Two days later, Fang Xu, Tsunade, and Nazi returned to Konoha.
As soon as we entered the village, a large number of villagers surrounded us from both sides of the street.
The crowd is growing.
Soon, their path was completely blocked.
" Lady Tsunade!"
"Please severely punish Shimura Danzō!"
" Shimura Danzō guilty of heinous crimes and cannot continue to live!"
"He killed so many Konoha Ninja; he must be brought to justice!"
The villagers' voices grew louder and louder.
Someone was holding up a petition.
Someone was carrying the belongings of a fallen ninja.
Some people even knelt in the middle of the street, begging Tsunade to publicly punish Shimura Danzō.
Tsunade raised her hand.
"Everyone, please be quiet."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
The sounds from the street gradually subsided.
Everyone was looking at Tsunade.
Tsunade said in a deep voice, "On our way to the Capital of Fire to perform our duties, Fang Xu, Nazi, and I were ambushed by Shimura Danzō."
" Shimura Danzō underestimated our strength."
He has been captured alive.
The crowd immediately erupted in cheers.
Tsunade did not pause.
"A public trial will be held tomorrow in the central square of Konoha."
"At that time, all of Shimura Danzō's crimes will be read aloud to the public."
"Evidence, witnesses, and relevant materials will all be made public."
"After the public trial, the execution will be carried out in accordance with the Konoha Law."
Please disperse.
"Tomorrow, go to the Central Square to witness firsthand the trial of Shimura Danzō."
The villagers finally left, satisfied.
But the discussions on the street didn't stop.
Tsunade watched the departing crowd, her expression gradually becoming complex.
The power of public opinion is terrifying.
If exploited by someone with ulterior motives, it could destroy a family in a very short time, or even change the situation of the entire village.
From now on, Konoha must ensure that public opinion is controlled by the authorities.
We can no longer allow all sorts of rumors to spread freely in the village.
Fang Xu walked to Tsunade's side.
"It's no longer possible for you to treat Shimura Danzō."
Tsunade remained silent for a moment.
"I know."
Fang Xu looked towards the end of the street.
Public opinion has spiraled completely out of control.
Even if Tsunade were willing to consider past relationships, the villagers and frontline ninjas would not agree.
Not long after, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura arrived.
Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a wry smile.
"If you had come back a few days later, Konoha would have been in complete chaos."
Tsunade looked at him meaningfully.
"You've made a wise choice this time."
The expressions on the faces of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two relaxed simultaneously.
As long as there is still room for negotiation, it means they don't have to perish along with Shimura Danzō.
Tsunade turned and walked towards the Hokage Tower.
"Next, let's discuss the follow-up plan."
The group entered the Hokage Tower's conference room.
Fang Xu sat down next to Tsunade.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura sat opposite them.
The atmosphere was extremely oppressive.
Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up.
" The Sarutobi Clan is willing to relinquish 30% of its power and benefits."
"This includes certain industries, mission channels, resource quotas, and family positions."
Utatane Koharu followed up, saying, " The Utatane Family will also hand over 30%."
Mitokado Homura also nodded.
" The Mitokado Family handed over 30%."
Fang Xu remained silent.
Tsunade looked at the head of the Shimura Clan.
What about the Shimura Clan?
The head of the Shimura Clan was pale.
" The Shimura Clan is willing to relinquish 90% of their power, resources, and property."
"I only beg Lady Tsunade and Lord Fang Xu to leave the clan a way out."
After this condition was stated, the meeting room fell completely silent.
Ninety percent of the profits.
This is practically equivalent to handing over all the wealth accumulated by the Shimura Clan over decades.
But no one objected.
Shimura Danzō the Hokage and colluded with other villages to conduct human experiments.
If the Shimura Clan wants to preserve its heritage, it will have to pay a heavy price.
Tsunade looked at Fang Xu.
"We will decide Shimura Danzō's fate."
Fang Xu nodded.
"Can."
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
This means they have completely given up on rescuing Shimura Danzō.
Sacrificing Danzo is an acceptable price to pay as long as it can protect their respective families.
After the news spread, it sparked another round of discussion within Konoha's Inner Circle.
All the major families are discussing the choices made by the top-ranking families.
The foreign spies who had infiltrated Konoha also quickly relayed the news back to their respective ninja villages.
Some lamented that the old leadership had completely lost power.
Some speculate that this might trigger an even greater internal conflict in Konoha.
Some believe that Shimura Danzō's downfall was just the beginning.
On their way back, Tsunade and Fang Xu walked side by side through the town streets.
"I don't want to start a massacre."
Tsunade looked at the pedestrians passing by in the distance, her tone very serious.
"A large-scale purge of the old forces will only bring enormous turmoil to Konoha."
"We can let them go as long as they are willing to relinquish the benefits they have seized in the past."
Fang Xu nodded.
" Konoha definitely needs stability right now."
"The war has just ended, and the reparations from the Four Great Ninja Villages have not yet been fully paid."
Tsunade sighed.
Even if we receive all the compensation, it won't be enough to fill Konoha's deficit.
The wounded need to Rehabilitation.
The families of the fallen ninjas need War-death compensation.
" The Medical Ninjutsu system, Ninja Academy, transportation, and logistics all need to be rebuilt."
"Reform requires a large amount of money and resources."
Fang Xu did not refute.
Although Konoha appears to have won the war, it is actually in a stage where everything needs to be rebuilt.
Tsunade suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"We're not in a hurry to return to Konoha."
Let's spend a few more days exploring the towns along the way.
Fang Xu looked at her.
Are you planning to keep delaying?
"It's not procrastination."
Tsunade corrected, "Let the rumors in the village continue to spread."
"We'll go back and address the remaining issues once public opinion has fully matured."
She looked at the streets in the distance that were gradually being repaired.
News of Konoha has spread to all corners of the land.
Shimura Danzō's crimes continue to be discussed.
The compromise of the old forces has also made more people see that Konoha is changing.
Tsunade kept complaining.
"If I had known the Hokage would be this troublesome, I shouldn't have agreed to it in the first place."
She has to handle government affairs every day and listen to arguments from all sides.
But as she watched the towns along the way gradually recover and Konoha move in a better direction, she could never truly let go of her worries.
Tsunade's mindset was very conflicted.