Chaos was imminent.
The courtroom, initially a place for trial, had turned into a heated verbal battle between the Third Hokage and his assistant.
"Let me go there!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice thundered, filled with rage as he struggled against the firm grip of the Uchiha Guard. He wanted nothing more than to confront Danzo personally.
But that was precisely why the Guard was there—to prevent such chaos.
Several members restrained the Third Hokage, making it impossible for him to move forward.
"This old man is a family member of the victim! Even in a public trial, I should have the right to approach!"
Hiruzen's face was stormy as he argued his case.
"True, the victim's family is allowed," an Uchiha Guard member replied with a respectful yet firm tone, "but Hokage-sama, you are also the family of the accused."
The guard pointed directly at Sarutobi Asuma and Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
Was the Hokage trying to manipulate the outcome?
Sarutobi's expression darkened. He couldn't force his way in, but shouting from a distance—well, that was another matter.
"Danzo, you should know what to say and what not to say!"
His tone was layered with warning.
The message was clear:
On one hand, Danzo was being pushed to admit his crimes. On the other, there were certain secrets—dark truths hidden within Root—that he was forbidden from exposing.
"Heh, you better hope I don't say too much."
Danzo's smirk was filled with malice as he countered the threat.
He knew exactly what his old comrade feared most. If the truth of their past dealings surfaced, Hiruzen's reputation would take the greatest hit.
Once, they had stood together under the same banner.
Now, due to this crime, they were irreversibly opposed.
Danzo, however, wasn't a fool.
If those secrets came to light, the damage would be far greater than the trial at hand. His own ambitions of becoming Hokage would be utterly crushed.
Still, one thing was clear—he would never admit to this crime.
"I am innocent! This is a setup! The Guard should compensate me for my lost possessions!"
Danzo's words rang through the courtroom, causing an uproar.
"Possessions?"
Everyone's expressions shifted.
They all knew what Danzo meant.
The crowd exchanged shocked glances. Could it be that Danzo had…?
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Captain Bai Ye is ruthless!"
"To punish him this way…"
Some in the audience shuddered at the thought. Others, particularly those with something to hide, were suddenly fearful.
Joking aside, this was no trivial matter.
Even with medical ninjutsu, there were limits to what could be restored.
"It's impossible. Your possessions have already been disposed of."
Before Bai Ye could respond, Uchiha Itachi, standing nearby, stated the fact plainly.
Danzo stiffened.
"Disposed of?! You dare say you even destroyed those last two centimeters?!"
"Beast!"
A new wave of shocked gasps swept through the courtroom.
Even more so, a strange silence followed as many turned their gazes toward Hiruzen.
Danzo had just implied he was superior to the Third Hokage in a particular… department.
If that were the case, then just how "great" was Lord Hokage?
A few female spectators seemed to have a newfound sense of sympathy for Biwako.
No wonder…
If their own husbands were at Hokage-sama's level, they might have made the same choice.
Danzo immediately realized his mistake.
But it was too late.
He had intended to prove his innocence and later seek Orochimaru's help for restoration.
Now, however, all hope was lost.
There was no coming back from this.
"You claim you didn't attack Biwako? Do you have evidence?"
Uchiha Sanyo, overlooking the trial, spoke with firm authority.
"Captain Bai Ye will not simply take your word for it."
Danzo sneered.
"I have no direct proof, but I demand a confrontation with Sarutobi Biwako!"
His confidence was unsettling.
He was sure that if given the chance, he could manipulate the situation to his advantage.
"Bring forth the witness, Sarutobi Biwako."
Uchiha Sanyo issued the order.
The trial had to remain fair.
Now that the accused had raised doubts, proper protocol required the court to acknowledge them.
"Wait!"
A sudden voice interrupted.
Uchiha Satoshi stepped forward.
His reasoning was clear—Biwako should not appear.
The truth was simple.
This entire case had started because of something he had acquired at a great cost. If Biwako was brought in and turned the tables, it would put Captain Bai Ye in a difficult position.
"What is it?"
Sanyo turned to him in surprise.
Among the Uchiha Guard, Satoshi's reputation was significant. Though he was not the captain, strength dictated respect, and as one of the first members to awaken the Sharingan, his words carried weight.
"I have proof that Danzo forced Biwako."
Satoshi spoke with certainty.
"You have evidence?" Bai Ye's eyes flickered with interest.
"Yes. I took precautions, Captain."
Satoshi nodded firmly and stepped forward.
"Everyone knows that I was the one who captured Danzo."
"And though I was an eyewitness, the testimony of a single person is not always reliable."
"So, I made sure to prepare evidence beforehand."
A murmur spread through the courtroom.
Indeed, it had been Satoshi who had dragged Danzo—disheveled and exposed—from the Sarutobi household that night.
A firsthand witness, now providing additional proof?
Before the crowd's stunned gazes, Satoshi withdrew something from his sleeve.
Then, he placed it onto the white cloth prepared for display.
The shinobi world was an odd place.
Somehow, it had projectors but not automobiles.
"Is that…?"
"No way…"
The audience collectively held their breath.
Even Danzo's staunchest supporters turned pale.
The image was
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