Chapter 191: Verdict, Execution

Kill Zhuanren Xiaochun? Maybe some have thought of it, but they would never dare to propose it outright; it's too bold and too dangerous.

The whole room fell silent, each person's breathing audible.

Is this the Hokage's intention, or is Uchiha Inaho speaking up because of his official duties? Everyone is pondering, but in fact everyone already has an answer.

How could the Fifth Hokage possibly protect Zhuanren Xiaochun as the Third Hokage did? Whether before or after becoming Hokage, he and Zhuanren Xiaochun should only have hatred, no affection.

Yet the Fifth Hokage placed an outsider like Zhuanren in such an important Finance Department; perhaps today's affair has been plotted by the Fifth Hokage for a long time!

Everyone remains silent, only Zhuanren Xiaochun, after a moment of shock, regains composure; at this moment her limbs are cold and her breathing rapid.

"Uchiha Inaho, you are clearly retaliating deliberately. I have only committed a few minor mistakes; how could it be so severe? Fifth Hokage, I am willing to return the borrowed assets and resign from the consultant position. In the name of the Third Hokage, and for my many years of service to Konoha, let me retire to my clan's land!"

Zhuanren Xiaochun also suspects Inaho's actions may be at Shisui's behest, but she cannot admit it outright; now only by invoking Shisui's pity does she have a chance to live.

She trembles, looking as if she is on her deathbed, speaking with labored breaths, looking truly pitiful.

Shisui remains silent, seeming to hesitate.

Seeing this, Zhuanren Xiaochun hurriedly adds, "I am already old, I have only a few days left to live. Moreover, I have worked with Rizhan for many years; if I die in prison it would inevitably hurt his spirit. Even if you do not care about me, please, in the name of the Third Hokage's wellbeing, let me return to my clan's land. I am willing to imprison myself there forever, never leaving."

Having spoken, the proud Zhuanren Xiaochun finally bows her head, half‑kneeling before Shisui.

However, everyone's expression is especially complicated, particularly Sarutobi Nichi, whose face turned green, as if he wanted to spit a mouthful of saliva at Zhuanren Xiaochun.

"Pah, shameless. What do you mean 'in the name of the Third Hokage's wellbeing'? Is this a threat or a love‑poison?"

Shisui's expression softens, as if moved by the words.

"Zhuanren consultant, sigh, why must it be so?"

Just as Shisui is about to help her up, An Benxiong suddenly interjects, "Hokage, the Zhuanren clan is powerful; Zhuanren Xiaochun, as the clan head, holds a high and influential position. Even if she retires to her clan's land and confines herself, she can still enjoy her twilight years peacefully."

But in recent years Konoha has suffered repeated wars; countless ninjas have died in hospitals from a lack of medicine, and many children have lost their parents, standing alone at the ninja academy gates, envying other kids.

All of this is credited to Zhuanren Xiaochun. Now she has made such a grave mistake, yet she casually mentions retiring to her clan's land as if that would erase it. Does that mean any errant ninja could simply go home and retire? By doing this, are we honoring the Third Hokage's Will of Fire, and the First Hokage's ideal of protecting children from harm?

Is it consistent with the Police Department's insistence on justice?

Hiss—An Benxiong finishes speaking, and everyone is shocked; this is a determined move to kill Zhuanren Xiaochun! But they quickly realize An Benxiong is correct: the Zhuanren clan has grown strong; even if Zhuanren Xiaochun is no longer a consultant, how many ninja present would not fear the Zhuanren clan? Since they've all offended them, why not exterminate them completely?

"Hokage, execute Zhuanren Xiaochun!"

An Benxiong's voice sounds again, and the crowd follows, shouting, "Hokage, execute Zhuanren Xiaochun!"

Hyuga Hizashi and Sarutobi Nichi also speak up.

Although Sarutobi Nichi does not wish Zhuanren Xiaochun to die, everyone has taken a stance; if he stays silent he risks being implicated, and if he displeases the Fifth Hokage it would be uncomfortable.

As for Zhuanren Xiaochun, her mind goes blank; when she saw An Benxiong speak, she knew trouble, and after his words she had no other thoughts.

When the crowd echoed in unison, she realized her fate was sealed.

Shisui scans the crowd, glances again at the stunned Zhuanren Xiaochun, and finally fixes his gaze on Nara Suzaku.

"Senior Suzaku, what do you think?"

Nara Suzaku's mind stirs; after a moment of silence he looks at Zhuanren Xiaochun, whose eyes instantly show hope.

