"I..."
The Third Hokage wanted nothing more than to rush forward and bite the arrogant Shinichi to death, but despair and sorrow soon overwhelmed him again. His back hunched once more, and an air of decay and decline surrounded him.
Even if he rushed forward and beat Shinichi to death, what would that accomplish?
He had already confessed his crimes in front of so many people. Whether there was any evidence no longer mattered.
Besides, he knew his own limits. He was no match for this man.
Charging forward would only humiliate him further. He would not even be able to preserve the last shred of his dignity.
Only now did he finally admit, from the bottom of his heart, that he had lost to Shinichi-and lost utterly.
"At least you still have a little sense, old man."
Seeing the Third Hokage abandon the idea of attacking, Shinichi silently shook his head, feeling a little disappointed.
He had actually hoped the old man would lose control of his anger and charge at him. Then he could have thrashed him in front of everyone!
Although he had already thoroughly tormented the Third Hokage mentally, he certainly would not mind beating him senseless as well, letting him experience pain worse than death.
Yet compared with the Third Hokage's dejection, Danzo seemed to have plenty of backbone.
"Hiruzen, you spineless coward!"
Danzo spared no effort in mocking the Third Hokage. "I, Shimura Danzō, will not concede defeat so easily! I am the Hokage who can truly lead Konoha to glory!"
"Give it up, Danzo. Our era is over."
The Third Hokage looked bitter as he spoke helplessly.
No one understood better than he did how formidable Shinichi's methods were. Since Shinichi had laid everything bare today, he must have prepared for every possibility.