The next day, Minka was escorted from the train car to some housing where the Leaf shinobi and lawyers would be staying. "Lady Koyuki will have Land of Snow shinobi guarding you as well, as a precaution," one of the new guards said. They and the Land of Fire shinobi awkwardly stood around most of the time, not sure where one's duties ended and the others began.
The trial would start in just a few hours so Minka went to her room to get ready. She'd be wearing black leggings, her black boots, and a black dress. As far as she was concerned, this was the closest to a memorial of life they have had for her mother thus far, so she was okay dressing like it was a funeral. She did don her Hidden Leaf headband, showing her new allegiance.
A knock sounded at her door and she went to answer it. It was Konohamaru, looking worried as he had been these past few days. She beckoned him in and they sat down. "Are you ready?" Konohamaru asked.
She glared at the wall in front of her. "I've been ready."
He put his hand on hers. "I know. But don't do anything that might affect the trial's outcome," he warned.
"Don't you think I know that?" she bit back, but allowed his hand to stay on hers.
"Will your dad be there?"
"Probably." She bit her lip.
"Do you need extra support for when you see him?" Konohamaru asked gently.
She shrugged. "I have no clue. I haven't seen him since I was ten." She straightened up a bit. "But that was before I was strong. I'm a shinobi now - he should fear me."
They spent the next two hours sitting together. Some of the lawyers came and went with final details and updates - Naruto's and Minka's contacts in the country had been able to cooperate, so the evidence was looking really good. "And we have extra help to make sure your father can't leave the country," one lawyer told her.
"I was never worried about that," she said. "If needed, I can hunt him down myself. Thank you."
They headed over to the community hall that also hosted trials. Walking in, Lady Koyuki was sitting at the front of the room off in the corner, with a few officials sitting at the front and center of the room. Konohamaru's understanding of this process is that a board of officials oversaw the trial and teams of lawyers would represent each client. There was a structure to it beyond that, but he wasn't clear on the details. He just focused on being right by Minka's side for the moment she'd see her father.
When they entered, a figure at a table to the right side of the room turned to look. Upon seeing them clearly he stood up and made to approach them, looking at Minka. The others at the table halted the man but he pushed past them. Konohamaru felt Minka turn towards the man, her posture stiff.
Minka knew that her father would be the same as always, and seeing him push past his own advisors confirmed it. He was a large, haunting figure - about six and a half feet tall and over two hundred pounds, even in his older age, he seemed just as strong as ever. He stalked her way, his black eyes locked on her. His black hair had started to get grays and his skin was just starting to wrinkle. Minka figured that this bothered him anytime he looked in a mirror, since he was always a prideful man.
She stepped forward to meet him, looking him dead in the eyes. He scowled, crossing his arms. "You're back?" was all he asked.
"Unfortunately," she smiled sarcastically. "Could you move, so we can get to our table and get this going?"
He huffed, turning and walking back to where he came from. Minka assumed he had approached partially to try and intimidate her, and partially to size her up. Adult Minka was much more intimidating than ten year old Minka was, and adult Minka knew her father likely couldn't begin to imagine how strong she was.
They took their seats, Minka sitting in the chairs dedicated to spectators since she was only there for testimony purposes, and she sat next to Konohamaru, holding his hand like a vice most of the time.
As the counsel opened the floor for the trial, each side had their say - Minka's father claimed all evidence was fabricated or misconstrued, and pointed the blame to anyone else. One of his defenses was that he wasn't the abuser, his new wife was. This came as a shock to most everyone except Minka.
She smirked as the lawyers from the Leaf began their comparatively long and thorough explanation. The photos, recordings, statements, and more that she, Lord Seventh, and their many connections had compiled were truly impressive. Minka watched with joy as even her father appeared to deflate, starting to talk quickly with his own counsel.
After a few hours, everyone had their say and the board that was in charge of the trial had to meet. Minka wasn't called on to testify, as the recording of her story from the train the other day was deemed sufficient, and nothing was called into question. Minka sat and tried to relax a bit with Konohamaru when she saw her father stalking their way. She sighed and prepared herself for whatever he might be preparing.
Her dad went to grab Konohamaru to pull him out of the way, immediately being aggressive, when Minka shot up and grabbed her dad's forearm, pinching a spot so he couldn't hold a grip, until he stepped back. "What the fuck?" her dad said.
"You don't have any right to touch anyone else," she spat out.
Konohamaru had already been standing when her dad went to approach, so he stood to his other side, clearly ready in case an altercation broke out.
