The trial begins

The Aburame Compound.

Beneath the eaves, Shibi Aburame stood in the shadows.

Kikaichū flew out of his sleeves, crossed several streets, and lingered before the Bulletin Board in Konoha's square.

For a long time.

Then the swarm of kikaichū slowly flew back.

Shibi held out his hand and caught one.

He studied it for a long time, then instructed the person behind him:

"Go prepare a generous gift. It's time we made our choice, too."

The Hyuga Clan Compound.

After hearing his clansman's report, Hyuga Hiashi slowly nodded.

"As expected," he said quietly. "I was right about him."

"He never fights a battle he isn't sure he can win."

The Inuzuka Clan Compound.

"Hahahaha!" Tsume Inuzuka slapped her thigh, rocking back and forth with laughter. "That felt good! So good!"

"That brat! I knew he was holding back something big!"

"One sheet of paper! He shut all those gossipmongers up with one sheet of paper!"

Standing beside her, Hana Inuzuka couldn't help smiling either:

"Mother, weren't you planning to go arrest people yesterday?"

"Oh, stop it. Arrest who?" Tsume Inuzuka waved a hand. "With Lord Hokage handling it, what the hell do we need to arrest anyone for?"

The Yamashita compound. The Yuki Compound.

After hearing the report, Yamashita Masao let out a long breath:

"I knew it."

"Uchiha En never fights a battle he isn't sure he can win."

Yuki Yasuo sat beneath the veranda, holding the letter that said, "Hold your position until the assembly," and slowly smiled.

"As expected..."

"If the sky falls, the Uchiha will hold it up."

He looked toward the Hokage Building and said quietly:

"We made the right bet this time."

The Hokage Building.

The three members of Ino-Shika-Cho stood by a corridor window, watching the growing crowd around