Collecting Tailed Beast chakra was far easier than capturing the beasts themselves, and Hyuga Mirai had methods to cultivate Tailed Beast chakra. With Shukaku, Isobu, and Kurama already in his hands, gathering the chakra of the remaining six Tailed Beasts was a simple task.
"Just right—Ayaka has been feeling bored lately, let her collect the chakra from Son Goku, Kokuo, and Chomei. As for Matatabi, leave that to Orochimaru."
Hyuga Mirai made this decision on the spot. Saiken's whereabouts were uncertain, but it usually lingered in either the Land of Water or the Land of Rainbows, so it could be entrusted to the Snake Team under Sara. With their strength, calculating a strategy in advance to deal with Saiken's Jinchuriki posed no issue. As for Gyuki, Mirai would personally handle it—that was the safest way to avoid alerting the rest of Kumogakure.
When the God Tree cultivation chamber was built, Hyuga Mirai had attempted to stimulate the God Tree fragments using his own chakra or the energy of the Dragon Vein. However, only Yin-Yang Release showed any signs of a reaction in the fragments. To fully grow them, chakra originating from the God Tree—like that of the Tailed Beasts—was still necessary.
The chakra fruit produced by the God Tree possessed the power to evolve members of the Otsutsuki Clan. Even though Hyuga Mirai's research showed that the Otsutsuki gene had evolved beyond that of ordinary humans by over a hundredfold, they still relentlessly pursued these chakra fruits—proof of their immense value.
Once Hyuga Mirai succeeded in cultivating the God Tree, he would likely unravel its secrets. Unfortunately, doing so would probably consume nearly all of the Dragon Vein's energy. Regenerating energy of that scale again might take a very long time.
Besides cultivating the God Tree, Mirai also had to pay attention to the chakra of Asura and Indra. He was going to be quite busy going forward.
Back in Konoha, Tsunade could no longer pretend to be ill. After giving herself a token treatment, she immediately went to the Hokage's office.
News of the Wood Release had reached Konoha even before Tsunade's return. The major clans were deeply shaken—not because they knew the full extent of the Rain Village leader's assault on her, but because the reawakening of Wood Release drew great interest from every clan.
According to reports from clan ninja who had accompanied Tsunade in intercepting the Rain leader, she had awakened Wood Release and even summoned a nearly hundred-meter tall wooden avatar.
Those who remembered or had records of the First Hokage knew exactly what the Wooden Golem Technique signified. When Uchiha Madara attacked the village back then, his battle with Hashirama had reshaped the terrain over dozens of kilometers. Investigators could only marvel afterward at the power of the God of Shinobi.
Now that Senju Hashirama's strength had reappeared in Tsunade, the clan leaders could only feel fortunate that she was the last known Senju. The rest had abandoned the clan name and lived new lives. Even as Fifth Hokage, Tsunade would find it difficult to restore the clan's former glory.
Soon after her return, Tsunade called for a Jonin Council. Including all the clan heads, nearly a hundred people gathered for the meeting.
There were many in Konoha with Jonin-level strength, but most were clan ninja who had never taken the Jonin promotion exam.
Clan heads were typically of Jonin rank, though few held formal positions in the village. Low-ranking jobs were beneath them, while high-ranking ones were often blocked by Konoha's leadership. Only the police force had been an exception.
With the war in the Land of Rain concluded, a meeting was necessary to discuss the aftermath—Konoha's future relations with Amegakure, Iwagakure, and border deployments all needed discussion.
Shizune, Tsunade's capable aide and medical-nin apprentice, also attended. Her medical skills were already at a Jonin level, though she had not yet mastered the Yin Seal, Strength of a Hundred Technique, or monstrous strength.
Alongside Shizune were Kabuto Yakushi and Kimimaro. One was an aide to the Hokage, and the other held dual roles as a division captain in the ANBU and the head of Root—both positions of real power in the village.
Anyone familiar with Kimimaro would never underestimate him due to his age. This was someone who had once barged into Root and killed over twenty Root members—a true monster.
The Hyuga clan sent two representatives: clan head Hiashi Hyuga and Kiyo Hyuga.
Once everyone was gathered, Nara Shikaku—head of the Jonin Corps and strategist for the Land of Rain front—stepped forward to begin the summary.
