Everyone was shocked. Transformation techniques were common, but this human skin mask was quite rare. Seeing Tsuchibutori Kenji pressed to the ground and hearing the various crimes he had just been accused of, the villagers showed expressions of disgust. They began throwing rotten vegetables and spoiled eggs at him, filling the air with a foul, sour, and stinking odor.
The reason everyone dared to vent their anger without fear of being targeted by Tsuchibutori Kenji later was because his crimes were too severe. According to the laws established by Ryun, this man was undoubtedly facing the death penalty. Since he was a dead man walking, what was there to fear? Just go all out!
Uchiha Kiyoshi lifted the sealed Tsuchibutori Kenji to block the incoming spoiled eggs and rotten vegetables, seeing nothing wrong with it.
Tsuchibutori Kenji, however, glared furiously at the villagers, inwardly cursing them. 'Damn these troublesome commoners! If I'm lucky enough to survive this, every single one of you will pay!'
Hyūga Hizashi narrowed his eyes and shouted, "Please stop, villagers present."
Hyūga Hizashi was well-liked. Having joined the Konoha Military Police Force and risen quickly, he had gained considerable status within Konoha Village, even earning respect from the Hyūga clan itself.
Upon hearing him, everyone quickly stopped and looked at Hyūga Hizashi, confused. Why was he stopping them from venting their anger? It wasn't like this in the past.
But out of trust for the Konoha Military Police Force, or rather, trust in the Fourth Hokage, Ryun, they believed the Police Force must have their reasons.
Hyūga Hizashi smiled and said, "Thank you everyone for giving me, and the Police Force, face. As you all have seen, Tsuchibutori Kenji has committed countless serious crimes. Combined, these crimes warrant the death penalty; there is no escape."
"However, just now, the look he gave everyone was clearly full of anger. That means he wants to seek revenge. Therefore, to eradicate any future trouble and uphold the Hokage's ideology—that murderers must pay with their lives, and those who commit heavy crimes must die—I ask everyone to step back."
"I am about to pass judgment on him here and now. This will, on one hand, put an end to the sins he has committed, and on the other, reassure everyone that a criminal like this will have no chance to seek revenge!"
The villagers' eyes lit up upon hearing this, and they applauded. "Well said, Captain Hizashi! Executing him publicly is the best outcome."
"Exactly! His glare just now was terrifying. If he doesn't die, I think many people won't be able to sleep well before his execution!"
"Kill him! Kill this deeply sinful criminal! Avenge the innocent!"
"Everyone, step back a bit. Don't get in Captain Hizashi's way during the execution!"
The villagers expressed various opinions, but most advocated one point: execute the criminal on the spot. After all, everyone feared this criminal might escape, change his face, and come back for revenge. This was something the villagers could not accept.
"Fuck you, Hyūga Hizashi! You have no right to judge me! Sentencing me to death requires layers of approval from the Police Force. You only have law enforcement power, not disposal power. What you're doing is illegal!" Tsuchibutori Kenji knew the law.
To be precise, someone with serious crimes and a prior record like him had studied the law because he wanted to exploit its loopholes to protect himself. For now, what he said wasn't wrong.
The villagers looked worriedly at Hyūga Hizashi. Even Ryun was observing from the shadows, wanting to see how Hyūga Hizashi would handle the situation.
Hyūga Hizashi laughed, a cold laugh full of contempt. "The Konoha Military Police Force exists for the villagers, for Konoha. That is the iron rule. You now pose a threat to the villagers' safety. Admittedly, what you say is correct; procedural justice should be followed."
"But I, Hyūga Hizashi, even if I have to strip off this uniform, will execute you on the spot for the sake of the villagers' personal safety!"
"Afterward, I will report everything to the Hokage. Then, whether I am sentenced or not will be decided by the Hokage and the higher-ups." After saying this, Hyūga Hizashi drew the katana he carried with him and walked toward Tsuchibutori Kenji.
Tsuchibutori Kenji turned pale. "Madman! You're all madmen! Do you know what kind of impact killing someone on the street without following procedural justice will cause?!"
Hyūga Hizashi remained silent, still approaching him. The villagers spoke up, "Captain Hizashi, there's no need to burden yourself for a piece of trash like this."
"That's right, Captain Hizashi. We appreciate your kindness. You are a good official. Please endure for now to keep the peace, take a step back for a broader perspective!"
"Captain Hizashi, don't be impulsive!"
Ryun watched all this and nodded. When officials have the villagers in their hearts, the villagers will also hold their officials in high regard and consider their well-being.
Coming from among the masses, returning to serve the masses, using one's power to solve the villagers' problems and serve them—this was the kind of official Ryun approved of.
Thinking of this, Ryun pushed through the crowd, holding Tsunade's hand, and appeared before Hyūga Hizashi. A Susanoo arm blocked Hyūga Hizashi's katana.
Hyūga Hizashi was stunned. He looked at Ryun, then his heart trembled. "Lord Hokage!" Hyūga Hizashi knelt on the ground, his heart tightening. He couldn't gauge Ryun's intention at this moment, so he only said, "Lord Hokage."
Tsuchibutori Kenji's eyes lit up. He quickly crawled to Ryun's feet and pleaded, "Lord Hokage, please control your subordinate!"
"Killing someone on the street—such a vicious act! I know I can't escape death, but we can't disregard procedural justice like this! Even prisoners have human rights!" Tsuchibutori Kenji was stirring trouble. Even if he died today, he wanted to strip Hyūga Hizashi of his authority.
Ryun glanced at Tsuchibutori Kenji, his eyes cold. He sneered, then summoned his Susanoo to grab Tsuchibutori Kenji and lift him into the air.
Then, Ryun turned around, patted Hyūga Hizashi on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Hizashi, well said. Procedural justice is important, but for the safety of the villagers, it becomes unimportant."
"I am pleased that you understand the governance I preach. But don't dirty your hands with this kind of scum. I would feel heartbroken if you did." As he spoke, Ryun snapped his fingers.
The golden-red Susanoo arm suddenly exerted force, crushing Tsuchibutori Kenji. White and red matter intertwined and fell to the ground.
Since the villagers were relatively far away, the dirty substances did not stain them.
Hyūga Hizashi was stunned. He had originally thought Ryun would punish him for his impulsiveness. He never expected him to step forward now to support him and stand up for him.
Ryun looked at Hyūga Hizashi, sighing inwardly. 'He has the makings of a good official, but he's too young. If someone were to use this as a handle against him, his political career would end here.'
Therefore, Ryun chose to intervene. His status as Hokage, and former head of the Military Police Force, meant that both before and now, he had the authority to decide the life and death of a criminal without anyone being able to hold it against him.
The villagers were first stunned, then looked at Ryun with fervent eyes, shouting, "Long live Lord Yondaime (Eternal Flash)!"
"Long live Lord Hokage! Lord Hokage rids the people of evil!"
"We swear to follow Lord Hokage to the death, supporting all of Lord Hokage's ideologies!"
The villagers might not have been educated, but they knew who was good and who was bad.
Those who were educated and intended to enter public service narrowed their eyes, recognizing that Ryun's intervention was meant to protect Hyūga Hizashi.
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