Public Opinion Turns

The lights in the Hokage Office burned late that night.

Shikaku Nara spread out the three sets of documents, laying them down one by one.

"The first: account books."

"The Sarutobi Clan seized the Uchiha Clan's former territory and embezzled public funds. Every transaction is here, with its date, amount, and the person responsible."

"The second: copies of secret letters."

"Dignitaries in the Capital wrote personally to request that the choice of Fifth Hokage be reconsidered. The Third Hokage was barely in his grave, and the Three Clans were already conspiring with the Capital to bring down his newly appointed successor and throw the village into chaos."

"The third: records from the Third Shinobi World War."

Shikaku placed his finger on the last set of yellowed papers.

"Which unit delayed its deployment, which clan held back its strength, which reinforcements stood idle, how many died on the front lines..."

He looked up.

"It's all in there."

Uchiha En sat by the window with a cup of tea, without looking at the documents.

"What order?"

"The account books first, then the letters," Shikaku said. "The books will show the villagers they stole. The letters will show them they betrayed the village."

"Then the war records."

He paused, his voice dropping.

"Once those records come out, the people who lost husbands, sons, and brothers will speak for themselves."

Uchiha En took a sip of tea.

"Mm."

"See to it."

He gazed out into the heavy darkness, his voice even.

"Tomorrow morning, let all of Konoha see for themselves."

"And the day after tomorrow, I intend to put them on public trial. Let everyone in Konoha watch."

The next morning.

Dawn had barely broken, and a thin mist still hung over Konoha's streets.

On the outer wall of the Hokage Building, at