300 PS
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The grand ceremony concluded.
The scent of blood had not yet dissipated, and the populace began to exit in an orderly fashion, though the fervor on their faces had not faded.
They had witnessed a bloody baptism and the birth of a new Daimyo.
From today onward, the Land of Fire would have only one voice.
That would be the voice of the Daimyo. In the Daimyo Manor's bedchamber, the lingering sandalwood drove away the bloodstained air from outside.
Arashi was already dressed in loose black casual clothes, leaning against a soft couch covered with snow-white fox fur.
He held a cup of clear tea, a maid fanning him from behind, his expression leisurely and content.
He had schemed for over a decade, rising from an overlooked illegitimate son to a ruler of a nation.
From this moment on, whether by law or name, he was the sole dominator of this land.
This feeling of holding the fate of countless lives in his palm was indeed delightful.
Thump, thump, thump.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Enter."
Arashi did not even lift his eyelids.
The elderly butler, Gen, pushed the door open. His steps made almost no sound.
"Reporting, my lord, Kiyotsuki Yui is demanding to see you in the State Prison."
"She asked this subordinate to convey a message. She said she spoke out of turn and begs you to give her another chance."
Kiyotsuki Yui.
At the name, a trace of coldness flickered in Arashi's eyes.
The most pathetic thing about a betrayer is believing their betrayal is unique, excusable, and that they can always expect forgiveness.
How naive.
Betrayal is always either zero times or countless times.
Like a broken bowl, even if glued back together, the cracks remain.
What is more, he had confiscated her family's property and executed her father and brothers.
Keeping her by his side so long was only to lure out bigger fish, and to give her a chance.
Now that the fish were in the net, the bait had no further use.
He would not bother to glue a broken bowl.
"A chance?"
Arashi was silent for a long time. His voice was soft, but his tone weighed heavy.
"I already gave her a chance. She did not cherish it. One who has betrayed has no right to my forgiveness."
"Come here." Arashi set down his teacup and beckoned Gen.
Gen quickly rose and approached.
Arashi slapped him across the face. The blow wasn't hard, but blood welled at Gen's lip. Startled, Gen dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the floor.
"This servant deserves death. I deserve death, my lord."
"Get up."
"Yes, yes." Gen trembled as he got up.
"Does it hurt?" Arashi asked.
Gen shook his head quickly. "No, no."
"Then it seems you have not learned your lesson."
"No, no, it hurts, it hurts."
"Good that it hurts. Remember, do not take what you should not take in the future."
"This subordinate will remember. I will remember."
Seeing Gen's fearful expression, Arashi felt a pang of regret. Gen had watched him grow up and had been loyal for over a decade. He did not wish to scold him too harshly.
Arashi's tone eased. "This time is fine. Since you took it, keep it safe and do not lose it."
"I would not dare. This subordinate will return it shortly."
"If I tell you to hold onto it, then hold onto it."
"...Yes."
"Gen, you watched me grow up. You should understand me. If everyone is like this, this country will rot."
"If the country rots, my position will not be stable, and you will receive no favors."
Tears streamed down Gen's face and he knelt again. "This subordinate was foolish. Fortunately, my lord reminded me. I almost made a grave mistake."
"Get up."
"As for Kiyotsuki Yui, she was once a young lady of a family famous in the Fire Capital, and she contributed to today's spectacle."
Arashi said, calm and measured, "It would be unseemly to let her die in a filthy State Prison. Prepare a length of white silk and send her to join her father and brothers."
"Give her a dignified end."
Gen bowed even lower and answered in a hoarse voice.
"...Yes, my lord."
Gen could feel the ruthlessness within the Daimyo's calm words.
In his heart, there was no soft-hearted benevolence, only rules.
Those who follow me prosper, those who defy me perish.
"There is one more matter."
Arashi seemed to recall something.
"First, go to the Konoha annex and notify the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato."
"Tell him to see me in three days."
"During these three days, have him properly handle Konoha's internal affairs. I do not wish to hear any inappropriate voices again."
Arashi deliberately emphasized the words internal affairs.
The old butler understood perfectly.
This was to have the Fourth Hokage completely purge Danzō's remaining forces.
"Also tell him to prepare a detailed plan for the genius cultivation special fund I mentioned before, and bring it with him."
"Yes, this old servant will attend to it immediately."
Gen dared not show any slack. After bowing, he retreated quietly and slipped out the door.
Silence returned to the study.
After leaving the Daimyo Manor, Gen first went to the Konoha annex.
After conveying his lord's message to Minato, he did not linger, bowed, and took his leave.
Next, he headed straight to the State Prison.
This place was used to detain serious offenders.
Those incarcerated here were invariably immensely powerful or extremely heinous.
In the dark, damp corridor, mold grew everywhere. Ordinary nobles, even if they committed crimes, were not qualified to be held here.
When the prison door opened and Yui saw that the visitor was Gen, her eyes widened.
She struggled up from the ground, asking eagerly, "Uncle Gen, did he send you to fetch me? Has he forgiven me?"
Gen did not answer. He merely made a calm inviting gesture.
Then he led Yui out of the State Prison.
Along the way, Yui followed anxiously. She opened her mouth several times, her voice shifting from hopeful to trembling. "Uncle Gen, where are we going? My lord... is he willing to see me?"
Gen remained silent throughout.
The carriage did not head toward the Daimyo Manor, but stopped in front of a mansion that had long been sealed, where weeds had begun to grow.
When she saw the familiar gate, the last trace of color drained from Yui's face.
She was not a fool.
She understood immediately.
"No, no. I am not going in."
She shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her face. "Uncle Gen, I was wrong, I truly was! Please, take me to see my lord. I'll kneel and beg for his forgiveness. Please!"
She knelt, clutching Gen's trousers, pleading incoherently.
A trace of pity flashed in Gen's eyes, the regret of watching a young life walk toward death.
He sighed softly, his voice hoarse but unwavering.
"Young Miss Yui, this path was your choice."
He helped her up and handed her a set of clean, beautiful clothes, his tone helpless.
"My lord, out of old sentiment, has left you your final dignity."
"To complete your last journey cleanly in your own home is better than rotting in that filthy prison."
Gen led her into an inner room that had been cleaned. On a low table, a strip of white silk was neatly placed.
Yui's body went limp, all strength leaving her.
"This old servant merely follows orders."
Gen said one last sentence, then his aged figure slowly retreated and closed the door.
Outside the door, he stood silently, like a stone statue.
A long while passed.
A metallic sound came from inside. Only when the last echo faded did he turn and enter.
After confirming that Yui was dead, he had her body taken away, then left.
His figure once again merged into the night.
(To be continued.)