Chapter 29: Mina's Confession — Distinguishing Right from Wrong
"Hokage-sama, you heard that as well."
"Mm… Has Uchiha Mina been captured?"
"She's already in custody, placed in a separate interrogation room before your arrival. Would you like to observe the session?"
"Lead the way."
They moved swiftly through the ANBU-secured hallway to the next chamber. Inside, Uchiha Mina sat alone on a metal chair. Her face was pale with fear, lips trembling. She looked like a civilian child facing a firing squad—nothing like a shinobi.
Bang!
The door flung open. Yamanaka Takuya stepped in with cold precision, took a seat opposite her, and began the interrogation without preamble.
"Tell me everything you did yesterday, in detail. If you confess, I may recommend leniency. You should know Uchiha Tonan tried to take the blame for you—but his story was full of holes. It was obvious he was lying."
He leaned forward, voice calm but stern. "If you don't confess, I'll have no choice but to proceed by the book. That means he dies."
Takuya's words were a calculated bluff—but Mina didn't know that. And she cracked immediately.
"Tonan-kun… he tried to take the fall for me?" Her voice broke. "No… I won't let that happen. I… I did it. It's my fault. It has nothing to do with him."
Mina wasn't hardened or calculating—she was just an impulsive genin. Her emotions spilled out, unguarded.
"Why did you kill Hyūga Chiryo?" Takuya pressed.
"I… I'm sorry. It wasn't planned. I lost control. I was angry—furious."
"I asked why," Takuya repeated, sharp as a kunai.
"She killed Yuki-chan… and then tried to seduce Tonan-kun with her… body. She was naked in front of him! I just… I lost it!"
"Yuki-chan?" Takuya blinked.
"My cat. Tonan-kun gave her to me. It was his first gift. She killed Yuki and then tried to take him from me… I—I wasn't thinking straight."
Takuya scribbled the motive into his notes. Emotion-driven… jealousy, revenge. Weak impulse control. Textbook.
"Alright. Start from the moment you woke up yesterday. Don't skip anything. If you lie, I'll know."
Mina began to recount her day. Takuya listened quietly, jotting notes as she spoke. When she finally finished, her shoulders sagged with hopelessness.
"That's everything… Tonan-kun… I'm sorry. Thank you for trying, but I'll bear the consequences."
Takuya nodded and stepped out, approaching Sarutobi Hiruzen, who stood nearby with arms crossed and brow furrowed in thought.
"Hokage-sama. According to Uchiha Mina's confession, she is indeed responsible for Hyūga Chiryo's death. This is the full report."
Hiruzen took the document and reviewed it thoroughly. The timeline, motive, and even details matched Tonan's diary. On the surface, it seemed consistent.
"This appears accurate."
Still, Takuya hesitated. "Something feels off."
Hiruzen glanced up. "What do you mean?"
"I'm not sure. It's just a gut feeling. Her confession lines up, but it feels too… clean. Convenient, even."
A Yamanaka's intuition wasn't something to dismiss. Hiruzen nodded solemnly.
"Regardless, killing a fellow shinobi—especially a Hyūga—is a capital offense. The rules are clear. Have someone from your clan scan her memories."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Takuya replied. But just as he turned, Hiruzen added, "Wait. Let's consult Tonan-kun first."
"…Yes."
Takuya didn't say it aloud, but it was clear to him now—Tonan's standing with the Hokage wasn't normal. Few genin, especially from the Uchiha clan, would ever be consulted like this.
Could it be… if Tonan objected, the Hokage might halt the memory probe altogether? Would he shield a condemned prisoner if Tonan asked?
In the other room, Tonan sat hunched over. His fingers were tangled in his hair. His entire frame radiated silent despair.
Hiruzen entered quietly and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"…Tonan."
The boy looked up, eyes wet. The moment he saw Hiruzen, the dam broke.
He collapsed into the old man's arms, sobbing. "Hokage-sama… I…"
Hiruzen held him like a father would a grieving son. "Child… I understand. But there are some things even we can't change."
"I'm sorry."
"Mina confessed. According to village law, she must be executed. That's the only way to give justice to Chiryo and preserve order in the village."
Tonan's eyes widened. "Executed…? She really has to die?"
"This isn't an internal Uchiha matter, Tonan," Hiruzen said gently but firmly. "The victim was a Hyūga. Favoritism isn't an option here."
In truth, Hiruzen had already made alternate plans—if Tonan resisted, he'd orchestrate a quiet escape, earning Tonan's loyalty for life. A risky move, but a calculated one.
To his surprise, Tonan slowly rose to his feet. The tears stopped. He took a breath, eyes steeled with resolve.
"I understand. Rules are the foundation of Konoha. I was selfish… Please forgive me, Hokage-sama."
He bowed deeply.
Hiruzen's eyes gleamed. Perfect. No resistance. No scandal.
After Mina's death, he'll have no attachments left. And when that happens, I'll be his last pillar. He'll be truly mine.
"You've matured, Tonan. The village is proud of you. Just remember—don't let this loss turn to resentment."
"I won't," Tonan replied calmly. "This is Mina's doing. I won't misplace blame. I know right from wrong."
Hiruzen nodded approvingly. "Since this involves a capital sentence, and a life is on the line, we will examine her memories to confirm her story."
At those words, a flicker of alarm crossed Tonan's face.
Not good. If they see everything, it'll all fall apart…
He forced himself to stay composed.
"…Will it hurt her?"
Hiruzen paused before answering. "If it takes too long, yes. It can cause mental damage. But the incident happened recently—we'll only need to scan her memories from yesterday. It shouldn't be too invasive… though the process can be unpleasant."
Tonan closed his eyes. "She must be terrified right now. As her boyfriend… I want to be by her side."
If she slips up, I can course-correct…
Hiruzen saw no reason to deny him. "Alright."