"By the command of Hokage-sama!" Nara Shikaku was the first to bow and accept the order, his eyes turning sharp.
"The Hyuga Clan will not hesitate!" Hiashi Hyuga said in a deep voice.
"My clan follows your orders!" The other families declared simultaneously.
Without any hesitation, everyone agreed!
On the point of protecting the foundation of their clans, their stance was highly consistent with the Hokage's.
Tsunade nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Jiraiya, who had been silent by her side:
"Jiraiya, you will personally lead the reorganized Anbu and spearhead this purge. The various clans will prepare manpower to assist you. You must... completely eradicate 'Root'!"
"Understood." Jiraiya nodded solemnly, the usual playful grin gone from his face.
He turned, his figure instantly vanishing from the office.
Tsunade had already discussed this matter with him.
Over the past three days, the Anbu had undergone a baptism of loyalty; those too deeply involved with the old powers or who harbored hesitation had been purged.
Those remaining were now sharp blades truly loyal to the Fifth Hokage.
Now was the moment to use this newly tempered blade to cut away Konoha's most stubborn tumor!
The joint operation between the Anbu and the various clans was massive in scale, with no need for concealment.
The chilling atmosphere and the frequent movement of figures instantly triggered the most intense reactions.
The two Advisors, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu, practically stumbled into Hiruzen Sarutobi's residence in a fit of rage.
"Hiruzen! Look! Look at what Tsunade has done!" Utatane Koharu screamed, not even bothering to control her expression.
"How does she dare?! How dare she act so recklessly! To move against Danzo directly without any discussion?! Does she even respect us Advisors?! Are there no rules left in Konoha?!"
Homura Mitokado's face was also ashen. He adjusted his glasses and said in a gloomy tone, "You didn't consult us on such a major matter as your abdication! Now Tsunade is acting so arbitrarily, attacking Danzo who has rendered great service to Konoha—will you just sit by and watch? You must stop her!"
The two of them were both shocked and furious.
Shocked that Tsunade's actions were so swift and ruthless, without a hint of hesitation;
Furious that Tsunade treated them, the "seniors" and "Advisors," as if they were nothing, completely bypassing them to exercise her power.
At a deeper level, there was fear.
Even if the two of them hadn't directly participated in Danzo's deeds, they were mostly aware of them, and had even condoned or provided support in certain matters.
Danzo was the darkest blade of their community of interests.
If Tsunade could strike at Danzo without mercy today, what about tomorrow?
When Danzo falls and those secrets that cannot see the light are revealed, will they be the next ones brought to the judgment stand?
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat by the window, his back appearing unusually hunched and aged.
Listening to the roars and interrogations of his two old classmates and partners, only a deep exhaustion remained on his face.
He slowly turned around, looking at these two companions who had supported Konoha with him for decades, and spoke in a hoarse, weak voice:
"Now... Tsunade is the Hokage."
He said these words with great difficulty, but it was a reality he had to admit.
"So what if she's the Hokage?" Utatane Koharu almost shrieked in anger, "The Fourth..."
The words weren't finished. Changing her tone, Utatane Koharu continued, "Even as the Hokage, she cannot be so dictatorial and ignore our opinions!"
"Danzo... even if his methods were extreme, it was for Konoha! He has merit! How can he be arrested just like that?"
Homura Mitokado also emphasized, "Hiruzen, now is not the time to be emotional! Tsunade is young and impulsive, and doesn't understand balance. We must stop her; we cannot let her destroy Konoha's foundation! Go talk to her; you must command her to stop in your capacity as the Third!"
They tried to use grand concepts like "rules," "merit," and "Konoha's foundation" to hijack Hiruzen Sarutobi, hoping he would use his status as her teacher and the prestige of a former Hokage to suppress Tsunade.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi only shook his head tiredly, his eyes staring blankly out the window at the Village undergoing a violent transformation.
"Command? Heh..." He let out a bitter chuckle. "Do you think... she will listen to my 'command'?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew better than anyone that when he chose to abdicate and saw those eyes at the Jonin meeting showing no lingering attachment, his era was completely over.
Tsunade was not him; she had entirely different ideals and an unshakeable determination.
She held the title of legitimacy, controlled the purged Anbu, and had even won the support of the various clans.
At this moment, she was unstoppable.
He should go stop her? With what?
The meager bit of affection that remained?
That would only invite humiliation.
Forget Tsunade, even Jiraiya wouldn't agree!
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi in this state of complete resignation and inaction, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu's hearts sank completely.
They realized that their greatest backing had fallen.
And Tsunade's blade had already been swung without mercy; the next ones might truly be them.
Utatane Koharu said hysterically, "Then are you just going to watch as Danzo is killed?"
This sharp interrogation was like the last straw, crushing whatever persistence remained in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.
His expression changed several times before he finally seemed to exhaust all his strength and said dejectedly, "I... I will go to Tsunade... and plead for him."
This answer clearly did not satisfy Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado; it was a far cry from the "forced stop" they expected.
But under the gaze of Hiruzen Sarutobi—tired yet unusually firm—the two of them finally swallowed their further dissatisfaction and fear and shut their mouths resentfully.
They knew that if they pushed any further, they might lose even this last bit of affection and effort.
Meanwhile, underground in Konoha, outside the core stronghold of Root.
The atmosphere had already dropped to the freezing point.
Jiraiya was personally in command, with the chillingly lined-up, mask-wearing Anbu elites and experts sent by the various clans behind him.
Several Root Members loyal to Danzo tried to rush out and stop them, but were subdued in an instant by forces several times their own. Their Chakra was sealed, and they were dragged away like dead dogs.
It was an absolute crushing of force, with no suspense whatsoever.
"Jiraiya! What do you think you're doing?"
A sharp shout full of shock and anger came from deep within the cave entrance.
Danzo Shimura appeared, leaning on his cane and surrounded by his confidants.
His single eye stared gloomily at Jiraiya, but his heart was in a state of upheaval.
He never expected that Tsunade's actions would be so swift and leave no room for maneuver!
Jiraiya's gaze immediately fell upon Danzo's tightly wrapped right arm and right eye.