1. Listen. I understand that this isn't going to be exactly like a court case with lawyers and all that but still. I will be doing a spin on it. The Fire Daimyo will be the one to ask the questions and whoever was asked will respond.
2. I will be making the Harem an even number which will likely be 4 or 6 because then that way it would be three wives for the Uzumaki and three for the Senju or even two for both.
3. I hope you all enjoy this story.
Oh, and by the way. I saw some idiot in the reviews was just spamming shit for no reason. I understand that it was my fault for leaving it open like that but if you are going to be a dumbass when I clearly put a warning saying, "If you don't like Neglect Fanfic's don't read them." Then that is your own fault.
Chapter 5: What is to Come
"This court is now in session." The case before us is one of grave significance, not only for the individuals involved but for the entire Hidden Leaf Village. We are here to determine whether Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, and others have committed acts of neglect, abandonment, and abuse against Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, now known as Naruto Uzumaki-Senju."
The lead judge, an elderly man with sharp, calculating eyes, stood and addressed the court. "We will begin with the plaintiffs. Mito Uzumaki and Hashirama Senju, you may present your case."
Mito rose from her seat with grace and authority befitting her status as one of the last living members of the Uzumaki clan. Her expression was one of deep resolve as she walked to the center of the courtroom. The silence in the room was palpable, everyone hanging on to her every word.
"Honorable Daimyo, esteemed judges, and gathered clans of the Fire Country," Mito began, her voice steady and clear. "We are here today because a great wrong has been done, not only to Naruto Uzumaki-Senju but to the principles upon which our village was founded. He was treated as an outcast, ignored and forgotten, while his siblings received the love and attention that should have been his as well."
"These are not just oversights," Mito continued, her voice filled with conviction. "They are acts of neglect that have caused deep wounds in Naruto's heart and soul. Wounds that cannot simply be healed with apologies or promises of change. This trial is about more than just punishment—it is about holding those responsible accountable for their actions and ensuring that such neglect is never repeated," she said pulling out a decently think document
Mito presented evidence to support her claims—letters, documents, and the chakra recordings they have collected over the years. Each piece of evidence was a stark reminder of the neglect that had been inflicted upon Naruto, and the room was filled with an uncomfortable silence as Mito laid out the case.
When Mito finished, Hashirama Senju stood to address the court. His presence was imposing, a reminder of the legendary status he held within the village. Yet his expression was somber, reflecting the seriousness of the matter at hand.
"Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, Jiraiya of the Sannin, Kakashi Hatake—you all were entrusted with the care and guidance of Naruto," Hashirama said, his voice firm yet filled with an underlying sadness. "But you failed him. You allowed him to fall through the cracks, to be overshadowed by others, to be treated as less than he deserved. And now, we are here to address those failures."
Hashirama spoke of the duties and responsibilities that came with being a leader, a mentor, and a parent. He spoke of the importance of nurturing all children, of recognizing their strengths and supporting them in their times of need. His words were a reminder that the village's strength came not just from its military power, but from the bonds of family and community that held it together.
As the plaintiffs finished their case, the room was heavy with tension. The lead judge turned to Minato, who sat beside Kushina, his face a mask of controlled emotion. "Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, you may present your defense."
Minato stood, feeling the weight of every eye in the room on him. His heart was heavy, not just with the guilt of what he had done, but with the knowledge that his actions had brought his family to this point. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he knew would be the most difficult battle of his life.
"Honorable Daimyo, esteemed judges, and gathered clans," Minato began, his voice steady though tinged with deep sorrow. "I stand before you today not as the Fourth Hokage, but as a father who has made grievous mistakes. Mistakes that I wish I could take back, but I cannot. I can only take responsibility for them."
He paused, letting his words hang in the air, each syllable heavy with the weight of the situation. The room was silent, save for the occasional shifting of the gathered spectators. All eyes were on Minato, the once-revered hero of the village, now a man forced to confront his own failings.
"I will not deny that Naruto was neglected," Minato continued, his voice cracking slightly as he spoke the truth he had long tried to avoid. "It is a fact that I cannot escape, no matter how much I may wish to. My focus, my attention, and my love were overwhelmingly given to Menma, Naomi, and Kaede. I believed that Naruto would be strong enough to withstand the burden of his Jinchuriki status on his own and that he would not need the same level of care and attention as his siblings. I was wrong."
