Although the Third Hokage intended to suppress the fervor, the Root's kidnapping incident had already spiraled out of control.
Initially, a group of people discussed Hyuga Hinata, the Hyuga Clan princess who was almost abducted, and then moved on to the Uchiha Clan's extermination.
Some clever individuals realized that someone was secretly targeting Konoha.
Then, a large group of villagers whose children had gone missing marched to the Hokage Building, demanding that the Hokage investigate the disappearances.
As they gathered at the Hokage Building, they communicated with each other and were shocked to discover that all their missing children were talented prodigies with high hopes, and most were descendants of the Senju Clan.
This was serious!
People suddenly realized why the Senju Clan hadn't produced any geniuses for so many years: unknowingly, the talented descendants of the now-civilian Senju Clan were being eliminated!
They were furious! Someone was trying to wipe out their lineage!
Just then, another piece of information leaked: it turned out that the Uchiha Clan, a lineage spanning a thousand years, possessed the Sage's Eyes, while the Senju Clan possessed the ancient Sage's Body.
They coveted the Senju's abilities, so they abducted all the outstanding children of the Senju Clan.
They coveted the Uchiha's abilities, collecting the Uchiha Clan's Sage's Eyes, and thus exterminated the Uchiha Clan.
In the past, Konoha's First and Second Hokage both possessed vast amounts of Chakra; the First Hokage could easily capture the terrifying Nine-Tailed and seal it into his wife Uzumaki Mito's belly.
But what was left of the Senju Clan now? Only a few incompetent individuals!
The Uchiha Clan was even worse off, with only Sasuke remaining after the massacre!
This was a shocking secret!
Someone coveted the Uchiha's Sage's Eyes, and now they coveted the Sage's Body of the Senju descendants!
The more they thought about it, the more terrifying it became!
Suddenly, the civilianized villagers of the Senju Clan were enraged, all demanding answers from the Hokage and a thorough investigation into the truth.
As they had become commoners and held no significant political status in Konoha, they urgently contacted Tsunade.
Other clans could no longer sit idly by; first the Senju, then the Uchiha, then the Hyuga Clan princess—who would be next?
At this point, the entire Konoha was even more panicked.
Public opinion could no longer be suppressed, just like with the Konoha White Fang in the past!
It was even more shocking than the White Fang incident back then!
--- When Kiyotaki returned to the classroom, he noticed that Hyuga Hanabi's security had been upgraded once more.
One abduction of Hinata had cost them a Hizashi; if another kidnapping occurred, they couldn't bear it!
The Hyuga Clan was now on high alert, and several other clans had also started family meetings.
As for the Third Hokage?
The major clans had already expressed their distrust of the Hokage.
Tsunade, far away in another country, finally received the news.
Ever since her younger brother sacrificed himself and her lover also died in battle, Tsunade was heartbroken and devastated by the blows!
Coupled with her dissatisfaction with the Konoha Executives, Tsunade had distanced herself from the Village's center, indulging in gambling to pass her days.
However, she hadn't truly abandoned the Village; just by the title Lady Tsunade, she was still Konoha's princess.
The civilianized Senju Clan still held her in a very high regard, and how could she truly ignore the Konoha Village that her grandfather personally founded?
The moment she received the news, she indignantly rushed back to Konoha, and on the very day of her return, she kicked open the Hokage's office door.
"Old man! You need to give me an explanation! What exactly happened to the missing genius children of the Senju Clan descendants?!"
The Third Hokage had been overwhelmed with work these past few days, and seeing Tsunade's interrogation, his headache instantly intensified.
Seeing the Third Hokage speechless, Tsunade walked up and slammed her palm onto the Hokage's desk.
"Bang!"
The violent palm wind blew away the documents on the desk, and the Hokage's office desk let out a groan, almost cracking.
Tsunade growled, "My grandfather entrusted the Hokage position to you; is this how you manage Konoha?"
"Tsunade, listen to me," the Third Hokage explained, "I will thoroughly investigate this matter and give you a satisfactory answer."
Tsunade angrily shouted, "An answer? I want an answer now!"
"Tsunade, you're going too far!"
A low reprimand; it was Utatane Koharu, who had been sitting to the side, speaking.
