Abe Taiichi was still dreaming—he was the only one left alive in his mansion.
Seiryu and Kakashi entered his bedroom. Kakashi pressed a blade to his neck as Seiryu patted his face.
Abe Taiichi awoke groggily, but the sight of Seiryu and the blade instantly sobered him.
Just a moment ago, he had dreamed of Kazuma executing traitors, himself becoming Grand Minister, and ridding the court of evil ministers. But now, a blade was at his neck.
"Good morning, Left Minister," Seiryu said with a smile.
"You... you..." Abe Taiichi stammered, pointing at Seiryu.
"Are you wondering why I'm still alive?" Seiryu smiled. "Well, your hired assassin was just too weak."
He placed Kazuma's head, eyes open in death, beside Abe Taiichi.
Abe Taiichi was horrified. "I... I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't want to admit it? That's fine. The Yamanaka clan of Konoha has a secret technique to extract information from the brains of the dead," Seiryu said. "For my own innocence, I'll need to borrow your head and those of your associates."
"What did you do to them?" Abe Taiichi asked, heart pounding.
"Come now, I'm a ninja. Killing entire families is my business. What do you think happened to your people?" Seiryu smiled as Abe Taiichi's scalp went numb.
"Killing ministers—isn't that treason?" Abe Taiichi said through gritted teeth.
"So you do know what treason is," Seiryu said. "I thought you didn't, or you wouldn't have tried to have me, the Grand Minister, assassinated."
"But since you lost, it's time for you to go," Seiryu said coldly.
At Seiryu's signal, Kakashi swung his blade, beheading Abe Taiichi.
With all enemies dealt with, dawn approached and court was about to begin.
Seiryu simply changed clothes and strode toward the palace.
As today's court began, the ministers quickly noticed the absence of Abe Taiichi's faction and Seiryu, who should have been at the head of the assembly.
Soon, however, the eunuchs announced Seiryu's arrival at the gate.
Seiryu entered the hall, still reeking of blood and radiating killing intent. The ministers near the door looked at him in terror.
"Your Highness, I was delayed last night by urgent matters. I beg your pardon," Seiryu said, bowing.
"It's alright, Teacher. Please come forward," Yoshinori immediately left the throne to greet him.
But as Yoshinori approached, he was stunned by Seiryu's murderous aura and blood scent, trembling and speechless.
Seiryu glanced at Yoshinori, bent down, picked him up, and calmly placed him back on the throne.
In just those few steps, Yoshinori was paralyzed with fear, shaking uncontrollably, only returning to himself when set down.
"Urk!" He immediately vomited and burst into tears, as eunuchs rushed to help.
Seiryu turned away, standing beside the throne, coldly surveying the ministers.
"The Daimyo is unwell, and this meeting should be postponed, but something happened last night that cannot wait, so I will preside today," Seiryu said, then turned to the eunuchs. "Take His Highness to rest."
The eunuchs, terrified by Seiryu, dared not object and carried the crying, vomiting prince away.
Once Yoshinori was gone, Seiryu stood at the dais, looking down at the cowering officials.
"I imagine many are wondering why the Left Minister and his associates are absent. Last night, something most unpleasant occurred."
"I was attacked by assassins in my home."
His words shocked the ministers.
"Fortunately, as the Fifth Hokage, I had some chakra to rely on and slew the assassin. But the assassin's identity is interesting—guess who dared attack me?"
The hall fell eerily silent.
After a moment, Seiryu unsealed his scroll and threw Kazuma's head before the ministers.
Kazuma's head rolled to Miura Kazuo's feet, who fell down in fright. The ministers recognized the owner.
"This..."
Kikuchi and others were speechless.
"One of the late Daimyo's Twelve Guardian Ninja turned traitor!" Seiryu declared. "But that's not all."
"The Yamanaka clan of Konoha has a secret technique to extract memories from the dead. After extracting the memories, I learned the mastermind was our Left Minister, Abe Taiichi."
"These two also colluded with the traitor Orochimaru, who only managed to assassinate the late Daimyo with their help!"
"As the Fifth Hokage and Grand Minister, I cannot allow such traitors to go unpunished."
"So I acted overnight to execute all these rebels, to console the late Daimyo's spirit."
Seiryu finished, surveying the ministers, before continuing:
"And that is why I was late to court today."
At that moment, Kakashi entered, approached Seiryu, bowed, and reported: "Grand Minister, all the culprits and their families were executed last night. Their bodies have been taken outside the city."
The ministers' hearts tightened. Only now did they realize that Seiryu, aside from being Grand Minister, was also the supreme commander of all military might. If angered, he really could wipe out entire families.
"Miura Kazuo," Seiryu suddenly called.
Startled, Miura crawled forward and knelt. "Yes, my lord!"
"With the Left Minister gone, you are the highest-ranking official besides myself. What do you think of these events?" Seiryu asked.
"All of this is Abe Taiichi! We should thank the Grand Minister for restoring order to the Land of Fire! Who knows how long these traitors would have run free otherwise."
"Is that so?" Seiryu smiled, then called another name. "Nagano Kiryu."
"Yes, my lord." Nagano hurried forward and knelt even faster. Having been kidnapped by Kakashi before, he knew Seiryu's methods well.
"Abe Taiichi must have harbored treacherous intentions for some time. When the late Daimyo discovered him, they acted out of desperation. The Grand Minister's decisive action was a great deed for the nation and its people! As for these traitors, they deserve death!"
"Very good," Seiryu nodded. "It seems the Land of Fire is not without loyal subjects, so I'll leave the aftermath to you."
"Yes!" all present knelt in unison.
"Does anyone else have something to report?" Seiryu asked.
Miura Kazuo hesitated, then said: "Grand Minister, I have important news to report."
"Speak," Seiryu said.
"Although the traitors have been executed, Orochimaru is still at large. He has operated in the capital for years and may have left other traps. The capital is no longer safe. For His Highness's safety, moving the capital is now urgent."
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