Konoha's Public Trial

When the sun rose behind Hokage Rock, Central Street was already packed.

Konoha had not seen a scene like this in many years.

It was no celebration, no postwar mobilization, and no Hokage speech.

Spread across the long table were Root files, secret orders from the Advisors, ledgers from the Sarutobi Old Storehouse, deployment orders from the Nine-Tails' Attack, an addendum to the Uchiha lockdown, and the Growth Intervention Contingency Plan for Naruto.

Danzo's body lay under a white sheet. Mitokado Homura's body lay to one side. Sarutobi Muneyoshi and Sarutobi Sōgo stood under guard at the front. Utatane Koharu sat on a wooden chair, her shoulder bandaged, her face ashen.

The Third Hokage stood below the steps of the Hokage Building.

He had not taken the Hokage's seat.

Naruto stood directly before the long table.

Every eye was on him.

A six-year-old child should never have had to stand there.

But after tonight, no one could treat him like an ordinary child again.

Uchiha Tekka spoke first.

One by one, he displayed the maternity ward route map, secret letters, and ledgers found in the Sarutobi Clan Compound's Old Storehouse.

"On the night of the Nine-Tails' Attack, the Uchiha Clan Compound was sealed off in advance. Any clan member who approached the battlefield was to be treated as a suspected rebel."

"We found a copy of the maternity ward route and secret letters meant to frame the Uchiha in the Sarutobi Old Storehouse."

"The ledgers show that Ryosuke Sarutobi received compensation from Root and helped pass along the maternity ward route."

With every item he read out, more Uchiha in the crowd had tears in their eyes.

The Sarutobi stood on the other side, their faces grim.

Sarutobi Sōgo was forced forward.

His ribs were broken, and his voice came out weak.

"Some elders of the Sarutobi Clan... did keep the boxes in question. After the clan received a battle alert last night, we attacked Naruto without checking the facts. Elder Muneyoshi nearly used us."

His throat seemed to close up.

Naruto watched him.

Sarutobi Sōgo gritted his teeth and went on.

"The hostage incident at the Ninja Academy was planned by Sarutobi Muneyoshi alone. Those involved have been detained. The Sarutobi Clan is willing to submit to a village investigation."

Sarutobi Muneyoshi spat blood onto the ground.

"Useless fool."

Naruto walked over and planted a foot on his hand.

Sarutobi Muneyoshi screamed.

Naruto looked up at the Sarutobi.

"Does anyone else think he was right?"

No one dared speak.

It was not just fear of Naruto.

They had seen the wounds on the Ninja Academy children's necks too.

However much the Sarutobi Clan wanted to save face, they could not stand before everyone and say taking children hostage was right.

Then Jiraiya picked up the Jinchūriki Isolation Plan.

He stood before the table for a long time before speaking.

"Last night was the first time I saw this document too."

His voice carried far.

"It says Naruto, as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, was deliberately denied financial independence, had his contacts controlled, and was kept isolated so he would become dependent on the Hokage system."

A low murmur spread through the crowd.

Jiraiya held up the Scroll.

"I spent years away from the village and failed to look after Minato's son. That was my failure."

The Third Hokage's eyelids twitched.

Jiraiya did not look at him.

"But my failure does not erase the facts. Naruto is not a Demon Fox. He is the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki."

Some in the crowd had already heard the news.

But hearing it from Jiraiya still hit like a hammer blow.

An old woman fell to her knees, weeping as she cried out an apology.

More people lowered their heads.

Naruto gave no answer.

He had Tekka open the sealed inventory of his inheritance.

"Minato Namikaze's estate. Heir: Naruto Uzumaki."

"Living allowance for the past six years: three thousand ryō. Amount actually paid: three hundred ryō."

"Property, survivor benefits, and personal letters were sealed away."

"Three of those letters were nearly destroyed by the Advisors' Office."

The words needed no embellishment.

Every item was clear enough on its own.

Utatane Koharu sat in her chair, her lips trembling.

She wanted to defend herself, but Mitokado Homura was dead, Danzo was dead, and Muneyoshi lay on the ground. Anything she said now would sound like an excuse.

Naruto looked at her.

"Do you admit it?"

Utatane Koharu raised her head, the last trace of defiance in her eyes.

"I admit the Advisors' Office mishandled it, but I did it to keep the village stable."

Naruto walked up to her.

"Mishandled it?"

He picked up half of a charred letter.

"My mother left this for me."

Then he picked up the living-expense records.

"This is why I ate expired food for six years."

Finally, he picked up the Growth Intervention Contingency Plan.

"This is how you planned to control the rest of my life."

He stared at Utatane Koharu.

"You call that mishandling it?"

Utatane Koharu's lips went pale.

Naruto raised a hand.

Nine-Tails Chakra bore down on her.

Utatane Koharu dropped from her chair to her knees. The wound on her shoulder tore open, and blood seeped through the bandage.

Naruto did not snap her neck.

"As of today, the office of Hokage Advisor is abolished."

The Third Hokage's head jerked up.

That was a power within the Hokage system. Naruto had no authority to announce it.

But the crowd did not object.

The Uchiha did not object.

The Sarutobi did not dare object.

Jiraiya stayed silent.

Kakashi stayed silent.

The ordinary villagers who had been cheated, deceived, and ruled through fear did not object either.

Naruto turned to the Third Hokage.

"And you?"

The street fell quiet.

At last, the real reckoning had reached the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage held his pipe but did not light it.

He looked at Naruto, exhaustion filling his eyes.

"What do you want me to admit?"

Naruto placed the Isolation Plan before him.

"Admit you let it happen."

Then he set down the record of the Fourth Hokage's final moments.

"Admit you failed to keep your promise to my father."

Then he laid down the living-allowance transfer records.

"Admit you read the ANBU reports of me being beaten and did nothing."

The Third Hokage did not answer at once.

Sunlight spilled over Hokage Rock and fell across his aged face.

At last, he bent at the waist.

He did not kneel.

But his bow sent a shock through the entire crowd.

"Naruto."

"I was wrong."

Naruto looked at him.

"Then step down."