This lengthy accusation stunned everyone present except Uchiha Yato.
They all thought to themselves, "You really know how to pile on the charges against Shimura Danzo, don't you?"
Uchiha Kei understood the underlying strategy best—Uchiha Yato was deliberately exaggerating Shimura Danzo's crimes in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen to pressure the Hokage.Sarutobi Hiruzen maintained his smile and said, "Yato~."
"So, what about the accusation of inciting underage children?"
"Aburame Ryoma."
"What about the Uchiha seedling?"
Uchiha Yato pointed at himself and said, "This humble one is none other than the seedling."
Hearing this explanation, Sarutobi Hiruzen's composure was beginning to falter.
"Ding~"
"Host has caused Sarutobi Hiruzen's emotions to fluctuate."
"Congratulations to the host for obtaining 20 emotional coins."
This notification made Uchiha Yato even happier.
Because he knew today would surely be a harvest day—there was still a big catch waiting.
Shimura Danzo hadn't arrived yet, so there would be another wave to reap later.
At this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen no longer wanted to engage in idle talk with Uchiha Yato and said, "To summarize your point, Elder Danzo incited Aburame Ryoma to attempt murder against you?"
"But as it stands, there was no actual murder, and you yourself suffered no harm."
"Let the Aburame clan head take him back for discipline. He's just a child—please forgive him."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was quite satisfied with this line of reasoning.
"He's just a child." This phrase was something he had learned from Uchiha Yato, and now he was returning it to him.
All of this was within Uchiha Yato's calculations. After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo were two peas in a pod.
So it was only natural that the Third Hokage would try to whitewash Danzo's actions.
What started as an accusation of murder had now been reduced to a child's mischief.
What began as a demand to punish Danzo had turned into letting the Aburame clan head handle the discipline.
Without exception, everything was aimed at absolving Danzo of blame.
Before Uchiha Yato could speak, Uchiha Kei interjected, "Lord Hokage, there seems to be a misunderstanding."
"We currently have irrefutable evidence that Shimura Danzo incited the crime."
"We wish to conduct a fair and public trial in your presence, which would also aid in your governance of the Hidden Leaf."
For Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had just assumed the role of Hokage, every day was a hectic struggle.
Shimura Danzo's establishment of Root was not only meant to alleviate his burden but also served as compensation for Danzo's failure to become Hokage.
Now, Sarutobi Hiruzen was considering whether to sacrifice a bit of his old friend's interests in exchange for the goodwill of both clans.
Even in this matter, the Sarutobi and Hyuga clans had been dragged into it to some extent.
Sarutobi Hiruzen then asked, "What is a trial?"
Uchiha Yato quickly stepped in to explain.
Not because he feared Uchiha Kei would misspeak, but because the term "trial" was something Uchiha Yato had introduced to the clan, and he worried they might not fully grasp it yet.
"We've constructed a building in a remote part of the Hidden Leaf."
"This building's purpose is to adjudicate landmark cases."
"For example, if Sarutobi Kakuya and Hyuga Hakuya get into a fight and someone is injured."
"The Uchiha verdict might call for both to be executed."
"But others might argue this is too rash and that they should be given a chance to reform."
"This is where our newly built structure—the courthouse—comes into play."
"Its role is to judge, deliberate, and explain to the public the crimes committed by the two and the resulting punishment."
After hearing a rough outline of the courthouse's function, Sarutobi Hiruzen grew somewhat intrigued.When it comes to new things, men and children are always on the same side—age makes no difference.
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, "Yato, I believe you hadn't finished your explanation earlier. How does it work, and how does it carry out judgment?"
Hearing Hiruzen's inquiry, Uchiha Yato was overjoyed inside. Questions meant Hiruzen was already interested, and there was potential to proceed further. This was the perfect opportunity to drag Shimura Danzo into the mix while also clearing the Uchiha Clan's name a bit.
Yato explained, "Lord Hokage, mere words won't do it justice. A single demonstration is worth a thousand explanations. Look, we have a case right here that's perfect for testing it out. Wouldn't this kill two birds with one stone? If successful, managing the Hidden Leaf would become much easier."
Just as Hiruzen was still pondering, Danzo arrived at the Hokage Building and entered the office. He didn't come alone—he brought the other two members of the Hidden Leaf's F4, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Danzo immediately spoke up, "I heard the Uchiha were looking for me, and even came to the Hokage about it."
At this point, Yato turned on his acting skills. "Lord Danzo, how cruel of you! You sent a seven-year-old child to kill me—was it because I overshadowed your reputation on the Rain Hidden Village battlefield? Are you holding a grudge?" His words carried a hint of theatrical distress.
Danzo quickly composed himself and retorted, "Nonsense! You were the one who mocked my reputation back then. Afterward, you even used your clan leader as an excuse to brush me off—and I didn't even hold it against you. Why would I trouble you over something so trivial? Don't flatter yourself or make baseless accusations."
Yato had some skill, but not enough. His outburst was meant to steer Danzo into revisiting past events, ensuring Hiruzen wouldn't dwell too much on the current matter—at most, it would be settled later. Danzo, easily baited, didn't distance himself from the topic and instead followed Yato's lead.
Everyone present could see through the situation. If you didn't step back, others would notice.
Hiruzen smoothly intervened, "Alright, that's all in the past. No need to dredge up old grievances here. Danzo, you too—why bother with the younger generation? Let's discuss another matter instead. The Uchiha Clan has proposed a new interrogation method—open, fair, and comprehensive. I'm considering a trial implementation in the village. What do you all think?"
See? This was why he became the Third Hokage. His diplomatic finesse was leagues above Danzo's. By redirecting the conversation, he settled the issue while subtly reminding Yato not to overstep his bounds.
Danzo finally caught on. "Since the Hokage has decided, we'll proceed as you suggest." With that, Danzo stood beside Koharu and Homura, observing Yato and the others' reactions.Uchiha Yato spoke up, "Since the matter has been settled and will commence in two days, we shall now make our preparations."
"Then we won't disturb the Hokage any further today. We take our leave."
With that, at Sarutobi Hiruzen's signal, the three of them hurriedly departed.
Now only the Leaf's F4 remained to hold their small council meeting.
This time, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were the first to speak. "Hiruzen, what exactly happened this time?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave his two old friends a general explanation about the incident Shimura Danzo had provoked.
Shimura Danzo declared, "Everything I do is for the sake of the Hidden Leaf."
"Those wicked brats of the Uchiha Clan need to be taught a lesson!"
"But you, Hiruzen—"
"How could you so easily agree to the Uchiha Clan's demands? At the very least, we should have made them pay a price."
Hearing these words, Sarutobi Hiruzen grew displeased.
He had gone out of his way to clean up Danzo's mess, only for the man to show no appreciation.
After some back-and-forth between the two, the classic Hokage moment finally arrived.
"Enough! I am the Hokage!"
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
With that, Shimura Danzo stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
To ensure the door wouldn't be in the way later, Danzo even ordered his subordinates to take it away.
With these two iconic lines, the Leaf's F4 meeting concluded, and preparations began for the trial at the Leaf Court.