And Itachi was still announcing their crimes.
"Crime twelve: With their crimes about to be exposed, you conspired with Orochimaru to murder the Third Hokage!"
The Jonin's pupils constricted sharply, and they looked at Itachi in terror. Then they looked at Shisui, Fugaku, and the Uchiha Clan Members.
Scenes from that time replayed in their minds.
Hiromi leaving the village to find Orochimaru, the kidnapping of the One-Tail Jinchuriki, Orochimaru impersonating the Kazekage, One-Tail wreaking havoc in the Sarutobi Clan Compound, the Uchiha Root Members blocking people to assist, Orochimaru...
The more they thought about it, the more terrified they became.
These events came together to form one answer— "Was the Third Hokage killed by the Uchiha?!"
The Jonin broke out in cold sweat and gulped, filled with panic.
Standing beside the Uchiha clan, they felt as if they were standing next to demons and just wanted to flee in fear.
But after fleeing, where would they go?
They looked at Koharu and Homura standing opposite them. Those two were certainly not good people. The business with Danzo was obvious once one thought about it.
Of course, Hiruzen was no saint either. Although he spoke eloquently, they were not Naruto, he couldn't manipulate them.
Otherwise, why didn't they see them risking their lives to save Hiruzen before he died?
So, the Uchiha were intending to...
Preserve Hiruzen's reputation and dump all the blame on Koharu and Homura?
Was it to preserve the authority of the Hokage position? Or for some other reason?
The Jonin were suspicious and uncertain, but deep down, they no longer had any thoughts of opposition.
Because the authority of the Hokage position was very important!
Furthermore, for the sake of Hiruzen's reputation, having those two useless Hokage Advisors, Koharu and Homura, die was a great thing with only benefits and no drawbacks.
Itachi continued.
"The thirteenth crime: Koharu and Homura, in collusion with their clans, were cowardly and fearful of death. During the Nine-Tails incident, the war against Iwagakure and Kumogakure, and the Fourth Great Ninja War, this was always the case!"
The Jonin nodded in agreement.
Especially since before they had even entered the village, all the credit had been snatched by them.
Although the greatest credit wasn't theirs, their minor contributions were also won between life and death.
For a moment, the gaze they directed at Koharu and Homura became cold.
There was definitely some slander mixed in, but at least several of the points were true.
"The fourteenth crime."
"There's more?" The Jonin were astonished.
Itachi said, "Using their positions as Hokage Advisors, they sucked the blood of the village, causing Konoha's finances to fall into deficit!"
"I hereby sentence Koharu and Homura to death!"
"Do it!"
Immediately, the Uchiha Clan Members restrained them. They were tied up with ropes, their mouths stuffed with smelly socks, and their hair disheveled.
In an instant, the Hokage Advisors were reduced to prisoners, unable to even speak a word. Their bodies struggled helplessly, their eyes were fierce, and angry muffled sounds came from their throats.
Jiraiya, with an unbearable expression, stepped out. "Wait."
Itachi looked at him calmly. "What? Are you saying they didn't do these things? Or was it the Third Hokage who did them?"
Jiraiya opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word. In the end, under the incredulous gazes of Koharu and Homura, he stepped back.
Itachi took them away.
The small clans and civilian ninjas standing beside them breathed a sigh of relief.
But the next second, the Uchiha Clan Members seized them as well.
"What are you doing!"
"We didn't do those things!"
"We don't know anything!"
"On what grounds are you arresting us!"
Fugaku, who was passing by, stopped. With a fierce look, he said coldly, "Aiding the evildoer is the same crime."
They widened their eyes, thinking it was outrageous. They had only supported Jiraiya for Hokage as recommended by Koharu and Homura. They wanted to speak, but their mouths had already been stuffed, so they could only look at their friends standing on Shikaku's side, full of hope. But their friends lowered their heads, not daring to respond.
In disbelief, they could only look at Shikaku, hoping he would speak a word of justice. But they only received a helpless sigh from Shikaku: "Sigh."
They were stunned.
In their minds, they recalled the words Shikaku had said to them— "When the time comes, follow behind me to preserve yourselves."
Immediately after, tears streamed down their faces.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
Shikaku couldn't understand, but he could roughly guess— "Do not implicate my wife and children!"
But... how could that be possible?
The Uchiha now would definitely want to eliminate them thoroughly.
The Uchiha clan left.
The Jonin looked at Shikaku with worried expressions.
"Captain Shikaku..."
They felt the Uchiha were too bloodthirsty and cruel.
Shikaku glanced at them and said, "This is already a concession from Hiromi."
If not for the fact that he wanted to see my choice, I fear Konoha would have become a village of blood.
When the word "Hiromi" was mentioned, they didn't know why, but they actually felt that what the Uchiha clan had done wasn't that cruel.
After all, they had once been like that too. If it doesn't concern you, don't get involved. They should have been guilty of the same crime.
Konoha...
It's about to change.
—
Utatane Clan Compound.
"What are you doing!"
"Do you know where this is!"
"This is the clan compound of the Hokage Advisor Koharu!"
"This is the Utatane Clan's compound!"
"Wait! You are... the Uchiha clan?"
"Stop! Hurry and stop!"
"Is the Uchiha planning to rebel!!!"
No matter how angrily the Utatane clansmen resisted, the Uchiha Clan Members' speed did not pause in the slightest. After all, they had to be quick, at least faster than the Mitokado Clan on the other side.
Therefore, for those who resisted, the Uchiha Clan Members showed no mercy and killed them directly.
Only important figures like the Utatane clan head and elders were spared, to be escorted to the front of the Hokage Building.
***
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