Two days later.
The usually bustling streets of Konoha were unusually quiet. People whispered to one another, gathering in groups near the great wooden building now decorated with banners bearing the leaf insignia. Today was no ordinary day. For the first time in Konoha's history, a formal court trial was about to be held—an event that promised to determine the fate of none other than Shimura Danzo.
Inside the newly designated Konoha Court, the atmosphere was both ceremonial and tense. Rows of wooden benches stretched across the hall, filled with curious villagers, shinobi, and clan representatives. Everyone present had changed into new, formal clothing that looked strikingly similar to the suits commonly seen in foreign nations' courts.
People began whispering in amazement.
"Where did these clothes come from?"
"They don't look like anything from Fire Country traditions."
"They're so refined… almost elegant!"
Uchiha Kai, standing beside his younger clansman, gave a composed smile. "These clothes," he explained to those nearby, "come from the proceeds of the Uchiha clan's business with foreign tourists. We've been working hard to bring new styles into Konoha."
In reality, of course, the truth was different. These outfits were exchanged by Uchiha Yato through the mysterious system he alone could access. But Kai, who trusted Yato implicitly, lied with a steady tone. His explanation was enough. The villagers, charmed by the story and distracted by the novelty of the outfits, quickly accepted it.
Indeed, the clothes were undeniably beautiful. Tailored jackets, neat collars, polished shoes, and ties that shimmered faintly under the light of the ceiling lamps gave the shinobi an air of nobility. For once, Konoha looked less like a military village and more like a city of culture.
Yet among them all, Uchiha Yato was the most eye-catching.
Not content with merely changing clothes, he had altered his appearance in a flamboyant manner. His normally dark black hair was now styled into large, wavy golden curls that shimmered under the lights. The change gave him a radiant, almost regal presence. His sunny, confident aura contrasted sharply with the usual somberness associated with the Uchiha clan.
Walking gracefully across the courtroom floor, Yato approached the presiding figure—Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. He bowed slightly, then held out a neatly folded robe.
"Hokage-sama," Yato said with a respectful yet playful smile, "this is your travel attire, prepared specially for you. What do you think? Are you satisfied with its design?"
The Hokage glanced at the robe. It was elegant yet modest, its fabric dyed in warm earthy tones. For a moment, Hiruzen's stern expression softened. Though he would never admit it aloud, he quite liked the attire. It gave him a dignified, almost kingly air while still reflecting humility.
"Mm," Hiruzen replied, concealing his approval behind a cough. "It will suffice."
But his eyes betrayed his satisfaction.
The next to arrive was Shimura Danzo. He walked in with his usual rigid posture, his single eye darting sharply around the room. For a brief instant, even he seemed surprised by the attire of those present.
"These clothes…" he muttered under his breath. "So the Uchiha are flaunting foreign fashion now?"
Still, curiosity overcame him. He wanted to see how he would look in such attire. Just as the thought crossed his mind, an Uchiha staff member approached respectfully.
"Lord Danzo," the staff member said smoothly, "your outfit is slightly different from the others. For the sake of formality, please allow us to escort you to a private room to change. It will ensure the trial proceeds without interruption."
Danzo's sharp gaze narrowed. "Different?"
"Yes," the staff member replied with a serious face. "Unique. Tailor-made. Truly one of a kind—the best in the entire court today."
For a man who prided himself on superiority, those words worked like honey. Danzo's suspicion wavered, replaced by a flicker of pride. "Hmph. Very well. Lead the way."
He followed the staff quietly, thinking to himself, At least they still understand my worth.
Of course, the staff's words had been crafted by Yato himself. And though they sounded flattering now, Danzo would soon discover the cruel twist hidden within.
The preliminary ceremonies ended quickly. The air shifted; the trial was about to begin.
At the front of the court, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in the presiding judge's seat, his back straight, his expression solemn. On either side of him sat Uchiha Yato and Uchiha Kai, serving as associate judges. Their very presence unsettled two other figures—Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, the village elders and advisors.
The two exchanged glances before Koharu voiced their discomfort. "Hokage-sama," she said, her tone edged with displeasure, "we are both senior advisors of Konoha. Why are the seats beside you given to the Uchiha instead of us?"
A murmur spread across the courtroom. It was a fair question—traditionally, such positions of authority should belong to the Hokage's advisors, not the representatives of a single clan.
But Yato leaned forward, his golden curls shimmering under the light, and answered with practiced charm.
"Of course, the advisors of Konoha hold positions of utmost importance," he said warmly. "You represent the voice of Konoha's people—the will of the majority. Your roles are irreplaceable."
The words were delivered with such sincerity that the advisors, though initially offended, found themselves mollified. Their pride was soothed, their dignity preserved.
"Very well," Homura muttered, settling back into his seat. Koharu, too, relaxed, her frown easing into neutrality.
