Once Hiruzen Sarutobi had finished confessing, Yongye raised his right hand, palm down, pressed his fingertips against the edge of the Gavel, and pushed lightly.
Crack.
The Rosewood struck the desk with a sharp report that cut off almost at once. Eight Water-and-Fire Staffs rose and fell together, their dull thuds swallowing the last echo and silencing every murmur in the audience.
"The facts of this case are clear. There's no need to waste any more time."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru, and their accomplices are guilty on all counts."
Mitokado Homura's hand slipped from the Iron chain as he struggled forward. It scraped briefly against his ankle.
"I have something to say!"
Utatane Koharu spoke almost at the same time, her voice sharper than Homura's and nearly hoarse with desperation.
"I demand justice!"
Yongye's gaze swept over their faces and settled on Zhan Zhao.
"Restrain them! Give them the Execution Rods!"
Wang Chao and Ma Han closed in from opposite sides. Just as they had with Hiruzen Sarutobi, they seized Koharu and Homura by the shoulders and forced them to the ground.
The Water-and-Fire Staffs immediately rose and fell, whipping through the air with a string of sharp cracks.
The two were nowhere near as tough as Danzo or Hiruzen Sarutobi. Their screams joined in a single chorus.
Yongye looked away from them and turned his gaze on Asuma.
Asuma's face was still pressed to the ground. His shoulders had stopped trembling, and the Iron cuffs hung before him as though all life had been drained from his body.
"These people are all guilty. Asuma attempted to break prisoners out of jail. He is guilty as well."
"But in light of his past service, and because he caused Konoha no actual harm, I sentence him to exile from Konoha. He may