After everything was done, Wen Lan dusted off his hands and sat back down in his chair, completely ignoring Tsunade, who had collapsed to her knees from hemophobia.
Orochimaru stepped forward and helped her up.
To Orochimaru, Nawaki had been like a nephew—obedient, well-behaved, his very first disciple.
Orochimaru hadn't originally pursued immortality. The idea had only flickered faintly after the war, when he thought of his parents.
But what truly pushed him onto that path—
It was Nawaki's death.
At that moment, another Uchiha clansman entered and bowed respectfully.
"Third Elder, it's ready."
"Good. Then… please, everyone—this way."
The prisoners were untied and escorted into the adjacent chamber.
At the center of the room stood an iron pillar—glowing red-hot.
The heat struck like a wave the moment they entered.
Wen Lan stood at the doorway, arms folded.
"Allow me to introduce the next instrument of punishment—Pao Lao."
Several faces turned pale.
"Don't worry," Wen Lan smiled faintly. "Compared to the previous ones, this isn't complicated."
"You simply remove the clothes… and press your body against the iron pillar."
"Your flesh will slowly cook."
He flicked the pillar lightly with his finger. Sparks scattered.
"So, Third Hokage. Advisor Danzō. And the two honored consultants."
"Who would like to go first?"
They swallowed hard.
Even Danzō—who had always believed himself ruthless—now realized that compared to Wen Lan…
He was nothing.
This was a living Yama.
"Since no one volunteers," Wen Lan's gaze settled on Koharu, "I'll choose."
"You've done your share of vile things."
"Any last words?"
The cloth gag was removed from Koharu's mouth.
She trembled violently.
"Wen Lan! N-no! Advisor Wen Lan! I was wrong! I won't oppose the Uchiha again! I'll give up everything—my power, my status! I'll surrender all my property! Please spare me!"
"Hmm."
Wen Lan rolled his eyes.
"You're not sorry."
"You're just afraid to die."
"And you're foolish too."
"If I kill you, won't everything you own belong to me anyway?"
Without another word, he shoved her forward.
Ssszzzz—
The sound of flesh searing against iron filled the chamber.
Smoke rose instantly.
The smell of burning skin spread thickly.
Koharu convulsed in agony, trying to pull away—
But Wen Lan stepped behind her and kicked her back, forcing her firmly against the pillar.
Her flesh stuck to the scorching surface.
Her arms twitched violently.
Her nails scraped uselessly against iron.
The screams gradually weakened—
Then stopped.
Wen Lan withdrew his foot.
Her charred body remained adhered to the pillar, blackened and unrecognizable.
"Next."
He flicked imaginary dust from his sleeve.
The Uchiha clansmen were pale, sweat soaking their palms—but they continued.
The iron pillar descended, revealing it was hollow.
"This one," Wen Lan said calmly, "is boiling."
"The victim is sealed inside. The heat dries every drop of moisture from the body—until only a husk remains."
"Advisor Danzō. Your turn."
Danzō's single eye tightened.
He did not curse.
Instead, he stared steadily at Wen Lan.
"My only regret," Danzō said hoarsely, "is that I didn't kill you when I had the chance."
"History belongs to the victor."
"But remember this—my death today will be your end someday."
Wen Lan chuckled.
"You won't live to see it."
He kicked Danzō into the iron chamber.
The lid slammed shut.
No screams came from within.
Even Wen Lan paused slightly.
He had to admit—
Danzō's resolve surpassed Koharu's.
His gaze shifted to Homura.
Homura trembled.
"I—I never harmed the Uchiha!"
Wen Lan laughed coldly.
"A fish is bitten. A cat sits nearby and claims it wasn't involved."
"Would you believe that?"
"I would! I would!" Homura nodded frantically.
"Sometimes," Wen Lan sighed, "when you overdo it, it just becomes pitiful."
He waved a hand.
An Uchiha dragged Homura toward a burning fire pit and pulled out a human-shaped iron maiden.
The device opened.
Inside—rows upon rows of spikes.
Red-hot.
"This," Wen Lan said lightly, "is the Iron Maiden."
"You'll go inside."
"The door closes."
"The spikes pierce through your body."
"And the heated metal will continue cooking you from the inside."
"Exciting, isn't it?"
Even Tsunade and Orochimaru felt a chill.
"Please! I was wrong! Spare me!" Homura collapsed, weeping openly.
Wen Lan looked disgusted.
"Still able to cry? Plenty of water left in you, then."
"Put him in."
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