Sarutobi Hiruzen was furious beyond measure.
Uchiha Qianyu—
Killed civilians.
Killed a Sarutobi ninja.
Killed his own nephew.
After direct warnings.
After Shisui.
After everything.
Yet now—
The crowd waited silently for judgment.
They believed in the Hokage.
Because deep down—
They knew the true victim was the girl.
Not Jirō.
Hiyū cried out in grief.
"Hokage-sama! Please give the Sarutobi clan justice!"
Hiruzen approached slowly.
"Qianyu. Explain."
Qianyu pointed.
"Ask them."
The grandmother spoke.
Truth spilled out.
Hiruzen's face darkened.
"Hiyū."
"…Is it true?"
"Yes—but it was an accident!"
"I'm not asking that."
"I'm asking if you tried to protect him."
Silence.
Hiruzen exploded.
"You sheltered a murderer!"
"You disgraced the Sarutobi name—and me!"
Gasps rippled.
Justice.
At last.
Hiruzen turned.
"The murderer is dead."
"Justice is served."
"As for Sarutobi Hiyū—removed as clan head."
The victims collapsed in gratitude.
"Thank Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen shook his head.
"Thank Qianyu."
They bowed to Qianyu.
"Thank you for justice!"
Hiruzen gripped Qianyu's shoulder.
"You did well."
Qianyu replied calmly.
"I'll continue to do so."
Hiruzen smiled.
Cold.
As he led Hiyū away.
Praise erupted.
But Qianyu only felt sorrow.
The grandmother whispered:
"He wouldn't have killed him."
"But you did."
"Your blade… will never rust."
Qianyu nodded—
And walked away.
Spat upon the corpse behind him.