Hiruzen Sarutobi Will Give an Explanation
But there were simply too many angry Konoha citizens. Below the trial platform, the crowds were sobbing and filled with righteous indignation, stretching as far as the eye could see, almost boundless.
Even with countless Anbu Ninja rushing out to appease the people and maintain order in various ways, they were still unable to maintain it.
To be honest, the public's strong reaction to this scene was not entirely unexpected by Yun Yan.
Because the collapse of a persona is a terrible thing, especially when the persona of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was always gentle and kind, is completely destroyed. In particular, so many people in Konoha feel that they have been greatly deceived.
You can't treat people like fools, you can't be two-faced, and you can't harm your own interests. Clearly, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo stepped on all three landmines.
Yun Yan remained calmly seated on the platform, watching the turbulent Konoha citizens below the judgment seat. At this moment, he casually turned his head and gave a glance to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting next to him.
The message in that look was simple: you caused this mess, so you're responsible for dealing with it and cleaning it up. You can't just leave it like this.
After understanding Yun Yan's gaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply. After silently lamenting "What a tragedy!", he finally stood up helplessly, on the verge of collapse.
The Konoha members below, who were all extremely angry, temporarily stopped their anger and clamor when they saw Hiruzen Sarutobi stand up. They stared intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi, hoping he would give them an explanation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did indeed offer an explanation. Standing up, his gaze was solemn, and his face was pale and ashamed as he addressed the entire population of Konoha:
"I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, have let everyone down. I have failed your trust and expectations. I have done so many things and committed so many sins. I have no words to express my apologies."
In fact, today's public trial is not only for the Danzo; strictly speaking, I am also included in the trial. I cannot escape many responsibilities.
"Now, here, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, promise everyone that after the trial concludes and the accountability is determined, I will formally step down and cease serving as Hokage."
After hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's fairly sincere statement, the expressions of the people below the judgment platform softened slightly; they had somewhat accepted the relatively good attitude that Hiruzen Sarutobi had shown so far.
However, many people were still dissatisfied. They raised their fists and angrily shouted at Hiruzen Sarutobi above him.
"Sarutobi, you old scoundrel! Is simply stepping down enough for you? No! Absolutely not! You've committed so many wrongdoings; a mere resignation cannot resolve this! You must pay a heavy price!"
This single sentence acted as a fuse, and the situation, which had just calmed down, seemed poised to explode again, igniting the crowd below the judge's bench once more indignant.
Looking around, the area below the judge's bench was filled with people raising their fists, angrily accusing and shouting at Hiruzen Sarutobi above.
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned pale, somewhat desperate, but not particularly surprised.
On the contrary, Danzo, who was standing in front of the judge's bench, saw that the anger of the people of Konoha was gradually shifting to Hiruzen Sarutobi. He was actually a little smug and gloating, and a smile appeared on his Kakuzu.
Sarutobi, you old Sarutobi, you've made me take the blame for so many years, while you've always acted all righteous and noble. You never thought you'd get this day!
I, Shimura Danzō, am watching this world crumble, but before I'm finished, it's not a bad thing to drag you down with me! You old bastard, don't even think about getting away with this!
Seeing the surging tide below the judgment platform, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face grew increasingly ashen, while Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura beside him were also pale and trembling, as if they were about to be swallowed up by the tidal wave below.
Finally, driven to the Hiruzen Sarutobi earnestly addressed the Konoha members:
"Rest assured, everyone. Now that things have come to this, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, am to blame. After this trial concludes, I will give you all a satisfactory explanation!"
When Hiruzen Sarutobi uttered these words, they were resounding and powerful. Such a firm voice and such a promise somewhat eased the tense atmosphere among the crowd.
Many people hesitated after seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi make such a promise, and considering that it was a promise made in front of everyone by the old Sarutobi, and that he could no longer be two-faced like before.
After a moment of hesitation, more and more people began to hesitate, and the angry and indignant situation finally began to ease.
Seeing that the situation was improving and order was under control, Morino Ibiki, standing on the judge's bench, spoke at this opportune moment:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the public trial is still ongoing. I know you are all very indignant and have a lot of anger that needs to be vented. I understand that you all need an explanation."
However, the interrogation is not over yet. Please be patient and continue to witness the trial and interrogation process.
The people of Konoha had no reason or anger towards Morino Ibiki, especially as more and more people saw the coldness on Morino Ibiki face and were somewhat intimidated by the terrifying aura emanating from Morino Ibiki.
Thus, with the cooperation of numerous Anbu Ninja in maintaining order, the chaotic and angry situation gradually calmed down, and with the calm, the area under the judge's bench finally quieted down again.
However, Morino Ibiki saw it clearly and knew very well that the silence of the Konoha people was suppressing their anger. If they were not satisfied afterward, this suppressed anger would erupt again, and it would probably be even more intense than this time!
It's alright, Morino Ibiki isn't worried, because this time everything is out in the open, and those rotten and stinking things are exposed to the light of day. The people of Konoha may be angry, but in the end they will definitely be satisfied.
After things quieted down completely, Morino Ibiki continued his questioning and interrogation of Danzo.
The interrogation process was similar to the previous one. Morino Ibiki conducted the interrogation with his professional skills and competence throughout. He kept attacking Danzo's already broken psychological defenses. Occasionally, when he encountered difficulties or Danzo resisted stubbornly, he would ask Yun Yan to secretly use the Genjutsu of the Mangekyō Sharingan to assist him.
Thus, with the cooperation of both sides, Morino Ibiki's interrogation continued to be successful. As the interrogation continued, Danzo continued to confess one evil deed and crime after another, while the people of Konoha below suppressed their anger and continued to listen.
As for what Danzo did next, it was still too numerous to recount, too indescribable, and still unacceptable.
These actions include, but are not limited to: betraying his own clan and targeting his own ninjas with forces outside the village; after the death of the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze Naruto Uzumaki; using various methods to attack and weaken other ninja clans; colluding with the Konoha High Command to ostracize and target the Uchiha Clan, whom he disliked; and secretly collecting the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan, among other things.
The Konoha citizens below grew increasingly angry and indignant as they listened. Was this really something a human being could do? It was outrageous!
However, while listening, the ordinary people learned quite a bit about the inside story of Konoha.
The most shocking and eye-opening news is that the blond-haired Naruto Uzumaki, the fox spirit, is actually the orphan of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his wife!
That's right, under Yun Yan's instructions, Morino Ibiki interrogated him directly about this matter and announced it to the general public of Konoha.
Of course, Morino Ibiki still kept the secret about the Nine-Tails being sealed inside Naruto Uzumaki's body, and the people of Konoha remained unaware of it.
Even just knowing this is shocking enough! The kid they always looked down on, hated, and targeted, Naruto Uzumaki, the one they always thought was the incarnation of the demon fox, is actually the orphan of the Fourth Hokage and his wife!
This is truly shocking and heartbreaking. What on earth did these people who bullied, ostracized, and targeted Naruto Uzumaki do? He's the orphan of the Fourth Hokage! How could he be targeted like that? How could he suffer such treatment?
What? So the rumors that Naruto Uzumaki was a demon fox in Danzo were spread by that bastard Danzo? Oh, then it's alright.