Tobirama sat in the Hokage's chair, his fingers tapping a steady rhythm on the desk as his sharp gaze swept over the three bedraggled figures below him. He was clearly preparing an even harsher dressing-down, ready to settle accounts for their many "glorious achievements" during their time in power.
However...
Bang!
The office door was brutally kicked open yet again.
The red-haired figure returned, sweeping in like a whirlwind with even greater fury than before, so fierce it almost seemed tangible.
It was Kushina Uzumaki.
In an instant, everyone in the office fell fearfully silent.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who had only just caught their breath, went rigid, desperately suppressing even their coughs.
Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively shrank back, while Jiraiya crouched down again.
Even Tobirama Senju, seated in the Hokage's chair, found the reprimand he had been about to deliver stuck in his throat.
His gaze settled on Kushina.
For a moment, her furious, intimidating figure seemed to overlap with that of his sister-in-law, Mito Uzumaki.
The corner of Tobirama's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. His resolve to uphold "justice" and restore discipline inexplicably weakened a little.
Wisely, he chose to... watch from the sidelines for now.
Reason with someone in this state?
Especially when it involved someone she was determined to protect? Better not.
He leaned back, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and kept silent, adopting an air of "carry on, I'll just watch."
Kushina had no time to notice the subtle shift in the Second's attitude.
Seething with anger and with her targets firmly in sight, she walked straight up to Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who had just collapsed onto the floor and were still shaken.
"I almost forgot!"
She gritted her teeth, her eyes practically breathing fire.
"You two old fossils must have 'contributed' plenty