The square was dead silent.
Every Uchiha clansman watched the former genius, now a traitor, with complicated expressions.
Pity?
No.
The moment he raised his blade against his own father, the moment he chose to join forces with foreign enemies in an attempt to slaughter his entire clan, he had forfeited any right to pity.
Uchiha Yao's icy gaze slowly shifted away from Itachi and swept across all the clansmen below.
"The farce is over."
"Now comes the time for judgment."
Uchiha Yao raised a hand and pointed at the figure tied to the wooden stake like a dead dog.
"Uchiha Itachi."
"Colluding with foreign enemies and invading clan territory."
"Betraying his bloodline and attempting Clan Annihilation."
"I, in the name of the current head of the Uchiha Clan, hereby declare—"
"Uchiha Itachi is stripped of the Uchiha surname!"
Being stripped of his surname meant that Itachi would no longer be acknowledged as a member of the Uchiha Clan. His name would be completely erased from the clan register, leaving him a wandering, nameless ghost.
Even after death, he would have no right to be buried in the Uchiha cemetery.
"From this moment onward, he is merely Itachi. A filthy, surname-less traitor."
There was not a trace of emotion in Uchiha Yao's voice.
"Strip him of every honor and achievement he earned as an Uchiha genius."
"He is unworthy of being an Uchiha."
"His existence is the greatest disgrace of our Uchiha Clan!"
Below the stage, every Uchiha clansman unconsciously straightened their backs.
They looked at Uchiha Yao with fanatical eyes.
This was the clan head they wanted!
One who would defend the clan's honor and wash away every stain!
"As for his punishment..."
"Death is too cheap for him."
"Set him up, stake and all, before Naka Shrine."
"Let