After the Fourth Elder was taken away, Uka Senju hid behind Mito and peeked out, watching with everyone else as the man lay on the ground with all four limbs broken, like a flesh-colored worm!
Looking at his old friend's son, the Second Elder narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, "Rikima Senju, although you're an illegitimate child, you're Butsuma Senju's son and Hashirama Senju's younger brother. Have your father and brothers ever mistreated you?"
Rikima Senju smiled as he lay on the ground and answered carelessly, "No!"
"Then why...!"
"There is no why!" Rikima Senju suddenly raised his voice, cutting off the Second Elder's question as he shouted, "I lost. That's all!"
"Everyone, I admit to everything. As for the reason, haven't you already searched my memories?"
He had thought he'd hidden everything well. He hadn't expected a brat fishing for a reaction to expose years of planning!
Looking at the people seated on the platform, Rikima Senju thought to himself:
I, Rikima Senju, lost to fate, to heaven-not to these fools before me!
Seeing his attitude, after he had betrayed the clan and still acted so self-righteous,
was this composure? Was he keeping the bearing of a great man even in defeat?
The Second Elder suddenly grinned, his smile exceptionally bright. Looking at the people around him, he said, "Rikima Senju, for betraying the clan, you are sentenced to Five Years of Punishment!"
"Your family... will receive the same sentence!"
"The elders have reached a consensus!"
Hearing the sentence handed down from the platform, Rikima Senju had expected it, but he still hadn't thought it would be so severe.
Still, he could accept any punishment for betraying the clan.
But why should his family receive the same punishment?
He immediately writhed on the ground, struggling to raise his head and shout at the people on the platform, "Kofu Senju, I'm the only one who betrayed the clan. It has nothing to do with my children or wife. They shouldn't receive this punishment."
"Senju has never punished someone's family for their mistakes! Four hundred years ago, when your branch rebelled, their families weren't punished either!"
Hearing this, the First Elder quietly said from the side, "Uncle, about this... shouldn't descendants be pardoned after three generations of service in battle?"
Ignoring the noise beside him, the Second Elder repeated, "The elders have reached a consensus!"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
After the decision passed, the Second Elder's smile faded. He glanced at Rikima Senju, who had been laughing earlier but was now shouting.
He said unhurriedly, "Our branch did rebel, but the clan history records the exact circumstances clearly."
"If you think it's unfair, then it's unfair. What are you going to do about it? You were very happy when your nephew killed those children!"
"Rikima Senju, I'll make you watch with your own eyes as the people dearest to you suffer the cruelest punishments in the world because of you!"
"If you're unhappy, wait for me in the Pure Land. I'll still wipe out your whole family!"
After he finished, he didn't bother with Rikima's shouting. He raised a hand to signal the guards to drag him away.
Then he addressed the remaining few accomplices. "You're even more detestable. You betrayed the clan without reason, so you'll receive the same punishment as Rikima!"
"Uncle, Uncle, I was wrong!"
"Uncle, please, no!"
"Kofu Senju, you son of a dog...!"
"Uncle, Lady Mito, I was wrong. Spare my family!"
For a time, the five people left in the hall begged and cursed, making the Clan Meeting seem lively indeed!
After the five were dragged away, everyone signed their names on the verdict the guards had just written.
Looking at them, the Second Elder gave his orders. "Go back and stabilize your respective affairs. Tomorrow at noon, everyone except those assigned to perimeter security and children under five must come to the square to witness the punishment."
"Yes!" The remaining elders and stewards bowed, then filed out of the side hall!
After everyone left, the four who remained brought out the low tea table they had used earlier.
The Second Elder picked up the tea a guard had brewed and took a small sip. Just as he was about to speak, he looked up-
and saw the half-hidden head behind Mito Uzumaki!
He glared at the brat-no, the white-haired boy-and scolded him irritably. "Why are you still here? Get out, quickly!"
"Didn't you tell me to hide here?" Uka Senju retorted confidently, looking at the old man who kept changing his tune.
After thinking carefully, the Second Elder realized he had indeed said that earlier. He clicked his tongue and impatiently waved the boy away.
Seeing the old man and child squaring off like fighting roosters, Senju Toka quickly interrupted. "Uka, go back with Sister Chiharu."
"Don't wait for me. Get some rest early!"
Since his aunt had spoken, Uka didn't keep arguing with the Second Elder. He picked up the pastry box and headed for the door!
"Oh, and don't go to school tomorrow. I'll send someone to get you and Harumi excused," the Second Elder said.
"Okay~!"
Uka Senju drew out his reply as he reached up and closed the side hall door!
They'd only just finished dealing with matters inside the clan; the outside still hadn't been dealt with.
Especially Danzo, who had wanted to capture him!
He'd wanted to eat some more, but they'd kicked him out!
He could only comfort his curious heart.
"I've had enough clan gossip for today. I'll ask Aunt about the rest later!"
After a moment, Uka Senju hugged the pastry box and walked along the wooden corridor toward the Security Room!
Most of the people guarding the meeting hall were stationed around the perimeter, not near the main hall.
As for the perimeter, aside from those on duty,
the others and clan members passing by all liked to gather in the Security Room to rest and chat.
Besides the square, it was another gathering place for the young people of the Senju clan!
After turning a few corners and drawing near,
he saw someone he'd been looking for!
He hurried over to Kenchū Senju, who was standing at the door, and called out, "Brother Kenchū, Brother Kenchū, how's Harumi?"
That clanswoman he'd dragged into this seemed to be pretty badly hurt.
He'd been worried, so he'd come here not only to find Chiharu, but also to ask about her.
Seeing who it was, Kenchū Senju put on his usual honest smile and said, "She's fine. Her Ninjutsu was interrupted halfway through, which damaged the Chakra in her meridians, but her internal organs aren't seriously injured!"
"Your Sister Gari has already healed her. After Harumi sleeps through the night, she'll be up and running again tomorrow!"
Hearing that, Uka Senju's worries eased.
Then he remembered Harumi's unusual circumstances and asked, "Is she in the Infirmary now?"
"Don't worry, we took her home!" Kenchū Senju said, patting Uka's shoulder as though wondering why even he didn't trust him.
Seeing that Uka was still frowning, Kenchū Senju realized what he was worried about and added, "Grandma Hatsuhana arranged for someone to look after her. Go see her tomorrow. Don't wake her now; let her rest and recover properly!"
Hearing that, Uka Senju gave up on visiting her and said, "All right, I'll go see her tomorrow!"
Seeing Uka's attitude, Kenchū Senju nodded in satisfaction.
This child was a Wood Release wielder and would definitely become an important figure in the clan in the future!
The fact that he cared so much about his companions and fellow clansmen was a good thing for the clan!
The Senju clan couldn't afford another clan leader who wanted to disband it!