"Zhuanren Xiaochun."

The full name is spoken, and Zhuanren Xiaochun's heart skips a beat, leaving no hope.

Sure enough, Nara Suzaku says firmly, "Plague Konoha, the crime is unforgivable; if we do not kill, it will not appease the civilians, it will not console the fallen ninjas, and without killing we have no face before Konoha's three hundred thousand villagers!"

"Hokage, execute Zhuanren Xiaochun on the spot!"

At this point, in the meeting room, everyone except Shisui and Zhuanren Xiaochun shares the same opinion.

Shisui, seeing this, slowly rises, no longer hesitating.

"Zhuanren consultant, any final words?"

Zhuanren Xiaochun's brain races, urgently saying, "Konoha law does not state that corruption warrants execution, nor is there any precedent."

Konoha has existed only fifty‑one years; many things are still imperfect, including the laws.

"Hokage, although the law does not specify how to handle corruption, Zhuanren Xiaochun's actions have seriously endangered Konoha; countless ninjas have died because of her. This can be deemed treasonous, and according to the law, she should be executed."

Inaho knows the law's contents; Zhuanren Xiaochun cannot argue with him, and after a brief struggle she has nothing more to say.

Everyone sighs, "Truly a Uchiha!" "It seems the Zhuanren consultant has nothing left to say."

Shisui scans the crowd, his expression turning serious.

"I have said, whoever dares to harm Konoha's future, I will not let them go."

Since the evidence is now conclusive and ninjas from all divisions agree.

Then I announce: Zhuanren Xiaochun, habitual corruptor, shall be detained by the Police Department, stripped of the consultant position, lose her Jonin title, and be executed in three days. As for the embezzled assets, the Police Department together with ANBU shall go to the Zhuanren clan lands to seize assets to cover Konoha's accumulated losses.

However, considering Zhuanren Xiaochun's many years of service to Konoha, the execution shall be carried out in prison, hidden from the villagers, to preserve face.

"Hokage, merciful!"

The crowd instantly sighs in relief, praising together.

Only a few people realize that Shisui's reason for killing Zhuanren Xiaochun is merely corruption, not any other charge, which makes them uneasy.

"Shisui, it's you! You deliberately plotted against me, evil Uchiha, you will not die a good death!"

Seeing the outcome fixed, Zhuanren Xiaochun can no longer restrain her fury, pointing at Shisui with a wild expression; if everything is reclaimed, she would have died in vain, which she cannot accept.

She struggles desperately, shouting furiously, "You wolf cub, ingrate, Rizhan once trusted you so much, and you treat me like this! What have I done? What have I disturbed in Konoha? I only borrowed money, nothing else is my fault; you are plainly imposing false charges!"

"How dare you!"

Beside them, Shiliu Ye, who had been waiting, heard the words; his three Sharingan instantly transformed into a kaleidoscope as he prepared to subdue her.

Shisui raises his hand to stop him, and says, "Zhuanren Xiaochun's proposal has some merit; let the Police Department finish revising that portion of the law within three days, then continue its enforcement."

"Yes!"

Inaho immediately agrees, and with Yan Shifan present, they are not at all concerned about the legal matter.

But the others' faces change; the legal revision will surely affect them, should they object? The crowd looks at Shiliu Ye beside Shisui, whose terrifying eye power and oppressive aura make them choose to remain silent.

Zhuanren Xiaochun's face turns green; adding a law where none existed is utterly lawless! The Second Hokage was right: the Uchiha are inherently evil, and Danzo's thinking was correct; had they supported Danzo in wiping out the Uchiha from the start, they wouldn't have ended up like this.

"You!"

She pointed at Shisui, so angry she had nothing to say; Inaho saw this, lightly waved a hand, and the Police Department personnel instantly materialized beside her.

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun slapped the two people's hands apart, stared intently at Shisui, then turned to look at the others.

Shuihu Men Yan felt deep sorrow, hesitated for a long time but never spoke; his grief led him to simply close his eyes and no longer look at her.

Shiliuye's eyelids drooped slightly, always ready to act.

The indoor air seemed to solidify; they wondered, is Zhuan Qin Xiaochun about to rebel?

Of course not; even someone like Danzo, stronger than her, would have to submit obediently in this situation.

Hundreds of Jonin surrounded the Hokage's building; if Zhuan Qin Xiaochun made any move, she would be torn to pieces in an instant.

