Instigating Subordinates to Bribe Officials
Half an hour later, Yoshihara Cang returned, carrying a thick stack of documents. He placed them on the table and bowed.
"Lord Tunan, these were all found at Uenohara Shota's residence."
Uenohara Shota's back was drenched in sweat, his expression darkening as he sneered.
"Uchiha Tunan, I advise you not to look at those. Some things are better left unseen—it's dangerous for everyone involved."
Tunan chuckled softly, flipping through the records with a casual air. He then turned his gaze toward the guards still trapped in the swampy earth.
"So these are the reasons you all feared reporting him?"
None of them dared to meet his eyes.
Tunan exhaled lightly and ordered, "Cang, burn everything."
Yoshihara Cang bowed. "Yes, Lord Tunan."
He brought over a brazier and, one by one, burned the documents in front of everyone.
Uenohara Shota, however, grinned wickedly. "You're finished. One of those documents was an entry tax ledger—it recorded every transaction. By burning it, you've just made yourself a prime suspect. Let's see how you explain this to the Fire Daimyō's court."
Tunan's brows furrowed slightly in mock surprise. "Who said I burned it? Clearly, you panicked and destroyed the records to cover up your corruption. Everyone here can testify to that, can't they?"
Uenohara Shota's smirk vanished. His face twisted in panic. "You're slandering me!"
Tunan ignored him and looked back at the assembled guards. "Everyone, I believe you are all law-abiding shinobi who serve the Land of Fire with honor. If any of you have information about Uenohara Shota's crimes, speak freely. Reporting corruption is rewarded—whether in rank or ryo."
He gestured to Cang. "Record everything. Mark who provides information and have them sign with their fingerprints. Also, note down anyone who refuses to speak. I'd suspect they were complicit in his crimes."
Tunan leisurely sipped his tea, his eyes half-lidded, waiting.
Silence held for a moment, but soon, someone broke it.
"I'll talk. Uenohara Shota collects protection fees from gangs outside the city."
"He smuggled contraband into the city through hidden tunnels."
"He collaborated with human traffickers."
One after another, accusations piled up.
As each confession was recorded, Tunan released the informants, leaving only a trembling handful of men still trapped in the quagmire. Yoshihara Cang handed Tunan the crime ledger, now filled with statements and handprints.
Tunan flipped through the pages and shook them in front of Uenohara Shota. "See this? It's more than enough for a death sentence."
Uenohara Shota forced a smirk. "This means nothing. You have no physical evidence. Under the Fire Daimyō's law, you can't lay a finger on me."
Tunan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? But you burned the evidence. If you have any complaints, take it up with the Daimyō—in your next life."
His gaze drifted to one of the remaining guards. "You. You had the most to say. Come forward."
The guard hesitated but stepped forward.
Tunan tossed him a kunai. "You worked closely with him. Take responsibility."
The guard's hands trembled. He had once been an ally of Uenohara Shota, but now the tables had turned.
Uenohara Shota, seeing the kunai, finally panicked. "No! I surrender! I'll serve you, I'll—"
"Shhh."
The kunai pierced Uenohara Shota's chest. Blood spilled onto the floor.
Tunan sighed, shaking his head. "Tsk. I took too long deciding. Now you can't even beg for mercy."
He turned to the guard, wiping his hands. "You're the new deputy captain. Serve well."
The guard fell to his knees. "Thank you, Lord Tunan!"
Tunan nodded in satisfaction, then addressed the rest. "The rest of you, clean this up. Everyone gets a share of the spoils—fair is fair."
As they scrambled to dispose of the body, a few remaining guards, panicked and desperate, began shouting their final confessions.
"Uenohara Shota was linked to kidnappings!"
"He bribed the Minister of Internal Affairs, Osora Kamigawa!"
Tunan's eyes flickered with interest. "Bribed a minister? Interesting."
He dusted off his robes and stood. "Clean yourselves up. I won't have my guards looking disheveled. And from now on—stay in line. Train hard, obey orders. If something happens, follow my attendants' instructions."
With that, he retrieved a storage scroll from his quarters and left the mansion.
---
A Gift for the Minister
On the streets, Tunan approached a passerby. "Excuse me, where can I report government corruption?"
The man pointed. "Find the Minister of Supervision, Fukuda Masaki. His office is just northwest of the Daimyō's palace. Guards at the gate will direct you."
"Much appreciated." Tunan smiled and walked off.
Soon, he arrived at Fukuda Masaki's residence.
Inside the dimly lit reception hall, Masaki, a stern-faced bureaucrat, eyed Tunan with suspicion.
"You must be the new Captain of the North Castle Guard, Uchiha Tunan. Who are you here to report?"
Tunan knelt formally, sliding a thick scroll onto the table. "I am here to report Deputy Captain Uenohara Shota's crimes—corruption, collusion with criminals, bribery of high-ranking officials. This document contains the confessions of his subordinates, with handprints to verify."
Masaki opened the crime ledger and frowned at the overwhelming evidence. "Tch. The moment one man falls, everyone rushes to condemn him."
Tunan leaned in slightly. "I understand that bureaucracy moves slowly. Which is why I wanted to hand over something more... immediate."
With a practiced hand, he unfurled a storage scroll and released its contents.
Boom.
Stacks of ryo, neatly packed, appeared before Masaki. The gleam of money filled the room.
Masaki, an experienced official, estimated at a glance—five million ryo.
Tunan smiled. "In my righteous anger, I executed Shota and a few of his close associates. Also, this is 500,000 ryo—Shota's last bribe, which I believe should be properly accounted for."
He slid the money forward.
Masaki inhaled deeply, weighing the situation. "What this man did was an insult to the Daimyō's justice. You did well, Tunan. I see no fault in your actions."
Tunan chuckled, placing a hand on the money. "Going forward, I will personally report North Castle Guard affairs to you each month. I will ensure both criminals and their stolen wealth are properly handled."
Masaki's smile grew. "You are a man of wisdom, Tunan. I look forward to our future cooperation."
Tunan bowed. "As do I, Masaki-sama."
As he exited, a smirk played on his lips. Everything was falling into place.