Danzo's eyes flickered with annoyance as he interrupted.
"We did what was necessary. The priority was Konoha's survival—not the privileges of one family."
Kasi's voice rose just enough to send a subtle ripple through the room.
"Necessary?" he said coldly. "Is it necessary to erase the legacy of those who literally gave everything for this village? The Yondaime's family—Minato, Kushina, and myself included—and now you pretend this was for the village?"
Hiruzen's jaw tightened. He knew Kasi wasn't wrong in spirit, but the situation back then had been desperate. He could only hope Kasi would hear the explanation later.
Kasi's gaze swept over everyone, cold but steady.
"Very well," he said. "If this is your defense, then I will investigate the truth myself. But understand this—I am no longer powerless. And those who mismanaged what my family left behind… will answer to me."
The tension in the room thickened. Even Danzo, ever confident, felt a prickle of unease. Hiruzen exhaled slowly, realizing any misstep now could ignite a conflict he might not be able to contain.
Kasi leaned back lazily against the wall again, arms crossed, eyes still scanning.
"Not only my generation," he continued quietly, "even the generation after me and my brother—Naruto—has already given everything to this village."
Danzo scoffed, arrogance twisting his face.
"That brat? He's nothing but a tool for the village—a j—"
He never finished.
Kasi moved.
In a blur, his hand struck Danzo squarely across the face. The impact shattered Danzo's jaw and broke his nose in the same instant. Blood sprayed as Danzo staggered backward, collapsing to his knees, clutching his ruined face in shock.
The entire room froze.
Koharu and Homura gasped. Hiruzen's calm exterior cracked for the first time that night.
Shikaku Nara's eyes widened sharply.
Choza Akimichi took a half-step forward, instinctively.
Hiashi Hyūga's Byakugan flared openly now, his expression hard as stone.
Inoichi Yamanaka inhaled sharply, already realizing the political damage done in a single strike.
Shibi Aburame remained still—but the insects beneath his cloak stirred.
Kasi's voice, calm yet lethal, cut through the silence.
"I warned you," he said evenly. "Do not speak of my family that way again. And do not ever insult my nephew."
Hiruzen's eyes locked onto Kasi, a thousand thoughts racing behind them ready to make a move.
Danzo coughed, blood spilling between his fingers as he collapsed fully to the floor.
Kasi straightened slightly, the storm still burning in his eyes.
"Consider this a lesson," he continued. "The legacy of my family is not to be mocked… not to be exploited… and never to be reduced to a tool."
No one moved to help Danzo.
The clan heads remained where they were. A few exchanged brief glances. Others simply watched in silence.
For the first time in decades, Danzo Shimura lay on the ground.
No one rushed forward to help even fellow elder stay rooted in their place.
Not a single clan head spoke—but several nodded in thier heart.