"Leave some dignity."

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun cast a hateful glance over the crowd, then shuffled away from the Hokage's office in a limp, slumped gait; as she stepped out, she hunched, as if her spirit had been drained.

Everyone's expression differed, each filled with countless thoughts.

Now that they had dealt with Zhuan Qin Xiaochun as they wished, they were not particularly pleased; instead, they felt increasingly uneasy and fell silent, looking at Shisui.

"Lord Hokage, while investigating Zhuan Qin Xiaochun's corruption, we also uncovered many problematic ninja."

Inaho produced another stack of evidence, which someone then placed before Shisui.

Shisui did not flip through them, but instead looked at the crowd.

Under Shisui's gaze, many lowered their heads, but Rihou Rizoku remained calm, because he was not a Konoha senior at all; even if he had ideas, he had no chance.

"Does anyone have thoughts, or shall we, as just now, deal with them one by one?"

"This"

The crowd fell silent, uncertain; even if they themselves had not entertained the idea, they had never done such a thing.

But they did not know how many ninja from their clan worked in various divisions; could they guarantee every clan member was clean? "Lord Hokage, this corruption must not persist; it should be severely punished."

Inaho proposed without hesitation, indifferent to the expressions around him.

"This"

Yet Inaho seized the moral high ground; they could not refute him, only stared at Shisui, hoping he would silence this evil Uchiha.

Shisui patted the thick stack of evidence on the table; such a massive pile could involve countless people.

After a moment of contemplation, Shisui asked, "When are these from?"

"From the Third Hokage era, covering the three years after."

"What do you all think? Shall we look?"

Rihou Rizoku felt curious, instinctively wanted to use his Byakugan to glance, but saw Shisui's strange stare; he forced an awkward smile and quickly lowered his head.

"Let Lord Hokage decide; we won't look."

The crowd murmured softly, offering a suggestion.

"According to Third Hokage-era law, how should corruption be handled?"

Inaho replied immediately, "During the Third Hokage era, Konoha law had no provisions concerning corruption."

Konoha law was drafted in the Second Hokage era and has changed little; although the Senju legacy is ancient, it is still just a clan, lacking experience governing hundreds of thousands, and the statutes mainly restrain ninja and protect civilian lives, without overly detailed provisions.

Even so, the crowd did not relax, because Inaho had just cited other articles that could still be applied to them.

Unexpectedly, Inaho did not continue, and Shisui simply nodded.

"Then it's a Konoha issue; however, mistakes cannot go unpunished. What does Jonin Suzaku think?"

Nara Suzaku's mind stirred; surprised at the swift reply, he immediately complied, "Lord Hokage says, let those people return double the embezzled funds to Konoha within three days; after three days, once the law is revised, the obstinate will be dealt with according to law."

Shisui smiled and said satisfactorily, "What does everyone think?"

"Lord Hokage is wise!"

The praise came from the heart, utterly sincere, and they looked gratefully at Nara Suzaku.

"Then let Jonin Suzaku handle it; retrieve the stolen funds within three days, and anyone overdue will be dealt with under the new law," Shisui said, pushing the documents to the corner of the table near Nara Suzaku.

Nara Suzaku took the documents and replied promptly, "Yes!"

"Everyone, it seems Konoha law is imperfect; for the Village and its people, I intend to have the Police Department overhaul it to guarantee every villager's interests. Anyone with opinions may speak now."

Shisui sat down again, then spoke with a gentle expression.

The crowd looked at the stack of documents in Nara Suzaku's hands, dared not object, and silently acquiesced.

"Since no one has objections, let's proceed as such."

The meeting ended, and the group left the Hokage's building with uneasy hearts.

Shisui was pleased with today's results; the long‑suffering Zhuan Qin Xiaochun had finally been dealt with, and it was the decision of most senior officials, with him delivering the final judgment.

"Indeed, the teacher was right: to accomplish one thing, it's best to use another as a pretext."

"Lord Hokage, what about this evidence?"

As the crowd dispersed, Shisui reflected, when Nara Suzaku approached holding a stack of documents.

Shisui smiled gently and said softly, "Since you've handed it to Senior Suzaku, you may handle it yourself."

"Yes!"

This trust fully reassured Nara Suzaku, who cradled the documents and walked away slowly.

"Lord Hokage, did you summon me back for a mission?"

"Your task is to remain in Konoha for now, to prevent anyone from harboring ill intent."

"Understood."

(End of Chapter)