Two weeks after Kakashi's trip, Seiryu heard of Princess Shinna's obituary at the council.
Seiryu, as Grand Minister, sent condolences.
Back at the Hokage office, he split the spoils with Kakashi, who had returned overnight.
According to Kakashi, Princess Shinna was a tyrant in her domain, even worse than Danzo. He couldn't help but kill her and brought back all her illicit wealth.
Seiryu didn't object. After reading the report, he realized he'd overestimated the morals of the feudal nobility.
"In future plans, pay special attention to that region and offer policy support," Seiryu said, as the report described the people's misery under her rule.
When the news of her death reached Konoha, the grain merchants were terrified. Their backer's identity had just been exposed, and now she was dead within two weeks. They quickly lowered grain prices again.
The grain merchants behaved, but others didn't.
With the capital moved to Konoha, many big merchants—some as large as Gato—spotted opportunities and came from every industry. Unlike the grain merchants, who had no real ninja support, these new tycoons had jonin from smaller villages under their employment and could sway the fate of small countries.
Now, they gathered to unite against Seiryu's new tax law.
"Seventy percent in taxes? I've never paid that anywhere in the ninja world! That's outright robbery!"
"Exactly! If he'd told us this earlier, we'd never have come. Now, with all our assets here, he changes the rules? That's robbery!"
"We must unite and show him we're not to be trifled with!"
Gato was terrified by these bold words, quietly inching away. He lived near the police HQ and had witnessed Seiryu's Susanoo firsthand. He knew that even with all their jonin, they couldn't scratch that defense.
But fate was unkind. Gato was called to speak at the meeting.
He glanced at the door, knowing his Uchiha bodyguard was watching. If he said the wrong thing, he'd get six kunai in the back.
But all eyes were on him, and he had to play along.
"Uh, gentlemen, I'm very optimistic about Konoha's prospects. We'll all make money here," Gato began.
"Gato, we know that! We want your opinion on taxes!" said a merchant from the Land of Lightning.
Gato noted the man's face.
"As for taxes, don't be so one-track-minded. Didn't the Grand Minister offer tax breaks for investment?" Gato said.
"Investment? Where in the Land of Fire is worth investing besides Konoha? Why should we fund Land of Fire's development?" another protested.
Gato shrank back. "We should have long-term vision—if the people prosper, we all profit."
"Hmph, that's rich coming from you! Why didn't you invest in poor countries like Wave?" another said.
"If you've all made up your minds, there's nothing more for me to say," Gato realized he shouldn't take the blame. After all, after pledging loyalty to Seiryu, he'd lost wealth but gained protection and business privileges. With seventy percent taken, his scale had grown.
As long as he clung to Seiryu, he'd always profit.
As for his peers—well, the world's greatest joy is outliving your rivals. Why worry about them?
With this, Gato became bolder. "I'm ready to invest in Land of Fire. Do as you like, but leave me out of it."
He left the meeting.
Back in his carriage, Gato immediately told Uchiha Yahiro, "You heard what they said, right? I suggest you report it to the Grand Minister—they're out of control!"
"Yes, I will report to the clan head. You've done well," Yashiro nodded.
Half an hour later, Yashiro delivered the news to Seiryu.
"All I asked was for taxes, and they say I'm robbing them? Do they know who they're talking to? They're just merchants!" Seiryu's eyes blazed. "Time to remind them of reality!"
"Yashiro, who are the ringleaders?"
"Gato says the organizer was Yokokawa Yoshihiro, who started in the Land of Lightning selling galoshes and now runs the largest consumer goods company in the ninja world," Yashiro answered.
"I see. Inaho," Seiryu called.
"Here," Uchiha Inaho entered.
"Go to the police. Freeze all of Yokokawa's assets for tax inspection, then have a talk with him—see what he wants!" Seiryu ordered.
"Yes!" Inaho left.
...
Soon, Konoha's largest retail stores and warehouses were sealed. Yokokawa was furious, but Inaho soon arrived.
"The Hokage's secretary is here?" Yokokawa, though angry, received Inaho—he'd invested heavily and couldn't afford to lose everything.
"Good afternoon, President Yokokawa," Inaho swaggered in.
Yokokawa frowned—Inaho was just a ninja, yet showed no respect.
A jonin bodyguard stepped up, but Inaho's Sharingan froze him in place. The jonin, from Land of Grass, knew better than to provoke a Uchiha.
"Your men are unruly," Inaho said coldly.
Yokokawa cursed inwardly but, thinking of his frozen business, ordered the jonin to stand down.
"Sorry, my men were out of line. Please forgive us," Yokokawa said, forcing a smile.
Inaho nodded and sat on the sofa.
"So, what brings the Hokage's secretary here today?" Yokokawa asked.
"You know why. We received reports of tax issues, so please come with us for investigation," Inaho said coldly.
"Tax issues? That can't be! We always pay in full," Yokokawa protested.
"You're behind on this year's new tax law," Inaho replied.
"You mean the seventy percent rate? We can't afford that."
"The Grand Minister also offered tax breaks for investment, but we've received neither taxes nor your investment plan," Inaho said.
"With all due respect, we do business for profit, not to fund some country!" Yokokawa said, slapping his shoe. "I built my business from the ground up and have never faced this."
"No need to tell me—just say, will you pay or not?" Inaho asked bluntly.
"Please leave! I won't pay such unreasonable taxes!" Yokokawa said.
"Fine. Hope you don't regret it. Now let's discuss your conspiracy last night," Inaho said.
"That's impossible!" Yokokawa was shocked but feigned calm. "You can't just make things up!"
"We'll see. The police will produce evidence. Come with us," Inaho said coldly.
"You can't do this! Guards!" Yokokawa yelled.
"Don't bother—your ninjas are no match for the police," Inaho said, grabbing Yokokawa. "Behave if you want to avoid pain."
...
Yokokawa was taken to the police. After investigation, he was released the same night—but things only got worse.
The police not only kept his businesses sealed but increased scrutiny. Anyone dealing with Yokokawa's group was constantly checked.
Meanwhile, under Seiryu's orders, Gato poached his business.
Within a week, Yokokawa's group was in shambles.
At this point, Yokokawa received an invitation to a dinner with Seiryu.