A/N: I humbly present: Chapter 38.
Nope, don't own Naruto.
Chapter XXXVIII: Kindred Judgment
Darkness.
Footsteps.
Jingling keys.
The creak of the cell door.
Familiar chakra signatures.
Some are different. Foreign. Who are they?
Shackles are unlocked and replaced. No longer attached to the brick wall or the floor.
Someone tenses ever so slightly. They're hiding something.
Measured footsteps to an unknown destination. Two of the chakra signatures feel off. More foreign than the others. Almost malicious.
Someone lunges.
A commotion.
A rush of air.
Clanging steel.
Grunts and cries of pain.
Two dull thuds.
Urgent whispering. Inaudible mumbling.
A yank and a shove. Get moving.
More chakra signatures. These aren't as foreign or malicious.
Has the time come?
Despite the relatively pleasant day outside, the large, round courtroom felt cold. The Hokage sat at the bench. To either side of her sat her two advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
"Tsunade, could you explain why you summoned us for a tribunal?" Homura questioned.
"Who could possibly be on trial?" Koharu probed.
The Hokage glanced at them sideways. "You'll see soon enough. We're waiting on two more people to arrive. Speaking of which, where is Danzō?"
The two elders blinked, their brows furrowing.
"I'm…not sure," Homura quietly answered.
Tsunade hummed, crossing her arms. A moment later, there was a knock on the massive, solid wood double doors at the back of the room.
"Enter," the Hokage called.
With a creak, one slab of wood opened, and the expected guest stepped in. His footsteps echoed through the room as he took his seat in a small jury box. His features were set in a stoic expression, while his onyx gaze took in every detail of the room.
"Thank you for coming, Sasuke," Tsunade greeted. "We're still waiting for Danzō to arrive. The prisoner should be here shortly."
"Tsunade, what is the meaning of this?" Homura demanded. "Why is this boy here? Who is this prisoner?"
"Watch your tongue, Mr. Mitokado," Tsunade spat. "This 'boy' is just as much a part of this tribunal as you, Koharu, and Danzō—if he decides to show. Sasuke will be part of the proceedings, and you'll soon see why."
The elder advisors bit their tongues, offering a curt nod in lieu of a verbal response.
A few tense moments passed before a commotion was heard outside. Suddenly, the heavy doors burst open, allowing a flood of ANBU inside. The masked shinobi clearly formed a protective circle around the person they were escorting. The elders visibly flinched, their eyes wide with confusion. Tsunade leapt to her feet, slamming her palms against the bench.
"Report! There weren't this many when you were sent to retrieve the prisoner!" she barked.
"We had to ramp up security, Lady Hokage!" Yamato answered as he stepped forward. "There was…an incident." He grimaced as he met the Hokage's intense gaze. "An attempt was made on the prisoner's life. The threats were neutralized. They appeared to be ANBU who'd gone rogue."
Tsunade's brow furrowed, her normally fair face marred by a deep scowl. She took a deep breath through her nose, slowly closing her eyes and trying to maintain her composure. "Bring the prisoner forward." Her voice was quiet, but the intensity was enough to make even Yamato shudder.
The captain turned to the masked ANBU, wordlessly tilting his head towards the table in front of the bench. In one smooth motion, the masked shinobi cleared a path, allowing the prisoner to be escorted forward. The other ANBU dispersed, positioning themselves along the walls and near the door. Captain Yamato took his seat at a desk, acting as the clerk for this tribunal.
The elders' jaws dropped as they stared at the prisoner, while Sasuke's jaw set as he tried to keep his composure. There stood Itachi Uchiha, shackled and blindfolded, a seal adorning the cloth covering his eyes. He wore an unreadable expression.
The Hokage leveled a glare at the shackled Uchiha. "Itachi Uchiha, you are—"
"Tsunade, what is the meaning of this?!" Homura crowed. "Why is this traitor still alive?!"
"He was declared a missing nin during the Third Hokage's second term! He should have been executed on sight, not brought in to stand trial!" Koharu indignantly added.
Tsunade slammed her fist down against the bench before turning her fiery gaze to the two elders. "Enough! Both of you! This was declared a clan matter by Sasuke Uchiha, who—as I stated before—is not only part of these proceedings, but is also the de facto head of the Uchiha clan. Sasuke arrested Itachi and brought him in alive to stand trial."
