To think he would abandon the interests of the village just for his own personal vendettas. It was truly shameful. Rage burned in the hearts of those present.
Hyūga Hiashi was equally furious. He never imagined the village truly had a mole, and that the mole was actually the Third Hokage. This betrayal had nearly led to the total annihilation of his clan's elites. If the Hyūga elites deployed to the front lines had all died on the battlefield, what would have happened to the family? How could he have faced his ancestors?
Ryōsuke felt a surge of satisfaction seeing the Third Hokage admit to his crimes. This was perfect; he wanted to see who would dare plead for mercy now.
Hyūga Hiashi spoke up at that moment. "I support the death penalty."
The Third Hokage's actions had thoroughly enraged him. Only a death sentence could vent the fury in his heart.
Ryōsuke, pleased with the Hyūga head's answer, turned to question the other clans. "And what about the heads of the Ino-Shika-Chō clans, as well as the Inuzuka Clan Head?"
Nara Shikaku sighed. He hadn't expected the Third to do such a thing. Since it had come to this, there was no other way. "Let the judgment proceed according to the regulations of the Leaf Village."
The other three remained silent, signaling their agreement with Shikaku. None of the other clan heads spoke up either, indicating they had no objections. They didn't dare object, fearing they might be suspected as accomplices.
The Third Hokage had gone too far this time. While the murder of Shisui might not have been enough to warrant the death penalty given his status as Hokage, leaking military secrets to the Cloud Village and acting as an informant was pure treason. Such a grave crime was absolutely unforgivable.
Seeing that no one had any further objections, Ryōsuke asked one final question. "Third Hokage, do you have any objections yourself?"
Hiruzen felt a sense of grievance. 'What a ruthless person, making me judge myself.'
By now, he knew his life could not be saved, and he felt a hint of regret for his actions. Perhaps it would have been better to step down earlier, but there was no medicine for regret. However, he still had his clan to protect.
"I did these things alone. I accept the judgment, but this has nothing to do with my clan. Please, do not involve them."
The clan heads watching the Third accept his fate felt a sense of helplessness. This Third Hokage was far too disappointing. Compared to the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage, he wasn't just "worse"—he had betrayed the village and the Will of Fire.
As for letting the Sarutobi clan off? Would the Uchiha clan allow it? Absolutely not. The Third's treasonous actions had nearly caused the destruction of both clans. Even if they spared the Sarutobi clan, they felt certain the Uchiha would suppress them ruthlessly.
It would be just like after the Nine-Tails Rampage, when the Uchiha clan was wrongly suspected and suppressed until they couldn't even hold their heads up in the village. The Sarutobi clan would now suffer the same fate. Thinking of this, the clan heads present also felt a twinge of guilt; they had not only wronged the Uchiha but had nearly allowed a catastrophe to occur.
Uchiha Yatsushiro sneered inwardly. 'After the humiliation you heaped upon our clan, did you think the Uchiha would ever show the Sarutobi clan a friendly face?'
At that moment, however, Ryōsuke spoke. "As long as the Sarutobi clan does not violate the regulations of the Leaf Village, I won't go out of my way to find trouble with them."
The Third Hokage looked up in disbelief. Could it be that his opponent really wouldn't target his family? "Do you give me your word?"
Ryōsuke replied with disdain. "Are you questioning me?"
Unless the Sarutobi clan sought their own death, he had no need to bother with such a minor family.
Uchiha Yatsushiro looked surprised. 'Ryōsuke actually chose to do this? Has he forgotten the past humiliation?'
Fugaku, however, approved of the decision. He would make sure to manage the clansmen later so they wouldn't harass the Sarutobi. Ryōsuke must have a deep reason for doing this.
The Third Hokage laughed loudly. "Remember what you have said. And I ask the clan heads to witness how the Uchiha clan conducts itself in the future."
"I have failed the trust of the Second Hokage. I will deal with myself now; there is no need for you to trouble yourselves."
With those words, veins bulged across his body and his expression turned twisted. His chakra surged violently within him as he ruptured his own meridians. The Third Hokage had fallen.
Aside from the Uchiha and Hyūga, everyone's hearts felt heavy. Although the Third Hokage had committed such a great wrong, committing suicide allowed him to maintain a final shred of dignity. They still hadn't completely reconciled their old impressions of him with this reality; it was a massive blow to their morale.