Kushina, who sat beside him, clenched her fists in her lap, her knuckles white. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she kept her gaze fixed on the table in front of her, unable to look at Naruto or the others in the room.
Minato continued, his voice growing more resolute. "We neglected Naruto, abandoned him emotionally, and in doing so, I failed him as a father. But I did not abuse him. I never sought to harm him physically or emotionally. My neglect was born from a misguided sense of duty, of prioritizing the protection of the village and the future of my other children over the well-being of Naruto. It was a failure of judgment, a failure of heart, but it was not an act of malice."
"Minato Namikaze, you have admitted to neglecting your son, Naruto Uzumaki-Senju, but you deny any abuse. The evidence presented by the plaintiffs paints a picture of a child who was not only neglected but also ostracized and made to feel less than his siblings. How do you reconcile your claim of no abuse with the evidence before this court?"
Minato took a deep breath, knowing that this was the crux of the matter. "I understand that the line between neglect and abuse can be thin," he said slowly. "But I want to make it clear that my actions, as harmful as they were, were not driven by an intent to cause pain. I failed to recognize Naruto's needs, and failed to provide him with the support he deserved, but I did not intentionally inflict harm upon him. That is the distinction I wish to make."
The judge nodded thoughtfully, "Very well. Is there anyone else from your side that would like to speak?" Kushina rose as Minato sat down.
"I… I failed as a mother," she said, her eyes brimming with tears. "I was so focused on the village, on Menma, Naomi, and Kaede, that I lost sight of Naruto. I see now that my actions, or lack of them, hurt him deeply. But I swear, I never meant to hurt him. I agree with everything that my husband has said," she before sitting down.
The judge then turned to the Daimyo, who had been sitting quietly, observing the proceedings with an unreadable expression. "Fire Daimyo, do you have any questions or remarks before we proceed?"
The most influential man in the Fire Nation leaned forward. "Something that has been eating away at me this whole time. When I looked at the documents provided by Lady Mito. Why would you favor your three children and neglect one? What was so important about training Menma, Naomi, and Kaede and not training Naruto even in the slightest?" he asked.
Minato stood once more to explain but Jiraiya put a hand on his shoulder to explain. He knew he couldn't explain the prophecy to anyone otherwise everyone would be in a panic. "Fire Daimyo. If you do not know the situation when the Nine-Tailed Fox attacked. Minato here sealed different portions into his four children. He sealed the soul of the fox into Naruto while he sealed three tails of chakra each into Menma, Naomi, and Kaede. What we had planned was to train Menma, Naomi, and Kaede because of the chakra they possessed. While Naruto didn't have any chakra whatsoever, we knew that he wasn't like his siblings. The reason for training the three is no excuse but the reason as to why we did it was because we lost about 45% of our shinobi after the attack. We decided at the end of the day if we trained the three of them to the best of our abilities, we would have three powerful shinobi that could lead hundreds of ninjas in the future or even become a future Hokage," he said looking at the Daimyo who narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Then why not train Naruto? 4 is more than 3 after all."
"Because we thought that he wouldn't be enough. Pardon my language but I realized how stupid this is now. We thought that the fox would want the chakra back and that is reason number one. The Reason number is the tailed beast chakra makes someone stronger, faster, more durable, and heal faster. We thought that he would be left behind and we didn't want him to be holding his siblings back," he said looking at Naruto who was glaring at him.
The Fire Damiyo narrowed his eyes, "Well as you said. It was very stupid, and this doesn't help your case one bit," he said adjusting himself.
He cleared his throat before speaking, "I have two more questions. Who is the clan heir or heiress to the Uzumaki Clan?"
Kushina spoke this time, "Well, that would be Kaede Uzumaki," she said looking at him. He then made everyone in the audience jump as he walked over and slammed a book down. It was a book about Uzumaki Clan Law. It looked almost preserved. The Daimyo had opened it to show everyone from the Namikaze family.
"Chapter 1 Section 2: read it now," he said calmly.
"Under Uzumaki Clan law. The status of a clan heir will always and will be the firstborn of the person who is the clan head regardless of whether they are born a boy or girl. Unless the person who once was a clan heir or heiress has signed a document saying they want nothing to do with clan affairs, then it will be who the clan head decides. The only exception to this rule is if the firstborn dies, becomes a missing ninja, or has done something to dishonor the clan itself."
