For the sake of impartiality, Uchiha Jin said nothing.
Instead,
Nara Shikaku stepped forward and announced the final judgment.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, Danzo Shimura!"
"These four, once the ruling elite of Old Konoha, clung to power and orchestrated a string of atrocities that shocked the Ninja World. Their scheming caused countless prodigies and powerhouses of the Village to die young, reducing Konoha from the undisputed number-one shinobi Village under the Second Hokage to the decaying shell you see today."
"Second: during the reign of the Konoha F4, they embezzled vast sums from the Village treasury."
"Third: outwardly timid yet brutally ruthless at home. In the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha emerged victorious yet received no reparations. When negotiations with Kumogakure began, Cloud plotted to steal the Hyuga's Byakugan bloodline, yet the F4 never sought justice for the clan. Instead, they shamelessly told the Hyuga to solve the problem themselves."
"Fourth: they conspired to murder the Fourth Hokage, framed the hero's son Uzumaki Naruto as the Nine-Tails, and turned the entire Village against him. To this day, the inheritance of Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kushina has never been returned to Uzumaki Naruto."
"In light of the above, the court pronounces as follows."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other three Konoha elders are sentenced to death. After execution, their bodies will be reincarnated via Edo Tensei and put to work for thirty years to atone for their crimes."
"High-ranking members of the Four Great Shinobi Clans, having served as the claws and fangs of Hiruzen Sarutobi, are to undergo twenty years of reform through labor."
"Mid- and low-ranking members of those clans may be personally innocent, yet they still benefited from the resources embezzled by Hiruzen Sarutobi. Therefore, they too must undergo fifteen years of reform through labor."
"In addition, all clan assets are hereby confiscated!"
"Of course,"
"since New Konoha is a humane Village, our beloved Hokage Uchiha Jin is willing to give wrongdoers a chance to turn over a new leaf."
"During their labor reform, rankings will be tallied every ten days."
"The hundred most diligent workers earn 1 point; the top fifty earn 3; the top ten earn 5; third place earns 10; second place 20; first place 30."
"Once a convict reaches 100 points, one year is shaved off their sentence."
"There are other ways as well."
"After each day's labor, one may write self-criticisms and reflections on their crimes; the most sincere authors will receive bonus points."
"Those who choose to fight on the battlefield during wartime and earn merit will also gain points."
"Invent a new Ninjutsu, a new technology anything from increasing crop yields to designing better farm tools and you'll receive a hefty innovation bonus each time."
"The detailed rules will be handed to you once your labor reform begins."
When he finished,
Nara Shikaku sat down, but the hall remained deathly silent.
Clearly,
this verdict from New Konoha differed greatly from what everyone had expected.
In the current era of the Ninja World, the usual practice would be to execute Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, then utterly crush the four clans seize their wealth, reduce them to minor clans, and watch them vanish.
Just as the Uchiha had once been suppressed by Konoha's top brass.
But… the punishment before them left everyone baffled.
"What, what's going on?"
"Is this punishment heavy or light? I can't even tell!"
"I don't know either; I can't put it into words!"
"..."
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
Even the Edo Tensei powerhouses stared in stunned bewilderment.
Only Senju Hashirama clapped and cheered.
"Young Uchiha, I support you!"
"Thank you for giving Hiruzen Sarutobi and those brats a chance to reform. I'm more and more convinced you'll make a fine Hokage."
"Go for it!"
"I don't hold it against you for founding New Konoha look after the Village from here on!"
Senju Hashirama was visibly excited.
Though Uchiha Jin would execute Hiruzen and the others, his simple sense of justice told him they deserved to die.
As for the verdict on the four clans, he found it deeply humane.
Reform through labor!
The phrase struck him as excellent.
Beside him, Senju Tobirama folded his arms and glared at his elder brother, black lines forming across his forehead.
"Idiot!"
"Shut up, big brother!"
Unable to bear it any longer, Senju Tobirama shouted at Senju Hashirama.
In response,
Senju Hashirama scratched his head and looked at his brother. "Tobirama, what's wrong? Why so angry?"
"Big brother, do you honestly think this verdict is lenient?" Senju Tobirama shot back.
Senju Hashirama nodded. "It really is light such serious crimes, yet only four executions."
His brother's words left Senju Tobirama speechless.
Because it was true!
On the surface, that was exactly how it looked. Yet as the Second Hokage, he instantly sensed the deeper implications.
"Lenient? Hah!" Senju Tobirama said coldly. "You're wrong, big brother."
"This punishment is brutal far worse than death!"
"Truly an evil Uchiha, to come up with something like this."
Senju Hashirama stood dumbfounded.
Staring at his all-knowing little brother, he was momentarily lost.
This verdict harsh?
He couldn't see it at all.
As he pondered, Uzumaki Mito frowned and spoke up. "Tobirama, explain. I sense something amiss as well."
"Yes, I'm curious too!" Uzumaki Kushina added with a nod.
Though Sakumo Hatake said nothing, he too looked expectantly at Senju Tobirama.
Indeed!
They weren't as dense as Senju Hashirama; they too felt something off about this form of punishment.
Alas,
if asked to pinpoint the problem, they couldn't quite articulate it.
No help for it!
None of them were masters of political intrigue. Managing to sense danger was already impressive had they possessed real political acumen, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never have eliminated them so easily.
Therefore,
Senju Tobirama frowned, gathered his thoughts, and spoke in a grave tone.
"In the past, criminals were merely imprisoned."
"That required dedicated guards and long-term provisions for every prisoner's needs."
"But now?"
"In the hands of that evil Uchiha brat, those very criminals have become the cheapest labor force imaginable."
"..."