Meanwhile, Yato turned to address the rest of the courtroom. His voice carried clearly, deliberately inclusive.
"The cases we examine today are not only about the accused standing before us," he declared. "They are about Konoha itself—its justice, its fairness, its truth. Every villager, every clan, has the right to witness and understand what happens here."
The villagers in the gallery murmured approvingly. His words gave them a sense of importance, of being part of something larger than themselves. For once, they were not mere bystanders to the politics of the powerful; they were participants in the pursuit of justice.
With a sharp call of "Silence!" from the Uchiha staff, the trial officially began.
First, Sarutobi Hiruzen read out the formal opening. His voice, trained from decades of leadership, was steady yet commanding.
"The court of Konoha is now in session. We shall proceed with impartiality, fairness, and rigor. The rules are as follows…"
He read out the court rules, verified the identities of the parties, announced the panel members and clerks, and informed both sides of their litigation rights and obligations. He even asked if anyone wished to recuse themselves.
At first, the Hokage stumbled slightly over the unfamiliar legal jargon. But as he continued, he grew more confident, his rhythm smooth and authoritative. By the end, he sounded every bit the impartial judge. The villagers watched in awe—never before had their Hokage seemed so formal, so judicial.
Yato, seated beside him, observed quietly. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. This was exactly the image he wanted to project: fairness, openness, credibility.
Next came the plaintiff's statement.
The Uchiha Police Department, represented by Uchiha Renhuan, read out the complaint. The charges were grave: Shimura Danzo was accused of instigating crimes, orchestrating assassinations, and specifically attempting to kill Uchiha Yato.
Of course, Renhuan deliberately omitted the exaggerated charges Yato had concocted earlier, keeping the statement focused and serious. To fabricate too much would have risked ridicule.
The defense side followed. Danzo, scowling, had brought along a so-called defense lawyer—a Root member he had essentially kidnapped to stand in the role. But the poor man, confused and terrified, barely managed to mumble a defense before being silenced. The entire process was rushed, almost pitiful.
What followed was a flood of evidence. The Uchiha produced witness testimony, documents, and even intelligence reports pointing to Danzo's murderous actions.
But Yato was strategic. He chose not to reveal every dark deed of Danzo's past—such as his exploitation of other clans—for now. To expose too much would ignite open conflict between the Uchiha and the Hokage's advisors. Instead, Yato focused on the most relevant and undeniable proof: Danzo's attempt to assassinate him and the suspicious death of Uchiha Michiko.
Crucially, they now had solid evidence. Aburame Ryoma had been captured, interrogated with Uchiha methods, and cross-examined with the help of the Yamanaka clan. His testimony, combined with clan leader Aburame's reluctant support, gave the accusations weight.
On the witness stand, the Aburame clan leader sat stiffly. His thoughts churned with dread.
On one side, the tiger—the Uchiha. On the other, the jackal—Danzo.
If I take even one wrong step, the Aburame clan could be destroyed.
Meanwhile, Danzo sat at the defendant's seat, his face growing darker with every passing moment. His anger simmered—not only at the accusations but also at the humiliation he now faced.
Before the trial began, the Uchiha staff had promised him the "best outfit" of the court. But when he emerged from the dressing room, what he wore was not a refined suit, but a striped prisoner's uniform—complete with his name embroidered across the chest. To make matters worse, the back bore the mocking words: Best of the Match.
The entire courtroom had stifled laughter when they first saw it. Danzo, however, could not laugh. His one visible eye blazed with fury.
Yato…! he thought, clenching his fists. You dare mock me so openly?
But for all his rage, he could not storm out. Too many eyes were watching. Too many powerful figures stood against him. If he lost his composure now, he would lose everything.
"Ding~"
The familiar sound echoed only in Yato's mind.
"Congratulations to the host," the system chimed, "for causing a significant change in Shimura Danzo's mood. You have gained 50 emotion coins."
Yato kept his expression perfectly neutral. He had been trained well—never show your hand. Not even the twitch of a smile betrayed his inner amusement.
Around him, the Uchiha staff acted with equal professionalism, carefully guiding the proceedings. They even hinted to Danzo beforehand that this trial was being observed by more than just the Hokage.
In truth, Yato had cleverly spread a rumor that Uzumaki Mito herself had given guidance on the trial's fairness and openness. Of course, this was a lie—but a well-placed one. For intelligent people like Danzo, a mere hint was enough to make them overthink. They would rather endure humiliation than risk defying such a revered figure.
Thus, Danzo swallowed his fury and remained seated, enduring the trial.
The evidence piled higher. The arguments grew sharper. Tension reached its peak. Finally, the panel moved toward declaring Danzo guilty of serious crimes.
Just then, a voice rang out from the crowd.
"We feel this verdict is not fair enough!"
The hall fell silent. Heads turned toward the speaker, and the fragile balance of the courtroom trembled once more…
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