Nara Luming took out a recording stone, activated it, and handed it to Aburame Ikki. Aburame Ikki nodded, then performed a secret technique, commanding his insects to hold the recording stone in the air.
This would record the words spoken and actions taken here. Then, they would not fear the Daimyo of the Land of Wind trying to deny it later.
"Wait, that does not add up. From what I know, such a secret operation would definitely involve detaining your relatives as hostages. So why are you betraying the Daimyo and exposing his actions?" Nara Luming spoke with confident logic, his words convincing.
Senmon Genko's eyes were bloodshot. "Our Daimyo has a taste for other men's wives. The wives of many of his subordinates have, to some extent, been involved with him. Including Lord Shinno's wife."
"Previous envoys who did such things, after they died, their sons were eliminated on trumped-up charges. Their wives were taken into the Daimyo's harem for his pleasure."
Nara Luming was stunned. This was different from the script they discussed earlier. But these new claims were even more explosive. The effect would be better.
"Are you speaking the truth?" Nara Luming narrowed his eyes, grabbing the envoy's collar and asking.
Senmon Genko nodded. "I dare not deceive you. It was on the road, when someone in the envoy group slipped accidentally, and that rotten meat rolled out, that we realized this was a suicide mission." His face was ashen.
"We do not want to die. We want to live. So today, we are all reporting the crimes of the Land of Wind's Daimyo under our real names. We are willing to make them public to the world." Senmon Genko's voice was stirring, evoking feelings of sympathy among the surrounding Konoha villagers.
"We beg Lord Hokage, save us, save our families." After saying this, Senmon Genko heavily kowtowed, his head hitting the ground.
Nara Luming's face showed hesitation. Just then, a domineering, clear voice rang out. "I accept your plea." It was Ryun.
He was currently wearing the red Hokage robe. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado followed behind him. Seeing this, Nara Luming quickly bowed and then stood behind Ryun.
"You, you are the Hokage, Lord Ryun. This commoner, Senmon Genko, pays his respects to Lord Hokage." Senmon Genko's voice was heartbreaking.
"Rise. I am already aware of this matter. Rest assured, not a single one of your family members will come to harm. I will not hold you responsible either. After all, you are all victims of circumstance."
"However, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind will pay the price. Offending me is one thing, but daring to offend my daughter..." Ryun did not finish.
Everyone present understood their Hokage's resolve and decision. In the old ninja world, such thoughts would be considered treasonous. But for the current Konoha Village.
The only response would be, "So what?"
Konoha's economy was now only a little behind the Land of Fire. If not for the Land of Fire's longer history and greater reserves, Konoha would be the number one economy in the ninja world.
Of course, the relationship between Konoha and the Land of Fire was as close as brothers. Even if Ryun executed the Land of Wind's Daimyo, the Land of Fire's Daimyo would not have any objection.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage. Thank you, Lord Hokage." Senmon Genko finally relaxed. He had been afraid that his performance today would disappoint the Hokage. That would have been the true tragedy.
It seemed now that Lord Hokage was somewhat satisfied. The entire Daimyo's palace of the Land of Wind was under Ryun's control. Which meant the lives of their families were in Ryun's hands.
If Ryun was satisfied, then everything was fine. Ryun arranged for people to take the envoy group away and treat them well. He also ordered people to seal that rotten meat and spoiled fruit using sealing techniques. He would use them later.
Although the Uzumaki clansmen were confused, they followed Ryun's instructions and sealed them thoroughly.
Afterwards, Ryun and Nara Luming returned to the Hokage Building. "Luming, we now hold the moral high ground. Once today is over, we move immediately to settle accounts."
"I understand, Lord Hokage." Nara Luming took out his phone and made a call. "Shikaku, after midnight tonight, commence the operation. Secure the Daimyo and wait for our arrival."
"Yes, Father." Nara Shikaku's voice came from the phone. Because Nara Luming had put it on speaker, Ryun heard it too.
He joked, "Luming, indeed, a mighty father does not have a weak son. Your son quietly took control of the entire Daimyo palace without anyone noticing. That ability is no less than yours."
"You flatter me, Lord Hokage. It is all due to your training and Shikaku's own efforts." Nara Luming replied modestly.
Ryun patted his shoulder. "You, after all these years, still so cautious. I have told you many times, we are brothers."
"This is not caution, but respect. Although we are brothers, we are also Lord and retainer. Propriety cannot be abandoned." Nara Luming remained respectful.
Ryun shook his head helplessly. Hearing Luming's words, he could not get angry. This guy was too steady.
"We still have three or four hours until nightfall. How about we get some ramen to fill our stomachs?" Ryun smiled.
"That would be excellent. I dare not hide it from you, Lord Hokage, I have been hungry for a while." Nara Luming smiled.
Accommodating the leader's wishes is a subordinate's basic skill.