"Then, I'll start with the losses from this war—"
"Wait, Shikaku," Tsunade suddenly raised her hand to interrupt, drawing everyone's attention. They wanted to hear what she had to say.
"A Jonin Council... why are there outsiders here?"
Outsiders? Shikaku looked around in confusion but saw no unfamiliar faces.
"Tsunade-sama, who are you referring to?" he asked.
With an annoyed expression, Tsunade pointed toward Homura Mitokado and Danzo.
"These two are no longer ninja. They don't hold any village positions—why are they allowed in such a confidential meeting? Who let them in? Where's the ANBU?"
The clan heads and Jonin all had various thoughts. Everyone knew Tsunade disliked those two—she had even placed them under house arrest with ANBU surveillance. But no one expected her to humiliate them so openly.
Naturally, it had been Hiruzen Sarutobi who brought them. Hearing Tsunade's blunt words, he couldn't stay silent. Taking a puff of his pipe, he forced a smile and said, "Tsunade, I brought them."
"I know it was you. Who else can still command the ANBU? But are you senile? You're the one who removed them from duty, and now you're bringing them back? Old man, who is the Hokage now?"
Hiruzen froze. His face turned ugly—Tsunade's attitude had always been forceful, and she had never been easily persuaded. He had merely hoped to have some people who could influence her decisions.
In hindsight, bringing them was rash. He should've suspended their roles more discreetly.
"Tsunade, Homura and Danzo were both disciples of the Second Hokage. They have a wealth of experience—"
"Don't bring up my granduncle. And as for their experience—I don't need it," Tsunade cut him off, clearly annoyed.
"But—"
Bang!
Tsunade slammed the table. "Enough. You've already stepped down. I'm already showing restraint by letting you observe. ANBU—take them away. Until I say otherwise, they remain under house arrest."
"Tsunade, you—"
Homura turned red with fury, pointing at her with his only remaining arm, but he couldn't get a word out. As a disciple of the Second Hokage, being humiliated like this in public was unbearable.
Danzo, silent beside him, had a dark expression. His bandaged hand trembled slightly. Of the few times he had been publicly humiliated in Konoha, all were courtesy of Tsunade.
"ANBU!"
This was her second call. The ANBU hadn't appeared the first time—likely because Kakashi's squad had been sent on a mission, and the only team left belonged to Hiruzen's protégé.
"I will act on behalf of the ANBU, Tsunade-sama."
Kiyo Hyuga stood up. Her boldness surprised Hiashi Hyuga and others alike.
The Hyuga clan had always been neutral and avoided offending anyone—why the sudden shift?
Hiashi lowered his voice. "Kiyo, you..."
"Clan Head, I've made my decision." Kiyo briefly glanced down at him with her Byakugan, and he actually felt a trace of pressure.
After her declaration, ANBU operatives began appearing around the Hokage office, kneeling in front of Tsunade. They had been waiting, but now that Kiyo had stepped forward, they had no choice but to act—lest they face consequences later.
"Hmph, you're quick when you want to be. Kimimaro, this squad is now reassigned to your Root division. Execute the order. Kiyo, you may sit down."
Tsunade suppressed her anger and addressed Kimimaro. This wasn't the time to vent—she'd deal with the ANBU later.
More than ever, Tsunade now believed that the Sarutobi clan was an obstacle to Konoha. If she didn't act soon, they would become a major hindrance.
"I understand, Tsunade-sama."
Kimimaro stood, bowed slightly, then walked to the ANBU and said coldly, "Follow me."
His voice was emotionless—enough to make the ANBU feel that if they delayed, he might kill them on the spot.
These ANBU knew Kimimaro's reputation. If they tried anything, it could cost them their lives.
Some Root members were still recovering in the hospital.
Kimimaro led the ANBU to Homura and Danzo. "Come with us."
Danzo's eyes glinted coldly. It was this man—and Tsunade—who had taken everything from him, even his subordinates with Wood Release.
But he knew from Kimimaro's eyes that this was someone entirely focused on missions—perhaps even more so than Root itself. If he resisted, Kimimaro would attack without hesitation.
Danzo rose and left. He'd already been disgraced enough today—he should never have listened to Hiruzen.
Homura snorted coldly and also left the Hokage's office.
Once Kimimaro had led them away, Tsunade let out a sharp breath and said, "Continue, Shikaku."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
Nara Shikaku responded and began his report on the Land of Rain war.
(End of Chapter)