ZIL: Hey all sorry for so long before this update and then the messed up format for the upload I now have to fix chapter 30 but it will be posted today ASAP. I also have to finish a Chapter for Tattered Soul and Another fic I have up but it will be done this week. Love you guys!

Chapter 29: A Historical Trial, Painful Revelations

In council chambers the clan heads gathered as well as the elders. Danzo sat between Koharu and Homura with Jiraiya and Ibiki standing behind them. The Hokage posted his personal guards around the chamber to prevent any interruptions of the proceedings unless absolutely required.

Sakura sat in her usual place with her guards at her side. Her father chose to remain home with both Ima-sama and Tai to complete some additional paperwork for his business and at his daughter's behest. In truth she didn't want him to see how frightening she may become as the trial continued.

Throughout the investigation people had noted to her how much she had changed in such a brief time, but she couldn't bring herself to let her father see it. Sakura couldn't imagine the heartbreak on his face when he realized how much more intolerant she had become of these power games. A darker nature stirred like a dragon woken from slumber to find thieves in their hoard.

Zabuza merely stayed still his eyes traveling over everyone in the room some staring at him critically and even a few with interest. His gaze the returned to his charge who had remained stoic as the hall filled. When Kizashi had been sent home, he had wondered until a shadowed look in her eye appeared. 'If this goes the way I think it will…she'll do it herself,' He couldn't decide if he was proud of her willingness to do what would be required of her as a Clan Head or worried knowing it would be her first kill.

It was only a matter of moments that the moment Danzo entered the council doors he was seized and chakra restricting cuffs were place upon him. Hiruzen looked down on his old friend both saddened and tired. "Shimura Danzo, today you stand trial for treason…how do you respond to these charges?"

Danzo glared out of his sole visible eye his contempt for his old comrade evident to all witnessing it, "Treason? What treason are you claiming I committed?"

Hiruzen gestured to Jiraiya who brought in the boy, "This is a former Root Anbu agent designated as Sai. He was assigned by you to apprehend or kill Mebuki Haruno if she resisted capture. Do you deny this?"

"Root Anbu does not answer to the Hokage they answer to me, remember old friend." Danzo said slyly as he added, "Root Anbu was disbanded by order of the 4th Hokage Minato Namikaze. When you returned to office you personally requested alongside Homura and Koharu that I return Root Anbu to its former working status. Their missions are not to be discussed in open council."

Sakura stood and stated coldly, "Acts of violence or forced attempts of coercion against a Clan Head or Heir Apparent lead all acting parties to be held responsible for irreparable damages between the village and any clans as is necessary by Shinobi Law." Her sudden quotation of that law gave extreme pause even to Danzo who was not aware of her knowledge of the ancient law made to protect the clans incoming into Konoha. "As such the ordered forced capture against my mother Clan Head at the time of her assault Mebuki Haruno by you resulted in her death. By right as the Clan Head of the Haruno Clan demand you stand trial for committing an act of violence against my Clan lest my hand be forced, and I take my clan from Konoha only to declare war upon them for your betrayal."

She gestured to the elders and Clan Heads in the room, "By that very law you must be held accountable for your actions. You have betrayed my clan, and this cannot go unpunished Elder Danzo. Who do you think this council will choose, A man who betrayed his own people and put them at risk of war? Or the clan who was wronged for no reason?"

"I did have a reason, your mother refused to share any knowledge regarding your clan. A kekkei genkai is protected knowledge but your clan's foreign connections were questionable." Danzo rebutted attempting to gain credible doubt.

Sakura smirked in triumph, "The descendants of our clan associations that existed prior to us joining Konoha can't be touched. There were no requests made formally for this information by the council at the time of our joining and as such we were untouchable. Our prior agreements with those foreign parties predates the time our clan joined Konoha after the Third Shinobi War. You had no right to assault Mebuki Haruno for the information regarding the clan as our kekkei genkai or other clan secrets are exactly that. Protected by the very laws and agreements we joined this village under."

Shikaku nodded to Jiraiya and Sai, "Please, bring forth Sai our witness so that he may testify regarding his orders." Jiraiya kindly brought Sai to sit in a chair a distance from Danzo where he faced Hiruzen and the elders. "Please inform us of your mission parameters and who gave you the orders regarding Mebuki Haruno, Sai-san."

Danzo smirked believing his seal would hold and prevent any knowledge from slipping through when suddenly Sai began telling them everything. The times and locations of the meetings that he had held with his tool to give the boy his orders regarding obtaining the secrets of the Haruno Clan. Danzo paled realizing that his seal had failed…the boy gave them all the incriminating evidence they need.

"Now Sai-san a final question, what seals were placed on all root Anbu members? Please explain their purpose in their entirety." Homura asked gruffly.

"We have the regular anbu black ops tattoo on our shoulders and a seal in our mouth mine was located on my tongue. This seal was designed so that as per our training we take Danzo-sama's words as absolute truth and can never incriminate or reveal his plans allowing the Hokage and other ruling parties reasonable deniability should the village fall under enemy fire. Root anbu took the missions too dark even for regular black ops squads as we were conditioned to be tools and not people."

