"Since everyone agrees, let's settle the new tax law. And I'm not closing all doors for the big merchants—if they're willing to invest in factories around Konoha and provide jobs, we can offer tax reductions. That way, the people have work, merchants make money, and the state gets revenue," Seiryu said calmly.
"Grand Minister has thought it through. We are impressed," said Miura Kazuo.
"Also, make sure to address the price issue I mentioned before." Seiryu swept his gaze across the council. "You have one month to normalize the prices of essential goods. I don't want to see another report about ninjas struggling to eat. Anyone who manipulates food prices will lose their head. Understood?"
"Understood!" the ministers nodded quickly.
"Don't take this lightly," Seiryu warned coldly. "If civilians can't eat, they'll just leave. But if ninjas can't eat, they'll kill."
His words made the ministers' hair stand on end.
"Also, I don't care what you've done before. In Konoha, you'd best behave. Don't think your tricks are hidden—before a ninja, they're nothing."
The ministers, especially Miura Kazuo's faction, bowed their heads deeply, not daring to attract Seiryu's attention. His effortless reveal of Murayama's corruption made them realize Seiryu was not bluffing.
What worked in the old capital was useless here—now, Konoha was full of intelligence-gathering ninjas, with every move under Seiryu's watchful eye.
After admonishing the council, Seiryu returned to his Hokage office.
Soon, news of the morning's events spread throughout the village.
No one, not even the most arrogant troublemakers, could find fault with Seiryu's policy—it was practical and improved people's lives. Even those who secretly resented him after suffering under Sanqing Education had to admit he'd finally done something right.
Under Seiryu's iron-fisted policy, the soaring price phenomenon was quickly curbed, especially grain prices, which returned to normal. Grain merchants who tried to resist by hoarding and closing shops found Kakashi and the ninja police at their doors within half an hour.
Soon, those same merchants found themselves kneeling by the Naka River, hands and feet bound.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Hatake Kakashi, Leader of Konoha's Police. You're bold, defying the Grand Minister's order—told to lower prices, and you close your shops instead," Kakashi said with a cold smile.
"Kakashi-sama, we're innocent! We really don't have enough grain left!" one merchant cried.
"Not enough grain?" Kakashi flipped through his records. "You're Kawakami Naoto, right? Your warehouse in northeast Konoha is packed. If that's not enough, what about villagers who can't afford your grain?"
"Kakashi-sama, the prices we charge are normal—there's no such thing as high-priced grain," another merchant protested.
"You call nearly forty ryo per kilo normal? Grain prices here have never exceeded six ryo before," Kakashi replied.
"Konoha is now the capital—the prices must reflect that," another merchant argued, explaining that high demand and low supply were naturally raising prices, and the invisible hand of the market would adjust things.
Kakashi nodded as if convinced, letting the merchant talk more.
"So, these prices are just the result of natural market forces, right?" Kakashi asked.
"Yes! It's all a misunderstanding. We'll apologize in person soon," Kawakami Naoto said.
"I may not know economics as well as you, but as a ninja, I know some things you don't. As thanks for enlightening me, let me share something with you," Kakashi said, sneering. "Zaito!"
Uchiha Zaito stepped up.
"Since these wealthy friends explained economics to us, let's let them experience our ninja interrogation methods," Kakashi said.
"Yes!" Zaito nodded and waved his hand.
Several police officers grabbed the most vocal merchants and threw them into the Naka River.
The river wasn't deep or fast, so a swimmer wouldn't be in danger. But with hands and feet bound, they struggled wildly as soon as they hit the water.
"What are you doing? I remind you, we have noble backing—you'd better not go too far!" one merchant shouted from the bank.
"Oh? Which noble backs you?" Kakashi asked with a smile.
The man hesitated—they did have noble support but dared not reveal it now.
"I see. You're Shimizu Rensuke, right? Both your parents are servants in the Princess Shinna's palace, the previous daimyo's sister. You were sent to manage her business because of your talent," Kakashi read from his book.
"That's right. Even the daimyo must respect Princess Shinna. If you anger her, you can't afford the consequences!" Shimizu Rensuke declared.
"Is that so? He seems confused—let's let him clear his mind in the river," Kakashi said.
A police officer kicked him into the river.
Soon, all the merchants were in the water, chaos erupting as they struggled to breathe.
Kakashi sat calmly, reading his favorite "Make-Out Paradise."
After a while, the first batch of merchants figured out how to breathe and surfaced for air.
At that moment, Kakashi put down his book and turned to his team.
"How's your ninjutsu training going?" Kakashi asked.
"Captain, we've mastered all issued jutsu!" a police officer replied.
"Good. Demonstrate here. You may not fight strong enemies like ANBU, but still need strength. You first."
"Yes!" The man formed seals, puffed his cheeks—
"Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!" He spat a huge fireball across the river, which exploded in the center.
The heat made the merchants in the river panic.
"Good. Do more," Kakashi said, clapping. "The rest of you, show these friends our ninja skills!"
Dozens of police took turns, launching various ninjutsu along the river, turning it into a spectacular but terrifying show for the struggling merchants.
Every time they surfaced, their lives were in danger.
After half an hour, Kakashi finally called a stop and had them pulled from the river.
Once ashore, the big merchants were nearly dead; a few weak swimmers were close to death.
Now the medical ninjas stepped in, demonstrating emergency treatment. They stepped on the merchants' bellies to help them vomit up water, and used advanced healing jutsu, saving even those near death.
"So, what do you think the proper grain price should be?" Kakashi asked, flipping a kunai in his hand.
Now, none dared mention the invisible hand. The kunai in Kakashi's hand was very real.
"Ten ryo! Including transport costs, we can go as low as ten ryo per kilo," one merchant blurted.
"You don't think we ninjas understand economics? Take him for another dip," Kakashi ordered.
"Eight ryo! Eight ryo! That's the lowest!" the man sobbed as the police approached.
"Now you're talking." Kakashi turned to the other merchants for prices on meat and necessities.
Soon, everyone offered a reasonable price.
Kakashi recorded them and let them go, then headed to the Hokage building.
"How did it go? Are they behaving?" Seiryu asked, pouring tea for Kakashi.
"They're much more obedient now, but most of their profits were going to the nobles. The biggest supporter is Princess Shinna in the northeast," Kakashi said.
"Princess Shinna? Yoshinori's aunt?" Seiryu raised an eyebrow after reading Kakashi's report. "Then please visit that old woman and tell her that the Gen family no longer calls the shots in Land of Fire."
"Why do I feel busier with you than when I was in ANBU?" Kakashi grumbled, finishing his tea.
"Thank you for your hard work. I wouldn't trust anyone else with this," Seiryu said.
"Fine. By the way, you still have a spot for a personal disciple, right? How about Naruto?"
"Of course, I was just about to ask you," Seiryu nodded.