In contrast, Fugaku was excited. He admired the fact that the Third Hokage actually had the courage to commit suicide. At least it meant the Uchiha didn't have to dirty their hands. Now, the position of Hokage was vacant.
He couldn't be impatient, though. He had to see Ryōsuke's next move.
Ryōsuke also felt refreshed. The Third Hokage was gone, and he had died by his own hand to atone for his sins. This was the best outcome for the Uchiha clan; they wouldn't have to bear the reputation of killing the village's Kage, even if that Kage was a traitor.
"Bury the Third Hokage properly. Let him go to the underworld and explain himself to the Second Hokage."
Shikaku spoke up then. "Leave this to us. We will ensure the Third Hokage is buried properly."
The Third Hokage had done them favors in the past, after all. Burying him was a way to show their final gratitude. Ryōsuke naturally had no reason to refuse. "Then I'll leave it to you."
Shikaku quickly sent several clansmen to carry the Third Hokage's body away. There was no need for it to remain exposed here. While a grand public funeral in the village was impossible, they could still hold a significant private ceremony of their own. It was a fitting end for him.
Once the body was taken away, the scene fell silent. With no Hokage in the village, one clan head proposed, "Now that the Third has committed suicide to atone for his crimes, should we nominate a new Hokage candidate for the Daimyō's confirmation, so a new leader can guide the village?"
Several other clan heads voiced their agreement. "That's right. The village cannot be without a Hokage."
They all understood that the next Hokage would undoubtedly come from the Uchiha clan. This time, the Uchiha had displayed overwhelming dominance. Whether in terms of combat power, reputation, or seniority, they were firmly the number one clan in the village; no one could contend with them.
Even if the village nominated them, they still needed the Fire Daimyō's approval, though it was usually a formality. In the Land of Fire, the Daimyō managed the country, while the Leaf Village provided military support and protection. The Daimyō's office couldn't directly interfere with the village's internal decisions, even though the Leaf Village technically fell under its jurisdiction.
Ryōsuke, however, was in no rush to push his family forward. Now was not the right time; they had to wait for the shock of the Third's death to settle. If news of the Third Hokage's treason and suicide leaked, the village would be in turmoil, and the civilians might find it hard to accept.
Of course, the Uchiha would eventually take the position. Ryōsuke was also slightly annoyed that a Hokage nomination required the Daimyō's recognition. The Leaf Village held the ultimate military power; why should a mere Daimyō decide who sat in the Hokage's seat?
He spoke directly. "There is no rush to elect a new Hokage. We will hold a Clan Head Assembly in one week. Everyone should think carefully about who to nominate. Naturally, everyone has the right to suggest a candidate, and the Assembly will make the selection. This way, the person chosen will have the village's full support."
"What do you all think?"
The clan heads were stunned. 'He's not taking the next step? He really is patient.'
Naturally, they didn't object. The Hokage position would belong to the Uchiha sooner or later; the Uchiha could take it whenever they pleased. As for holding a "Clan Head Assembly," it was just a formality. Who had the ability or the guts to oppose the Uchiha? That would just be asking for trouble.
They all chimed in, "We will do as you say."
Unconsciously, they had started using honorifics. This man was the strongest in the Leaf, perhaps even the strongest in the ninja world. Someone this powerful would surely take the position himself.
It was clear that Uchiha Ryōsuke was presiding over the meeting, while Fugaku remained silent, letting Ryōsuke take the lead.
Ryōsuke then made another proposal. "The Third Hokage has committed suicide, and the two consultant elders have been dismissed for their crimes. However, the village's affairs still need someone to manage them. Let Nara Shikaku temporarily take over their duties. Nara Shikaku, are you willing?"
Shikaku was stunned. He hadn't expected the Uchiha to let him serve as the village's transition leader. He was incredibly surprised. 'What is the Uchiha clan thinking? Even if they aren't in a hurry to take the title, shouldn't they keep the village's administration in their own hands?'
Perhaps they simply felt there was no need to rush. The Leaf was already under their control.
"Very well, I have no objection." With the village in this state—the four high-ranking officials either resigned, dead, or executed—someone had to step up. He would do what he could for the village.
Ryōsuke then looked toward the two consultant elders. "Coordinate with Nara Shikaku and hand over your current work to him."
The two elders replied instantly, "Of course."
They didn't dare refuse. Danzō was dead, and the Third Hokage was dead. The fact that they were still alive was already a stroke of immense luck.