How could someone be this handsome, so imposing?
Though ruthless and decisive, he inspired fear and admiration in equal measure.
The remaining heads of the three noble families who had tried to flee froze at the words.
They turned back to the platform, where Hyūga Shigeo stood gripping the blood-soaked body of the He clan leader.
Bathed in the crimson light of dusk, he looked like a god of judgment.
Their souls nearly fled their bodies.
"Y-you… you're Hyūga Shigeo?"
"That's right, I am."
Blood dripped slowly from his kunai, drop by drop, as a cruel smile curved his lips.
Then he swung his blade again and shouted, "Men! Arrest them all!"
At his command, dozens of Anbu from Ink Village appeared, emerging from every direction like shadows.
Those so-called powerful rogue shinobi and elite jōnin of Kirigakure?
Before the Anbu of Ink Village, they were nothing.
"Transmit my decree!" Shigeo's voice echoed across the square.
"Anyone in Tea Province possessing more than fifty mu of land—whether a clan head, wealthy merchant, or self-proclaimed noble—will have all lands confiscated and redistributed.
Every family shall own fields to farm and homes to live in.
From this day forward, Tea Province officials shall be chosen from the common people.
All must pass official examinations to serve."
The entire square went silent.
Then, suddenly, a wave of applause erupted among the commoners.
The nobles and merchants were dumbstruck.
"Why?! That land was passed down by our ancestors! Why give it to those peasants?! Why?!" one man shouted furiously.
Shigeo tossed aside the corpse in his hand and said evenly,
"Because this… is the law."
Applause thundered again, louder than before.
They had called him a monster—an inhuman demon who killed without mercy.
But in this moment, to the people watching, he was radiant.
For countless generations, who had ever spoken for them?
In this world, the rich could buy anything—even ninja protection—while the poor could only be trampled.
Yet now, at last, they too would have land and the right to live.
"Men," Shigeo continued.
"Yes!"
Three elders stepped forward—elders from Nanmo City's Department of Justice.
"Post an announcement. In three days, any civilian may take the administrative examination in Mao-hai Town.
Those who pass shall be formally contracted and appointed to office.
This matter shall be handled by the three of you."
"Yes, Ink Shadow-sama! We will see it done with all our strength!"
The three elders bowed deeply, reverent as if before a god.
Tea Province needed reform.
Its noble clans had poisoned the region for too long.
This time, Shigeo would uproot them completely.
Leaving a detachment of Anbu to maintain order, Shigeo finished the arrangements and led his teams—Mizukage Gekka (Ghost Lantern Crescent Moon) and Fuyu's squad—back toward the village.
On the road, the six subordinates followed in stunned silence, eyes wide with awe.
"Lord Shigeo, how did you know those nobles were plotting rebellion?"
"Of course I knew," he replied calmly. "Too many officials in Tea Province have died recently. They've grown arrogant and fearless. It was time to deal with them."
A flash of crimson flickered in his eyes as he spoke.
That icy aura silenced everyone instantly.
This was the power of a Kage—ending deep-rooted chaos with one decisive strike.
When they returned to Ink Village, Jinshi, Wumang, and Honglin were already waiting at the gate.
The moment they saw him, they bowed deeply.
"Lord Shigeo, that was incredible! We heard you divided the nobles' lands and even gave houses to Tea Province's citizens. Is that true?"
They had already received the report by carrier hawk.
Shigeo nodded. Jinshi's face lit up with admiration.
"I've been worrying over Tea Province for months," Jinshi said. "I never knew how to fix it. I thought at best you'd just scare them into line.
But, my lord, your actions—swift, decisive—you reformed their entire system in one stroke! It's beyond anything I could've imagined!"
His eyes gleamed with awe.
People called him the Ink Shadow's greatest aide in Nanmo Village, but the truth was clear—his lord's single thought crushed ten of his own.
To reshape an entire social order with one decree… he could never have conceived of it himself.
Shigeo shrugged. "It's nothing. I'm from another world. I studied at a university before I came here—some of these administrative systems are just common sense."
He smiled faintly. Sometimes, I just can't be bothered to interfere.
"Lord Shigeo, please, come to the village hall—the Sovereign is waiting for you!"
Inside Ink Village's main hall, Wu Youhua had personally come to visit.
She was in the kitchen herself, preparing dinner for all the administrative staff.
Beside her, Wu Qianling handled the barbecue, while Granny Chen and another maid assisted.
The work she had struggled to accomplish for months, Shigeo had solved in days.
How could she not be grateful?
She cooked personally to show her thanks.
As the aroma of food spread, more people gathered: Evil Zither Demon Drum, Meimako, Master Fuji, the child Xiaotong and his grandfather, Gekka, and Fuyu's team—all came to join the feast.
Shigeo decided to go all in.
He burned a summoning talisman—calling Uchiha Itachi directly.
Soon he was drinking and chatting with everyone at the banquet.
Itachi, meeting everyone for the first time, was polite and refined, showing sincere respect to all.
Beside him, Shigeo looked more like a wandering ninja—casual and free-spirited.
"Hey, who's that? So handsome!"
Meimako suddenly dashed over, eyes sparkling.
"Hello, handsome! I'll drink to you!"
"Oh no, she's doing it again," Evil Zither and Demon Drum groaned, dragging her back to her seat.
But Meimako suddenly leapt up, shouting,
"That handsome guy—I like you!!"
Same scene, different fool.
Everyone groaned.
Shigeo laughed heartily. He genuinely wanted to see Itachi's reaction.
He looked over expectantly—but Itachi didn't even flinch.
No blush, no hesitation. He didn't even glance at Meimako, as if she didn't exist.
Damn, Shigeo thought. Different personality, different result indeed.
"Meimako," Shigeo teased, "if you can win over my friend here, I'll be impressed."
He was using reverse psychology, baiting her on.
Surely no one could thaw Uchiha Itachi's ice.
Reality proved him right.
Itachi remained unmoved, calm as a mountain glacier.
No matter how much Meimako flirted or declared her love, he stayed expressionless, not even sparing her a look.
In the end, Meimako gave up with a pout.
"Hmph, he's colder than Ink Shadow-sama! At least the Lord would say something if he didn't like me.
But this guy? Drinks his sake and doesn't say a word."
(End of Chapter)
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