Chapter 137: Kurama: Who is the Hunter, and Who is the Prey?
Inside the inner castle of the renamed Snow Fortress.
The originally deserted "Daijō-kaku" (Great Council of State building) was now renovated, with a bit more life.
The "Daijō-kaku" was originally the office space for the "Daijō-daijin" (Chancellor of the Realm).
The Chancellor of the Realm was a non-permanent official position, with a quota of one, responsible for assisting the ruler, managing state affairs, and being a model for all officials, equivalent to a "Grand Tutor" or "Prime Minister".
But in reality, very few people in the history of the Land of Snow had ever held the position of Chancellor.
However, after Kazahana Koyuki succeeded to the position of ruler, she filled the long-vacant position of Chancellor.
Some ministers made several inquiries but still knew very little about the new Chancellor.
They only knew it was the man who had placed the crown on Princess Koyuki's head, the man called "Kuni-no-tokotachi."
At this moment, inside the Daijō-kaku.
Looking at the young girl before him, Menma said with amusement in his tone: "Aren't you afraid those old geezers will go and nag you again?"
"Mm-hmm~ The old folks mean well."
Kazahana Koyuki shook her head, chuckling lightly: "It's inevitable to be a bit naggy when you get old. If they like to talk, just let them talk. It's no loss."
A week had already passed since her inauguration ceremony.
For the subjects of the Land of Snow, this was perhaps a very momentous event.
But for the Five Great Nations, with their transcendent status and formidable power, it was merely a symbolic gesture to send envoys to offer congratulations.
Beyond that, they didn't pay it much mind.
After all, in outsiders' eyes, this was just a change of regime in the Land of Snow.
Some officials who had betrayed out of coercion from Kazahana Dotō were not completely purged by Menma, but were all transferred to "suitable" positions.
The Land of Snow's forces were composed of ordinary soldiers and Snow Ninja who knew how to use chakra.
The faction led by Nadare Rōga had already been completely eliminated by Crimson Moon, while another part was imprisoned in cells, undergoing re-education.
The remaining Snow Ninja were naturally all taken in, officially incorporated into the Land of Snow's forces, continuing to serve in the construction work of the Land of Snow.
This was a tacit understanding between Menma and Kazahana Koyuki.
As for those ministers and Snow Ninja harboring malicious intent...
Dong! Dong dong!
A knock on the door suddenly came from outside.
"Come in."
After Menma's voice fell,
Uchiha Shisui, wearing a mask, walked into the room, speaking respectfully: "Lord Master, those people have confessed everything."
With that, he handed the intelligence scroll in his hand to Menma.
"They confessed so quickly? I really overestimated them."
Menma opened the scroll. Looking at the names on it, he couldn't help but chuckle: "No different from the candidates I guessed at all."
Although security at the inauguration ceremony was tight and screening was rigorous,
and the attending aides, ministers, officials, and citizens had all undergone multiple inspections,
Menma had long guessed there would definitely be some fools who wouldn't give up and would try to cause trouble at the ceremony.
He just didn't expect their reaction to be so slow, only making up their minds to act when the ceremony was about to end.
In the end, they didn't even get a chance to get close to Kazahana Koyuki.
They were crushed by Menma, who was eager to see the show, in the blink of an eye, in front of all the subjects.
When discovered, the assassins even subconsciously tried to commit suicide by poison, but Menma instantly dislocated their jaws and arms, prying the poison pills from their teeth.
Then, Uchiha Shisui interrogated them to find out who the mastermind was.
"Since they've all confessed, then just purge the people on this list."
With that, Menma, as if thinking of something, added with a smile: "Oh right, don't forget to confiscate their assets for the state."
"Wanting to reform technology and the system... the Land of Snow's financial pressure is not small."
The fate of those harboring malicious intent was decided by him in such a joking tone.
"Yes."
Uchiha Shisui showed no strange expression, merely bowing slightly in response: "Then, I shall take my leave first."
After he left,
Menma keenly noticed the hesitation on Kazahana Koyuki's face beside him.
"Koyuki, as an emperor, you mustn't have misplaced pity."
He gently stroked her head: "Treat our friends like spring, but treat our enemies like the harsh winter."
He had always done so himself.
Koyuki also only hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement with his handling of the matter.
A satisfied smile flashed across Menma's face.
This was also why he chose the Land of Snow as Crimson Moon's base.
The Five Great Nations, with their relatively complete systems, would not allow an uncontrolled "Crimson Moon" to roam within their sphere of influence.
Only the Land of Snow, which focused on developing "chakra technology," possessed the soil for "Crimson Moon" to grow.
Most importantly,
To some extent, Kazahana Dotō had already helped Menma lay a good foundation during his reign.
Kazahana Dotō, with his military background, misappropriated state funds to develop military power after taking the throne, directly infringing on the interests of the Land of Snow's noble factions.
But Kazahana Dotō was not as easy to talk to as Kazahana Sōsetsu.
He directly used violent and cruel means to eliminate all nobles who opposed him, greatly striking a blow to the power and influence of the Land of Snow's nobility.
The reason Kazahana Koyuki could smoothly ascend to the position of ruler of the Land of Snow, and "Crimson Moon" could intervene in the affairs and power of the Land of Snow, was also largely thanks to this move by Kazahana Dotō.
If it were those greedy nobles, they would not allow their "cake" to be divided up by others.
Of course, if the nobles didn't behave, Menma wouldn't mind carrying out an even more thorough purge.
After all, he was now the one who crowned the ruler, Kazahana Koyuki's "Lord Big Brother".
"Oh right, Lord Big Brother!"
Kazahana Koyuki, as if thinking of something, took off the Hexagonal Crystal from her neck: "This should be useful to Lord Big Brother. It's better to keep it in your hands."
"The Hexagonal Crystal... no, the Gelel Stone?"
Menma's brow furrowed slightly, finally revealing a smile.
"A gentleman does not take away what others love. This is a gift your father gave you. How could I possibly accept it."
With that, he stood up and put the Hexagonal Crystal back around Koyuki's neck.
"But..."
Although Koyuki's heart warmed, she still said hesitantly: "Lord Big Brother, don't you need this ore for research?"
From their previous discussions, she had gained some understanding of this ore called the Gelel Stone.
It was an important item that could take the Land of Snow's military strength to the next level.
If before she held an attitude of being content with a little wealth, then after the incident of Kazahana Dotō's rebellion, the once-naive Kazahana Koyuki also realized the importance of military strength.
Now that the Land of Snow was on "Crimson Moon's" great ship, she could also imagine the pressure the Land of Snow would face in the future.
They were now grasshoppers on the same rope.
"I do need it."
Menma nodded, but then shook his head with a smile: "But this little bit is just better than nothing. It's not enough to research any results."
"Now that the situation in the Land of Snow has stabilized, I plan to go outside to search for Gelel Stones."
(End of Chapter)
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