A Stir That Rocked the Village at Konoha's Gates

"Come on. Let's go give Konoha a grand gift."

Chiba took Tsunade's hand and darted through the forest, his figure turning into a green blur.

Two days later, the sunlight at the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village was somewhat dazzling.

Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane leaned against the gateposts, yawning, looking utterly idle.

"The weather's great today. Perfect for sleeping, and there isn't even a single mission."

Kotetsu rubbed his eyes and stared listlessly at the sky.

"Don't fall asleep. If we get caught later, they'll dock our pay again."

Izumo gave him a pat, signaling him to wake up and stop thinking about sleeping all day.

"I heard that Senju Chiba defected a few days ago. Is that true?"

Kotetsu asked curiously, leaning closer to Izumo.

"Who knows? There's nobody left in the Senju Clan anyway. Even if he defected, nobody would care."

Izumo curled his lip, feeling that the matter had nothing to do with them and was not worth paying attention to.

"True enough. But Lord Danzō seemed pretty angry. He sent a lot of people out."

Kotetsu lowered his voice mysteriously and glanced around.

"Shh, don't mention that man's name. Be careful Root hears you. By then, you won't even know how you died."

Izumo hurriedly stopped him, a trace of fear flashing across his face.

Just then, three figures appeared on the distant road, slowly making their way over.

Chiba walked in front, hands in his pockets and his steps leisurely, a blade of grass hanging from his mouth.

Tsunade trailed half a step behind him, while Shizune followed at the rear with Tonton in her arms, looking somewhat exhausted.

Kotetsu's eyes went wide, and the registry in his hand fell to the ground with a slap.

"Izumo, look! Isn't that Lady Tsunade?"

He pointed ahead, his voice stammering as his body stiffened.

Izumo looked in the direction he pointed, froze in place as well, and gaped.

"It really is Lady Tsunade! Why has she come back?"

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, feeling as though he were dreaming.

"And why is she following that boy?"

Kotetsu looked at Chiba, who was walking in front, his face filled with confusion. The sight was simply too bizarre.

"Who is that kid? He looks familiar. I feel like I've seen him somewhere."

Izumo scrutinized Chiba, his brow tightly furrowed.

"Could he be Senju Chiba, the one wanted a few days ago?"

Kotetsu was uncertain, and even his voice trembled.

"A rogue ninja returning to the village with Lady Tsunade?"

Izumo felt like his brain could no longer keep up. This completely exceeded his understanding.

Chiba had already reached the gate. Seeing the two standing there dumbfounded, he smiled.

"What, don't recognize me? Or don't recognize my aunt?"

Chiba stopped and looked at them with a half-smile, mockery flickering in his eyes.

"Senju Chiba, you're suspected of defecting. How dare you come back?"

Though afraid, Izumo still forced himself to step forward and block the road.

"Defecting? Who said I defected?"

Chiba raised an eyebrow and spread his hands, looking completely innocent.

"I merely went to bring my aunt back to the village. Does that count as defecting?"

"But the higher-ups have already issued a wanted notice. We have to follow the rules."

Kotetsu spoke softly from the side, his hand already reaching for a kunai.

"A wanted notice? Who issued it? Tell him to come talk to me in person."

Chiba sneered, not taking the wanted notice seriously at all, his demeanor extremely arrogant.

"Enough nonsense. Open the gate. Don't block my way."

Tsunade stepped forward, her expression dark as her clenched fists cracked.

"Lady Tsunade, this..."

Izumo was caught in a difficult position, but when he saw Tsunade's murderous glare, he hurriedly moved aside.

"Let them through, hurry! Don't delay Lady Tsunade's business."

Kotetsu hastily opened the gate, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

Chiba led Tsunade and Shizune into Konoha in broad daylight, utterly at ease.

"Chiba, are we going straight to the Hokage Building?"

Shizune held Tonton and looked nervously at the villagers pointing and whispering around them.

