi. He knew how serious the crime of unilaterally attacking a major ninja village was, and Tianqi couldn't be allowed to be in trouble.

"Elder, you can't say that. If Tianqi had done this during a war, he would be a hero, not a criminal. But the problem is, this is a time of peace. What he did was completely... "

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could finish, two more people pushed the door open.

"Completely what, Monkey? Tell me properly. I'd like to hear what's going on," the newcomers were Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade.

Mito hadn't wanted to get involved in village affairs, but she couldn't resist Tsunade's constant pleading. She could also see that Tsunade had fallen for Tianqi. For her granddaughter's happiness, she had to make an effort.

"Mito-sama, why are you here? Please, have a seat," Sarutobi Hiruzen, seeing the First Hokage's wife, immediately stood up and offered his seat.

"Monkey, what's the situation with Tianqi? Little Tsunade wasn't clear, and I don't quite understand. Explain it to me," Mito sat down, nodded to the Uchiha Elder, and spoke directly.

"It's like this..." Sarutobi recounted the entire story.

"In that case, just compensate the Land of Earth for their losses. Why make such a fuss?" Mito understood after Sarutobi Hiruzen finished explaining.

"I thought the same thing, but the Elder Council keeps blocking me. They insist on handing Tianqi over. I'm in a difficult position," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a troubled expression.

"Monkey, you must understand, you are the Hokage. They are not. The Elder Council's words are merely suggestions, not orders. Once you decide something, the Elder Council has no right to disagree."

"The decision is to compensate. If the Elder Council has anything to say, tell them to come find me themselves. I'd like to see who the Hokage is, you or them," Mito slammed the table, making the decision for Sarutobi.

"This, this is good. With Mito-sama to handle the Elder Council, it will be easier for me," Sarutobi thought. The members of the Elder Council were his former teammates, and their words carried weight. But Uzumaki Mito was different. She was not only the First Hokage's wife but also the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. No one could ignore her words.

"Mito-sama, what about Tianqi, who is imprisoned? Should we release him?" Sarutobi then threw the problem of Tianqi's imprisonment back to Mito.

The Elder also looked at Mito, eager to see how Hashirama Senju's wife would handle Tianqi.

"That little fellow?"

"His strength has indeed grown. He dared to fight the Land of Earth alone. But this time, he's caused too much trouble. Such recklessness is unacceptable. Let him be imprisoned for a while to reflect, then we can release him," Uzumaki Mito said after some thought.

"Nooo, Grandma Mito, just release Tianqi!" Tsunade, hearing that Tianqi would still be imprisoned, began to shake Mito's hand and pout.