"Then let's go." Ryun smiled, placed his right hand on Nara Luming's shoulder, and then a flash of light passed through the Hokage Building. The two figures arrived at the Ichiraku Ramen shop.
Both simply ordered a regular bowl of ramen and sat in a corner to eat. Then, they heard a familiar voice.
"Nagato, Konan, for the full moon banquet of Ryun's daughter, what gifts have you prepared?" The speaker was Uzumaki Nagato. His pair of purple, imposing Rinnegan were highly intimidating.
Nagato smiled. "I plan to give a portion of rice seeds. I selected these from the very best. Their grains are all plump, and the yield is extremely high."
"Our Akatsuki organization kept one portion, one for Konoha, and one for the Land of Rain. Once it's promoted, every household will have surplus grain. If war comes, everyone will still have full stomachs." Nagato's smile was especially bright.
Jiraiya, just returning from the counter, heard this. His eyes lit up. "Oh, Nagato. You're giving rice seeds?"
"Rice seeds represent both food and hope. This gift is too valuable." Jiraiya was no ordinary person; he could consider things from a broader perspective.
Nagato scratched his head. "I still think it's a bit shabby. After all, Konoha has given us so much help. In the end, all I can give is a bag of rice seeds."
"No, Nagato. I believe Lord Hokage will definitely recognize the value of your gift. And since it's the little princess's full moon banquet, perhaps the people of Konoha will even be grateful to the little princess in the future." Jiraiya laughed heartily.
Ryun's lips curled up. Rice seeds? Indeed, they were a good thing. Something that could allow people to eat their fill.
He never expected Nagato to have involvement in this area. Perhaps...
"Konan, what about you?" Nagato looked gently at Konan. Konan, hearing her name, brightened up. "I am better at fuinjutsu and paper. So I plan to give Konoha ten thousand explosive tags." After saying this, Konan took out a box.
Jiraiya quickly held her. "Ko, Ko, Konan. This, this thing is dangerous. I, I will keep it for you." After saying this, Jiraiya stored the explosive tags into a scroll and then relaxed.
Ryun and Nara Luming, who had been watching, also paled. Seeing Konan casually toss the box gave them a fright. If it accidentally detonated, half the village could be blown up.
Konan was stunned. "Jiraiya Sensei. The explosive tags I make are of the highest quality. They are very stable. As long as no chakra touches them, they won't explode even if you tear them." Konan puffed her cheeks, looking angrily at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya was stunned. But even if it happened again, knowing this, he would still stop her immediately. Konoha's safety came first.
"Hmph, I am ignoring you, Jiraiya Sensei. By the way, Nagato, what about you?" Konan looked at Uzumaki Nagato. Uzumaki Nagato was startled, then took out a piece of metal.
"Oh. Fire nature chakra conductive metal. This is a treasure. Look at this piece, a full ten pounds. Where did you get it?" Jiraiya was astonished. He never expected Nagato to have prepared such an amazing gift.
"This thing, I obtained from a mission I took to eliminate a Iwa ninja missing nin. I found out later that it was chakra conductive metal."
"That ninja was registered as a missing nin precisely because he stole this chakra conductive metal from Iwagakure's treasure vault."
"At the time, I submitted the mission under a hidden identity. Because they definitely would not register such an embarrassing fact. They only registered that they wanted his head."
"After I handed over his head, not far out, I was blocked by a group of Iwa ninja. They wanted this chakra conductive metal. I certainly could not give it to them. Once it's in my hands, it's mine."
"So I knocked them all unconscious and left. Against them, I only used taijutsu and C rank ninjutsu. Who knew they were so, and they were supposed to be Jonin."
"When I returned to the organization, I heard you were going to attend the full moon banquet. So I decided to keep this metal as a gift." Uzumaki Nagato smiled.
Jiraiya was dumbfounded. How were all three of his students so rich? Darn it, what should he give? Perhaps the Icha Icha series? But Tsunade would kill him.
"Owner, check please." Nara Luming called out with a smile. Teuchi came out from the back kitchen. He was about to say something, but Nara Luming shook his head slightly.
Teuchi did not say anything, accepted the payment, bowed, and returned to the back kitchen. Jiraiya noticed this.
Jiraiya unobtrusively glanced sideways and saw Nara Luming sitting in the corner. The other person had his back to him.
"Let's go, Luming. That was good. We still have a lot to do tonight." Ryun patted his shoulder, and then, in an instant, they vanished.
Jiraiya seemed to have guessed. Someone who called Vice Hokage Nara Luming simply 'Luming' must be someone close. Ino Shika Cho, or a fellow elder, colleague, or relative.
And that instantaneous disappearance just now. That was... the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Ryun. That person just now was Ryun. The Hokage. Ryun. Jiraiya was stunned.
Oh no, did he hear everything we just said?
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