Naruto: Reborn with the Tenseigan

"Yes"

The Anbu ninjas didn't understand what their commander was planning, but when the commander gave an order, they obediently followed it without asking unnecessary questions.

And so, amid protests and complaints, the elders of the Hyuga Clan were all locked up in the interrogation room.

After quickly returning to the village and learning the cause and details of the situation, the Hyuga Clan Leader began calming the clan members, instructing them to stay put, not cause trouble, and refrain from saying anything rash.

No sooner had he left than Tsunade took the clan elders to the Anbu.

It was blatantly targeting them.

Even without the unresolved cases involving the Hyuga Clan, if the Anbu claimed an investigation was needed, the Hyuga Clan would still have to cooperate obediently.

That was the Anbu's privilege.

It wasn't just the Hyuga Clan; even if Tsunade decided to investigate the Sarutobi Clan, they'd have to hold their noses and comply.

After work, instead of heading home, Tsunade went to a small tavern where she and Orochimaru and others were gathering. She then had someone send a message inviting the Hyuga Clan Leader to join her.

Upon receiving the invitation, the Hyuga Clan Leader's apprehension eased somewhat.

First, she arrests people; then, she invites him to a dinner. This meant the Anbu wasn't planning to act against the Hyuga Clan. Tsunade's actions were clearly meant as a warning.

"Please, have a seat."

In the small tavern, Tsunade sat boldly, holding a bottle of sake, and casually gestured for the Hyuga Clan Leader to sit.

The Clan Leader calmly adjusted his attire before sitting across from her.

Bang!

After he was seated, Tsunade slammed the bottle onto the table.

"Technically, I should call you 'senior,' but considering how the Hyuga Clan has treated Takashi, I don't feel like doing so."

"Tsunade-hime, the clan's traditions and legacy are above all else—"

"Bullshit!!"

Tsunade cut him off, not wanting to hear any of this nonsense.

The clan's traditions and legacy are above all else?

Only the Hyuga main family could spout such words.

While other ninja clans valued their traditions, none were as pathological about it as the Hyuga.

Interrupting the Clan Leader forcefully, Tsunade growled angrily:

"I don't care about your precious traditions. The Senju Clan once stood above all others, but where is the Senju Clan now?"

"This is the first time I've sought you out, and I hope it's the last. Stay away from Takashi. Otherwise, I'll have your entire clan's members permanently residing in the Anbu."

"There are unresolved cases involving your clan. Tobirama and the old man may have chosen to overlook them for the sake of the bigger picture, but I'm not so sure about myself."

"If you're unhappy, go complain to the old man."

Tsunade didn't want the Hyuga Clan continuing to pester Takashi, because she couldn't guarantee that Takashi wouldn't one day tear off the forehead protector on his head.

Killing a few Hyuga members wasn't a big deal, even if one of them was a main family member.

But if Takashi removed his forehead protector, it would likely plunge the entire Hyuga Clan into chaos, triggering a major upheaval.

Now was not the time for such an upheaval, so Tsunade chose to strike preemptively.

Her position as Anbu Commander gave her the perfect opportunity.

The Anbu wasn't a high-profile department, but when used effectively, its deterrent power surpassed that of any other institution.

As long as the Anbu's sealed archives existed, the Hyuga Clan could be kept in check. The Third Hokage might avoid breaking ties with the Hyuga Clan, but Tsunade didn't care about such things.

You've already overstepped your bounds—did you think I'd still be polite?

I'll knock your teeth out.

After downing a few gulps of sake, Tsunade picked up the bottle and left. She still needed to tutor Kushina.

The Hyuga Clan was in utter disarray. If not for the Clan Leader stabilizing the situation, chaos would have already erupted.

The Hokage's office was equally tense.

Koharu Utatane kept complaining, "Hiruzen, are you just going to sit by and let Tsunade do as she pleases? What does she think she's doing? The Hyuga Clan elders have all been taken to the Anbu and locked in the interrogation room."

You dare question me?

If it weren't for your meddling and the concessions I made to compensate you, would Tsunade even be the Anbu Commander?

Now that the Anbu was in her hands, even I have to tread carefully, let alone you.

When the Anbu was under his control, the Third Hokage never felt this restricted.

Only after handing it over to Tsunade did he realize what a huge mistake he had made.

Enough already. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be in this mess.

Mitokado Homura quietly tugged at Koharu's sleeve, signaling her to stop talking before she made things worse. To prevent her from continuing her rant, Homura spoke up himself.

"Hiruzen, Koharu's words aren't entirely without merit. Tsunade taking everyone to the Anbu like this isn't ideal. After all, the Hyuga Clan isn't just any small-time group. If they take this too seriously, it could cause trouble."

The Third Hokage lit his pipe in frustration and took a deep drag.

"The Hyuga Clan has become too greedy. It's not unreasonable to give them a little pushback. I trust Tsunade won't go too far."

Having already deeply offended the Hyuga Clan, the Third Hokage didn't mind letting Tsunade deal them a blow.

The Hyuga main family, with all its arrogance, would only behave after suffering a setback.

"You handle it however you see fit."

With that, the Third Hokage waved them off, signaling the discussion was over.

Homura and Koharu hadn't come to defend the Hyuga Clan. They were more worried about themselves and their respective families becoming the next target of the Anbu.

The Anbu's authority to arrest without prior approval was terrifying. It hadn't seemed like a big deal before, but now it was making them feel vulnerable.

Nobody wanted the Anbu knocking on their door unexpectedly.

Even if they themselves weren't afraid, what about their families?

When the Anbu summoned someone for investigation, who would dare refuse?

Outside the Hokage's office, Homura sighed heavily. "Koharu, the compensation we pushed for was a mistake."

"I didn't expect it to turn out like this either," Koharu replied bitterly. "It's easy for you to stay calm since your authority wasn't cut."

"Let's just leave it for now. Until the war ends, Hiruzen won't impose restrictions on the Anbu. The village needs stability."

Homura shook his head and added:

"Tsunade may be domineering, but she's reasonable. If we don't provoke her, she won't cause trouble for us."