Sarutobi Hiyu's words struck the victim's family like thunder.
"Clan Head… what are you saying…?"
The girl's father trembled, his eyes hollow and dry, as though even tears had abandoned him.
Hiyu ignored him and fixed his gaze on his son.
"You believed there was a rabbit in the grass and used your Blazing Flame Technique to test its power."
"So this was merely an accident."
"Isn't that correct?"
Even Jiro understood the lifeline being offered.
"Yes! Yes!"
"Father, I didn't know! It was an accident!"
Hiyu nodded solemnly.
"I see…"
"A tragic accident."
He turned and grasped the grieving father's hands so firmly the man could not pull away.
"As a father, I understand your pain."
"Though it was an accident, I will ensure justice."
"My son will be disciplined."
"As for your daughter… the dead cannot return."
"Name your compensation."
The father stood there, stunned, unable to speak.
The elderly grandmother crawled forward.
"We don't want money!"
"Nothing can replace her life!"
"We want him to pay!"
For a brief moment, something cold flickered in Hiyu's eyes—
But it vanished instantly.
"Revenge solves nothing."
"He did not intend it."
"If everyone sought private justice, the world would collapse."
"Wouldn't you agree?"
Her voice cracked as she cried out:
"Is it because you are shinobi and we are civilians?"
"Because you are powerful?"
"Is this justice?!"
Silence fell.
No one answered.
Jiro's lips curled faintly into a smile.
…
"Not right."
The words sliced through the silence.
A flash of steel descended like lightning.
Through the crowd.
Through indifference.
Through injustice.
A clean arc.
A single strike.
Blood sprayed.
A head fell.
Uchiha Chiba stood beside Hiyu.
Sarutobi Jiro's head rolled to his feet.
Chiba's boot came down hard, stopping it.
The headless body collapsed to the ground.
Screams erupted from the crowd.
Hiyu turned slowly.
He saw the head.
He saw the body.
The color drained from his face.
"You—"
"What have you done?!"
"Executing my duty."
Chiba stepped forward, helped the grandmother to her feet, and gave a small nod.
"I am Uchiha Chiba."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
His name carried weight.
And in this moment—
No one believed he was wrong.
Hiyu roared in fury, drawing his blade and lunging forward.
Chiba blocked the strike without even turning.
Steel rang sharply.
"Interfering with Police Force operations."
"Attacking an officer."
"Punishable by death."
He forced Hiyu back with a powerful shove and struck again.
Hiyu barely retreated in time, rapidly forming hand seals.
"Fire Release: Blazing Flame Technique!"
A torrent of flames roared forward.
Chiba responded instantly.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique!"
The two streams of fire collided violently in midair.
Flames exploded outward.
Then—
"Stop!"
A commanding voice cut through the clash.
The crowd parted.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, arrived.
Chiba glanced at him.
Then tightened his grip on his blade.
And only then—
Ding!