The next day.
Kiyoshi took the half sheet of decree paper out of his sleeve.
It had stayed folded overnight, and its corners had softened.
He went to see the Elder first.
By the light from the window, the Elder examined the written statement, the bloodstained garment, and the decree paper side by side.
He pressed a finger against the ink on the statement and simply nodded, without another word.
"Everything we can put on the table is here." The Elder picked up the statement and inspected its corners. "I'll go to the Hokage Building with you."
That promise to "go upstairs" began here, with the Elder.
Only after the evidence had been inspected did they head for the Hokage Building.
The Elder patted the evidence tucked against his chest. "The name was burned away, and the trail ends at the Old Decree. I checked it. It's clean."
The Elder gathered his cuffs and lowered his voice. "Once it's out in the open, no one can easily pretend not to see."
The doors of the Hokage Building stood open.
Mikoto walked in front, with Shisui half a step behind her like a shadow. Kiyoshi was between them, holding the stack of things that could withstand public scrutiny.
The Elder walked last, his slow steps lending weight to the scene behind them.
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, his pipe resting beside an open Dossier. He did not rise, merely lifting his chin to invite the three to sit.
"Put everything on the table." The Third Hokage extended a hand over the desk. "Let me see."
The evidence was laid out piece by piece.
The statement was spread open, the collar of the bloodstained garment turned out, and the decree paper set down last.
The crease ran right across the