Now, all they needed was Tsunade's order to launch a thorough investigation into the two clans!
Mitokado Homura slumped on the floor, his face ashen.
Utatane Koharu had also lost her earlier defiance, her eyes filled with fear and resentment.
An Anbu knelt on one knee before Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, the Anbu are in position, ready to begin the search at any time."
Tsunade glanced at the two on the floor and waved a hand.
"Begin immediately!"
"Yes!"
Outside the two clans' grounds, the crowd of onlookers kept growing.
They crowded behind the cordon, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks, trying to see what was happening inside the two compounds.
Murmurs rose all around.
"It's starting! It's starting! The Anbu have gone in!"
"So many Anbu. Looks like they mean business!"
"They should have investigated ages ago! They were far too brazen in their greed all those years!"
At last, Utatane Koharu could no longer hold herself back.
She clutched the hem of Tsunade's clothes, tears streaming down her aged face.
"Tsunade, we've rendered great service to Konoha!"
"Before Lord Second died, he entrusted Konoha to us. We've worked so hard managing it for decades. Even if we haven't earned any credit, we've at least put in the effort! You can't treat us like this!"
Tsunade looked down at her, a flicker of disgust crossing her eyes.
"Great service? You think you deserve to claim that?"
"The ones who rendered great service were the shinobi who bled on the front lines, the fallen heroes who sacrificed themselves to protect the village."
"And you? You're nothing but parasites clinging to Konoha and sucking its blood!"
She flicked her hem, shaking off Utatane Koharu's hand.
Utatane Koharu fell back onto the floor and covered her face, weeping.
Time ticked by.
Mitokado