Fortunately for Arthur, he was already well-connected within the corridors of legal influences. Or rather, as John Belfort was.
After making his way out of the office and onto the streets, many of the citizens gave him respect and showed him immense benevolence. He accepted the nods and greetings with congeniality, having proper knowledge of how to face a crowd.
Anyone could tell that his reputation within the city preceded him.
"Cheers to you, lord Belfort, you're awesome!"
'Leeches…'
Arthur merely smiled, masking his true disdain. A true lord knew when to grant favour and when to withhold it. That was key to maintaining the balance of governance here in this country.
Upon reaching the courthouse, he went to the bathroom, where he converted into smoke and infiltrated the eligibility chambers.
There, towering stacks of files teetered precariously, representing the backlog of criminal cases awaiting resolution.
Tayuya's name was in a folder inside a cabinet. He opened it and retrieved her application, unimpressed by the sheer weight of the crimes within the pages.
Ironically, each sheet was similar to the crimes he himself had once been accused of back at the Leaf Village.
Now, not all records could be expunged under the law, especially those that could be classified as heinous felonies. Thankfully, Arthur was ready to take the next step toward providing Tayuya with a new beginning—one that would legally make her free in the eyes of this country's officials.
That step was securing a judge's approval.
After leaving, he flew to the main courthouse. There, among the judges, one stood out—a figure swathed in political intrigue. He was a part of an influential fraternity that promoted certain agendas under the guise of legality, a society that operated just beneath the surface of statewide governance.
This judge was pivotal to Arthur's earlier endeavours, including a forged birth certificate that had allowed him to officially step into the world as John Belfort.
Of course, Arthur had to take care of the more pressing matters by burning any documents that could otherwise put him on trial.
No thanks to that secretary general.
'I wonder how his wife's doing,' he remembered after recalling a political dinner he had with the two some time ago.
Focusing, Arthur slipped into that judge's empty office and left behind Tayuya's application along with a letter written in his handwriting.
'This applicant must be approved at all costs. Expedite the decision without requiring the presence of the applicant; any objections from the prosecution or additional parties are to be disregarded. Upon finalizing this request, mail the outcome alongside the requisite signatures for records.'
With that neatly articulated decree folded into the envelope, Arthur departed, confident that this particular judicial process had already borne fruit.
Like on earth, applicants wishing to expunge and rewrite their past wrongs would often wait months or even years depending on the severity.
But for Arthur, expectancy was a game he played well. He owned this bureaucratic machinery, so things would always be a swift turnaround for him.
Later, he made his way across town to the office of the foremost criminal attorney.
"Ah, lord Belfort!" the attorney greeted warmly after seeing him. This particular figure was reputed for his ability to navigate legal treacheries without getting his hands dirty or the public being aware. "What a pleasure! I did not expect your arrival!"
Arthur offered a polite nod before pulling out the prepared documents. "I'd appreciate your work on a matter concerning an expungement application."
The attorney grinned at the mere mention of an expungement; it was an opportunity to dive in because these cases tended to pay well.
But why would Arthur pay this crook anything? This attorney was under the influence of his Evil Illusion Flattery technique, meaning he would be working for free.
"Of course!" the attorney said with admiration. "Please, let me have a look." After skimming through, his smile brightened even more. "I'll get this signed right away, my lord!"
Arthur soon left without batting an eye.
It was nice to have this sort of power, for the attorney just authorized the papers without even once reading who it was about.
Now on to the next phase: a hearing.
Normally, it would take months for this to process since there was a queue. So Arthur returned to the courthouse and changed the names of the next defendant in line to Tayuya's. Her signed papers were then slipped inside the filings to ensure her case was official.
But what about the hearing? Those were done in person in an era like this.
Arthur had to formulate a strategy to mitigate exposure while simultaneously leveraging the judge's favours without Tayuya's representation. After all, if she were seen in public, an exposure bound to attract unwanted media attention would only scrutinize his country.
This judiciary game was almost like playing chess, and he was doing a fair job at adapting it.
After delivering more signed papers to the appropriate courthouse departments, he returned to his office knowing full well the order he had instilled within the system would be approved.
So much trouble for this one kunoichi. She would surely have to pay with her life when this was over. Assuming that even had any value to it.
Now Arthur had to now navigate the system of law enforcement agencies across the land.
Many wouldn't have known this, but the jurisdictions of the ninja world mirrored the legal systems back on earth. The main difference was that this one's bureaucracy was a tad outdated and far more convoluted.
To do this, he needed to ensure every agency within a two-thousand-mile radius, including the ninja clans, was on the same page regarding Tayuya's record.
If he succeeded, he would solidify her role as an ally in his country.
'Flying raijin…'
Arthur arrived at the Mist Village.
Thanks to him, this village had thrived faster due to his proper funding procedures. And though he did not enjoy coming here because it housed many formidable shinobi, speaking with the Mizukage was essential.
When Arthur, disguised as John, arrived in the front lobby of the Mizukage's manor, many of the workers present were shocked.
Practically everyone in this country recognized him, so it was to be expected.
Bows of respect lined all the way to the Mizukage's office as he passed by. And when he pushed through the double doors, he found Mei sitting amidst towering stacks of paperwork.
A surprised smile etched her face as she looked up and saw him. "Ah, lord Belfort!" she exclaimed, turning more professional. "I didn't get any notice you were coming."
Arthur stepped further inside, casually surveying her office. It wasn't as grand or as nice as his, despite the funds he sent over for its renovation.
Just what the heck was this woman doing with his money?
"I have something urgent to discuss," he replied, exuding authority that left no room for her to question.
"Yes, what is it, my lord?"
"In a short while, specific paperwork will arrive at your desk. They'll be marked with a seal, different from the others." She could hear the seriousness in his tone. "I need you to sign off on it immediately and send it back to me without delay."
"What is this regarding if I might ask?"
"That's not important." His words were quite commanding, and he could sense her internal conflict. "It's imperative that you adhere to this request. Understand?"
The Mizukage had other responsibilities than to probe into the affairs of her political heads. And as the successor to the feudal lord of her country, Arthur's title eclipsed her meager Kage title by a significant margin.
There was no way she could refuse, and they both knew it.
"Very well. I'll handle it as soon as possible, my lord."
Arthur nodded, and with the exchange concluded, he exited her office.
What would he have done had she refused this demand? Let's just say her days of being the Mizukage would have been numbered.
✟
The next day, a carrier delivered the application Arthur was expecting—the same one that would free Tayuya from the burdens of her criminal history. It was accompanied by the requisite judge's signatures and the formalities of court protocol.
Now he just had to deliver it to the Mizukage.
A layer of chakra-induced paper was added to the documents by him, making sure to conceal the explicit details of Tayuya's crimes. All that would remain visible was a neatly formatted signature line marked for Mei to sign.
So long as she didn't expel her chakra on it, the ink would remain anonymous.
Arthur then carefully reviewed the package, ensuring that no trace of its original context could be identified.
Later, he appeared inside Mei's office alone and placed the specially sealed envelope directly on her desk, careful not to disturb the other papers scattered across her workspace.
Now, he just had to repeat these steps for all the other bureaucratic agencies. The only difference was that he might have to cast his Evil Illusion Flattery to ensure their complacency.
While tedious, it would be quite easy since he was working in his country. Other territories, like the Land of Wind, he wouldn't dare tread.
That meant Tayuya's crimes there would remain everywhere else except in his borders.