"Meaning what," he said walking back and forth. "Meaning that Naruto is still the clan heir to the Uzumaki," she said quietly. "Good. Glad we understood something. While I have read documents before the start of this case, I understand the majority that Mito and Hashirama have presented to me. The Namikaze clan status for an heir is interchangeable because there are no laws for the clan yet. However, you deliberately wrote a document stating your daughter was to be the heir with the approval of the clan head. Thus, you have broken the law in the Uzumaki Clan," he said holding up the document.
"The document I hold right now was a contract that Kushina Uzumaki to not want to be the clan head in the future and wanted to give to her firstborn child," many whispers broke out causing the judge to silence them with the gavel.
"Now as to my second question. Do you truly love your son, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki?"
Without hesitation from either of them, they both nearly jumped out of their seat, "Yes!"
The Daimyo nodded at this and walked away from them for a moment, "Then tell me. When was the last time Naruto was at your home? Also, tell me when the last time the dinner had with you was."
Minato sighed deeply, the weight of the Daimyo's question pressing down on him like a mountain. He exchanged a brief, pained glance with Kushina, who looked equally stricken. They both knew the answer, and they both knew it wasn't going to be enough.
"It's been… almost a few years since he has been home," Minato admitted quietly, his voice thick with guilt. "Naruto hasn't been home for dinner in…over…5 years if I did the math."
The silence that followed was deafening. The judge, the Daimyo, and everyone else in the courtroom could feel the gravity of that statement. Naruto, who had remained stoic throughout most of the trial, clenched his fists tightly at his sides, his eyes burning with an intensity that made it clear just how much those words hurt.
The Daimyo's expression darkened as he took in Minato's response. "And yet you claim to love your son? How is that love, Lord Fourth? How can you claim to care for Naruto when you've all but abandoned him? Not to mention there is this," he said placing a paper down. "The paper I set down was to have Naruto be adopted by Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki," he said causing gasps in the room. Minato held the paper shaking slightly. He couldn't claim he didn't sign it because this was the Hokage stamp of approval. Hashirama hid a smile as he remembered he hid it under a pile of paper work he was working on.
He walked away from the Namikaze side as they were allowed to think about the ramifications of what they had done. The Daimyo turned to the judge and said, "I am done with the questions for now. We may move on to the next topic," he said taking a seat back down.
The judge cleared his throat as he began to speak, "It has been made very clear that the Fourth Hokage and his family have committed crimes against a clan as well Naruto Uzumaki-Senju. Minato and his associates have even pleaded guilty to said crimes except for abuse. I would like to say Lady Mito and Lord Hashirama have given ample evidence as to what Minato, Kushina, and others have done to Naruto, and they have already given what punishments are to be handed out when the trial is over. Just know that they would have been much worse had they denied everything," he said turning to Naruto. "Naruto Uzumaki-Senju would you like to say anything before we move on or even be asked questions."
Naruto stood making his presence known in the room. "Thank you, Your Honor," Naruto began, his voice steady but carrying an edge that sent a shiver down the spines of those listening. He turned his gaze towards Minato and Kushina, his blue eyes piercing through them like daggers. "I've spent years trying to understand why. Why my parents, the people who were supposed to love and protect me, would abandon me so easily? Why would they choose my siblings over me? But now I realize, it doesn't matter. The damage is done."
Naruto paused, letting his words sink in. Minato and Kushina looked as though they had been struck, their faces pale and drawn. The weight of their actions was crashing down on them, but Naruto wasn't done.
"You say you love me," Naruto continued, his voice hardening, "but love isn't just a word. It's not something you say to make yourself feel better. Love is action. It's being there when someone needs you, it's caring for them even when it's difficult. It's making sacrifices for their happiness. And you failed. You failed me in every possible way."
The silence in the courtroom was suffocating, every eye fixed on Naruto as he spoke. The Daimyo stood from where he sat and approached the red-haired boy. "So, Lord Naruto. I have a couple of questions for you. The first question is when did Lady Mito and Lord Hashirama step into your life?"