Homura huffed. "Regardless of whether it was declared a clan matter, this man's crimes are against Konohagakure, and as such he should be—"
"This matter is primarily a clan affair. As Lady Tsunade stated: I am currently the de facto head of the Uchiha clan," Sasuke interrupted. "Regardless of his status as a missing nin, he is still technically a member of my clan, despite his rights as heir being forfeit."
"Be that as it may, this man's crimes are against Konohagakure. He was a missing nin and a conspirator," Koharu retorted.
"Is the Uchiha clan not a part of Konohagakure, Ms. Utatane?" Sasuke probed, his voice dripping with venom. He was met with astonished silence. The Uchiha heir took a breath, steadying himself. "His first and most egregious crime was against the Uchiha. That, along with these proceedings being a clan matter, mean the terms of his sentencing are ultimately up to me."
"Then why are we here?" Homura questioned.
"I might be clan head, but a proper tribunal must consist of the Hokage and her advisors, shouldn't it?" Sasuke fired back.
More silence from the elders. Their faces made it clear that they reluctantly agreed. By this point, Danzō was still nowhere to be found, and the Hokage was growing impatient.
"Since Danzō has yet to arrive, we'll go ahead and begin." She cleared her throat, glancing down at a sheet of paper. "Itachi Uchiha, you are hereby charged with the following crimes: multiple counts of premeditated murder, desertion, treason, conspiracy, attempted kidnapping, and terrorism. You've chosen to represent yourself, but before we hear your testimony, do you swear, under penalty of perjury, to tell the truth?"
"I do," the blindfolded and restrained Itachi responded.
"Proceed," the Hokage instructed. "Remember: you're under oath."
A thick silence settled over the courtroom as Itachi gathered his thoughts. The Hokage, her advisors, and Sasuke watched on with bated breath.
Finally, Itachi spoke. "Everything I have done has been because I was ordered to do so." His tone was even and unwavering.
The Konoha elders tensed, their eyes widening. Sasuke and Tsunade's faces set into deep frowns. Itachi still showed no emotion. If he weren't blindfolded, his eyes would be just as unwavering as his stoic expression.
"Whose orders?" Tsunade probed.
"Orders," Itachi answered, deadpan.
"Whose. Orders," the Hokage growled.
"Why are we wasting time here? It's clear Itachi has deluded himself into seriously believing that he was ordered to not only murder his clan, but also to betray Konohagakure," Homura interrupted.
Tsunade shot the elder a nasty look before turning her attention back to the man on trial. "Whose orders, Itachi. Answer me."
The Hokage's intense gaze made even Sasuke flinch. Itachi was lucky enough that he couldn't see her, but he felt her fiery gaze boring holes into him. He took another breath. "I had orders from my higher-ups."
"I need specifics, Itachi."
"Who ordered you to kill my family?" Sasuke cut in.
Itachi's jaw clenched. "I was ordered by my higher-ups in ROOT to eliminate the Uchiha clan."
"This is preposterous! The very idea of a Konoha organization turning on its own people is absurd!" Homura rebuffed. He turned to Sasuke. "Young Master Uchiha, I urge you to reconsider this whole tribunal. It's clear Itachi is stark raving mad."
Sasuke leveled a glare at the elder. "Absolutely not."
"Surely you don't believe that he was ordered to murder—no, exterminate your clan, do you?" Koharu posed.
"Order! Order!" Tsunade slammed her fist against the bench, silencing the elders and leaving Koharu's question hanging. She turned to Itachi. "Stop beating around the bush. I need the who, the when, the how, and most importantly the why. Start talking."
Itachi swallowed hard. "Word had reached Lord Shimura's ears that the Uchiha were planning a coup d'état. The Third Hokage was trying to find a solution—a compromise of some sort to sate the demands of the Uchiha elders. Lord Shimura feared that they would act before a compromise could be met. So, he was planning to eliminate the entire clan."
Homura shifted, but Sasuke spoke before he or Koharu could interject. "Let's say we accept what you're saying is true, despite you having no proof. Your story doesn't quite explain why you left me alive."
"I had to negotiate with Lord Shimura. We reached an agreement: I would carry out the massacre, and your life would be spared, Sasuke."
"And what of you deserting the village and joining the Akatsuki? Did you do that of your own accord? Or were you following these supposed orders?" Tsunade pressed on.
"I was also following orders."
"Whose orders?"
"Orders directly from the Third Hokage himself."
