The next morning, Tatsuya walked alongside Kyoko and Mitarashi Anko towards the pet shop. The previous night, Tatsuya had treated the two girls to a nice meal out, and it was late by the time the trio returned to the Akimichi compound. Strolling through the Konoha streets, listening to the cheerful chatter of the two women beside him, Tatsuya felt a sense of comfortable ease. Having spent so much time in Konoha, he seemed to have completely acclimatized to life here.
Swish~
As they walked, an ANBU operative suddenly flickered into existence before them.
"Jonin Tatsuya, the Hokage requires your presence," the ANBU stated, gesturing respectfully for Tatsuya to accompany him.
"You two go on ahead to the shop; I'll be there shortly," Tatsuya said, feeling a twinge of annoyance. After relaying the instruction to Kyoko and Anko, he leaped away with the ANBU operative.
When Tatsuya arrived at the Hokage's Office, the room was already crowded with several dozen people – all high-ranking officials from the village administration and the major ninja clans. An empty chair sat conspicuously in the center of the room, apparently placed there specifically for Tatsuya. The setup had the distinct atmosphere of a formal hearing or tribunal.
Seeing Tatsuya enter, the assembled individuals reacted variously. The heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio offered him reassuring glances. The Hyuga Clan Head, Hiashi Hyuga, gave Tatsuya a polite, smiling nod. Fugaku Uchiha, however, wore a cold expression, his gaze sharp as he looked at Tatsuya. The three village advisors – Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado – maintained their usual impassive poker faces, betraying no emotion.
"Lord Hokage," Tatsuya said, taking note of everyone's expressions and reactions but paying them little mind. He walked respectfully before the Third Hokage and offered a bow.
"Mm, no need for formalities. Please, sit," the Third Hokage said with a gentle smile, nodding and gesturing towards the empty chair.
"Yes, sir," Tatsuya replied, turning and sitting down without fuss. The room remained silent as everyone watched.
Once Tatsuya was seated, the Third Hokage paused for several seconds before speaking. "Tatsuya, I summoned you here today because there is a matter I must ask you about."
"Please ask, Lord Hokage," Tatsuya responded respectfully.
The Third Hokage looked directly at Tatsuya. "After you left the village, did you encounter the Uchiha clan's elite Jonin, Uchiha Teru? And did a fierce battle occur between you?"
Tatsuya nodded. "Yes. He followed me all the way to the northern border of the Land of Fire."
The Third Hokage frowned. "And where is Uchiha Teru now?"
"He awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan and attempted to kill me. I killed him," Tatsuya stated plainly. He had no intention of denying it, nor could he.
Hearing Tatsuya's simple, affirmative answer, the expressions of everyone in the room shifted subtly. The Mangekyo Sharingan! The legendary ultimate power of the Uchiha clan! And Akimichi Tatsuya had actually killed someone who possessed it? Everyone present understood the weight of this revelation.
"Akimichi Tatsuya! How dare you kill a member of my Uchiha clan!" Fugaku Uchiha, seated to Tatsuya's left, shot to his feet, directing his fury at Tatsuya. His eyes held unconcealed anger and deep regret. A clansman who had successfully awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, sacrificed just like that – how could he not be enraged? If Uchiha Teru were still alive, the Uchiha clan would possess three pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan. That would represent an incredibly terrifying force.
"Captain Fugaku," Tatsuya countered calmly, turning to face him. "Uchiha Teru followed me after leaving the village, and attacked me the moment he revealed himself. I'd like to ask, was this under your orders, Captain?"
"I never gave such an order!" Fugaku retorted, his face grim. "But even if he attacked you, you didn't need to resort to lethal force!"
Tatsuya shook his head. "I'm sorry, Captain Fugaku, but I couldn't afford to hold back. Uchiha Teru had already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan. The moment he attacked, he activated Susanoo. If I had shown mercy, I would likely be the one dead right now. Even so, after that battle, I had to spend over a month recuperating outside the village before I fully recovered."
Fugaku fell silent. He knew the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan; facing Uchiha Teru with Susanoo activated, no one could guarantee victory, let alone afford mercy.
Amidst the silence, Danzo suddenly spoke up. "Jonin Tatsuya, perhaps it wasn't that you 'couldn't afford' to hold back, but rather that you did so intentionally! According to ANBU's subsequent investigation, there seem to be traces indicating a third party was present at the battle site. Furthermore, Uchiha Teru's body completely vanished after his death. What happened to his Mangekyo Sharingan eyes?"
"Elder Danzo seems to be insinuating something. Perhaps you could speak more plainly," Tatsuya said, turning to face Danzo. A slight smirk played on his lips, and the disdain in his eyes was unmistakable.
Everyone in the room witnessed this exchange. A chill went down many spines. Akimichi Tatsuya was actually bringing his conflict with Root out into the open!
Seeing Tatsuya directly challenge Danzo, the anger on Fugaku's face subsided slightly, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
Tatsuya's blatant disregard for him caused Danzo's face to darken completely. He glared coldly at Tatsuya for a moment before turning to the Third Hokage. "Hiruzen, Akimichi Tatsuya is suspected of colluding with outsiders to murder a fellow village shinobi. Such behavior cannot be tolerated. I recommend he be immediately detained for strict interrogation."
"Elder Danzo! Uchiha Teru acted with malicious intent first; Tatsuya was merely defending himself! To convict him based on this… my Akimichi clan will certainly not accept it!" Akimichi Ryota immediately stood up, refuting Danzo's accusation.
"Indeed! Lord Hokage, please reconsider!" Yamanaka Kazuki and Nara Hiroki quickly added their support.
The atmosphere in the office instantly grew heavy.
Seeing the situation, the Third Hokage waved a hand towards Tatsuya. "Tatsuya, you may leave for now." It was clear the Third intended to "discuss" how to handle the matter with those remaining.
Tatsuya calmly stood up, turned, and walked out. Before leaving, his gaze swept briefly over Fugaku and Danzo. Both wore grim expressions, but the emotions in their eyes were distinctly different.
"Kakashi?" Stepping out of the Hokage's Office, Tatsuya was surprised to see Kakashi waiting in the hallway.
"Come with me," Kakashi said simply, then turned and walked away.
Tatsuya blinked, slightly confused, but followed without asking questions. They walked in silence, soon arriving at the rooftop of the Hokage Building. Kakashi led Tatsuya to the edge but still said nothing. They stood side-by-side, silently surveying the village spread out below them. As far as the eye could see, Konoha appeared orderly, prosperous, and peaceful. Behind them, the four massive faces carved into the Hokage Monument gleamed faintly in the morning sun.
They didn't have to wait long. Soon, Tatsuya received the official notification regarding his punishment.
He was stripped of his Jonin status in the Hidden Leaf Village and demoted to the rank of ordinary Chunin. He was also relieved of his position as Vice-Captain in the Military Police Force and was to remain in the Third Division as a regular member for the time being.