"Hiruzen is still Konoha's Hokage, and your teacher; how can you speak to the Hokage in such a tone?!"
Homura Mitokado, who was beside her, also interjected, "Sarutobi, you need to rein in your disciple!"
Tsunade coldly glanced at the two of them.
She usually showed them consideration, but now that such a major incident had occurred, Tsunade no longer felt the need to give them face.
"Hmph! With such a major incident happening in the Village, how are you two performing as Hokage Advisors?!"
Tsunade questioned their competence; as Konoha Executives, yet such a major event had transpired.
"Tsunade!"
Utatane Koharu's anger also flared.
"You've also participated in the Great Ninja War; how can you still be so naive? How many geniuses fell on the battlefield during the Great Ninja War? Even now, with constant conflict between Ninja Villages, geniuses still fall, and tragedies still occur from time to time.
We have always been maintaining Konoha's peace!"
The Third Hokage sighed.
"Tsunade, we are old too! There are times when we are powerless.
I hope you can return to manage Konoha."
"Stop!"
Tsunade raised her hand to halt the Third Hokage's explanation, her brows furrowed.
"You don't need to tell me about this; solve it yourselves! I only want an explanation—an explanation for Konoha's missing children!"
"Tsunade."
The Third Hokage sighed, "I will give you an explanation."
Tsunade's stern face finally softened.
She extended her hand: "Give me the information on the child who was attacked by the Root; I'll go investigate the matter."
The Third Hokage handed over the file, guiltily emphasizing, "It was an attack by an outside Village spy!"
Tsunade snorted, neither confirming nor denying, and took the file to read it herself, looking at the sunny, energetic child in the photo.
"Tenzawa Kiyotaki, so it's this child."
She threw the file back to the Third Hokage and turned to walk out the door.
Utatane Koharu narrowed her eyes, watching Tsunade leave, clearly displeased.
"Hiruzen! You need to discipline your student!"
--- As the sun set and the Ninja Academy's dismissal bell rang, children streamed out of the school gate like fish.
Just as Kiyotaki exited the school gate, he saw Tsunade, and Shizune beside her.
"Hey! You're that big sister!"
Tsunade had been watching Kiyotaki from the moment he appeared, and she offered a faint smile.
"Little brother, I didn't expect you to still remember me!"
"Of course I remember! Big sister is so beautiful, with such a grand and unique aura, I recognized you from a distance at a glance!"
Kiyotaki chuckled; he actually wanted to say that Tsunade's figure was unique and recognizable at a glance.
"Little brother has good taste!"
Tsunade praised him, then extended an invitation.
"Would you like to take a walk with big sister? Big sister will treat you to barbecue!"
Ha! Women, oh women, I call you big sister, and you really think I'm a little brother.
But for barbecue, I can call you big sister a few more times!
Kiyotaki wasn't bothered by Tsunade's act of youthfulness; Tsunade's appearance was maintained by a sealing jutsu, not makeup, her body and appearance were truly young!
Who would refuse to call a thousand-year-old beautiful 'nascent soul' girl 'big sister' (￣▽￣)~.
"Of course!"
Kiyotaki didn't refuse, and the three of them walked together on a small path in Konoha.
"Can you tell big sister about the attack you experienced that day?"
"Mhm!"
Kiyotaki recounted the incident of being attacked by the Root Ninja in detail.
Tsunade listened, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
She sighed, then felt a sense of relief, already having a suspicion.
It was merely the Root Ninja wanting to expand their members.
Then she changed the subject.
"I heard you possess immense strength?"
"Haha, I just have a bit more strength, that's all!"
Kiyotaki said with a modest smile.
"Is that so?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow slightly: "How about we have a fight and see how great your immense strength is?"
"Huh?"
Kiyotaki stopped and looked at her: "You want to fight me?"
"Mhm!"
Tsunade smiled: "Don't worry, I'll suppress my strength; I won't bully you as a child."
Kiyotaki crossed his arms, one hand pinching his chin.
"I'm not afraid of you bullying me because I'm small.
I just think women's bodies aren't suitable for fighting; women are all fat, with so much extra flesh in front and back, it's too cumbersome."
As he spoke, he pointed at Tsunade's chest: "Especially such a large burden like big sister's chest; it particularly affects combat output."