Shikaku, who should have been in custody, appeared at the head of a group. The two advisers knew their cause was lost.
Shikaku Nara said, "You two have the right to remain silent, but everything captured in the surveillance records will be used as court testimony!"
Utatane Koharu said, "We demand to see the official!"
Shikaku Nara said, "Those accused of crimes may not meet with anyone other than relatives until they have cleared themselves of suspicion!"
Utatane Koharu said, "You can't do anything to us!"
Shikaku Nara said, "That isn't for me or anyone else to decide. Justice lives in people's hearts!"
Utatane Koharu said, "You don't speak for their hearts, either!"
"In a power struggle, there's no right or wrong, only winners and losers. Those were your exact words just now, weren't they...?"
Princess Tsunade spoke. She bent down, picked up the wine jug from the floor, and poured herself a cup. After draining it in one gulp, she slammed the cup onto the table.
"The losers should leave the stage!"
Her sheer presence cowed the elderly woman, despite Koharu being her senior!
"You..." Utatane Koharu still wanted to argue.
"Enough, Koharu."
Mitokado Homura shook his head, straightened his clothes, and stood. Before leaving, he looked at Tsunade.
"Tsunade, don't think you can hide the truth forever. Your autocratic ways will destroy Konoha sooner or later!"
He did not openly mention Tsunade's secret dealings with Naruto. Under these circumstances, it would have looked far too much like an attempt to smear her.
His veiled phrasing instead left plenty of room for speculation.
As he passed Hinata, Mitokado Homura added, "I'd advise you to give up your unrealistic fantasies, too. What Naruto is doing now is no different from what Madara did back then. He's the greatest cancer in