"What?!"
Both cried out at once, their expressions changing drastically as they immediately objected.
"Hiruzen, you absolutely cannot do this!"
"Tsunade is temperamental, willful, and undisciplined. How can she wield authority over Konoha? Neither of us will accept this!"
"This is Tsunade's wish, and my final decision."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone brooked no argument.
Unwilling to accept it, the two ignored his order outright and turned, striding toward the Hokage Office to challenge Tsunade to her face.
Watching their hastily retreating backs, Hiruzen Sarutobi offered a helpless warning.
"Watch yourselves. Tsunade has a fierce temper now, nothing like she was before. Don't ask for trouble."
Neither paid his warning any mind.
Could two elders who had held high office for years really lose to the young Tsunade?
Inside the Hokage Office.
Tsunade lounged lazily in her chair, her legs casually crossed atop the desk, her posture free and unrestrained, without a trace of rigid decorum.
Mitokado Homura pushed open the door and entered. His gaze swept over Tsunade's uninhibited posture, and he swallowed involuntarily, looking both embarrassed and annoyed.
Utatane Koharu immediately rebuked her sharply, her voice full of contempt.
"Tsunade! You hold the Prospective Hokage Position, yet you sit so frivolously. Have you no shame?"
Whoosh!
Before her words had faded, Tsunade vanished from her chair, moving so fast she left only an afterimage.
Before Mitokado Homura could react, a heavy fist carrying a powerful gust slammed into his chest.
Bam!
A dull impact rang out.
Mitokado Homura flew backward, smashed straight through the office's wooden door, and crashed onto the courtyard ground. A trickle of blood escaped his mouth, and the intense pain left him frozen on the spot.
"Who gave you permission to look me over?"
Tsunade's gaze was icy as she turned toward the deathly pale Utatane