Tsunade's roar startled Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Obviously.
He had never imagined that Tsunade, his own disciple, harbored such immense resentment toward him.
Thus, for a moment.
He was so angry that he opened his mouth several times, yet failed to utter a single word.
Regarding this.
Looking at her teacher, who had been rendered speechless by her words, Tsunade took a deep breath, calmed down, and then spoke in a very composed tone.
"First of all, this matter was not my suggestion!"
"It was personally instructed by our Hokage-sama. In his words, your Sarutobi and the other Four Clans went too far. Even for power, you shouldn't have harmed the Village to this extent."
"Therefore, the action taken against you must be handled with the highest severity!"
"The goal is to warn future generations that even when striving for power and profit, they must maintain a minimum bottom line."
"Hokage-sama Uchiha Jin believes that strictly forbidding the pursuit of power and profit is impossible. Every clan and individual has the right to strive upward and secure resources for their family and descendants, and this kind of thing cannot be completely stopped."
"Because striving for a better life and giving descendants a bright future is something that human nature fundamentally cannot prevent."
"The so-called Will of Fire is too hollow, and you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, are a negative example. You preached the Will of Fire in the Village for so many years, even committing so many wicked deeds for its sake..."
"Was it useful?"
"No!"
"Therefore, Uchiha Jin, this Hokage, believes that human nature and desire cannot be stopped, and all he can do is guide them as much as possible."
"He allows everyone to compete, but there is one red line that cannot be crossed!"
"That is, no struggle for power should affect Konoha's stability. If a conflict crosses that red line, all Ninja Clan and factions must unite to destroy the opposing party!"
"I believe this statement—is absolutely correct!"
"Since the desires of the human heart cannot be eliminated, guiding them and setting boundaries is what we must do."
"And precisely for this reason, your Sarutobi Four Clans must be treated as a negative example, handled with the harshest methods."
"This is not merely punishing you; it is primarily about warning those who come after!"
"So, endure it!"
"The more your heart aches, the more it proves the correctness of our actions!"
After speaking.
Tsunade did not wait for Hiruzen Sarutobi to reply and continued with her own duties.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, upon hearing this, was completely dumbfounded.
He had previously thought Tsunade was seeking revenge, and considering their relationship as teacher and student—especially since he was now a dead man—it shouldn't be too difficult for Tsunade to pull some strings and avoid this awkward situation.
After all, he knew very well that although Tsunade appeared stern in her daily work, her heart was actually very soft.
Given their personal relationship, the ruin of the Sarutobi Clan, and the fact that he was currently deceased, Tsunade would likely grant him this favor.
However, he never expected.
That Tsunade's current actions were not personal revenge at all, but rather setting rules for the Village!
Furthermore, he had to admit that he inwardly agreed with Tsunade's points.
Although he preached the 'Will of Fire' every day, in reality, he didn't believe in it himself; it was merely a legalistic cloak he draped over his own actions.
Especially when striking down opposing forces, the 'Will of Fire' was a sharp blade!
Regarding Uchiha Jin's approach, if he were standing as an outsider, he would also agree that this method was the most suitable.
If he had established this rule back then, the Village probably wouldn't have devolved into its current state.
But, it was too late!
More importantly, he lacked Uchiha Jin's masterful political maneuvering skills, relying mostly on the authority of the Hokage to suppress people, yet even that was crushed by Uchiha Jin's overwhelming momentum.
So, alas!
After a helpless sigh, Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped speaking.
Following this.
He stood there like a walking corpse, watching his clansmen and relatives being led away like livestock by the various Ninja Clan, utterly powerless to stop it, only able to watch with an aching heart... as time slowly passed.
It wasn't until around nine o'clock that the arrangements for the Sarutobi and the other Four Clans' personnel were completely finalized.
Only then did Tsunade stretch.
"Finally—it's over!"
"Next up are you four old geezers. As Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple, I will personally take you to your workplace. Consider this my final send-off, fulfilling the sentiment between teacher and student."
"However, out of respect for our teacher-student relationship, I'll give you a small warning."
"Your work will be the hardest, and the environment the worst. After all, as the chief culprits behind Konoha's decay, your punishment naturally adheres to strictness and severity; otherwise, the solemnity of the law could not be demonstrated!"
"So, be mentally prepared!"
Tsunade's tone was serious.
Yes!
Even though Hiruzen Sarutobi had certainly committed many wicked deeds, especially those targeting the Senju Clan and her younger brother, Senju Nawaki, which truly made Tsunade furious... the fact remained.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had indeed shown her kindness over the years!
Even if that kindness involved calculation and was influenced by her special status, Tsunade's inner compassion still allowed her to accept that sentiment.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze was complicated.
Looking at the 'disciple' before him, he was momentarily at a loss for words.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were both filled with despair and defeat; their eyes were vacant, and they had no interest in saying much, focused entirely on calculating how to get sentence reductions or acquittal for their relatives... As for Danzo?
Having no leverage or weaknesses, he was practically an unbeatable man, and he didn't care about these things at all.
For him, as long as he lay low enough, he wasn't afraid of Uchiha Jin's so-called 'labor reform'!
...Half an hour later.
Tsunade controlled Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, speeding all the way to the northern road of the Land of Fire, arriving at a Chakra mine hidden deep within the dense forest.
This was a mine owned by the Village, and the person in charge was an Uchiha clansman.
"Uchiha Makoto, they are handed over to you."
"The specific details are up to you. I believe you know exactly how to proceed."
"I'm leaving!"
Tsunade's tone was normal as she completed the handover procedures.
After handing the special cursed seal controlling Hiruzen Sarutobi over to Uchiha Makoto, Tsunade completely ignored Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, performed a release seal, and vanished with a puff of smoke.
Clearly.
The one who escorted Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others here was merely a Shadow Clone of Tsunade!
Due to special circumstances last night, I will definitely finish the rest tonight.