Chapter 51: Heading to the Root
Konoha's Main Gate.
At the village entrance stood a group of shinobi, led by the two old-timers, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. In the middle were the younger and middle-aged shinobi like Shizune, Kakashi, and Shikaku Nara, all gazing into the distance.
"This is killing me! According to the intel, Tsunade departed from the Daimyo's residence four days ago. Why isn't she here yet?" Homura paced back and forth, his face filled with anxiety.
No one tried to calm him down. Even Koharu, who usually shared the same pants with him (figuratively speaking), kept her head down silently, seemingly lost in thought.
Because of these two elders being present, the younger generation simply exchanged glances with each other.
Kakashi: 'Shikaku, what's going on here? These two old fossils dragged us out here at the crack of dawn—just to wait for Tsunade-sama? This is peak bureaucratic nonsense.'
In Kakashi's opinion, Tsunade hated pointless formalities. If this was merely a welcome party, it wouldn't earn them any favors—and might even backfire.
Shikaku Nara narrowed his eyes slightly, sending a silent response.
Shikaku: 'Haven't you noticed how anxious they are? Something big must've happened. But the details... I can't say for sure.'
Even with his sharp intellect, Shikaku couldn't deduce anything useful without more information.
"They're here!"