"Arrogant!" Homura couldn't hold back anymore and snapped.
This was the first time anyone had dared to speak so disrespectfully in such a setting. Even the Uchiha Clan in the past, no matter how proudful they are, had to swallow their pride in front of the high-ups.
Could a mere former Kyubi's Jinchuriki be more difficult to deal with than the unruly Uchiha Clan?
The problem is, Naruto is indeed more difficult to deal with.
Naruto shot a glance at Homura and frowned in displeasure. He then cleared his throat and said, "So what? If the esteemed advisor has any complaints about me, you can file them with the Hokage's Office after this meeting. As the Clan Head of the Uzumaki Clan, I will handle them appropriately."
He was the one who acted like a hooligan, yet now he is the one talking about reason.
"You!" Homura was momentarily speechless, feeling utterly frustrated. He felt Naruto was too shameless, and dealing with him is just like dealing with Tsunade.
"What Clan Head? You think you can be a Clan Head of a one-person clan?" Koharu voiced her dissatisfaction.
As for the other minor high-ups in the room, they didn't dare to make a sound.
When gods are fighting, it's best to watch from the sidelines and not recklessly get involved. After all, even though Tsunade remained silent, her gaze occasionally swept over everyone present.
That feeling was terrifying, like being watched by a supreme deity, making them all tremble.
"A one-person clan?" Naruto shifted in his seat, making himself more comfortable in the soft chair, and spoke up.
"The way you're all talking makes me feel out of place, like I'm some kind of oddity here. But I'm sure you're not used to it either, tolerating an unknown tool speaking out like this."
"You are still putting on airs and acting superior. I am now one of the higher-ups, the Clan Head of the Uzumaki Clan. You think it's insignificant because it's a one-person clan? Do I have to make a move and clash with you before you'll acknowledge it?"
Koharu didn't say anything, her cloudy eyes simply staring at him with a cold glint.
Naruto had always kept in mind what Tsunade had once told him: status is never earned through reputation alone, it's fought for with power.
He also knew that Tsunade had done her utmost to secure his entry into the higher-ups' rank. Now that he no longer had the Kyubi, if he wanted to solidify his position among the higher-ups, he would have to prove his worth.
The higher-ups wanted a Jinchuriki with a symbolic title, then used Konoha's name to exploit him. Essentially, they still saw him as an accessory to the Kyubi.
Compared to the Kyubi, the name Uzumaki Naruto held no value, and the higher-ups didn't even bother to acknowledge him.
Offering him a nominal position among the higher-ups was like tossing Naruto a piece of candy in exchange for keeping the Jinchuriki obedient. To them, it was probably a worthwhile deal.
But no one had anticipated that Naruto was no longer the Kyubi's Jinchuriki.
All the compromises the higher-ups had made were based on the assumption that Naruto was still the Kyubi's Jinchuriki. Now that this assumption no longer held, there was no way the higher-ups would treat him kindly.
Naruto's choice to confront them at this critical juncture might seem unwise, but if he were to back down now, then Tsunade's guidance would have been for nothing.
Who did they think they were? Sure, there were powerful individuals like Danzo among the higher-ups.
However, this is a world where strength reigns supreme. The Advisors were restrained by their dignity, so they were reluctant to personally handle village's affairs. Danzo, too, wouldn't lose his composure over a moment of anger.
In front of these old foxes, Naruto had to display his edge to secure his position firmly. Tsunade had gotten him a ticket into the higher-ups, but she never said he had to settle for being just a figurehead.
If previously, the key that allowed Naruto to enter this meeting room was the Kyubi, then now, it was his own strength that validated his worth.
A power independent of the Biju… This was only the tip of the iceberg of all the strength he possessed.
In the conference room.
Most of the minor higher-ups instinctively stood up, with only Naruto and the four top leaders calmly seated in their chairs. Tsunade's gaze wasn't on him but passed through him to the minor higher-ups.
Today's meeting was just a routine discussion, so most of the higher-ups close to the Hokage didn't show up.
Everyone's eyes turned to Konoha's core leaders, the four top leaders.
The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. Each of the minor higher-ups looked at Naruto with a mixture of fear and apprehension, unable to comprehend the situation.
'He lost the Biju but still being able to use its power?'
'Has he turned into a monster? Have they merged?'
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
At the height of tension, slow applause echoed through the room, coming from the Hokage's seat. Danzo and the two advisors had no intention of speaking, as arguing back would only lower their stature.
Arguing with Tsunade was acceptable, even clashing with other minor higher-ups was fine, but quarreling with a junior was a losing game. It doesn't matter how stiff the situation is, anyway, Naruto is Tsunade's person, and Tsunade will definitely mediate.
That's right, Tsunade would step in.
When she felt it was the right moment, she stood up and clapped a few times with feigned enthusiasm. Tsunade was good at acting, her smile not quite reaching her eyes as she spoke.
Naruto didn't look at her expression but focused on her eyes, detecting a hint of displeasure. His heart immediately skipped a beat, thinking, 'It's over. Once the meeting ended, I was done for.'
"Konoha needs the strength of the new generation, and the matter of the Kyubi will be set aside for now. Since one of our leaderships, Uzumaki Naruto, has the ability to take on significant responsibilities, it's a positive thing for the village."
"I am very pleased. Kakashi also took on the responsibility of being an Anbu Commander at his age. I hope to see that…"
Tsunade's words consistently revolved around the village's interests, repeatedly tying Kakashi and Naruto together. She spoke of the village but never strayed far from the higher-ups loyal to the Hokage.
Tsunade simply and skillfully glossed over the conflict, while at the same time, made Kakashi's presence more highlighted. With a wave of her hand, Tsunade hastily concluded the meeting.
The room cleared and the conference room was soon empty.
"You, come here." Tsunade waved at Naruto, and the room fell silent.
Naruto was no longer as arrogant as before, and walked over obediently. He didn't dare to glance around, and stood there with his head down.
"How long have you been hiding this from me?"
"Not long, just a few months." Naruto looked like a man caught cheating by his wife, with his face pale at the moment.
Even if Tsunade had asked him about the Kyubi's whereabouts or the details of what happened, he wouldn't have been this nervous. But the moment she asked how long he had been hiding it, he knew he was in serious trouble, as it had become a matter of principle.
"Not long? A few months isn't long?" Tsunade sat in her soft chair, her figure slender yet curvy, her alabaster-like hand resting on the table.
Tap, tap.
She tapped on the table twice out of habit, causing Naruto's back to straighten instantly.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Tsunade's expression darkened, looking genuinely angry. Looking at the tall boy in front of her, she felt complicated for a moment.
"Well… the Kyubi just disappeared suddenly, and I'm not entirely sure myself." Naruto awkwardly explained, knowing he couldn't reveal everything.