349. A River of Blood

Danzo's words were spoken lightly, but Aburame Ryoma could clearly sense the killing intent behind them.

Having been Danzo's trusted aide for so many years, Ryoma understood his temperament all too well. It was evident that this time, the "Darkness of the Shinobi" would not allow these opposing forces to continue causing trouble.

Sure enough, to demonstrate his resolve, the next day several wooden stakes were erected in the capital's marketplace, complete with an ample supply of ropes.


Just as the citizens were speculating about what the powerful general intended to do, a large group of noble lords was forcefully escorted into the square by the city guards.

"It's Lord Miyagi!"

"I can't believe he was arrested too."

"And Lord Morikazu, Lord Haneda..."

"My sister was kidnapped by that damned noble!"

"And that one—my father was run over and killed by him!"

"I never thought the general would actually arrest them!"

"Look, the soldiers are putting nooses around their necks!"

Amidst the murmurs and gasps of the crowd, these high-and-mighty nobles, who had committed countless atrocities, were brought to the execution ground in disgrace.

Perhaps they had never imagined in their wildest dreams that they, as nobles, would meet their end at the hands of these commoners.

But as the thick ropes were placed around their necks, their survival instincts and fear kicked in, causing them to struggle like chickens.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Under the watchful eyes of the masses, the newly appointed Shutenda Yoshitaka read out their crimes one by one.

Each accusation was met with angry curses from the crowd.

By the end, many people were hurling rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables at the nobles...

The surrounding soldiers took a step back, allowing it to happen. After all, this was what these nobles deserved.

"Very well, the reading of the crimes is complete," Yoshitaka announced.

"Now, on behalf of the cabinet, I hereby sentence them—"

"To death by hanging! Execution will be carried out immediately!"

As soon as Yoshitaka finished speaking, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.

The pleas for mercy from the nobles were drowned out in the sea of jubilant voices.

Soon, as the nooses tightened around their necks, their faces turned red, and then they lost all signs of life.

Not only that, but their bodies would remain hanging on the city walls for three days after the execution—to ensure the cabinet's deterrence!

Given the sheer number of nobles sentenced to death, the execution process lasted the entire day.

It wasn't until nightfall that the marketplace finally quieted down.

Meanwhile, the citizens of the capital reached a peak of excitement.

"Lord Danzo, the main members of the noble faction have all been executed," Ryoma reported.

"Those on the yellow list have been reorganized and will soon be sent to various regions to assist in the construction of railways."

"As for those on the green list, we're still vetting them. That will likely take some time."

Under Danzo's intimidation, the cabinet's orders were being carried out smoothly.

After all, no one in the capital dared to oppose Danzo now—or rather, those who dared were already in hell!

However, problems still remained.

The capital of the Land of Fire was the most populous and densely populated city in the ninja world.

After executing such a large number of nobles, managing the city would undoubtedly be challenging.

While the military's intimidation could maintain order in the short term, over time, many issues would inevitably surface...

Therefore, someone skilled in internal administration was needed to assist.

At this thought, a figure immediately came to Danzo's mind—Nara Shikaku!

If he were here, he could undoubtedly handle these matters with ease.

"How are things in the village?" Danzo asked.

Ryoma answered without hesitation, "According to Shikaku's report, after the assassination attempt, he and the Fourth Hokage followed the trail left by the two elders and captured a large number of rebellious members who were planning to overthrow Konoha."

"They have all been imprisoned and are awaiting your further instructions, Lord Danzo."

Danzo was not surprised by this outcome.

With the leaders—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado—already captured, the remnants of their forces posed no threat.

Even without Danzo, Minato could easily handle them.

Still, Danzo nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.

This meant that the roots of the previous generation of Konoha's ruling elite had been completely eradicated. Without these stubborn conservatives, the Land of Fire's development would proceed unimpeded!

Most importantly...

"Can we have Shikaku come to the capital to assist now?" Danzo asked.

These past few days, dealing with internal affairs had given him a headache!

It was even more exhausting than fighting Hiruzen and the others. He couldn't wait to hand this burden over to Shikaku.

As the saying goes, Danzo only needed to steer the ship of the Land of Fire in the right direction.

The rest could be left to his subordinates.

Hearing this, Ryoma also couldn't help but smile in relief.

These past few days had been exhausting not just for Danzo, but for him as well, running around nonstop.

Without hesitation, he replied, "Yes, I will immediately send word to Konoha and have Lord Shikaku come to the capital."

Danzo nodded, then turned and asked, "What about the reactions domestically and internationally?"

Executing so many nobles at once and proposing a new cabinet system were radical moves that were bound to elicit varied responses.

Even Danzo had to take them seriously.

"After the news spread, the cooperation of noble lords in various regions within the country has increased significantly. Many have become much more compliant," Ryoma reported.

"Some have chosen to pack up and leave the Land of Fire. We've captured quite a few, but some managed to escape."

"As for the international situation, it's not as optimistic. Apart from the other four great nations, even smaller countries like the Land of Grass and the Land of Hot Water have issued condemnations against Konoha."

"Some have even threatened to launch the Fourth Great Ninja War, forming an alliance to destroy Konoha!"

Faced with these threats, Danzo let out a disdainful laugh.

"Form an alliance?"

"With us setting the precedent, those noble lords might not even dare to continue funding their respective ninja villages."

"Dreaming of forming an alliance to declare war on Konoha? They're delusional!"