These two words were like a final judgment, striking heavily against the hearts of every Anbu member.
This meant that once they stayed, there would be no way back, no room for wavering.
Their swords could only be swung for the Fifth Hokage alone.
"Now, dismiss!"
There were no explanations, no reassurances, and certainly no room for bargaining.
After issuing this earth-shattering command, Tsunade turned around and left the secret room, leaving behind endless shock, struggle, and choice for the group of silent Anbu behind her.
Tsunade stood by the window of the Hokage Office, looking down at Konoha as it was gradually enveloped by the night.
In three days, she would hurriedly inherit the title of Hokage. Her gaze was calm and sharp, without a hint of the confusion or joy that comes with first taking power, only a nearly cold clarity.
Her thoughts were indeed very simple.
To bring about change, she had to hold in her hands a military force that obeyed her absolutely.
The Anbu was that sharpest and most critical blade.
If even the Anbu, which was nominally directly under the Hokage, could be mobilized at will by people like the previous Hokage or the Advisor Elders, then what was she, the Fifth Hokage?
A hollowed-out signboard?
A puppet performing on the front stage, yet unable to even control who was backstage?
"It's simply a joke!" Tsunade snorted coldly in her heart.
She knew the long-standing internal problems of Konoha all too well.
If orders couldn't leave the Hokage Building, or if they were met with feigned compliance once they did, what kind of Hokage would that be?
Tsunade would never repeat the same mistakes.
The three-day deadline she gave the Anbu was not just a screening for loyalty, but a blatant demand to pick a side.
Regardless, once a side was chosen, betrayal would no longer be permitted; otherwise, you might as well die!
Taking control of the Anbu was only the first step.
When the three-day deadline arrived, the central square of Konoha was already a sea of people.
There were no tedious ceremonies or lengthy speeches.
When the hour arrived and Tsunade's figure appeared on the balcony of the Hokage Building, the entire square instantly erupted!
She did not wear the traditional Hokage robes, remaining in her simple tea-green robe, with the bamboo hat symbolizing the Hokage on her head.
But as she stood there, her golden ponytail swaying slightly in the wind and her upright posture seemingly containing infinite power, everyone felt an aura completely different from before.
This was a new power!
A feeling completely different from the decay of the past!
"Villagers of Konoha!"
Tsunade's voice was clear and piercing, spreading distinctly to every corner of the square and instantly suppressing all the noise.
"I am—Tsunade!"
"From this day forward, I inherit the will of fire and serve as the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure!"
There were no humble refusals, no excessive reminiscence of predecessors, only a concise and powerful declaration.
"Whoa—!!!"
"Lady Tsunade!"
"Fifth Hokage!"
"Princess Tsunade!"
Responding to her were cheers and shouts like a mountain tsunami! The sound waves nearly overturned the sky!
People's faces were filled with heartfelt joy and anticipation.
They waved their arms vigorously, their eyes shining with the light of hope.
These cheers were not just because of Tsunade's illustrious fame as one of the "Sannin," nor just because of her lineage as the granddaughter of the First Hokage.
These cheers stemmed from a longing for change!
The darkness revealed by the heavenly screen made even ordinary villagers feel uneasy and angry;
The external doubts and pressures made them worry about the Village's future.
They were tired of the conspiracies and calculations hidden beneath the surface of peace. They longed for a strong leader who could sweep away the haze and lead Konoha toward a truly bright and proud future!
And Tsunade—her strong personality, superb medical skills, and clear stance cutting ties with the darkness of the past—precisely met the people's most urgent needs at this moment!
Looking at the countless expectant faces below and hearing the deafening cheers, Tsunade took a deep breath.
She could feel the weight of this trust and became even more determined.
She raised her hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
The square quickly fell silent, with countless gazes focused on her.
"I hereby swear!" Tsunade's voice echoed between heaven and earth. "I will do my utmost to protect every villager of Konoha, sweep away long-standing problems, and lead Konoha to new glory!"
"fifth generation!!"
"fifth generation!!"
"fifth generation!!"
Even more fanatical cheers rang out again, shaking the surrounding fields.
At this moment, the authority of Konoha was truly and completely handed over to the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade.
Uzumaki Naruto watched with eyes full of admiration, his face flushed with excitement. One day, he too would stand up there and become Konoha's strongest Hokage.
The air inside the Hokage Office instantly became solemn and heavy upon Tsunade's return.
The heads of several core families, led by Nara Shikaku, had gathered together. Before they could even sit down, Tsunade dropped a bombshell without any circumlocution:
"I command in the name of the Fifth Hokage—effective immediately, conduct a thorough investigation into the remnants of the 'Root' organization, and clear out all its strongholds, personnel, and past operational archives!"
"What?!"
Even with Nara Shikaku's resourcefulness and composure, his pupils couldn't help but shrink at this moment, as he exchanged shocked glances with Hyuga Hiashi, Akimichi Choza, and others beside him.
"So fast?"
"So direct?"
She just formally succeeded today, and she's already moving against Konoha's deepest and most poisonous shadow?
This was no longer a new official setting three fires; this was practically taking a torch to burn down the entire underground fortress!
Tsunade took in their shock but remained unwavering, her tone as cold as iron, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness:
"In this process, any anyone who dares to resist the investigation or obstruct law enforcement, regardless of their background, will be considered a traitor and may be apprehended on the spot. If met with violent resistance... kill without mercy!"
These words sent a shiver through the hearts of the clan heads, as they felt the iron-blooded wrist of the new Hokage hidden beneath her exterior as a Master Healer.
Immediately after, Tsunade threw out the final goal, a charge sufficient to define the nature of all actions:
"Simultaneously, formally arrest Danzo Shimura!"
Her gaze swept across the crowd as she gave a reason that no one could refute:
"The charge—stealing, researching, and attempting to control the Bloodline Limits of Konoha's various clans!"
"Stealing Bloodline Limits!"
This charge, like a final ultimatum, instantly shattered the last traces of hesitation and concern that might have existed in the hearts of all the clan heads!
Bloodline Limits were the foundation of each clan's survival, their inherited treasures, and an absolute taboo!
Danzo's actions had touched the most core and inviolable interests of all the Ninja clans!
This was no longer a high-level power struggle, but a fundamental conflict concerning the survival of the clans!