Judgment Descends Upon the Naruto World

At this moment, nominally, Chiyu is still only the head of the Police Force. However, everyone can see that he has already taken hold of all authority in the entire Konoha Village.

Moreover, now he also has Uchiha Fugaku—who likewise awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—by his side.

With the Senju, Sarutobi, and Shimura clans all wiped out…

The Uchiha clan has truly become the absolute hegemon!

In a Hokage meeting without the Hokage:

Chiyu spoke calmly:

"Sarutobi Hiruzen is guilty of monstrous crimes; of course he deserves death. All the same, as the head of the Police Force, I'll still go about it according to the law—make his crimes public and subject them to a public trial.

Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Ibiki, you three will work with me on questioning him."

Those three exchanged glances, nodded silently, and gave their assent. Everyone could see clearly that this was Chiyu's method of establishing authority and persuading the entire village.

- Yamanaka Inoichi and Morino Ibiki need no further explanation: one is the deputy head of the Intelligence Division, the other heads the Interrogation Department, so it is natural for them to participate in the investigation.

- Meanwhile, Nara Shikaku is effectively the strategist and advisor for Konoha and represents the Nara clan, and in effect also the Ino–Shika–Chō trio. Chiyu having him join in the questioning is both for public fairness and to make the entire village accept the outcome wholeheartedly.

At that, Hyūga Hiashi spoke up:

"Chiyu-taichō, even though Sarutobi Hiruzen is toppled, our village has taken major hits—

The Anbu, the Sarutobi clan, and the Shimura clan have all been effectively wiped out, even the Uchiha themselves had some casualties…

Remember, previously Sarutobi Hiruzen was negotiating a peace arrangement with the Raikage to end the war with Kumogakure. By his usual ways, he would likely yield everywhere, sacrificing our benefits.

Now that he has suddenly fallen from power, it might be helpful—but Kumogakure likely won't let the matter rest.

And not just Kumogakure: the Land of Fire is basically a battlefield in the Four Great Wars, so the other big powers all watch like wolves.

The situation remains exceedingly precarious."

Chiyu said coolly:

"Whether they remain or not hardly matters.

If Kumogakure wants a fight, then a fight is what they'll get."

He said it so sharply and decisively that Hyūga Hiashi nodded in agreement:

"Well said."

Nara Shikaku let out a sigh:

"Even so, the village itself needs reorganizing. 'Root' was utterly vile, committing every crime under the sun and fully deserving annihilation, but the Anbu—covering espionage, assassination, infiltration, surveillance, etc.—is still an indispensable unit…

What is your view on how to proceed, Chiyu-taichō?"

Chiyu replied:

"Fundamentally, the tasks Anbu used to take on are simply normal missions that any big nation or any hidden village needs. They don't necessarily need the label 'Anbu.'

What's more, the Anbu has already lost its original function and turned into a private army under the Hokage's direct command… Kakashi."

"…Here, Chiyu-sama."

Even now, Hatake Kakashi had not fully emerged from the shock and dread. Yet hearing Chiyu call, he promptly answered.

Chiyu said calmly:

"I'm leaving Anbu's work to you."

Kakashi looked a bit troubled:

"Chiyu-sama, I…"

Chiyu continued in an even tone:

"You were already an Anbu Captain, with some subordinates loyal to you. No one is more qualified for the job than you."

Kakashi nodded:

"Since it is your command, I will do my utmost."

"Mm," said Chiyu.

"Remember: The new Anbu no longer needs to creep around in secrecy. You can actively recruit talent from every clan and from around the village."

On hearing that, each Patriarch's felt a stir in their hearts.

Clearly, Chiyu planned to be genuinely inclusive, unlike Sarutobi Hiruzen or Shimura Danzo—who had selectively groomed only their own trusted followers from childhood.

Take the Hyūga as an example: they have the Byakugan, a powerful bloodline for reconnaissance, infiltration, and intelligence, yet they'd rarely been brought into the Anbu.

For the Aburame, it was the opposite: though that clan's stealthy and cryptic style suited them for dark operations, their top talents had instead been folded into Danzo's Root—for instance, Torune and others, entirely overshadowed.

This had caused dissatisfaction among the Aburame.

But now, Chiyu is liberalizing the Anbu: they, or others with the right qualities, can show off their talents. Many of the clans felt quietly glad, believing that Chiyu would indeed keep his word.