Naruto sighed contently at the memory. "I was at the park when I was 7 years old drawing some pictures at the park. I always draw when I try to take my mind off things. Long story short they had met me at the park. They talked to me, and they made me feel better about everything. I told them what was happening at home, and they offered to train me and feed me food. If you open the file in there, there is a folder that shows me when I was seven. I was malnourished and small for my age, but they made sure to get me back on track," he said getting some shocks from the crowd.
"Soon a year went by, and I had gotten so much stronger than I once was. There is something that I would like to play for the crowd if you I may," he asked the judge and Daimyo. Both agreed to approach, and he went to the front to show the chakra recording.
"Now for a little context. I was trained by Mito and Hashirama in terms of physical strength and Taijutsu for the majority of the first year of training. I had always lost to Menma who was always someone that is just physically stronger than everyone else. It was a big goal of mine to take down Menma and beat him in a Taijutsu spar. To sum it up, I beat Menma, and I felt so proud of myself. Lord Fourth and Lady Kushina had run down to make sure Menma was ok, and this is how the conversation went between themselves and me," he said playing the recording on a projector.
"Wait, Lord Naruto, who was this recording by?" asked the judge.
"This was recorded by Hashirama because he wanted to use this as a reference for how I can improve myself," he said. The judge nodded and turned to watch the recording like everyone else. The recording starts to play as the fight between Naruto and Menma is done.
"What is wrong with you Naruto?" Minato asked upset.
"Nothing, I finally beat Menma," he cheered out.
"I don't care that you won. You could have seriously hurt your brother," Minato said, anger present on his face.
"You got some nerve young man. You should be disappointed in yourself. You get some kind of sick thrill from hurting your family. Apologize to him now," she said pointing at him.
"Sorry…Menma," he said on the verge of tears.
The chakra recording stopped as he heard some of the crowd's reactions. Minato and Kushina were panicking slightly not because they were caught, but because they had forgotten that they did that.
"I know it doesn't show it but shortly after it was Mito and Hashirama who were there to comfort me after that. It made me happy knowing that I had people who were proud of me, but it had hurt that it wasn't my parents," he said looking at the Daimyo who nodded.
"Then my next question is what made you want to live in the Senju Compound?" he asked looking at him. Naruto straightened himself up realizing he was slumping a little.
"What made me want to live there was…I felt at peace. Hashirama and Mito cared about me a lot even before I saw them as my parents or before I started to live with them," he said. Minato and Kushina's hearts dropped for what felt like the millionth time.
"Peace," Naruto repeated, his voice softer now, though no less firm. "It's something I never thought I'd find, at least not in the way I did. The Senju Compound became my sanctuary. A place where I didn't have to prove my worth, where I wasn't constantly overshadowed by my siblings. Where I could be… just Naruto."
He looked at his parents, and for a moment, his gaze softened, but the pain in his eyes was still evident. "It wasn't about replacing you," he continued, "It was about finding the love and acceptance I should have gotten from you. Hashirama and Mito didn't try to take your place; they simply filled the void you left behind."
Naruto's words were like daggers, each one cutting deeper than the last. Minato clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, while Kushina's eyes filled with tears that she tried to blink away. They had always believed they were doing the right thing by focusing on Menma and the others and training them to be strong and capable. But now, faced with the harsh reality of Naruto's pain, they realize the extent of their failure.
"The Senju Compound wasn't just a place," Naruto said, breaking the heavy silence once more. "It was a home. A real home, where I was valued for who I was, not just for my potential or the power I could bring. Mito and Hashirama treated me like their own, and in time, I came to see them as my true family. They didn't see me as a tool or a burden but as a person, with thoughts, feelings, and dreams."
The Daimyo nodded thoughtfully, clearly affected by Naruto's words. "And how do you see them now, Naruto?" he asked gently. "Do you see the Senju as your family? As your parents?"
Naruto took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving his parents as he answered. "Yes," he said simply. "They are my family. They have been for a long time now. I love them, and I know they love me. They showed me what it means to be part of a family, something I never truly understood until I met them."
A low murmur rippled through the courtroom as the spectators reacted to Naruto's declaration. The tension in the air was palpable, and it was clear that everyone present was fully engrossed in the unfolding drama. Minato and Kushina looked as though they had been struck by a physical blow, their faces pale and drawn.
