Seiryu smiled approvingly at Miura Kazuo, but feigned doubt: "Isn't this a bit hasty?"
"Not at all, Grand Minister. The most important thing now is His Highness's safety. Since the capital is no longer secure, every moment he remains is dangerous. Please make a prompt decision," Miura Kazuo said.
Miura was self-aware—he knew Seiryu had supported him mainly to oppose Abe Taiichi's faction. Now that Abe Taiichi was dead, if he didn't prove his worth, he'd be next.
So, he knelt without hesitation.
"Please make a prompt decision," his supporters echoed behind him.
Seiryu sighed. "In that case, let's put the move on the agenda. For His Highness's safety, I'll take him to Konoha in a few days. Kikuchi!"
"Yes, my lord," Kikuchi replied quickly.
"I recall you were once Minister of Construction. Prepare blueprints for His Highness's new palace. In a few days, accompany us to Konoha," Seiryu ordered.
"At once," Kikuchi replied.
...
With the heads of Abe Taiichi's faction as warning, the plan to move the capital to Konoha was quickly decided. Over the next few days, the court was in anxious commotion.
Seiryu himself only went to the prince's chambers on the second day to inform him.
When Seiryu arrived, Yoshinori was eating. Hearing of Seiryu's visit, he almost dropped his chopsticks.
Clearly, Seiryu had left a deep impression on him. That night, Yoshinori had nightmares.
"Please let Teacher in," Yoshinori said to the eunuchs, despite his lingering fear.
Seiryu entered, bowed to the young daimyo, and said, "Yesterday's situation was urgent. After executing the rebels, I had no time to bathe, offending Your Highness. I beg your pardon."
"Teacher, you were only thinking of my safety," Yoshinori forced a smile. "What brings you today?"
"I assume the eunuchs have already briefed you on yesterday's court," Seiryu said. "The capital is no longer safe for you. In a few days, I'd like you to return to Konoha with me."
Yoshinori glanced at Seiryu, lowered his head, and said, "I'll do whatever Teacher says."
...
Two days later, Seiryu left for Konoha with some ninja, while Kakashi stayed to handle the move's aftermath.
Because the daimyo's entourage was large, travel was slow. It took three days to reach Konoha.
When they arrived, all the ninja clans and high-ranking shinobi Seiryu had left in Konoha were waiting at the gate to welcome the daimyo, led by Uchiha Fugaku.
"Your Highness, this is Konoha. All these are powerful ninja who will ensure your safety," Seiryu said, leading Yoshinori from the carriage.
Then, Seiryu turned to the ninja at the gate. "Everyone, salute His Highness!"
"Salute!" everyone saluted in unison, startling Yoshinori.
"H-hello," Yoshinori stammered, raising his hand.
Seiryu nodded in satisfaction. After the ceremony, Seiryu took the daimyo and his retinue to the northern Uchiha district, to a large cleared area where Kikuchi's palace blueprints were handed to Yamato.
Yamato studied the plans and nodded.
"Mokuton: Multiple Pillar House Technique!" Yamato performed hand seals and placed his hand to the ground. To the amazement of Yoshinori and the officials, massive trees burst from the earth and formed magnificent palaces.
With Yamato's current chakra, he couldn't build the whole palace at once, only the residential section. The main government halls would take longer.
Once the daimyo was settled, Seiryu returned to the Hokage office.
Although Fugaku handled daily affairs, matters like border deployment and intelligence from spies had accumulated for Seiryu's return.
After finishing these tasks late at night, Seiryu returned home and used the summoning technique to call a messenger snake from Ryuchi Cave, sending word to Orochimaru.
Soon, the reverse summoning's space-time fluctuation brought Seiryu to Ryuchi Cave.
"Lord Seiryu," Orochimaru greeted respectfully.
"You've worked hard," Seiryu said.
Although he had always planned to eliminate the previous daimyo, Seiryu had intended to take more time and hire outside muscle, but due to the meddling of the Koharu and Mitokado clans, he had to act early and use Orochimaru.
Orochimaru handled the job well—killing the daimyo's eldest son and leaving the young daimyo alive. But now, Orochimaru was openly a wanted man, his bounty doubled, and every daimyo in the world had contributed to his price. He now topped the underworld's bounty list—worth thirty Asumas.
Furthermore, Orochimaru had cut ties with the Akatsuki, breaking his chakra connection. Now, if he showed himself, not only would bounty hunters come after him, but so would Akatsuki.
"To serve Lord Seiryu is my honor," Orochimaru said.
"What reward do you want?" Seiryu asked, smiling. "Don't refuse. I reward those loyal to me."
"Is that so?" Orochimaru looked up at Seiryu. "May I ask what you did to me? Why does my mind automatically prioritize your commands above all else?"
Seiryu narrowed his eyes. "So you've noticed. When did you realize?"
"Not long ago," Orochimaru replied coolly. "No matter how I rationalize it, my loyalty to you makes no sense."
"I see," Seiryu smiled. "So, you're confronting me now to try to break free and attack me?"
"In the past, perhaps. But now, I have no such intention," Orochimaru bowed.
"Why not?" Seiryu asked. In Ryuchi Cave, he could easily suppress Orochimaru, so he was in no hurry.
"Because of the daimyo assassination mission," Orochimaru smiled. "The ninja world has been too calm. Your appearance is like a sudden wind—I'm eager to see how far you can go and what changes you'll bring."
"Heh, interesting. Then watch closely," Seiryu smiled. "How is the task I left you last time?"
Orochimaru nodded, handing over a scroll.
"The technique you asked me to test is theoretically viable, but when fusing Mangekyo Sharingan power with Sage Chakra, I sensed something was missing."
"So, I tried adding living Hashirama cells."
"And the result?" Seiryu asked, raising an eyebrow.
PS: lol, Seiryu played the role of evil minister like in the Akame ga Kill.