"This is completely outrageous!" Homura squawked. He glanced between the Hokage and Sasuke. "Surely you don't believe that the late Hokage would order one of his own shinobi to not only go rogue, but also join a terrorist organization that plotted to and attacked the very village he was sworn to protect!"
"This perjurer has the gall to incriminate not just a former Hokage, but one who died a hero protecting the village!" Koharu added indignantly.
"There will be order in this courtroom!" Tsunade roared, slamming her fist against the bench. The wood splintered this time. She turned her fiery gaze to the defendant. "Explain. Now."
The shackled Uchiha took a breath. "Lord Third knew that with my orders from ROOT, things would be…messy if I stayed in the village. Rather than jump through the many flaming hoops, he informed me of the Akatsuki. My mission was to leave the village and infiltrate the Akatsuki, posing as a rogue ninja, and gather intel and information to relay back to Konoha."
"And where, pray tell, is this supposed information?" Koharu questioned. The elder was met with silence. After a tense moment, she pressed on. "Did you relay it as you were supposedly ordered to? If so, where is it?"
More silence.
"Or, could it be that there were no orders from the Third Hokage for you to gather information and this whole testimony is a ruse to put the blame on anyone but yourself?" Homura added.
"I can assure you that I was indeed following orders. Lord Third gave them to me personally," Itachi retorted.
"Then where is the intel that you claim you were ordered to relay?" Tsunade probed.
She was met with still more silence.
"Answer, damn you!" Sasuke yelled, startling the elders.
Itachi shifted his weight, the clinking of his shackles piercing the thick silence in the room. "There…was no intel—is no intel. By the time I had an opportunity to report anything, Lord Hiruzen was killed."
"You're certainly not helping your case, here," Tsunade deadpanned.
"It's clear this man is merely a bungler who wishes to avoid guilt," Koharu added.
"There is proof," Itachi asserted. "I can't procure it myself, but if you search the ROOT headquarters, you're bound to find it. As for the orders issued to me by Lord Third, some digging might be necessary."
The tribunal stared at the blindfolded Uchiha. After a tense moment, Tsunade finally spoke. "I must admit, I find it odd that Danzō is absent from this tribunal without any prior notice. Plus, he's been rather quiet lately. A little too quiet. Perhaps we could—"
"You can't be serious!" Homura crowed. "This man is a criminal! A traitor! A murderer! If there were an investigation into one of the elders, particularly a former teammate of the late Third Hokage, there would be an uproar!"
"We cannot trust the word of a criminal, either! It's clear that Itachi Uchiha is not of sound mind. He should be put back into prison to await execution," Koharu added.
"You mean to tell me that you two don't find it suspicious in the least bit that Danzō has failed to arrive for this tribunal without notice?" Tsunade queried with an arched eyebrow. "What about the fact that an attempt was made on Itachi's life as he was being escorted to this very trial?"
"The only evidence is the ravings of a prisoner!" Homura retorted.
"If Danzō has nothing to hide, then he will have nothing to worry about and the investigation will proceed smoothly," Tsunade responded nonchalantly.
"This is ridiculous! Itachi has clearly placed both the Hokage and Sasuke under a genjutsu! ANBU! Take him away this instant!" Koharu ordered.
"Enough!" Tsunade roared. "ANBU, you will do no such thing! Captain Yamato, approach the prisoner!" She turned to the indignant elders as the captain did as he was told. "There is zero chance that Itachi would have been able to put a genjutsu on anyone. His eyes have not only been sealed…"
She glanced at Yamato and snapped her fingers, prompting him to remove the sealed blindfold. A chakra suppression seal was still stuck to his forehead beneath the cloth. The elders stiffened as the blindfold was removed.
Before they could protest, Itachi opened his eyes. Homura and Koharu gasped as they beheld dark brown eyes in place of onyx ones.
"…they've also been removed," Tsunade declared. The room fell silent, enough to welcome in even the most timid specter. The elders could only stare slack jawed as Yamato replaced the blindfold before returning to his desk.
"He…no longer possesses the Sharingan?" Koharu ventured.
"He does not," Tsunade curtly answered.
Homura shook his head with a huff. "Regardless, there must be some sort of foul play here."
"Are you suggesting that I, Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure, am colluding with a prisoner, a traitor, and a missing nin?" Her tone was icy.
"No, Lady Hokage," Homura answered, his tone a touch softer. ". I firmly believe that Itachi is not of sound mind, and merely concocted these lies to shift the blame away from himself. As such, I merely wish to implore you and young Master Uchiha to reconsider and take the most appropriate course of action."