He looked down at the chakra recording in his hand and rubbed it softly. "But I will say this. What is on this chakra recording is something that…I…really have debated on showing. Not for their sake but for mine. I…have bad memories of it to this day," he said placing it down to hit play. Mito and Hashirama knew what it was but still, we were surprised he would show this. He looked at his friends and classmates. They all gave him looks of curiosity. They had been told of what his old parents did to him, but they never knew what happened on this day. He didn't give a damn anymore because he was going to show how awful his old family was.
"Listen, everyone," he said, his voice echoing throughout the courtroom. "If there are any small children…that are present you think should not see this…is something that not everyone should see," he said shaking slightly.
"This is the reason why I left and stayed with my true parents," he said. "Some background on this. I learned the Rasengan when I was nine years old. I wanted to show my family how strong I was by showing them this jutsu," he said. Kushina rubbed the tears out of hers and her heart skipped a beat. She remembered this day. She knew she couldn't do anything to stop it otherwise she would get into more trouble. She bowed her head in shame and waited for it to happen.
Naruto hesitated but hit the play button.
"This will be awesome," he said to himself as he opened the compound door.
He looked to see Menma, Naomi, and Kaede eating dinner and chatting away with Tsunade and Jiraiya while Minato, Kakashi, and Kushina chatted between themselves. Naruto got up to be next to his mom and dad.
Naruto walked over to his parents with a mix of hope and nerves. "Hey, Mom, Dad," he greeted, trying to sound casual. "I've been working on something I'd like to show you."
Kushina glanced up briefly from her conversation with Minato, her eyes lighting up with a bit of interest. Minato looked up as well, his expression unreadable but attentive. Naruto took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves as he prepared to show them his achievement.
He focused and formed the Rasengan once again, the blue sphere of spinning chakra floating in his palm. Minato's eyes widened slightly, and Kushina's jaw dropped. For a moment, the room fell silent as the gravity of Naruto's accomplishment sank in.
Minato was the first to break the silence. "Naruto… you learned the Rasengan?
"Yes, I did," he said smiling in victory. He then felt pain. On his ribs. He was then flung to the wall by a punch from Minato. Minato stormed over to him as well as Kushina.
Naruto had looked away at this part of the recording as he couldn't take it anymore. He closed his eyes and only listened to the reactions of the crowd. He heard most of them were silent and many gasped. Some voices he recognized as Ino and Hinata.
"Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze. How did you learn that jutsu?" he asked in anger. "From…the scroll in the library," he said trying to catch his breath but receiving another punch from Minato in the ribs feeling something break. Minato picked him up and spat with anger.
"You went into the library and grabbed something that was not meant for you. That was supposed to be for your siblings to learn not you," he growled out. Naruto was crying now, tears streaming down his face.
Kushina then smacked him across the face, "Quit crying Goddamnit. You brought this upon yourself. You are what is wrong with this family. I did not teach you to selfishly steal jutsu from the library for your use," she said smacking him once more, his cheek bleeding.
Kushina's face was a mask of cold anger. "Do you think you're special just because you learned a jutsu that was intended for your siblings?"
Naruto tried to speak, but the pain made it hard to focus. "I… I didn't mean to… I just wanted to show you all that I could do. I wanted to make you proud."
Minato's eyes narrowed. "Proud? You've only shown us that you're disobedient and selfish. Your actions have consequences, Naruto, and you need to learn that. You failed us as a son. From this day on you are no longer the heir to the Uzumaki or Namikaze clan," he said letting go of his grip around his neck and dropping him.
The Chakra recorder jumped an hour and a half later to when he was knocked out at the Senju Compound.
"Naruto. Naruto! Answer me please," he said picking him up bridal style and carrying him inside. "MITO! COME QUICK!" he yelled, putting him on the table. Mito gasped, running over to him. She ripped the shirt from him to see the left side of his chest was black and blue along with his neck. There was an imprint of a hand around his neck showing that he was being choked out tightly. Mito immediately went to work examining the injuries, summoning a shadow clone to cover the area of the body twice as fast. Hashirama was waiting expectingly.
