https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-132-The-Incident-and-the-Investigation-Team-/12832189/
Chapter 133: Killing and Pillaging for a Golden Sash!
Chapter 133: Killing and Pillaging for a Golden Sash!
"President Shigeru Honda, a few days ago, did you have an argument with the Kamakura family's butler, Ryushin Koyori, in the Nishigaki district?"
Minister Seigan demanded, his face stern.
His imposing presence, befitting his status as a noble and minister, was enough to make any ordinary person cower.
It was not easy to lie in the presence of such a high-ranking official.
Shigeru Honda, despite being well-versed in the ways of the world, had never encountered anyone as powerful as Ryushin Koyori before. He was visibly nervous.
"N-no, Minister, I don't have the standing to argue with Lord Ryushin!"
And he was not lying.
In the Ninja World, merchants were mere puppets controlled by the major powers, with no real status. How could they dare to argue with such a person?
"Is that so!"
"Then do you know that after you left, the Kamakura family was massacred to the last person!"
"Speak! Was it out of resentment that you conspired with ninjas to do this?"
Minister Seigan's tone grew harsher, attempting to break Shigeru Honda's resolve.
Shigeru Honda, deeply afraid of such high-ranking officials, was drenched in cold sweat. If Tohei had not been there, he might have collapsed.
In the Ninja World, human life is cheap, and the elite can decide life and death at will. It's normal for ordinary people to be frightened!
However, Tohei was not pleased with Minister Seigan's approach and interrupted him.
"Minister Seigan, are you trying to frame him?"
Are you treating me like I don't exist?
By choosing this location for the questioning, he had already made his stance clear. Yet, Seigan still played this game, clearly not giving him any respect.
Since he wasn't going to give respect, Tohei wouldn't hold back either.
"Lord Tohei, please don't misunderstand. This is just part of my duty!"
Minister Seigan quickly explained, sensing Tohei's displeasure.
Being assigned to investigate this matter meant he was not incompetent. He could tell that Tohei was unhappy.
He had his suspicions, but as a Kage-level powerhouse, Tohei was not someone to be easily investigated.
To put it bluntly, even if Tohei were the culprit, they would have to find a way to make it seem otherwise.
After all, if a Kage-level ninja killed a noble, the situation would become extremely complicated.
This was why, despite knowing that Ryushin Koyori was killed by Tohei, he chose to ignore it and question Shigeru Honda instead.
"Very well!"
Tohei nodded in satisfaction.
With his stance clear, Minister Seigan's tone softened, making it easier for Shigeru Honda to respond.
And there was nothing to hide.
After the questioning, Minister Seigan politely took his leave, not pushing his luck.
But this was only because of Tohei's strength. With anyone else, he would not have been so accommodating.
The final investigation result would undoubtedly be that a rogue ninja was responsible.
The Sand Village ninjas did not want to take the blame, so they would shift it to someone else. Who better than a rogue ninja?
"Alright, you can start preparing and send the supplies to the Orphanage at the Starting Point!"
Tohei gestured for Shigeru Honda to leave and prepare.
Once Shigeru Honda was gone, Tohei turned to Denjin Nara and asked:
"Have the Sand Village ninja captives been settled?"
During the battle at Kikyou Mountain, the Sand Village ninjas who were injured or unconscious could not be taken away, so they were captured.
There were about a hundred of them.
"All settled," Denjin Nara replied quickly, adding, "The village sent a message, instructing us to transfer the captives to the Konoha Prison."
The message had arrived earlier, but without Tohei's approval, he did not dare to make any decisions on his own.
"Those old men are meddling again!"
Tohei scoffed.
After displaying his Sage Mode, he no longer bothered with formalities, referring to them as 'old men' in private.
Unlike other Cross-Dimensional Travelers, he refused to call them 'Lord' no matter how displeased he was with them.
Denjin Nara's lips twitched, but he did not dare to respond.
"Fine, just reply that I disagree!"
Tohei understood the Nara Clan's cautious nature and took responsibility.
They still owed him ten cans of nutrient solution, and he needed to apply some pressure.
Though the captives would eventually be sent back to the village prison, as the commander, it was perfectly normal to detain them for a while.
At other times, the village wouldn't be so concerned about these captives. However, after the recent defeat, the Sand shinobi had captured many Leaf shinobi, all of whom belonged to the Hokage's affiliated clans. It was crucial to rescue them as soon as possible.
Thus, the value of these Sand captives became evident.
Prisoner exchanges were a common occurrence among the hidden villages.
Since he had no ties with the clans, he could afford to delay the process. As long as Tonami Koshun didn't send him his payment, he wouldn't hand over these Sand captives. It was a matter of who could hold out longer.
"Yes!"
Nara Tatsuhito knew that Tonami was defying the village, but he answered without hesitation. As the deputy commander of the Southwest Shinobi Army, his superior was Tonami. If it were a move against the village's interests, he might have objected, but for something this minor, he knew exactly what to do.
What Tonami appreciated most about the Nara clan was their intelligence. They always knew the best course of action.
After giving his instructions, Tonami left the commander's office and went to the resting area.
Hyuga Sogetsu was there, and several small chests had appeared on the desk beside her.
"Should I take these gold coins with me right away?"
She asked as Tonami entered.
Gold coins!
Also known as 'large gold coins,' they were minted from gold.
The true hard currency.
The currencies of the various countries in the shinobi world were different, but these gold coins were universally accepted.
When Hyuga Sogetsu had dealt with the Kamakura family, she had also "visited" their treasury.
It was clear that they were skilled at plundering.
They had managed to accumulate so many gold coins.
But their efforts had only benefited Tonami and his team, turning into war spoils.
Murder and arson, and a golden belt!
They had struck it rich.
Each gold coin was officially valued at 100,000 ryo in the Land of Fire, but no one would actually exchange them.
While it was easy to exchange gold coins for currency, converting Fire Country currency back into gold coins was nearly impossible.
Each chest contained 1,000 gold coins.
These couldn't be left at Mount Kikyou, as it would expose their involvement. Ordinary shinobi couldn't obtain so many gold coins, and if they were found, it would be like admitting guilt.
"Yes, we'll take them back with the merchant convoy. I also plan to visit Horen!"
Tonami nodded. He intended to go to the 'Starting Point Orphanage' with Hyuga Sogetsu.
There was a lot to bring back, including medicinal herbs and orphans collected through Leaf channels, as well as supplies.
As for Mount Kikyou?
He didn't need to worry.
If the Sand shinobi launched a full-scale attack, he would have enough time to return. There was no risk of anything going wrong.
As the commander, he shouldn't leave, but he had another identity.
Pharmaceutical developer!
As long as the Southwest Shinobi Army was safe, the village leadership couldn't fault him for going to his lab to conduct experiments.
Just like Orochimaru, who often did personal projects despite being a commander.
For a Kage-level shinobi, the village's constraints were far less stringent than for ordinary shinobi.
As for the exposure of the Starting Point Orphanage?
Tonami had never intended to keep it a secret, which was why he had mentioned it openly before.
Half a day later!
The convoy set off for the Land of Rivers.
Dozens of wagons were filled with goods, and there were also several dozen young boys and girls.
The escort consisted of a small squad of shinobi.
Squad 404!
Additionally, there was a messenger shinobi with a trained messenger hawk.
With him around, Tonami wouldn't lose control of the Southwest Shinobi Army.
Mount Kikyou wasn't too far from the Starting Point Orphanage.
It took just over a week to arrive.
If it were a jonin, they could have made the trip in a day. By air, it would have taken only a few hours.
Shinobi speed was in a different league from that of ordinary people.
(End of Chapter)
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