Land of Fire.
Konoha.
It was still the same familiar central square.
The second morning had arrived.
The early spring sun spilled golden warmth across the village, dispersing the last of the night's chill.
Yet despite the hour being early, an unusual number of villagers and shinobi had already gathered—waiting.
Even the clan heads had risen at dawn to witness what would become the first formal public trial since the Guard's New Year's Festival.
But unlike last time, there was only one person on trial.
Sarutobi Hiruzen—the Third Hokage.
That name alone had shaken Konoha to its core.
Perhaps the more ignorant villagers had long harbored doubts about his leadership, wishing for someone younger, stronger to take over. But no one truly believed the revered Hokage would one day be publicly accused of harming the village itself.
It was a sobering question for all.
What had the position of Hokage become? Had it degraded to this point?
Some thought the Guard would handle it quietly, perhaps allowing Sarutobi to retire in shame and avoid disgrace for Konoha's sake.
But Bai Ye, the Guard's captain, had chosen a different path.
He didn't just arrest the man. He called for a public trial the very next day.
The implications of this act echoed beyond Konoha's walls.
What would it mean for the Land of Fire? For the other villages?
At least there was one comfort—Tsunade had accepted the post of acting Hokage. The administrative reins were now under her, not the elders Homura and Koharu.
Still, unease crept through the village.
The Guard, having completed their early-morning training with Might Guy, filed into the square in tight formation. They radiated solemnity. Not one of them treated Sarutobi's status as reason to falter.
Uchiha Cong and Uchiha Shanyang appeared like twin commanders, carrying ornate Taishi chairs to the stage. After establishing perimeter divisions and security positions, they waited.
As for their enigmatic leader Bai Ye?
Speculation suggested he was still asleep.
It was expected—he'd worked hard the day before. His rare days off were usually reserved for indulgence.
And indeed, he had indulged.
Kushina had vowed to "give him a child like a madwoman" the night before, and she had not held back. Their passionate clash had lasted deep into the night.
Still, Bai Ye knew the truth.
His recently enhanced bloodline had widened the lifeform gap between them even further. What once might have taken a few years might now take far longer.
Not even Kushina, nor the likes of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki at light speed, would find it easy to conceive with him.
But Bai Ye was never one to worry. Fate would bring children when it was ready.
He never used protection anyway. It would happen when the time was right.
Inside the mansion.
Bai Ye sat languidly at the breakfast table, attended by Samui and Wooden Golem. It was already noon, but for someone like Bai Ye, the meal was still called "breakfast."
In his world, breakfast wasn't a noun—it was a verb. A ritual of power and luxury.
All of Konoha was tense with anticipation. The entire ninja world, perhaps, was watching the trial.
But to Bai Ye? It was nothing.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was no opponent. If Tsunade hadn't restrained him, he would've ended him long ago.
A man so fragile he could be crushed with a yawn was not worth his time.
"Captain, urgent report."
Interrupting his meal, Uchiha Izumi arrived, straddling her custom little motorcycle.
She came in? Alone? Into this beast's den?
Samui and Wooden Golem exchanged glances, exasperated.
Doesn't she understand what kind of place this is?
But she was just a girl—barely into her teens. Bai Ye wouldn't lay a hand on her.
"Speak," he said, his tone unchanged.
He didn't even flinch about her ties to Uchiha Itachi.
She was cute. With a good heart. In the future, she'd be devastatingly beautiful—a calamity-level woman.
And while he had no impure thoughts now, she might make an excellent occasional companion someday.
"Um… Captain, it's like this. The daimyo of the Fire Country showed up out of nowhere."
Izumi's eyes flickered with uncertainty.
"He insisted on attending the public trial… then tried to approach Sarutobi."
She clenched her fists.
"And he got punched—by Captain Cong."
That's what happened.
When word spread yesterday that the Third Hokage was to be tried publicly, it reached the daimyo's ears immediately. Sarutobi's greatest political supporter was stunned.
So, this morning, just as the trial was about to begin, he rushed to Konoha with his entourage and strode directly into the central square.
He spotted Sarutobi, already in place awaiting judgment, and tried to approach him.
But the Guard had rules. Ironclad ones.
No outsider was to contact the accused before trial, unless authorized by the captain himself.
And the daimyo? He broke that rule.
And who was Uchiha Cong?
He wasn't going to let anyone trample the Guard's law—not even the daimyo.
Without hesitation, he took the man down. Then had Uchiha Itachi assist him.
They arrested the daimyo on the spot and added him to the docket.
"Master Bai Ye… we're not sure if that was too far."
Izumi's tone softened.
After all, the daimyo was Konoha's chief benefactor. Ninja training costs money, and most of it came from the daimyo's coffers.
Was it worth angering him?
That's why Vice-Captain Shanyang had sent her.
"Pfft."
Bai Ye scoffed, drinking the ginseng soup Wooden Golem offered. The sweetness was distracting.
...Why did mornings always make him feel so alive?
He shook his head and gave Izumi a sideways glance.
"When did our ninja world need permission from civilians?"
This was a world ruled by strength.
Hashirama had made a mistake when he bowed to the daimyo and other nobles. What partnership? Without shinobi, the Fire Country would've been erased long ago.
The daimyo's so-called "funding" was nothing more than a protection fee.
"You give money, I keep you safe. You don't give money, I find someone who does."
Simple.
"Uchiha Cong did well," Bai Ye declared, finishing his meal and donning his signature justice cloak.
"The daimyo?"
He smirked.
"He must be rich. Rich enough to qualify for public trial."
Izumi blinked, then grinned wide.
"Exactly! Who does he think he is to challenge your rules, Captain Bai Ye?!"
Despite her youth, her spirit was sharp—worthy of the girl who once dared rival Obito.
If she stayed by Bai Ye's side long enough, she'd definitely rise alongside Uchiha Cong as his next trusted general.
Crouching dragon and phoenix chick. That's what she was.
"Let's go," Bai Ye said, hoisting her onto his bike.
With a twist of the throttle, they rocketed from the mansion.
It was her first ride—and Izumi squealed with joy, wiggling excitedly in her seat.
Good thing she was still a kid.
Or Bai Ye might've had to go back and punish her for making him "uncomfortable."
---
Central Square.
"Outrage! This is an outrage!"
"Konoha is out of control! How dare the Guard lay hands on the daimyo?!"
"Who gave them this power?! Who—?!"
Even from a distance, villagers and shinobi could hear the daimyo's furious roars.
People exchanged confused, nervous glances.
No one had ever imagined this was possible.
The Guard had arrested the daimyo.
The message was clear: no one was above the law in Bai Ye's Konoha.
"What's that idiot yelling about?" Cong muttered, watching the red-faced noble shriek.
Daimyo? He only acknowledged one superior.
And that was Bai Ye.
He glanced at Uchiha Itachi.
"Go shut him up. Drag Kabuto with you. We don't want him embarrassing himself when Lord Bai Ye arrives."
Itachi groaned inside.
Again? Why was it always his job?
But he had no choice.
He was still a deputy captain.
And the Guard's hierarchy was absolute.
With a sigh, Itachi stepped forward, cracked his knuckles, and raised a hand in front of the astonished daimyo.
One clean strike silenced him.
Let the trial begin.