"No rush. Let's get something to eat on the shopping street first. We've been riding for two days, and I'm starving."

Chiba smiled casually and pointed at the dango shop ahead.

"You brat, you've got some nerve. At a time like this, you're still thinking about food."

Tsunade sounded helpless, but she did not object and followed him toward the dango shop.

The three walking through Konoha's streets caused a massive stir, and villagers turned to stare.

"My god, that's Lady Tsunade! She actually came back to the village? Didn't they say she wasn't returning?"

"Who's that boy beside her? Why does he look so much like someone from the Senju Clan?"

"I heard he's that wanted rogue ninja. Why is he with Lady Tsunade? Could the wanted notice be fake?"

The villagers discussed it heatedly, and the news spread through the village as though it had grown wings.

At the Ninja Academy, teachers and students in the middle of class also heard the commotion and looked out the windows.

"Did you hear? A awakened member of the Senju Clan has returned, and he even brought Lady Tsunade back with him."

"Really? Is the Senju Clan going to rise again? Does that mean we're saved?"

The students excitedly discussed it, completely unable to focus on their lessons, and the classroom became a total mess.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Hokage's office was somewhat oppressive.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, puffing on his pipe as his brow remained tightly knit.

Koharu Utatane and Mito Kadoyan sat on the sofa to one side, their expressions stern as though they were discussing something.

"Hiruzen, any news from Danzō's side?"

Koharu asked impatiently, leaning on her cane.

"Not yet. But Torune took so many people with him, so there shouldn't be any problems."

Mito adjusted his glasses, appearing relatively calm, though concern lingered in his eyes.

"Senju Chiba has awakened Wood Release. This must be kept secret. We cannot let the other villages learn of it."

Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, his voice low and heavy with worry.

At that moment, an ANBU suddenly appeared in the office, dropping to one knee with a panicked expression.

"Lord Hokage, an emergency situation."

The ANBU's voice was urgent, and he did not even have time to observe proper etiquette.

"What is it? Why are you panicking? Have some decorum."

Koharu frowned in dissatisfaction and rebuked him.

"Senju Chiba... has returned to the village."

The ANBU lowered his head as he reported, his body trembling slightly.

"What? He was captured and brought back? Danzō moved quickly."

Mito looked surprised, a hint of relief appearing on his face.

"No, he walked back himself, and..."

The ANBU paused, not daring to continue as he looked up to gauge the Third Hokage's expression.

"And what? Speak. Stop hemming and hawing."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed as he set down his pipe.

"And Lady Tsunade returned to the village with him. The two of them are currently heading toward the Hokage Building."

The ANBU blurted it all out in one breath, then lowered his head.

Clatter.

Hiruzen's pipe fell directly onto the desk, scattering ash everywhere with a dull sound.

He froze in place, his pupils contracting, his face filled with disbelief.

"Tsunade? Why would she be with that boy?"

Koharu abruptly stood up, her face full of shock as her cane nearly fell to the floor.

"What exactly is going on? Where are Danzō's people? Are they all dead?"

Mito could no longer sit still either. He rose and began pacing back and forth.

"According to the report from the gate guards, Senju Chiba said he went to bring Lady Tsunade back to the village. He had no intention of defecting."

The ANBU continued his report, his voice growing quieter and quieter.

"Nonsense! This is absolute nonsense! The wanted notice has already been issued. How can he say he didn't defect?"

Koharu stamped her foot in anger, her face livid.

"Hiruzen, what do we do now? Should we send ANBU to stop them?"

Mito looked at Hiruzen, awaiting his decision.

Hiruzen picked up his pipe, his face so dark it seemed ready to drip water as his thoughts raced.

He took a draw of the cold pipe, trying to calm himself as he looked out the window.

"Stop them? How? That's Tsunade. Who can stop her?"

He sighed, looking both helpless and weary.

"Let them come straight to the Hokage's office. I will question him personally."