An elderly man dressed in a dark blue court robe and wearing a tasseled crown walked out of the main hall, holding a large scroll in his hands.
"Is it Lord Fujiwara Munetsugu? Is he going to put these people on trial?"
"Isn't Fujiwara Munetsugu a confidant of the daimyo? Could it be that the daimyo ordered the trial of these people?"
"Idiot, didn't you see the lord's expression?"
"I think the Land of Fire is about to undergo a major change. I'm afraid the Daimyo will issue an abdication edict soon, won't he?"
"Could it be that the daimyo's eldest son is finally going to succeed to the throne?"
"The eldest son succeeding to the throne? That's not necessarily true."
"It's hard to say."
Fujiwara Munetsugu the judge's bench, unfurling a long scroll of indictments, his voice aged yet full of vigor.
"It was discovered that the original Twelve Guardian Ninja Kazuma, along with their associates, gathered at the Fire Temple and set up a barrier trap, intending to assassinate Konoha Ninja and, in turn, the Hokage."
Evidence: Seven testimonies from monks of the Fire Temple, thirty-one fragments of Explosive Tag, and twelve rubbings of Barrier Ninjutsu formulas.
"It has been discovered that Fuyumi, Fuen the original Twelve Guardian Ninja, used Barrier Ninjutsu to seal the Nobita Fire Temple, assisting Kazuma in planning the ambush. Evidence: fragments of Chakra Threads, and a diagram of the technique's node markings."
"Investigation revealed that the original Twelve Guardian Ninja, Fudo, used Earth Release techniques to damage the main hall of the Fire Temple, causing destruction to the Buddhist shrine. Evidence: Residual traces of Earth Release techniques, and a joint testimony from three monks."
For each item he read out, a Konoha Ninja would present the corresponding physical evidence.
The secret letter lay open on the table, fragments of the Explosive Tag were contained in a transparent box, and a blood-red handprint was pressed onto the testimony scroll.
The crowd initially whispered amongst themselves, but as more and more evidence was presented, their voices grew louder. Some stood on tiptoe to try and get a better look at the physical evidence, while others pointed at the kneeling minister and shouted insults.
"Upon investigation, Finance Minister Kazama exchanged seven secret letters with Kazuma, providing three million taels of silver for the operation. The original letters are here, along with the handwriting analysis report."
"Investigation reveals that Vice Minister of the Interior Matsumoto leaked information about the Lord Hokage's itinerary to Kazuma. The original document is here, and Matsumoto himself has signed it."
"An investigation has revealed that eight of the Twelve Guardian Ninja were involved in this conspiracy; the evidence is conclusive, and all have confessed."
Fujiwara Munetsugu the indictment, his gaze sweeping across the crowd in the square before finally settling on the figure sitting upright on the throne.
"The facts of the case have been established. Your Excellency, please pronounce the verdict."
The square fell silent. All eyes were fixed on the throne.
The daimyo sat there, his face hidden by a fan, Fudo. Fujiwara Munetsugu repeated loudly, "Please, Lord Daimyo, pronounce your judgment."
The daimyo slowly lowered his fan, revealing his face covered in lead powder. His lips moved, his voice dry and hoarse, like the grinding of sand.
"... Kazuma and the other three... attempted to assassinate the Hokage, an unforgivable crime... sentenced to life imprisonment. The ministers involved... dismissed and investigated, their property confiscated. The Twelve Guardian Ninja... disbanded effective immediately, and new guards... to be jointly appointed by the Hokage and the Daimyo."
Every word seemed to be forced out of his throat.
After uttering the last word, he seemed to have all his strength drained away, and slumped back against the throne.
Fujiwara Munetsugu around, faced the square, and announced loudly.
"The verdict—announced to the world!"
A deafening cheer erupted from the crowd.
The cheers crashed against the throne like waves, slapping against the daimyo's pale face. He sat there, his fan lying at his feet, forgotten to be picked up.
Asuma stood in the crowd, without cheering. He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and the smoke blurred his expression.