Minka noticed the Land of Snow guards weren't moving forward to get involved, while the Land of Fire guards were prepared for anything. She glared a bit - she suspected that multiple people here were somehow supporting her father. Since all evidence had been presented, nothing new - such as a scuffle in the courtroom - could be used in the trial, and with the presiding judges out of the room, her father felt free to act as he wished.
Her dad glared at her. "You've always been a brat, you know that?" he said.
"You've always been evil, did you know that?" she shot back, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, you think you're tough because you're a shinobi?" he laughed. "We know who the strongest one in the family is.
Minka looked back, confirming that Koyuki was in the room still. The daimyō was sitting back, arms crossed. Minka knew Koyuki had never been a fan of her father - the only reason she'd never done more to put him away was due to technicalities and politics. Koyuki was looking on in displeasure, and when Minka met her eyes, Koyuki gave her a nod and a smirk - her way of saying, This is your chance.
Minka smiled at her father. "Is that a challenge?" she asked him.
He nodded. "We should have plenty of time. Outside, now."
He moved to go outside, the guards and Koyuki going too, and Konohamaru held Minka back briefly. "Don't kill him," was all he said.
The pair stood across from each other outside, wind blowing and snow on the ground. Her father was pacing, ranting about being unappreciated for all he did while she was growing up. "If you think you're tough now, if you think you're right, then we fight, hand-to-hand, now."
Minka smiled again. She stood about 5'10" and about 180lbs, compared to his 6'6" and probably 250lbs - it looked like an uneven match for close-quarters, physical fighting, but she wasn't concerned. "Works for me. No weapons, no jutsu," she stated.
He nodded. "Let's go."
He charged at her, preparing to grab her, and she nimbly dodge, hitting his arm down, then smacking upward at his elbow. They heard a crack and he winced - she didn't break it, but it seemed to be jammed somehow, as her dad had to shake it a bit before he could bend it well. He stood in a more firm stance, holding up his fists in a defensive position, clearly expecting her to attack next.
She sighed. "You're awfully formal for someone who beats his kids," she chastised. His face was shrouded with anger and she jumped in to attack. She kicked at his knee from the side, causing him to lose his balance, then grabbed his arm and pulled him down. When he was falling and trying to catch himself, she kicked upwards, hard, causing his nose and mouth to bust, blood starting to run.
Minka stood to the side, waiting to see what her dad would do. She was eager to obliterate him, gripping her fists closed so hard that she wasn't sure if she drew blood in her own palms, but knew if she did she could be jailed as a criminal. Instead, she waited - if he attacked her, she could act in self defense. Nothing more. Gotta get back home… she reminded herself.
He coughed and spat, standing back up. "Are you kidding me? That's it?" he asked, laughing. "I know you can do more than that!"
"So am I weak, or am I strong?" Minka asked. "Everything you say doesn't make sense."
He growled, running forward towards her again. He cocked back to kick her in the side, so obvious with the movement that she was able to move out of the way. She ducked under his kick and grabbed his leg from underneath, pushing upwards quickly, knocking him off balance again. He fell and swung around - he grabbed her ankle, pulling, and as she fell she kicked him in the face again. He cried out but didn't let go, pulling her under him. He had her pinned for now, planning to punch her, but before he could land a punch, Minka head butted him hard. His head was already damaged enough that he couldn't focus for a moment, seeing stars. She took that moment to bite his forearm, causing him to release her, and she used that free arm to hit his other elbow, making him collapse to the side.
She stood up and gave his side one firm kick. He flinched away and she watched him for a moment.
"Aren't you going to do more?" he growled.
She shrugged. "I've already wasted enough time on you," she drawled.
He quickly reached into his pocket and threw something towards her - a kunai.
Minka jumped backwards to dodge it, landing in a crouch and preparing herself. Rage was blinding her at the moment, the audacity of her father to cheat to try and win a losing battle resonating in her as despicable, and thinking of all of the ways he took advantage of situations and cheated to come out ahead, even when it was with kids.
"Earth style, earth coffin jutsu." Her father gasped with surprise as he was encased in earth, it pulling him into the ground a few inches. His face was still visible, showing his anger.
"What is this? We said no jutsu!" he yelled.
"And no weapons," Minka said. "But you clearly have no problem going back on your word." Her eyes were blank as she walked forward, stopping to crouch right next to him. "Do you ever think about mom?" she asked quietly.
He paused, then huffed. "What? No, why would I ever think about someone who'd leave me like that! Someone who'd leave and take my child!"
Minka started laughing heartily. "Oh, I thought you'd say something like that! Earth style, earth crush jutsu."