Mito's face was set in a mask of focused determination as she assessed Naruto's injuries. Her eyes flickered with a mixture of anger and worry as she worked quickly, her hands glowing with healing chakra. The damage was severe, more than she had ever seen inflicted on Naruto before. Her heart ached as she looked at the bruises marring his skin, the deep cuts, and the handprint around his neck that spoke volumes of the violence he had endured.
"What is the prognosis," he said looking down at him.
"He's suffered multiple broken ribs, internal bleeding, and severe bruising," Mito reported, her voice calm despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. "His lung has been punctured, and there's damage to his trachea. It's a miracle he made it here at all."
Hashirama clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white as he struggled to keep his composure. "Who could have done this to him?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Mito paused for a moment, her eyes meeting Hashirama's. "There's no doubt in my mind," she said softly. "This kind of damage… it wasn't an accident. Someone wanted to hurt him, to break him."
Hashirama's expression darkened as the realization dawned on him. "Minato," he muttered, the name leaving his lips like a curse. "And Kushina."
"Wait what is this," she said seeing a small light on his upper right chest, "It is a Chakra Recording Seal," she said shocked.
"Quick shut it off so we can see how this happened to him," said Hashirama. They tossed it to the side and Mito started to heal Naruto. Naruto was opening his eyes when he saw Hashirama taking photos of him and Mito was healing him.
Naruto, who looked up for the first time in a while looked around the room to see the people's reaction. The judge and the Daimyo were wide-eyed at what they just watched. He looked over to the Namikaze family who Kushina and the children were crying. Menma and Minato at a thousand-yard stare as Jiraiya and Tsuande looked out the window with shame. Kakashi just looked down in shame. He saw that his friends were looking at him in sadness that he dealt with that. The Daimyo cleared his throat to stop himself from being shocked.
"Is there anything else you would like to say Lord Naruto?" he asked softly.
Naruto took a deep breath, looking at the Daimyo, then at the judge, before his gaze finally settled on Minato and Kushina. The sight of his mother crying, his siblings looking lost and broken, and his father staring blankly into space should have brought him some sense of satisfaction, some validation for the years of suffering he had endured. But instead, it only deepened the hollowness he felt. This was not a victory; it was simply the truth, laid bare for all to see.
"Yes, Your Honorable Daimyo," Naruto finally said, his voice steady though filled with a cold resolve. "There is one more thing I need to say."
He looked at his parents who nodded at him. He knew flat out that he couldn't talk about the Shinigami doing this to him, so they had come up with the idea that they used during the Warring States Period.
"A few weeks after…uh…this incident," he said pointing to the chakra recording. "I felt…ashamed of having the blood of my parents. So, I went through with a procedure. It is something that was used during the Warring States Period. It is something known as Blood and DNA Reconfiguration," he said making Tsunade's eyes go wide, she knew what this was. Many clansmen used it to join the clan.
"What this does, is you can change the DNA and blood in your body to be someone else. I did that so my blood would be that of Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki. So, they are technically my biological parents."
This received a sound of silence in the room, something that he was not expecting.
Minato and Kushina looked completely shattered. The revelation that their son had gone so far as to alter his very DNA to distance himself from them was like a knife to their hearts. This was not just a rejection of them as parents; it was a complete erasure of their connection to him, a final, irrevocable severing of the bond they had taken for granted.
Naruto then continued to speak, "But before this blood and DNA reconfiguration. I… discovered that I had a bloodline only known to be used by one other person. If you look on page four there is something on when I unlocked it and it was before this," he said. The judge looked at it and it was an entry to show Naruto had Wood Release, making him shocked. The Daimyo looked at him and walked up to see the paper and he was shocked.
"I have the Wood Release Kekkai Genkai," he said getting gasps and shouting. He stuck out the palm of his hand and started to grow a sapling from the palm of his hand proving his claim. The courtroom started to get riled up and the judge had to silence them once more.
"Order, order in the court," he said. Naruto looked at the Daimyo. "That will be all Lord Daimyo," he said bowing and returning to his spot. "I have no further questions," said the Fire Daimyo returning to his seat.
The judge stood to the audience, "We will take a 30-minute recess so that the jury can talk about the punishment," he said dismissing them.
30 MINUTES LATER
"It has been made clear time and time again that with the evidence provided punishment is demanded for the actions against young Naruto. While Minato and his company denied that they abused young Naruto. That was proven wrong time and time again meaning that they have lied in a court setting," said one of the men on the jury.