The cheers continued for a long time before gradually subsiding. But the crowd did not disperse; they gathered in small groups in the square, excitedly discussing the events.
Someone mentioned the rumor that Daiming had lost control of his bladder three days ago, which drew laughter from those around them.
Some people were counting the names of the ministers kneeling in the square, commenting on their usual arrogant behavior without missing a single one.
Some people even started calculating how many people remained around the daimyo after this trial. After much calculation, it seemed there were none left.
No one knelt before the daimyo anymore. No one bowed their head in the direction of the daimyo's residence.
Kakashi stood at the edge of the plaza, watching the daimyo being helped down from the throne by his attendants, his steps unsteady, his hunting robes trailing long wrinkles behind him.
He withdrew his gaze and was about to call for Team 7 to assemble and return when an old voice came from behind him.
"Mr. Kakashi, please wait a moment."
Fujiwara Munetsugu behind the judge's bench.
He had changed out of his court robes and into plain clothes, looking less dignified and more tired than when he was presiding over the trial.
He walked up to Kakashi and bowed slightly.
"Lord Fujiwara," Kakashi returned the greeting.
"I was merely doing my duty."
Fujiwara Munetsugu waved his hand, his gaze falling on the lingering crowd in the square.
" Kakashi- kun, I have lived for sixty-seven years and served as an official in this capital for forty. Today is the first time I have ever seen a commoner dare to laugh out loud in the square in front of the Daimyo's residence."
He remained silent for a moment, as if carefully choosing his words.
"I know that Konoha could have dealt with these people directly without going through the Daimyo. But the Lord Hokage chose a public trial, choosing to let the people of the capital witness firsthand how justice is served. I sincerely admire this magnanimity and foresight."
He took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to him with both hands.
"This is a personal letter I wrote to the Lord Hokage. Please have Mr. Kakashi deliver it on my behalf."
Kakashi took the letter and put it in his pocket.
"Rest assured, Lord Fujiwara, I will certainly deliver it."
Fujiwara Munetsugu nodded, his gaze passing over Kakashi to Naruto behind him, Sasuke leaning against a tree with his eyes closed, and Sakura handing Naruto a water bottle. His eyes softened slightly.
" Konoha is fortunate to have such young people; it is a blessing for the Land of Fire." He bowed to Kakashi again. "Please tell the Lord Hokage to arrange for the Land of Fire officials to be appointed as soon as possible."
Every day of delay is a huge problem for the Land of Fire.
Also, please tell the Lord Hokage that if such a thing must happen, please give the Daimyo some face.
Kakashi nodded.
"I will convey this to Lord Hokage."
"That's good, Kakashi -kun."
Fujiwara Munetsugu nodded to Kakashi, then turned and walked towards the departing daimyo.
Kakashi nodded to his disciple.
"Let's go, your mission is complete. Let's go home."
"Great!" Naruto pumped his fist and jumped up.
The daimyo quickened his pace, leaving Fujiwara behind him.
After returning to his bedchamber, he instructed his servants to close the door.
Once the surroundings quieted down, he finally lost control and smashed the precious white porcelain teacup on the coffee table to the ground.
"Damn Madara Uchiha! He's actually afraid of that brat Shinsei!"
He still hasn't come out! With such a lack of magnanimity, no wonder he lost to Hashirama Senju back then.
" Ha ha ha ha!"
A wild laugh echoed in the bedchamber.
Damian was greatly shocked, and he turned his stiff body to look over.
A middle-aged man dressed in ancient armor had somehow appeared inside the sleeping quarters.
He had a head of wild, long black hair and a cold, handsome face.
The crimson Sharingan slowly rotated in the man's eyes.
" Madara Uchiha..."
Daming took a step back and sat down on the ground with a thud, a puddle of water slowly seeping out from his startled state.
Madara Uchiha frowned as he looked at the daimyo before him.
"Such a person dares to comment on Hashirama?"
The next moment, a flash of white light Issen.
A human head flew into the air and landed on the ground.