Her dad tried to wiggle, but found he couldn't, and noticed his coffin was getting tighter. Minka had her hand held out, slowly closing it more and more into a fist. "What are you doing?" he asked, starting to breathe quickly.
"Giving you what you deserve," she muttered. "I hope you rot in hell."
Everyone was far enough away until this point that they couldn't hear most of this exchange. Once Konohamaru saw Minka beginning to close her fist, he ran forward, hugging her from behind. "Minka, stop it. Don't do it."
She was shaking slightly. "But he deserves it. He can suffer while he dies, like she did."
"I know he deserves it," Konohamaru whispered into her ear. "But Lin, Kya, and Amuri deserve to have you take care of them."
Minka stopped closing her fist. Her dad was sputtering. "What? How does he know them? What do you mean?"
She rolled her eyes. "Just stop talking or I might change my mind," she spat at him. She stood up, releasing the crushing jutsu, then the coffin jutsu. He laid on the cold ground, sprawled out and panting.
"This fight is over," Koyuki announced.
"No it's not!" Minka's dad grumbled, trying to get up.
She looked down at him. "Don't bother. Now you know I'll always be there, ready to end you if you fuck up." With that she held onto Konohamaru's hand and they walked back into the courtroom, the rest of the small crowd following.
They sat and waited for another hour or so, Minka's dad eventually wobbling in with some bandages on his face. The council soon entered back to their table and prepared their decision.
"It has been decided that Haruka Hase of the Land of Snow is guilty of child abuse, child neglect, and murder," the eldest member of the council announced.
While Minka's father yelled, aghast, Minka immediately burst into happy tears. Konohamaru smiled with her, holding her hand.
The guards worked to quell her father's rage and once it was quiet again, the council resumed. "Due to an ongoing trial with Ila Hase regarding child abuse and child neglect, custody of Amuri Hase, Kya Hase, and Lin Hase, will be granted to their next of kin - Minka Hana."
Minka was smiling, her face turned upward. She felt gratefulness spread throughout her body and was hopeful that her mother was rejoicing in her victory, too. I'll have to call the kids right after this, she thought. I wonder if they'll want to change their last names, too?
Konohamaru felt both elated and smug - he had only met the man for one day but Minka's father was clearly a piece of work. Even just being in his presence, Konohamaru wanted to beat him up. Thankfully he'll be going to jail.
The court was adjourned and Haruka was still fighting the decision, yelling and writhing. His official sentence would be determined with a separate board, but he was being sent to prison immediately for containment. "Minka! Minka, wait!" he finally yelled.
She rolled her eyes and turned to look at him. "What?"
"Don't let them put me in jail," he begged. "I'm your father."
"Since when?" she scoffed. "I haven't recognized you as anything other than an abuser and a murderer since I was a kid. You're lucky it's just jail for now."
"No, Minka, I know what they'll do to me in jail…" he panted. "Kill me now, please."
She laughed at him. "Oh my god, that's rich. Either you're overestimating your importance or you've really gotten into some shit over the years. Regardless, no - you can rot and suffer like you deserve."
Minka tugged at Konohamaru's sleeve for them to walk forward, happily ignoring her father's fit. Konohamaru gave Minka a big hug as soon as they were outside of the courthouse, the rest of Team 7 and the delegation from the Hidden Leaf celebrating a bit too. They went back to their housing to eat a big meal, Minka stepping to the side to call the kids.
When she went to make the call, she pulled Konohamaru along with her. "They'd love to hear from you, too," she insisted. She was right - Konohamaru was elated to hear the kids ask how he was, and if he was there, once Minka said it was her. She passed the phone to him to say hi.
"Hey you guys," he said. He listened to their hectic chatter. "Yes, we miss you too. We'll be back in a few days. Hey, Minka has some good news," he said, passing off the phone.
"Yeah, you guys are staying with me!" Minka said. Her smile was contagious, Konohamaru leaning against the wall and enjoying her happiness. "Technically your mom has a trial but it doesn't look good for her. Yeah, he's going to jail. I got to beat him up a bit, too… not because it's right, but because he tried to fight me!" she said. After a few more minutes they said their goodbyes, hanging up.
The duo sat down in the room, taking a breath and relaxing. "Hey, we don't leave until the day after tomorrow…" Minka started. "Can I show you around the city tomorrow?" she asked.
He nodded. "Yeah, I'd love that. Will I freeze though?"
She laughed. "No, I'll take care of you."
At that, Minka leaned over, guiding Konohamaru's face towards hers for a deep kiss. They pulled back and smiled at each other, tempted to stay, but deciding they should head to dinner. Everyone had a rowdy time, eating and enjoying one another's company, and finally retired for a well-deserved sleep.