Continue the Beheading

Fortunately, Uchiha Kazuto had the sense not to lock them in an actual cell.

She didn't know that if Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't come back to check on their situation, Uchiha Kazuto wouldn't have bothered putting on a show at all—he would have done exactly what he pleased.

But now, her good days were over.

Just then, several ninjas walked over.

"Advisor-sama, time to eat!"

The ninjas set down the food and left.

"Uchiha Kazuto..."

Utatane Koharu shook her head, picked up the bowl, and began to eat.

In the cell next to hers, Mitokado Homura also started his meal.

"This..."

After finishing, Utatane Koharu sensed something was wrong. Everything before her eyes began to blur.

At the same time, Mitokado Homura next door also felt the anomaly, but it was too late—soon they both collapsed to the ground. The elderly were easy; they ate and then slept.

Several ninjas approached and dragged the two old men away.

When they woke again.

"Kill them, kill them!"

"Kill these damned beasts!"

"Kill Hiruzen Sarutobi's accomplices!"

A roaring tide of voices echoed endlessly across the square.

"What's going on?"

Utatane Koharu opened her eyes. Her hands were tied behind her back with rope, and she was kneeling on the ground. A ninja stood behind her, one foot pressing on her back, one hand gripping a cleaver.

Besides her, there was Mitokado Homura and the spies—all of them kneeling in the square, waiting for their heads to be chopped off.

"What are you doing? Have you lost your minds? What exactly are you trying to do? Where's Hiruzen Sarutobi? Call Hiruzen Sarutobi here!"

Utatane Koharu struggled, her face twisted with shock and fury.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi? That beast is already dead! The great Lord Hokage has cut off his head. Your backing is gone. Don't worry—you're next!"

The ninja standing behind Utatane Koharu said.

"What did you say!"

Utatane Koharu gasped, completely stunned. She even suspected she was under a genjutsu.

Wait, what did he mean by Hiruzen Sarutobi having his head cut off by the Lord Hokage?

Wasn't Hiruzen Sarutobi himself the Hokage? Could he cut off his own head? What had happened while they were locked up?

Just then, Uchiha Kazuto walked over.

"Comrades of Konoha, we have now captured Hiruzen Sarutobi's accomplices. For years, they have abused their positions as Hokage Advisors. Now, it is time for them to receive the punishment they deserve!"

Uchiha Kazuto looked at the villagers, his face earnest, his words righteous.

At this point, even if someone claimed that Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't killed the Second Hokage, no one would believe it. The lie had become truth.

"Long live the Lord Hokage!"

"We adore you, Lord Hokage!"

"Loyalty!"

"Loyalty!"

"Loy-onion!!!"

The Konoha villagers, seeing Uchiha Kazuto appear, grew excited. There was none of the fear they once had when they saw him. After all, no matter what, Uchiha Kazuto had apologized, hadn't he? Besides, the old Uchiha Kazuto had only been deceived by that Innate Evil Old Man, Hiruzen Sarutobi—it wasn't his true intention, right?

"Uchiha Kazuto, what have you done!!!"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura stared at the approaching Uchiha Kazuto, especially at the haori draped over his shoulders. Their pupils shrank, and their faces showed disbelief.

No way, this couldn't be right!

Uchiha Kazuto had become Hokage? That loyal dog of Hiruzen Sarutobi had actually become Hokage?

They knew Hiruzen Sarutobi well. How could he let Uchiha Kazuto, a member of the Uchiha Clan, become Hokage?

And what did he mean by "Hiruzen Sarutobi's accomplices"? And earlier, what was that about Hiruzen Sarutobi having his head cut off?

Masaka... no way. How much time had passed since they were locked up?

Was this really not a genjutsu?

"As you can see, two Advisor-sama, Hiruzen Sarutobi has had his head cut off by me. Now, it's your turn!"

Uchiha Kazuto turned his head, looking at them with a gentle smile, his demeanor refined and polite, appearing utterly mild-mannered and honest. This was Uchiha Kazuto—always sincere, always honest, never telling a lie.

Boom!

Having received Uchiha Kazuto's acknowledgment, the two felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in their minds.

Impossible!

How could Hiruzen Sarutobi really be dead? And killed by Uchiha Kazuto, no less.

"Uchiha Kazuto, you traitor, you'll die a miserable death!!!"

Utatane Koharu stared fixedly at Uchiha Kazuto, her voice sharp with fury.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, you fool! I told you back then not to listen to Uchiha Kazuto, but you insisted. Now look—you're dead!

And you dragged us down with you!

Even now, the two still had no idea what had actually happened. The only thing they knew was that Hiruzen Sarutobi was dead, killed by the very Uchiha Kazuto he had trusted. What baffled them most was why—when this was clearly a coup—the village remained so calm. The villagers were even saying he deserved to die.

What had happened? In such a short time, how had the village turned into this?

Unfortunately, no one would answer them.

"Make your move! Kill these traitors who have betrayed the village and defied the Will of Fire!"

Uchiha Kazuto snapped his fingers.

"As you command, Lord Hokage! Loyalty! Green Onion!"

The ninjas holding the cleavers immediately snapped to attention, saluted Uchiha Kazuto, then raised their blades.

Whoosh!

Several heads slowly flew up, hitting the ground with expressions of shock, despair, and confusion.

Pfft!

Crimson blood gushed from the severed necks.

They didn't even get to speak their last words. They simply died, as lightly as that.

"Someone, hang these corpses up. Display their heads for three days. I want everyone to know the price of betraying the village and betraying the Hokage!"

Uchiha Kazuto waved his hand. Soon, several people came forward, lifted the bodies, and hung them up like slabs of cured meat.

As an ordinary person, Uchiha Kazuto was very kind—even timid. If there had been more people here, he might have piled them into a skull pyramid for propaganda and enjoyment. Unfortunately, there were too few.

Oh, wait!

Uchiha Kazuto suddenly remembered that these people had clans behind them.

Having served as Hokage and Hokage Advisor for so many years, it was impossible that their clans hadn't reaped benefits. Just as well—he had just become Hokage and was in dire need of development. In that case, it was time to confiscate their assets!