"The collective punishment for the Namikaze family is as follows," she began, her tone unyielding. "All Uzumaki Clan jutsu and artifacts in their possession are to be returned to Lady Mito Uzumaki-Senju, the rightful owner. This includes any scrolls, seals, or weapons bearing the Uzumaki crest. They will be stripped of any claims to the Uzumaki heritage, and their rights to use any Jutsu specific to the Uzumaki Clan are hereby revoked. This includes the Slug Summoning Contract used by Tsunade Senju as she illegally did not ask the owner of the scroll Mito Uzumaki-Senju to have someone new sign the scroll."
A wave of murmurs swept through the courtroom, the consequences of the jury's decision sinking in. The Namikaze family, once seen as a pinnacle of power and prestige, was being stripped of a significant part of their identity. To lose the Uzumaki name and the rights that came with it was a heavy blow, not just to their pride but to their standing within the village and among the clans.
The woman continued, undeterred by the reaction of the crowd. "Furthermore, the Namikaze Compound will henceforth be known as such, with all Uzumaki symbols and insignia removed from the premises. Any records or documentation listing them as part of the Uzumaki Clan will be amended to reflect this change. The Senju Compound will now be recognized as the Uzumaki-Senju Compound, with Lord Naruto officially recognized as the heir to both the Senju and Uzumaki Clans."
"As for the punishment for Minato Namikaze," she said slowly.
"The title of Hokage is a sacred one," the woman continued, her voice as cold and unyielding as steel. "It is a title that demands respect, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of the village and its people. Minato Namikaze has failed in these responsibilities. He has allowed his personal biases and neglect to endanger the life of his own son, and by extension, the future of this village. Therefore, it is the decision of this court that Minato Namikaze be stripped of his title as Hokage, effective immediately."
Minato Namikaze, once revered as the Fourth Hokage, stood motionless, his face pale and devoid of emotion. His title, his pride, and the legacy he had fought so hard to build were torn away from him in a matter of moments. The very position that had defined his life, that had given him purpose and authority, was now slipping through his fingers, leaving him a hollow shell of the man he once was. In the end, though, he knew it was his fault. Every action he did, whether he thought it was good or bad for Naruto, had consequences.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the courtroom, the shock of the decision reverberating through the crowd. To remove a Hokage from power was nearly unheard of, a rare and drastic measure that spoke to the severity of Minato's actions. The villagers who had once admired him now whispered among themselves, their voices tinged with disbelief and uncertainty. The jury went into the punishments of The Sannin and Kakashi for standing by when Naruto was in danger. They were sentenced to a few months of D-rank missions without pay as well as community service.
With that, the woman stepped back, and the judge stood once more, bringing the proceedings to a close. "This court has reached its verdict. The punishments have been decided and will be enacted immediately. This court is adjourned."
The gavel came down for the final time, signaling the end of the trial. The room erupted in conversation as people processed what had just transpired. The fate of the Namikaze family had been sealed, and Naruto's position as the head of two of the most powerful clans in the village was now official.
He looked to see his parents smiling down at him. He hugged them back and smiled at having a true family now. He let go of the hug to go up to his friends who came to support him. They all surrounded him as they ran up. Ino and Hinata hugged him telling him how sorry they were he had to go through with that.
Naruto chuckled as he thought of something, "You know what. I am in a hugging mood," he said going up to Shikamaru his arms spread wide. Shikamaru looked surprised and started to back away. "Naruto, stop being troublesome," he said as he ran into something behind him. It was Chouji chuckling as he stopped him. It was too late as he hugged him. Shikamaru sighed and just went with it and hugged him back. He moved on to Chouji, Yakumo, and his next target was Shino.
"Listen Naruto-san…I mean Naruto. While I know you are doing it out of good faith, you should…" Shino looked down as he had arms wrapped around him, he knew it was too late for him as he was enveloped in a hug. He knew it was pointless, so he conceded. Soon everyone had their fill of hugs, even the Sand siblings. Soon people started to file out of the room and Naruto, Mito, and Hashirama were taking their leave.
As they made their way out of the courtroom, Mito Uzumaki placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, drawing his attention. "Naruto," she began, her voice soft yet firm, "you've shown incredible strength today. Standing up for yourself, for what's right... It's something not everyone can do, especially in front of so many people."
