Chapter 352: I Am the Judge
After listening, Yasushi responded with exaggerated compassion:
"Rest assured. While many details remain unclear, I've thoroughly investigated the association conspiring with Water Country."
"I summoned you here precisely to deliver justice."
"I now solemnly declare that the association secretly conspiring with Water Country, plundering national merchant associations, and fencing stolen goods is..."
Yasushi deliberately paused, gaze sweeping across every face with mocking amusement—like a cat savoring trembling mice beneath its paws.
Where his eyes landed, cold sweat beaded on foreheads. Adam's apples bobbed. Sleeves clenched in white-knuckled fists. The air seemed to congeal into thick adhesive, pressing heavy against every heart.
Everyone stared at him with bated breath, afraid to exhale, waiting for his fateful judgment.
Only when some appeared ready to collapse from tension did Yasushi finally pronounce the name.
"Nomura Merchant Association!"
With Yasushi's final verdict delivered, everyone else released heavy sighs of relief, tension dissolving.
The suffocating atmosphere exploded into chaotic exhalations of survival, several faces showing involuntary relief bordering on exhaustion.
Only Nomura Yūji's expression transformed drastically. He immediately lunged toward Yasushi with desperate cries:
"Lord Hokage, you can't frame me! It wasn't me!"
"Our association suffered the greatest losses from Kirigakure raids!"
His voice emerged shrill and broken, mixing desperation with incomprehension, echoing hollowly through the vast hall.
His corpulent body trembled with agitation, blood draining from his features until only ashen pallor remained.
Yasushi knew Nomura Yūji's innocence better than anyone, which was precisely why he waved dismissively. Yashiro immediately stepped forward, forcing Nomura to the ground and binding him.
Nomura continued futile struggling and screaming, but rough handling muffled his protests. Rope bit deep through luxurious robes, severing his final shreds of dignity and hope.
I am the judge. Whoever I declare guilty becomes guilty!
Yasushi glanced at Nomura with contempt while announcing cheerfully:
"I've decided to completely disband the Nomura Merchant Association. All association assets will be confiscated to compensate other associations' losses."
"When you commissioned village missions, you submitted itemized loss inventories. Compensation will follow those documented claims exactly."
"After the village completes confiscating Nomura Association assets, bring your inventories to Konoha Village to collect reimbursement."
"If Nomura Association assets prove insufficient for complete compensation, we'll interrogate Nomura Yūji to identify additional conspirators for identical treatment."
Other merchants erupted in jubilation, shouting enthusiastic praise that completely drowned Nomura Yūji's protests.
The hall instantly transformed into carnival atmosphere, brimming with false gratitude and genuine excitement.
Occasionally someone's gaze swept across the bound, ashen-faced Nomura—but quickly diverted, as though he were merely an unsightly furnishing.
Conscience?
Before tangible profit, conscience weighed lighter than waste paper.
Perhaps some suspected his innocence. So what?
Faced with hard currency, who cared about such trivialities?
Better him than me.
As for becoming the next scapegoat themselves... surely their luck wouldn't run that badly.
Gambling's sweet poison proved irresistible—enough to blind even shrewd merchants to uncomfortable truths.
Currently, they wanted only to seize immediate compensation and the greater opportunities accompanying it.
Everyone began frantically flattering the Hokage, desperate to leave favorable impressions.
Obsequious praise flowed toward Yasushi like tidal waves, reshaping him into justice and wisdom incarnate.
Yasushi sat calmly at praise's center, smiling graciously as though accepting this twisted worship entirely. He casually tossed them another reassuring bone:
"Nomura Association served as Konoha Village's designated supplier. Now that position stands vacant. Anyone interested may submit bids—highest offer wins."
Those words ignited the atmosphere like sparks dropped into boiling oil.
The crowd reacted like hearing life-preserving amulets were for sale—fighting desperately to compete.
"Me! Me! Nobody compete with me!"
"What stupid talk! Didn't you hear Lord Hokage? Highest bidder wins!"
"Whatever you offer, I'll add ten million ryō!"
Bidding shouts, arguments, red-faced roaring mixed together—grace and dignity vanishing completely, leaving only bestial savagery fighting over prey.
They competed not merely for lucrative business but for a "permit" to shelter beneath Konoha's great tree—even to avoid calamity.
Such disgraceful displays grew tiresome quickly. Yasushi waved dismissively, ignoring them entirely as he departed the hall.
The moment he returned to the Hokage office, White Zetsu emerged from the floor.
"Lord Yasushi, didn't we agree you'd hunt Jigen? Why are you provoking major war now?"
"No interference." Yasushi waved dismissively. "When I leave to play, I need to give my clansmen something to occupy themselves. Otherwise they'll get bored!"
"Besides, do you think those four nations currently possess capacity to attack Konoha Village?"
"Water Country and Earth Country just suffered devastating losses. They're hiding to lick their wounds—they wouldn't dare provoke Konoha Village."
"Without those two nations participating, what can Lightning Country and Wind Country accomplish alone?"
"That's different!" White Zetsu shook his head repeatedly. "You've antagonized Daimyo and nobility this time. Once they commit to war, ninja villages must continue fighting regardless of casualties."
"Nothing's different." Yasushi had always held Daimyo and nobles in contempt.
"Strength determines outcomes. Even if Daimyo issue frantic orders, whether villages obey depends on their actual circumstances."
"Even if they launch war—so what?"
"With Madara guarding the village, who can possibly breach Konoha's defenses?"
"Don't worry, Zetsu. I keep my word. I'll hunt Jigen with you soon. Absolutely won't delay anything."
After prolonged silence, Zetsu apparently realized the situation couldn't be changed. He ceased persuasion, sinking through the floor and vanishing.
Yasushi stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the sunset through the window, smile playing across his features while mentally calculating his plans.
Only one person left requiring vengeance now.
Black Zetsu alone.
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