As soon as Hiruzen said those words, quite a few people were affected.
Imdiately, their attention shifted from the pursuit of the truth to wondering whether this whole incident was just Tsunade causing trouble.
Yeah!
Wouldn't it be better if there was no problem?
Tsunade forcing the Hokage in such a way did seem a bit irrational.
Seeing that his words were having an effect, Hiruzen continued, "I know you and Koharu have had so disagreents at work, but we're all high-ranking mbers of Konoha. Does it really need to co to this? These past few days, I've been troubled by this matter. In fact, haven't I been giving you an opportunity?"
"If you had left during these past ten days, things wouldn't have escalated like this, and your reputation wouldn't have been affected. I know your intentions are good, but this is a bit too reckless. So why don't we both take a step back? You can go ho right now, and everything can go back to how it was."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.
You really know how to put on a show. Soone who didn't know better might actually think you're open-minded and incorruptible!
"What I say, I an!" she responded firmly. "I'm doing this not out of personal grievance. In fact, I have no grudge against Koharu, and this is certainly not directed at you. But the people have a right to know the truth. Strategic reserve supplies are a matter of the village's safety, this is no joke. That's why I demand a full investigation."
Hiruzen kept up his pained expression and said, "Since it's co to this, I suppose we have no choice but to go along with your demand. Indeed, it's ti everyone knew the truth."
After speaking, he waved his hand. Over a dozen ANBU rushed out from the crowd and began dispelling the barrier at the warehouse entrance.
He then stepped aside to make room for Torifu and the others, wearing an expression that looked reluctant yet fearless, an act that imdiately caused many to waver in their hearts.
Could it be that the Hokage really has nothing to hide?
Was he really just trying to give Lady Tsunade an out, and she's the one stirring up trouble?
The human heart was both complex and simple.
Sotis, just a few words, combined with the herd ntality, were enough to temporarily change soone's thoughts.
At this mont, the truth was still unknown. Most people were rely suspicious. But if no problems were found, then everything Hiruzen just said would beco his most powerful weapon.
It would imdiately make everyone empathize with him, thinking he had been patient, tolerant, just trying to give Tsunade a chance and avoid conflict.
By then, countless people would speak out for him.
With just a little guidance, all of their anger would turn toward Tsunade, causing her hard-earned reputation to collapse in an instant.
So might even begin to question in their hearts: Is soone like her really fit to be Hokage?
Hiruzen wasn't unaware of the risk, what if sothing was found?
If there truly was a problem, then every word he had spoken today would beco a boorang, hitting him square in the face and exposing his hypocrisy to all.
Even up to the last mont, he tried to manipulate everyone into doubting Tsunade. A man like this had no right to remain Hokage.
But Hiruzen had been backed into a corner, he had no choice. And over the past ten days, he had been psychologically preparing himself. He simply didn't believe he would lose.
This was his coback battle, and in his mind, victory was certain.
"The barrier is open!" a ninja suddenly shouted.
Torifu glanced at Hiruzen, brows slightly furrowed. Then he looked at Tsunade, gave a polite gesture, and led the group with her toward the underground warehouse.
---
What happened here, of course, quickly spread throughout all of Konoha.
Countless people began gathering at the scene. Among the crowd were Shin, Minato, and Kushina.
The words Hiruzen had spoken earlier were also deliberately passed around by certain individuals, and it was clear that those spreading them had already taken the Hokage's side.
At this mont, many people felt conflicted. Because no matter what the outco was, it wasn't sothing they wanted to see.
When Hiruzen spotted Shin, he imdiately approached with enthusiasm, making small talk that carried a faint air of smugness.
Those around them naturally stepped aside to make space for the forr Hokage.
Once the others were far enough away, Hiruzen leaned in and said in a low voice, "Don't you feel like you've shot yourself in the foot?"
Shin simply smiled and replied, "No, I used to be like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee."
Hiruzen's eye twitched. What does that even an?
He ignored Shin's stubbornness and began silently drafting a new speech in his mind. He vowed that when the ti ca, he would make a brilliant showing, letting everyone see Tsunade's true face. And show how he had devoted himself to Konoha for so many years, tirelessly working for its sake.
Despite having done nothing wrong, he was misunderstood and falsely accused, the pain and tornt in his heart were indescribable.
People's hearts are a tool, and now, they could be used!
---
All the lights were now fully lit. The group following behind Tsunade, all of whom had received prior orders, were just about to begin checking the inventory.
But before they could make a move, she stopped them.
Without waiting for anyone's reaction, she walked straight to the section with generic dicines and reagents. Without a word, she grabbed a wooden crate from the shelf and ripped it open violently.
After scanning the contents of the box, she set it aside and pulled out another one from the bottom. Again, she tore it open with force.
Next, she proceeded to open five or six boxes from various parts of the storage area, all in the sa aggressive manner.
Everyone wanted to stop her, but her intimidating presence kept them silent.
Just as Torifu was about to speak, Tsunade's eyes lit up and she exclaid, "Found it!"
"What did you find?" Torifu quickly stepped forward and asked.
"Substandard goods!" Tsunade said, finally exhaling with so relief as she held up a regulation military pill that was clearly off in color.
"Substandard goods?" Torifu's expression suddenly changed.
In any kind of production, occasional defects could happen due to process errors.
dicine was no exception, so substandard items were inevitable.
"Substandard" didn't necessarily an unusable, it just ant it was less effective than a premium-quality version.
But this wasn't just any place… This was the strategic reserve warehouse!
The Second Hokage had set extrely strict standards for managing the strategic reserves.
He had mandated that all supplies sent to this warehouse, at any ti, must be the best of the best, no substitutions, no compromises. During his lifeti, he had personally inspected the warehouse many tis and repeatedly warned his disciples: "The strategic reserve warehouse concerns the life and death of Konoha. There is no room for negligence."
So now, everyone present was completely stunned.
What the hell… is going on here?!
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200 = 1 bonus chapter
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Completed at Chapter 278!
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