Naruto looked up at her, feeling a swell of gratitude. "Thank you, Mom," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I couldn't have done it without you guys. You've both been there for me when no one else was."
Hashirama, walking beside them, gave Naruto a warm smile. "You've always had that strength within you, Naruto. We just helped you bring it out." His voice was filled with pride as he looked down at his grandson, knowing that Naruto was destined for great things.
As they continued walking, Naruto noticed the stares from the villagers. Some looked at him with awe, others with curiosity, and a few with lingering doubt. He knew it would take time for everyone to fully accept what had happened, but he was ready for the challenge. The support of his new family and friends gave him the confidence he needed to face whatever came next.
As they exited the courthouse, the warm afternoon sun greeted them, casting a golden light over the Capital. Naruto took a deep breath, feeling the tension of the day slowly begin to dissipate. He was glad that this was over. He was happy with how everything was right now. This was a new chapter that was in the middle of being written. He was ready for whatever was to be thrown at him.
NAMIKAZE FAMILY
Minato sighed as he lay on the bed next to his wife who took his hand. "We messed up," was all she said to him.
"I know. We must pay the price for what we did to Naruto. It is our fault, and we will take responsibility for it. At least they don't have to seal away any of the abilities from our children as everything that was taught to them was strictly from my side of the family," he said with her nodding.
"You think the kids are taking it alright?" she asked.
WITH MENMA
Menma was just looking out the window in the other room. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as he thought about today. The room he was in felt suffocating, the walls closing in as his anger threatened to consume him. It was unbearable, and the sting of their disappointment only fueled the rage that burned within him.
As he stared out of the window, his thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. He turned to see Naomi standing hesitantly at the threshold, her expression a mixture of concern and uncertainty.
"Menma, are you okay?" she asked quietly, stepping into the room.
Menma's red-slitted eyes flickered with irritation, but he forced himself to take a deep breath and calm down. "I'm fine," he muttered, though the edge in his voice was unmistakable.
Naomi frowned, not convinced. "You don't look fine. You've been really quiet since the trial ended."
Menma clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "Of course I'm quiet. Our family is falling apart, and Naruto is out there, acting like everything is just fine."
Naomi's expression softened, and she walked closer to him. "I know it's hard, Menma. Everything is changing so fast, and it feels like we're losing everything. But maybe… maybe this is for the best. We also weren't there for Naruto either."
Menma turned to her sharply, his eyes narrowing. "For the best? How can you say that, Naomi? Naruto ruined everything! He took away Dad's title and our family's reputation, and now he's the head of two powerful clans! We were supposed to be the ones leading, not him!"
Naomi sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I know you're upset, but… maybe Naruto deserves this. We all know how he was treated… how we treated him. Maybe this is his way of finding happiness, of finding a place where he belongs."
Menma's anger flared once more, and he slammed his fist against the window frame. "Happiness? Belonging? What about us, Naomi? What about what we deserve? We've worked hard, and trained, and now it's all slipping away because of him!"
Naomi flinched at the intensity of his words but didn't back down. "I get it, Menma. I really do. But being angry and bitter won't change anything. If anything, it'll only make things worse."
Menma glared at her, the red in his eyes glowing faintly. "Maybe you're okay with this, but I'm not. I won't just sit back and let Naruto take everything from us."
Naomi hesitated for a moment before speaking again, her voice soft but firm. "I don't want to lose you too, Menma. We're still family, no matter what happens. Please don't let this anger consume you."
Menma stared at her, his expression conflicted. Deep down, he knew that Naomi was right, that holding on to this hatred would only destroy him. But the thought of letting go, of accepting what had happened, was too much for him to bear.
"I'll do what I have to," he finally said, his voice cold and distant. "You do what you want."
Naomi's heart ached as she looked at her brother, but she knew there was nothing more she could say. With a heavy sigh, she turned and left the room, leaving Menma alone with his thoughts.
As the door closed behind her, Menma's anger gave way to a cold, calculating resolve. If Naruto wanted to be the head of two clans, if he wanted to take away everything that Menma had worked for, then Menma would make sure he paid the price. No matter how long it took. He would find a way to make sure he would get what he wanted.
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