"Thank you for all of that information Sai. Jiraiya please escort him to a more private and comfortable area." Hiruzen said softly. He stood and faced the elders keeping a close eye on Haruno Sakura. "As per the undeniable evidence, Danzo as in fact committed treason by attacking one of our own clans. Just as the Uchiha and Senju were welcomed with protections for their prior allies and contacts so too were the Haruno. His shadow operations also were designed to undermine this council and my authority as Hokage. How do you find Shimura Danzo?"

Shibi stood his hand fisted knuckles turning white, "Guilty." Chouza, Inoichi, and Shikaku added their voices, "Guilty." Tsume Inuzuka stood, "Guilty on the charge of attacking one of our own, Treason Not Guilty, Guilty on the charge of trying to steal clan secrets."

Sakura remained silent until all others had spoken, "I find Danzo Shimura Guilty of attempting to steal clan secrets, Guilty of murder for the death of Mebuki Haruno deceased Clan Head of the Haruno Clan, Guilty of Treason by creating illegal forbidden seals and using them to mitigate the orders of the Hokage and Elder or Clan council."

She allowed her cold green eyes to meet every elder especially Tsume who paused at the darkness in this child's eyes. "The sentence for one who kills a Clan Head within their own village is death by the hands of the Clan Heir…in this case myself. Is there anyone who wishes to stand in his defense?"

Zabuza stood firm beside her knowing she was waiting for anyone to object. When none dared to utter a sentence, she looked to Hiruzen, "I demand anything not belonging to Shimura Danzo be stripped from him…his arms bared to the world and his hidden eye uncovered. If he has wronged any others among us, we have the right to know."

Homura looked terrified and Sakura gave a smirk, "So you have something you would like to add Homura-sama?" The elder sat and shared a dark look with Koharu who remained in grim silence, "What we will see is horrible and brings light another act of treason and use of a scape goat…this act was committed by Danzo, myself and Homura…we will face punishment for our transgressions as well."

Danzo was forcibly stripped of his bandages and arm coverings baring many stolen Sharingan to the court room. Sasuke paled and began to tremble with rage, "Sasuke, come here!" Sakura demanded firmly and the young Uchiha did as instructed. Sakura let him hold her hand with crushing pressure wincing only a little. She did not expect it to be so gruesome but she could regret nothing…this was the beginning of change.

Shikaku added coldly, "It seems Treason charge of Guilty regarding successful clan secrets theft must also be added to the charges…remove the eyes from him. They will be stored and sealed for Sasuke to deal with as he chooses."

Hiruzen bowed his head, "Danzo's crimes are heinous…but, the services he provides to the village are necessary. Is execution the answer?" Hiruzen looked to Sakura whom everyone waited with bated breath.

"Are you saying we allow this man who has led to the deaths of my mother and most likely the majority of the Uchiha clan with his arm and those eyes as evidence that he should walk free?" Sakura questioned in disgusted horror. "Should we also let him continue to circumvent your authority and that of this very council without checks or balances?"

"Root Anbu is a dark necessity," Hiruzen stated firmly, "However, forced abductions of orphens and clan children will no longer be allowed. Instead we should repurpose the Hunter Nin corps as part of Root Anbu with Danzo leadi-"

"Danzo will lead nothing! He is not trustworthy and does not deserve the power such a position would give him. He deserves a traitor's punishment for his crimes not leniency!" Sakura raged almost quiet her tone turning those that heard its blood to ice. "Will you pardon him again? Will you prove a detriment to this village as a leader when your job is to protect them?"

Hiruzen sighed heavy and tired, "I do not wish to burden our people with the missions the organization holds. I do not wish to degrade to the ancient days of public execution."

Shikaku quipped, "Who said anything about public execution…this will be done here in our presence only. Danzo is not free to walk Hokage-sama…there is no room for leniency with his crimes. You know this as well as any of us. Place someone you trust at the head of the organization but, Danzo-sama is no longer an option."

Hiruzen sighed and nodded, "Very well but, I request the execution be done quickly…for all his crimes he has done much in the service of Konoha." Sakura sighed and moved to stand when Zabuza pressed her back into her chair gently but firmly.

"As betrothed of the Haruno Clan Head, I offered to perform the execution for the crimes committed against her and her friend's family. It will be swift," Zabuza said firmly knowing that soon Sakura would have her first kill but not today. Sasuke also realizing this nodded his agreement. Sakura whispered, "Zabuza, I appreciate it but this is my responsibility…"

Zabuza looked to Sakura, "You still have to deal with the Clan Meet in Kusa. You also need to keep a clear head to serve both your Clan and village during those proceedings. You can't afford to have a first kill cloud your judgement for those events."

Sakura hated to admit but Zabuza was right and she turned her head towards the Hokage, "I agree, if the Hokage-sama has no further objections?"

