The Village Hidden in Grass was also worth mentioning. While news had already made headlines of her escape, many believed it to be Orochimaru's doing.
Kabuto had relayed the information to the snake, who found it interesting but didn't pay any mind to it since he had what he wanted: the Uchiha at his side.
Who was he to care that a failed subordinate escaped from one of the world's most prominent prisons? If she truly was his subordinate, she would have returned to the hideout.
But she didn't, so Orochimaru had no more use for her.
So long as Tayuya didn't stupidly travel to certain places, she would not be searched out for her arrest. Even if those from earth wanted to do something about it, she was in Arthur's domain—a place not a single ninja could touch her without repercussions.
Half a day soon slipped away.
Each moment was marked by the replenishment of chakra needed for the ceaseless use of the Flying raijin to venture into various agencies.
Some agencies were small and less active, allowing for more relaxed delivery mechanisms, such as messenger hawks inconspicuously transmitting documents without drawing suspicion.
By noon, Arthur had logged Tayuya's papers everywhere across the eastern hemisphere, expecting their approval within two to three business days.
He had done well in leveraging his position effectively to orchestrate the clearing of a criminal's name—all without her or him facing backlash from the public.
Arthur couldn't help but find his situation ironic. While he engaged in dealings meant to cleanse Tayuya's association with criminality, he himself had broken the law's tenets for personal gain.
Fortunately, he understood how to maintain this fine balance, aware that his own influence held sway over both enemies and allies alike.
Such was the life of a man who wielded power without restraints.
What was someone to expect? Arthur had unfettered access to countless secrets and credence within the upper echelons of society. Much like a king or queen did on earth.
✟
Three days later.
Reports flowed into his office.
The absence of inquiries challenging this expungement from the various agencies suggested success. That also meant his mission had concluded; Tayuya's name would be erased from public and private records across the east side of the hemisphere.
While not all of her past crimes would be forgotten in the hearts of others, there was now an opportunity for reinvention.
Arthur would ensure she wouldn't squander it.
While at his desk, he was tapping his fingers, contemplating when it would be best to take the Box of Paradise from Hōzuki Castle.
That's when he heard three knocks at his office door.
"Come in," he called, knowing it was his secretary.
The door creaked open as a woman entered. After a humble bow, she approached his desk and handed him a neatly folded letter. "This just arrived for you, my lord."
Most of the time, Arthur would just have her open the letters for him. So he found this a little interesting.
After exiting, he began reading.
'Dear Lord Belfort, I write to you from my sickbed, feeling wretched and unable to attend the upcoming feudal lord's meeting in the Land of Flowers. This illness has taken a toll on my strength, and it is with regret that I must delegate our representation at this important gathering. A representative from our country must attend, and I would appreciate your attendance as my successor. I trust that you will perform admirably, as you always do. Regards, Hiromu.'
Arthur felt a tad annoyed.
These meetings occurred quarterly, rotating through the countries. And while they may have seemed unimportant, they were vital for maintaining alliances, discussing land distributions, trade pacts, and agricultural changes.
Hiromu's health issue could not have come at a worse time since Arthur had completely forgotten about this scheduled meeting.
Partly due to having focused heavily on Tayuya's expungement.
He sighed, knowing that there was little space for sympathy in the role he had personally chosen.
The feudal lord meetings were honestly nothing to brag about. They were a parade of political posturing, dusty rhetoric, and an abundance of minutiae about more politics.
Every four months, a different country was selected to host under an unwritten agreement that even the Kages were not allowed to attend or talk about.
In truth, the gatherings often devolved into drudgery, devoid of decisions that could alter the world's landscape.
They wouldn't even be held if the five major companies stopped arguing all the time.
Now it fell upon Arthur to represent the Water Country since Hiromu couldn't attend.
To be fair, he could try and send someone else. But to send someone of lesser rank—of which Arthur was already just a successor—would be akin to declaring war on dignity itself; it was an affront the gathered lords would not tolerate.
Arthur would gladly declare war and slaughter all of them there. But now was not the time. Not when his current military power wasn't strong enough.
With every action came a reaction, and killing feudal lords could bear severe consequences.
Of course, there was an opportunity to attend. This meeting was not merely another bureaucratic obligation; it offered a chance to engage with Yoshiyuki Kaneko, who was the current feudal lord of the Fire Country.
Arthur knew the importance of establishing rapport with other lords, particularly someone as shrewd as Yoshiyuki.
From what Arthur remembered, Yoshiyuki was characterized by his indecisive nature. He often let himself be influenced by external factors and the opinions of those around him, leading to decisions that seemed to lack conviction.
When faced with the need for quick and consequential choices, he typically delegated the responsibility to his advisers, allowing the most convincing among them to sway his judgment.
In the lore, Yoshiyuki had a notable admiration for Jiraiya and expressed interest in him as a candidate for Hokage. But his tendency to conform ultimately led him to follow the recommendations of advisers like Shikaku Nara and Danzō Shimura.
Three years from now, his reluctance to replace the comatose Tsunade during Pain's invasion showed his hesitance in leadership, as he leaned heavily on others' opinions for guidance, eventually allowing Danzō to become a Hokage candidate.
Such an act was unbecoming of a real feudal lord.
Arthur soon rose from his desk, smoothing his attire to speak to his secretary outside. "Make arrangements for my travel to the Land of Flowers." He then donned the traditional headpiece most feudal lords wore. "I won't require an escort. Just a reliable carriage."
"Of course, my lord. Should I also arrange for anyone to accompany you? I'm more than available."
"Thank you, but no. Just ensure the carriage is ready."
After she departed, he returned to his contemplation.
The Box of Paradise would have to wait, as its significance shouldn't matter for another three years anyway.
✟
Two days later.
Traveling through verdant pastures and teeming forests and toward the aromatic flora that defined the Land of Flowers, Arthur finally arrived at his destination.
This manor was almost like a fantasy land encased within animated blooms and stunning landscapes.
To be fair, much of the country was like this.
The Land of Flowers was a small yet remarkably fertile nation known for its agricultural output, particularly in floral cultivation. Its rich soil allowed for the flourishing of various crops, which had become the cornerstone of its economy and were traded extensively.
Last Arthur recalled, the nation had established a relationship with the neighbouring Land of Earth, which, due to its less hospitable terrain, depended on their flowers for sustenance.
Several years from now, after the Fourth World War, the Earth Country would invade this territory for their resources.
Thanks to the Leaf Village, with Naruto as the seventh Hokage, they would advocate a peaceful resolution between the two nations.
If it were Arthur, he wouldn't have hesitated to declare war on the Fire Country for having involved themselves in his affairs.