The night wind glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen. If it weren't for Hiruzen's sword just now, he would have already taken down Mitokado Homura.
Everyone was shocked by the terrifying half-tailed beast form of Mitokado Homura. They began pointing at him, whispering, and even some children threw stones.
"Ugh! You bunch of trash! Let me go!"
Danzo was chilled by the sight of Homura losing control.
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh. Takayama Haru's actions were aboveboard, giving neither Danzo nor Homura any excuse to argue.
"Takayama Haru, take them back to the ANBU for questioning."
So many people were watching. Hiruzen could no longer afford to show favoritism to his old classmates. If he did, his position as Hokage would be compromised.
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it." Hiruzen understood this principle very well.
Takayama Haru replied, "Third Hokage, apologies, but we've captured too many people. The ANBU facilities can't contain them all. Let's hold the interrogation right here in the square. It's fair and just, and it gives the people of Konoha an explanation."
Danzo, who had been watching coldly, widened his eyes at Haru's words.
Public interrogation? In broad daylight? Under the watch of everyone?
Mitokado Homura, trapped in the Vajra Staff prison, had just returned to normal after the half-tailed beast vanished. His consciousness snapped back, and in a burst of fury, the dark two-tailed chakra reappeared on his body.
Then his eyes hardened as the seal on his stomach broke.
Boom!
A massive explosion followed. The crowd was instantly thrown into panic.
The demon cat Nibi leaped from Homura's stomach seal, breaking the Vajra prison.
"Protect the villagers!"
Hiruzen shouted and immediately used the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu to shield the crowd. He surrounded the two-tailed beast with elite ninja squads.
Danzo backed away in a panic, horrified at the now-beastlike Homura.
"Hope you enjoy your stay!"
Takayama Haru formed a hand seal, and a massive wooden dragon rose into the sky, instantly binding the two-tailed beast.
Don't be fooled by the beast's ferocity—against Haru, it didn't last three seconds.
Roaring, the beast struggled briefly under the Wood Dragon Jutsu, then quickly quieted.
Haru turned to Hiruzen. "Third Hokage, he's too unstable for confinement. Any sealed space would collapse. The square is safer."
Hiruzen opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, members of the ANBU and the three major clans approached.
"So many people?"
"They're second and third-generation members of the three major clans!"
"It's them!"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and leapt forward.
Uzumaki Mito arrived then, followed by the heads of the Hyuga, Uchiha (Uchiha Shona), Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Nara clans—founding clans of Konoha.
"Lord Haru, we request a public trial—to explain everything to the villagers."
"As founding clans of Konoha, we are ashamed of this behavior."
"We ask Elders Danzo and Homura, and the three clan heads to give us an explanation."
The clan heads made their positions clear.
Hiruzen knew the matter had escalated. There was no way to protect Danzo anymore.
"Danzo, did you know this was happening in the village?"
Danzo sneered, pressing his hands together. "What are you talking about? I know nothing. Am I being arrested? Is there no justice left?"
"Elder Danzo, no need to panic."
Takayama Haru smiled. "Everyone, we are here to conduct a fair and public trial."
"We'll now begin interrogating certain members of the Shimura, Mitokado, and Koharu families, suspected of manipulating missions and falsifying achievements to gain promotions."
"Bring out the offenders."
"Yes, Lord Haru!"
ANBU members escorted suspects from the Shimura, Mitokado, and Koharu families.
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
"After so many years, it's finally happening."
"Look, isn't that Shimura Shin'nosuke, the clan head? Even he got caught. Haru really means business."
"Don't be naive. If the Hokage wanted to deal with the three clans, he would've done it long ago. Takayama Haru is the real deal—he's striking hard and fast."
"Yeah, I heard he has issues with the three clans."
Sarutobi Hiruzen could hear all the whispers. He realized this trial had cemented Haru's reputation.
As the ANBU dragged suspects into the night, one voice called out:
"Shimura Shin'nosuke, former head of the Shimura clan and ex-principal of Konoha Ninja Academy, is stripped of all positions and imprisoned!"
"For falsifying records in three S-rank missions, ten A-rank, and thirty-eight B-rank, your Jonin status is revoked. You are relieved of all duties and sentenced to prison!"
"Mitokado Ryota, for the same charges—stripped of rank and imprisoned!"
...Hundreds from the three major clans were arrested. Even a wheelchair-bound comatose veteran was taken.