In turn, Chiyu assigned tasks to each clan to restore stability to the shaken Konoha:

"Hyūga will handle recon and scouting.

Akimichi will handle defenses and garrisons.

Nara will take on planning and command, Yamanaka will be in charge of intelligence analysis, while the Inuzuka and Aburame shall coordinate in the middle, ready to respond at any moment.

As for the Uchiha clan and the Police Force, strengthen internal village patrols. Keep watch at all times.

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was captured alive, he may still have followers causing trouble. If you discover them, suppress them immediately. Show no mercy!"

"Yes!" they all replied.

By now the entire village, after the upheaval, needed exactly such a strong and decisive leader.

Finally, Chiyu said,

"In three days, I want the results of Sarutobi Hiruzen's interrogation. Let's publicly execute him in front of the whole village—both the shinobi and the common folks!"

"Yes—sir!"

…

Over the next three days, while Konoha still seemed uneasy, the reorganization ran smoothly.

Every clan performed its assigned duties diligently.

From Chiyu's perspective, these responsibilities also served as privileges—through which each clan gained added standing. They were all quite satisfied about that.

Simultaneously, the interrogation of Sarutobi Hiruzen remained the top priority.

He had long anticipated such a scenario, planting mental barriers, seals, curses, and so on within himself to keep certain secrets from leaking.

But…

With Chiyu personally involved—and with Yamanaka Inoichi, Morino Ibiki, and others adept at intelligence and interrogation—those seals turned out worthless.

They systematically exposed every vile deed from Hiruzen's past. Each piece was cross‐checked against confessions from Koharu, the captive survivors of the Anbu, and the Sarutobi clan, further corroborating the depth of Konoha's grim secrets…

…

In addition, Hiashi of the Hyūga brought an urgent message:

"Upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen has been removed from power, the Raikage in Kumogakure realized that the prior negotiation plan for a cease-fire is null.

Furious, he's preparing a hardline approach—directly targeting you, Chiyu-sama…

Hardly surprising, since you're the one who slew their entire diplomatic envoy before, not to mention messing up their plans. They won't want to let it drop."

Chiyu said only:

"Got it."

Hiashi hesitated:

"Chiyu-sama, Hiruzen's crimes aside, the village is severely weakened…

Anbu, the Sarutobi clan, and the Shimura clan are destroyed, and even the Uchiha have lost some men…

If the Raikage insists on war, Konoha must be prepared… as must we for attempts from other great nations…

Also, about holding a public trial for a former Hokage—some worry it may damage the village's reputation…"

Chiyu calmly shook his head:

"Holding a public trial for Sarutobi Hiruzen is precisely to defend Konoha's reputation.

'Breaking' must come before 'rebuilding.' If we don't fully expose these rotten misdeeds to everyone, how can we show our resolve to reconstruct everything?

As for the Fire Daimyō, there's no need to inform him in advance."

"…Yes, sir," Hiashi replied.

…

Three days later.

The original Hokage Tower, half-collapsed, its surroundings a wasteland.

Chiyu announced to the entire village that Sarutobi Hiruzen would be punished here in broad daylight.

Instantly, the population fell into an uproar, crowding the ruined site.

Many still clung to their old impression of the mild, benevolent Hokage. They found it unimaginable. Some indignantly believed the Uchiha's so-called "rebellion" must be behind it.

They clamored for Hiruzen's release.

Others, who approved of Chiyu's actions in punishing evil, cheered wholeheartedly.

Chiyu took no heed but stood calmly atop the wrecked Hokage Tower, with Uchiha Fugaku, Hatake Kakashi, and others at his side.

Representatives of the major clans also gathered.

Then Sarutobi Hiruzen—once lofty, now disheveled and bound, stripped of his dignity—was forced out along with Koharu and a handful of other prisoners. To be executed in public.

When they saw the onetime Hokage in shackles, many people cried out or fell into heated debate.

But an equally large crowd watched with grim satisfaction.

Chiyu didn't speak. Instead he merely gave a nod to Yamanaka Inoichi and Morino Ibiki.

Yamanaka Inoichi cleared his throat and stepped forward:

"Fellow shinobi and villagers of Konoha, over three days and nights of interrogation, we have thoroughly investigated the monstrous offenses of the former Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Now, let us publicly announce them for all the world to see!

In total, Sarutobi Hiruzen's crimes comprise at least ten major counts…"

~~~

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