As the ANBU advanced on the three elders, Homura slowly stood up and said, "This has gone on long enough Tsunade. Did you really think people of our position would have no way of protecting ourselves?"

Before anyone else could anything, before anything could be said, Koharu and Danzo rose and all three started making hand signs. Tsunade didn't know what they were trying to do, but she wasn't about to let them escape. With a curt nod to the ANBU, the elite ninja moved in to apprehend the elders. Before they reached them, a barrier rose around all three. Homura and Danzo turned to escape out the window but Koharu stayed behind. She looked directly at Tsunade and said, "You won't get away with this. What we did needed to be done. There's no denying it no matter how idealistic you may be. We will report this behavior to the Fire Daimyo. Do not be surprised if you are stripped of your title. That may very well prove to be the least of your worries."

With that, the three elders jumped out the window the barrier constricting around them until it surrounded them like a cloak. With a strange shine of chakra the elders disappeared from view. Tsunade turned to the ANBU and said, "I want them found. They are not to leave this village under any circumstances. Send out any available ninja and bring them back for their punishment!"

The ANBU quickly rushed to obey this order. Tsunade turned to Sasuke and said, "I never expected something like this to happen. Don't worry. They will be found and their punishment will be enacted."

Sasuke crossed his arms and said, "What happens if they do get in contact with the Daimyo?"

Jiraiya stepped forward and said, "It's possible that the Daiymo could order a change in the way the village is run. As the ruler of the country where the Leaf village resides we are technically under his laws. We have our own code of laws which we follow but they are subject to be changed at his whim. Normally he lets the village run itself since we're the main military power in the country. But if the elders tell their side of the story Tsunade will be deposed as a dangerous zealot and be replaced. No doubt the elders will have nothing nice to say about me or you either. The entire law of the Leaf village could be changed for the worse."

Tsunade turned to Jiraiya and said, "Then let's not let them escape."

Jiraiya walked to the window and said, "I'll gather any ninja I can find to chase after them. They won't escape."

And so it began. As many ninja as were available patrolled the entire village searching for the invisible elders. Even the ninja that were guarding Itachi's body and the ones guarding the village gates. Finding the elders was given the top priority since if they got out to the Daimyo everything they were currently working on or for could be changed or destroyed. Unfortunately, this left the village very open.