"Oh? And what course of action would that be?"
"Execution," Koharu stated with finality.
Yet another silence settled over the courtroom. Tsunade turned to Sasuke, whose brow was furrowed as he processed everything that had been said up to now.
"As I'm sure the elders are aware, the terms of sentencing are up to the head of the Uchiha clan. The elders and myself may offer a concurring or dissenting opinion, but I have the final say, as the presiding body." She gestured to Sasuke. "Have you reached a verdict?"
The Uchiha in question took a breath to steady himself as he rose, glancing between the Hokage and the Konoha elders. "I am fully aware of the penalties that desertion and conspiracy carry. However, since I declared this affair one that is primarily internal to the Uchiha clan, I feel some changes should be made.
"While I wholeheartedly agree that Itachi should pay for his crimes against Konoha, I feel that the demands for execution are misplaced. Before I apprehended him, he asked me to kill him as a way to atone for all that he's done. As such, granting him the death he wants would be playing right into his hands, which is something I'm sure nobody here wants.
"In lieu of the death penalty, I hereby propose the following sentence for Itachi Uchiha: indefinite imprisonment with no chance of parole. I would also like to formally request that an investigation into Lord Danzō Shimura and his activities be launched, if the Hokage will allow it."
Tsunade gave a single nod. "Elders Homura and Koharu, do you have any counsel you wish to give?"
The elders exchanged a glance before Homura cleared his throat. "We understand the position that young Master Sasuke has taken, and concur that indefinite imprisonment is preferable to immediate execution, especially given what Sasuke claims Itachi said. However, we must insist that the investigation not be launched, as we firmly believe it will bear no fruit."
The Hokage propped her elbows onto the bench and rested her head atop her folded hands. She gathered her thoughts for a moment before letting her hands drop. "Let the record show that Itachi Uchiha is hereby sentenced to indefinite imprisonment without chance of parole. Additionally, an investigation will be launched into the activities of Lord Danzō Shimura and his allegedly dissolved organization, ROOT. Should any evidence emerge to either prove or disprove the testimonies given, we will act accordingly. This court is adjourned."
Yamato furiously jotted down notes, while Homura rose to protest. "But Lady Hokage—"
"This court is adjourned," Tsunade repeated, her tone significantly more curt. "ANBU, escort the prisoner back to his cell, and keep your heads on a swivel."
The masked ninja immediately swarmed Itachi and gradually moved him out of the courtroom, leaving only the Hokage, the elders, and Sasuke. Tsunade turned back to the elders just as the heavy doors shut. "As I already stated, should any evidence or lack thereof emerge to prove or disprove anything, we will act accordingly. I trust you two aren't hiding anything behind your insistence to not go through with this investigation?"
The elders' blood ran cold at the trace amounts of venom in the Hokage's tone.
"No, Lady Hokage. We merely wished to avoid wasting resources," Homura answered, albeit meekly.
"Let me worry about that. You're dismissed."
With that, the two elders bowed and took their leave. The Hokage and Sasuke stepped down and made their way to the door.
"Go home and take some time to yourself. Let yourself process everything that's happened, alright? I'll send for you if I need you," Tsunade told Sasuke as they approached the heavy wooden doors. Her tone was motherly and full of genuine concern.
"I will. Thank you, Lady Tsunade," Sasuke answered, trying to hide his fatigue from having to sit through the whole debacle.
He came home to an empty apartment. Naruto was probably busy training, which was nothing new. Sasuke went straight to his room and flopped onto the bed, not even bothering to make anything to eat. He had a lot to think about.
A/N: Itachi is sentenced to indefinite imprisonment! Danzo is incriminated! Extreme closeup! Quick little disclaimer: I'm no expert on legal matters or how trials, court-martials, or tribunals work. I'm not an attorney or a paralegal, so I was going off my own (limited) knowledge on how trials tend to proceed. However, I did try to do my research into the jargon and basic procedures. I hope I wasn't too far off the mark! Now that that's out of the way, I've seen some fics give Homura and Koharu a lot of power over Tsunade, which didn't really sit right with me, so I tried to keep their role advisory in this. I also thought it would be fitting to have Sasuke be the one who ultimately decides what happens to Itachi, especially since he's his brother by blood. Thanks so much for reading! Chapter 39 is in the works!
