Chapter 342: How Can Konoha Village Not Have Root?
Yasushi snapped his fingers crisply. The tough vines blocking the daimyo's mouth instantly lost vitality, becoming withered fragments falling away.
Losing final obstruction, that howling mixed with endless pain, fear and collapse erupted completely unobstructed—sharply piercing every noble's eardrums, making their entire bodies tremble.
"Ahh... spare me... please..."
Yasushi also cancelled the daimyo's body control. The instant physical restraints released, the daimyo didn't attempt standing or fleeing. Instead, as though all bones were extracted, he collapsed limply on the ground.
Then he struggled crawling up, desperately striking the ground with his forehead—producing dull "thud thud" sounds.
"Lord Yasushi, I'll definitely obey orders obediently. Spare me, don't torture me anymore..."
The Tsukuyomi space torture session had completely destroyed all his resistance will, noble pride.
Though perhaps harboring ulterior thoughts eventually, short term he'd definitely prove Yasushi's most docile lackey.
"Hiss..."
Other nobles all gasped collectively, faces full of disbelief watching Yasushi and the daimyo—completely unaware what just occurred.
The daimyo's surrender proved so straightforward, almost resembling a coordinated performance with Yasushi.
But no matter—Yasushi would make each experience the daimyo's feelings individually.
After all, having come this far, they must walk through the entire process. Otherwise insufficient deep comprehension might cause future work slackening!
Yasushi smiled faintly, casually selecting a lucky winner among remaining nobles. His Mangekyou Sharingan flashed once, bringing him into Tsukuyomi genjutsu space.
"Well then, we tested flesh cutting earlier. This time let's try skinning!"
"If you can endure slightly longer, bone marrow extraction awaits afterward."
"Hope you prove stronger than the previous daimyo. Don't give up so easily quickly."
However, to Yasushi's regret, this noble proved no stronger than the daimyo—surrendering even faster instead.
Nevertheless, Yasushi still helped this noble test his will's endurance limits. Just before collapse, he released him before switching another target.
Yasushi tested them one by one this way. Before long, everyone underwent screening.
Several minutes later, all nobles before Yasushi knelt at his feet—willingly swearing to serve Konoha Village and Lord Hokage.
"Excellent! Everyone demonstrates great Will of Fire!" Yasushi praised satisfactorily.
"Later I'll have ninja escort you back to Fire Country's capital, reestablishing Fire Country's order."
"From now on, you'll govern just like before—same governing of national citizens. Collect taxes when needed, conduct business as usual."
"However, since you're already dead now, you don't need gold, silver, food or other luxuries. So obtained resources, besides maintaining basic national operations, should all be transported to Konoha Village."
The daimyo prostrated obediently at Yasushi's feet, nodding repeatedly in agreement.
"I understand. Will definitely act according to Lord Hokage's will."
"Only... we're already dead now. Clan descendants probably won't necessarily obey our orders!"
"Won't obey?" Yasushi's gaze turned cold, lips revealing a heart-palpitating smile.
"You needn't worry. Whoever dares disobeying—directly kill them, replace with someone obedient."
This statement immediately made all nobles' bodies shudder, hearts growing even more frightened.
Yasushi beckoned. An ANBU immediately appeared.
"Go invite both Lord Uchiha Madara and Izuna."
The ANBU vanished via Body Flicker. Moments later, Madara and Izuna arrived together.
"Lord Hokage, you called for us?"
"Correct, Lord Izuna. Currently the village needs many supplies completing reconstruction work. This requires Fire Country's support."
"I've already 'persuaded' the daimyo and many nobles' cooperation. But preventing anyone from lacking awareness, we need someone with formidable strength following up on this matter—ensuring the daimyo's rule remains stable and worry-free."
"After careful consideration, only Lord Izuna bringing Madara together proves most reassuring."
After hearing this, Izuna immediately patted his chest guaranteeing:
"Lord Hokage, rest assured. Since this is for our Konoha's development, brother and I will definitely handle this matter perfectly."
"That's even better."
Yasushi smilingly arranged some living ninja accompanying Madara and Izuna, "escorting" the daimyo and nobles departing Konoha Village—beginning their "march to the capital" journey toward Fire Country's capital direction.
Mizuki truly proved a capable person. Within several days, he arrived reporting with his "bandit suppression plan."
"Lord Hokage, I carefully considered—though those major national merchants and landlords definitely colluded with enemy nations, committing 'treason,' regrettably we lack evidence. Really inconvenient openly exterminating them."
"Moreover, these families' information networks are extremely well-informed. Once one family gets exterminated by the village, other families will definitely receive fright, fleeing with wealth."
"Though the village currently possesses formidable strength, manpower remains limited. If we cannot eliminate them all in one decisive strike, probably alerting the snake instead—letting most families escape."
"However, current national chaos features rogue ninja and mountain bandits everywhere. If some powerful bandit group targets these families, plundering them—that's not impossible!"
After speaking, Mizuki stole glances at his Lord Hokage—worried he spoke too implicitly, causing Lord Hokage not understanding.
Who knew Yasushi, after hearing this, immediately slapped his thigh.
"Hey, this is just Root!"
"I understand!"
Yasushi stood up, hands clasped behind his back, walking two circles around the office. The more he thought, the better he found Mizuki's method.
"Hmm, your method is excellent!"
"Though major merchants' and landlords' families also hired considerable ninja as guards, facing those extremely vicious rogue ninja, they definitely cannot resist. Their merchant firms or farms will definitely suffer plundering."
"Then these fellows will definitely run to the village seeking help, hoping to issue missions—having the village help recovering lost wealth or assisting guarding other business locations."
"As merchants' and landlords' protector, this righteous matter—naturally our Konoha Village won't shirk. We can collect mission employment fees again."
"As for how much of their lost wealth can be recovered, why those secretive business locations always get discovered by rogue ninja—that's unrelated to our Konoha Village!"
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