Homura, regaining consciousness, coughed up blood and fainted at the sight.
Danzo's eye twitched. He stared daggers at Haru.
Over a hundred people arrested—all upper ranks or rising stars of the three great clans.
"Takayama Haru, you're ruthless! You're trying to destroy us!"
Danzo's eyes flashed with malice. If Haru was attacking them, they'd fight back.
"Haru, are the three clans the only ones guilty of this? Are you targeting us?!"
Haru waved his hand. "Don't worry, Elder Danzo. Others are coming too."
Then ANBU brought in a few individuals from the Uchiha, Hyuga, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Nara clans—less than ten in total.
Haru read out hundreds of names from the three clans.
Uchiha's clan head said bitterly, "I can't believe we had a traitor among us."
Hyuga's leader echoed, "We've shamed the village."
"We of the Yamanaka clan will not tolerate treachery."
"The Akimichi clan..."
"The Nara clan..."
"The Inuzuka clan..."
Compared to the three major clans, the others seemed like saints.
Danzo finally realized Haru had used this opportunity to cripple the three major clans while showing leniency to others.
With the support of the Senju and Uzumaki clans, Haru's crusade appeared righteous.
He didn't need brute force—he used justice.
One by one, Haru listed crimes and showed evidence, crushing the reputations of the three clans.
Danzo's face was blank, but he was trying to find a way out.
"Danzo, did you really not know about all this?"
"Elder Danzo, we want answers!"
"Yes, answers!"
Danzo growled, "I knew nothing! As a village official, I haven't been involved with the family's affairs for years."
"Lord Haru, this has been going on for twenty years. Are you saying no one reported this to you? You're the Hokage—how did you not know? This is your failure!"
Danzo flipped the script, accusing Hiruzen.
If the Hokage couldn't protect the three clans, they'd take him down with them.
"You—!"
Hiruzen took a deep breath. "As Hokage, I can't shirk responsibility. I was blinded by the administration. But what about your families? Over 200 people—how do you explain that?!"
Danzo answered coolly, "I'm no clan head. I've given everything to Konoha and its hidden forces. I became its root—for the village's sake."
"I know nothing of the family. I don't even have a son!"
"What responsibility do you expect from me?"
With that, Danzo disassociated himself from the scandal.
The audience was stunned.
Danzo's words, technically, made sense.
"Lord Haru, your accusations make no sense. I also have questions. How could you not have known about this? Konoha is rotten from the top down!"
"And what about Orochimaru? You protected him because he was your student. How many died because of his experiments?!"
Haru blinked. Danzo had now openly turned on Hiruzen.
In truth, Danzo wasn't trying to scare Haru—he just couldn't find Haru's weak spot.
Haru had been unknown, then suddenly eliminated the Third Mizukage and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Now, he was purging corruption.
Flawless.
Danzo was stunned. So he turned the public's attention to Hiruzen.
But Hiruzen hadn't protected the clans enough.
Haru hadn't expected this trial to both uproot the three major clans and cause Danzo and Hiruzen to fall together.
Would he become the ultimate victor?
As the scene threatened to spiral out of control, Haru stood up.
"Shimura Danzo! We have proof of your treason against Konoha!"
"You still dare deny it?!"
Everyone turned to Haru.
He revealed evidence.
Twice, Orochimaru had given him leads. Using those, Orochimaru found and handed over Danzo's crimes.
The experiments weren't Orochimaru's concern—he just liked the science.
Everyone's expressions darkened.
Danzo turned pale. Before he could speak, Haru used a wooden stake to bind him.
"Wha—?!"
Danzo stared in terror.
Haru said coldly, "Shimura Danzo, I'm not done."
He laid out photographs from the Hidden Cloud Village, proof of Danzo's illegal dealings. Orochimaru had staked out the area based on Haru's tip.
No one could deny the truth.
Danzo had indeed betrayed Konoha.
Still howling, Danzo's eyes showed fear, rage, and resentment. His operations had been so secret—how were they discovered?
Haru stared at the bandage on Danzo's right eye. Danzo suddenly felt a chill.
"Also, the death of Elder Uchiha Hokajin—you were involved!"
"You betrayed your comrades and stole their Sharingan!"
With a roar, Haru tore off Danzo's bandage, revealing the Sharingan eye beneath!
Gasps spread through the crowd as the truth was finally exposed!