"Ahem, ahem."
Hyūga Hiyasu stepped forward onto the stage.
"Hello everyone, I am the host of Konoha's first full public trial conference—Hyūga Hiyasu."
"First, let us welcome the Chief Judge of this trial conference, the Third Hokage-sama, who has led Konoha to prosperity."
Applause rang out.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and smiled, acknowledging the crowd.
But inwardly, he kept replaying one question—how did things end up like this?
Let's rewind the timeline to half an hour earlier…
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two top officials had rushed over.
The moment they arrived, Uchiha Kamito jumped out.
"Third-sama, you really knew your disciple's disciple was being bullied and came to back me up!"
Damn it, don't call me that—I never agreed to this!
But the moment those words were spoken, everyone present changed expressions.
Nara Shikaku, the Hyūga clan head, the Aburame clan head, and the Inuzuka clan head all looked at each other with strange expressions.
Since when did the Uchiha have such a good relationship with the Hokage? "Third and disciple's disciple"? Hiruzen's disciple is Orochimaru, and Orochimaru happens to be Uchiha Kamito's supervising teacher. It's entirely possible he secretly took Kamito as a student. Honestly… that sounds exactly like something Orochimaru would do.
Orochimaru: My reputation may not be great, I admit it—but you can't just slander me like this. Do you have any evidence?
On the Uchiha side, everyone was completely dumbfounded.
They had come fully prepared to clash head-on with the Hokage faction. After all, the Uchiha never feared trouble.
Kamito, aren't you supposed to be the most "Uchiha" of all Uchihas? How can you bow your head to the Hokage faction?
As for Shimura Danzō, his face turned even darker.
So that's why I suddenly got surrounded—and even Aburame barrier insects were involved. So you're the mastermind behind this, Hiruzen. Ruthless… truly ruthless.
The Uchiha clan head and Uchiha Fugaku, who arrived late, were utterly confused.
Meanwhile, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura looked at Hiruzen with admiration.
As expected of you, Hiruzen.
Hiruzen Sarutobi: Don't drag me into this—I didn't do anything!
Uchiha Kamito said he was investigating a criminal.
Shimura Danzō said, "Well played, Hiruzen."
It left Hiruzen feeling his scalp go numb.
Just then, Hyūga Hiyasu spoke up:
"Hokage-sama, why don't you all take a break? The Hyūga clan will make some preparations, and we can sit down and talk."
That suggestion was excellent.
"Then I'll trouble you, Hiyasu."
"No problem—serving Konoha is our duty."
...
And so, this scene came to be.
Tables and chairs were quickly brought in.
Now, a high earthen platform rose up.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura sat in the judge's seats, looking down from above.
On the left, the plaintiff's bench: the Uchiha Police Force.
On the right, the defendant's bench: Shimura Danzō.
Below them sat the jury: the Hyūga clan head, Uchiha clan head, Inuzuka clan head, Aburame clan head, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Chōza, Namikaze Minato…
Hyūga Hiyasu presided as host.
After briefly introducing everyone present, he continued:
"Now, we invite the plaintiff, Uchiha Kamito, to explain why he burned the mountain, why he deployed such a large-scale barrier technique in Konoha's back mountain, and what his objective was. Additionally, why was Konoha's high-ranking official, Shimura Danzō, surrounded within the barrier?"
The moment he said this, everyone present felt something was off.
This host… seemed a bit biased toward Shimura Danzō.
If Hyūga Hiyasu knew what they were thinking, he would surely smile and say—
A bunch of fools. What do you know about the power of first suppressing, then elevating?
"Third-sama—"
Hyūga Hiyasu immediately cut him off.
"Plaintiff, please be mindful of the solemnity of this occasion. Do not recklessly claim relationships. Address him as 'Honorable Judge.'"
That pretty much confirmed it—this host was biased.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, smiled in satisfaction. This young man from the Hyūga clan had potential. That "Third" nonsense had long become unbearable to him.
"Very well, Honorable Judge. I hereby accuse Shimura Danzō of harboring malicious intent, secretly stationing a large force near Konoha, with suspected plans to subvert the village."
The Uchiha: Damn! Kamito is still as fierce as ever—we misunderstood you before.
Hyūga clan head: Damn… this is getting huge. This is good.
Inuzuka clan head: Damn.
Aburame clan head: Damn.
Hiruzen Sarutobi: ??? How did things escalate to this point?
"That's bullshit!"
"Defendant, mind your language. If you continue disrupting the court, I have the authority to remove you."
"Who do you think you are, shouting at me like that?"
Rustle—
The entire Hyūga clan stood up at once, clearly backing Hyūga Hiyasu.
Seeing this, Shimura Danzō had no choice but to sit back down.
He was already at odds with the Uchiha. Adding the Hyūga on top of that was more than he could handle.
Fine… just you wait.
"Plaintiff, please continue your statement."
"Understood. This matter began when our Police Force received a report from Inuzuka Logistics. They discovered that unknown shinobi had placed contraband within their goods."
"Do you have witnesses?"
"Yes."
"Call the plaintiff's witnesses."
Inuzuka Misa and Inuzuka Ryuto stepped forward, recounting how they discovered the contraband and reported it.
At the same time, Uchiha Kamito crushed a recording insect.
A blue light screen appeared, showing a cat-masked, gray-clothed ninja tampering with the cargo at Inuzuka Logistics.
Seeing this, Shimura Danzō's lips twitched slightly.
What is that thing?
Before he could ask, Hyūga Hiyasu spoke first:
"Plaintiff, what exactly is this glowing blue insect in your hand used for?"
"I'll answer that."
Aburame Shiken stepped forward to explain.
"This is the latest product of our Aburame clan. It can record everything that happens within one hour. The theoretical basis comes from the Hokage-sama's Telescope Technique."
After all, it was his clan's product—of course he had to explain it properly.
Though he lacked someone to play along…
But as everyone knows, the straight man may be late—but never absent.
"Then may I ask—how did an Aburame clan insect end up in the Police Force's hands?"
"An excellent question. Our Aburame clan is dedicated to cultivating various insects. During that process, we produce many insects unsuitable for combat—but these insects have unique advantages in other areas. Take the recording insect, for example—it's useless in battle, but exceptionally gifted in recording."
At this point, Aburame Shiken took a breath before continuing:
"Kamito of the Police Force discovered that this insect has great advantages in law enforcement. It allows for large-scale monitoring of illegal activities and can also record the conduct of enforcement personnel—ensuring fairness, openness, and justice."
"And so, together with our Aburame clan, he established the 'Heavenly Net Plan.'"
The Heavenly Net Plan?
That… sounds like something ominous again!!!