Hiruzen nodded and Zabuza moved swiftly making a clean cut and severing Danzo's head from his body. He moved and allowed Kakashi to step forward and burn the remains. "One who steals from the dead what wasn't freely given to him has no right to a burial." With that moment the trial was over, and justice had been achieved for both the Haruno and the Uchiha clan. Sakura turned to the Hokage and asked, "When shall restitution be paid to Sasuke-san for the thefts of his bloodline by a council member no less?"

Hiruzen looked to Sasuke who seemed hurt broken and confused before he sighed painfully, "Team 7, Homura, Koharu, all report to my office there is something we must discuss in private." The elders looked even more weary as they did as they were bid by their village leader who was just as tired and weary as they.

Once Team 7 with their sensei, the elders, and Sakura's betrothed all entered the office Hiruzen sealed the room from any eavesdroppers before they could begin.

"What I am about to share with all of you is an S-Class secret once you have heard everything I hope with open minds you will understand why these measures were taken." Hiruzen started with a warning making Sasuke pale as Sakura held his hand while Naruto gripped the other.

"This S-Class secret refers to the truth about the Uchiha Clan Massacre from 4 years ago. Due to the Uchiha elders attempting to plan a coup d'etat against the village leaders, an Uchiha who wanted the innocent civilians to remain safe exposed the plans. We tried for peaceful negotiations with your father, Fugaku Uchiha but, they would hear nothing of peace. When the time came a single duo of Uchiha boys stepped forward and tried to find another way. When one of them died due to suspicious circumstances the other was desperate for a solution."

Koharu continued her voice filled with solemn regret, "We ordered the other Uchiha one of our best and brightest operatives to kill his clan in order to protect the villagers from them. Could you imagine the bloodshed that would have happened to all the innocent villagers if we hadn't? Hundreds upon hundreds would have died in the crossfire."

Homura added gruffly, "He agreed on the condition that the Uchiha name never be slandered and that one whom he loved would be spared and forever protected by the village in exchange."

Hiruzen finished, "We agreed to his terms and as such Itachi Uchiha massacred his clan sparing the life of his younger brother whom he loved more than life. He was then declared a missing nin and has been an informant ever since. Please understand Sasuke-kun," His grave eyes meeting the horrified gazes of a young boy broken by his loss. "Your brother is a hero in the shadows who even now still protects the leaf from the outside. He loves you Sasuke…he wanted you to be strong enough to not only defeat him but, so he knew you could protect yourself and your future clan that you would give birth to in the future. He wanted the Uchiha to start anew with you at its head."

Sasuke asked tearfully, "So, all this time…Big brother was, he was tormenting me out of some twisted form of guilt. He wanted me to hate him so I would kill him!" Sakura patted him gently, "Sasuke, there has to be more to it…Itachi achieved the Mangekyo right? How does on achieve the Mangekyo Sasuke, what triggers it?"

Sasuke shrugged, "I don't know…Itachi said you'd have to kill your best friend." Sakura paused thoughtful when surprisingly it was Naruto who said, "Crippling Guilt and Regret…maybe that's what makes it happen. Itachi felt so guilty for not being able to save the other one who stepped up that maybe he got it. Maybe he thought you killing him would make you feel guilt deep enough to give you the Mangekyo?" Kakashi hummed and added, "Why would you need such a weapon though unless there was someone out there that Itachi feared would harm you when he was gone."

Sakura sighed, "Let's all head home and prepare for our journey after today I think Sasuke needs some space away from the village to breathe he will come with us. Hell might as well take all of Team 7 and your chosen representatives Hokage-sama." She gently guided Sasuke who heard before they stepped out, "For what it is worth Sasuke-kun…I am truly sorry."

Sasuke said nothing in response allowing Sakura to lead him out with his Team and Zabuza following closely behind. Though it was further from her home they went to Naruto's home, so he could pack with Kakashi's help and Sakura took Sasuke to his own home helping him pack also.

They all met up at the gates of the Haruno Clan household and entered the premises. Her father saw the pain in the boy's eyes and looked to his daughter who mouthed, 'Later…I'll explain later.' He nodded accepting the response not wanting to cause further harm.

Everyone retrieved their things and headed to the main gate where a large carriage awaited them. Sakura groaned, "Aw man I forgot this part." Everyone even Sasuke couldn't resist chuckling as she was made to climb in dragging Sasuke with her. Remaining outside the cart were Kakashi, Zabuza, Haku, Naruto, and Jiraiya. Shikaku and Shikamaru were also dressed in their court regalia as they greeted the Haruno's and Sasuke with a nod.

Sakura sighed, "This is such a drag…I hate riding in the carriage." Kizashi chuckled and patted her hand as she stuck her tongue out at the smirking Shikamaru. "Sakura as Clan Head you must be at your best at all times. It's part of the job."

The young Clan Leader shrugged, "I know I just get bored easily…anyone have any ideas how to make this trip not so monotonous?" Shikamaru set up a traveling table and began setting up a shogi board which made Sakura's eye glitter with excitement causing Sasuke to groan, "Not nerd war anything but that." Sakura and Shikamaru began the game regardless causing the adults to chuckle at Sasuke as he watched the board to see who'd win.