As Jinghang resolved the matter with Rifu Tian within his command tent, simultaneous actions were unfolding elsewhere. In the adjacent tent, Pakura, Sasori, and Guren effortlessly subdued three regiment commanders. One was trapped inside Sasori’s puppet, another sealed within Guren’s crystal, and the third, trembling in fear, had his limbs broken by Pakura and was threatened with her Scorch Release Fireball. With the leaders captured, and relying on Jinghang’s prestige as the creator of the regular army, the three regiments stationed at Fengbo Pavilion were quickly brought under control.
Meanwhile, the second division led by Chisha Guimu surrounded the headquarters of the fourth division of the regular army, rapidly encircling the remaining seven regiments. The surprise attack met little resistance. Only a commander named Outo Tailuo attempted to resist, injuring several ninjas from Chisha Guimu’s division before being swiftly subdued by ten of Chisha Guimu’s puppets.
Additionally, three regiments from the first division of the regular army, which had landed at Coin Port, collaborated with the Yuexi Peninsula’s security forces to launch targeted armed operations against a series of offshore casinos and money houses. The "underground darkness" of Yuexi Peninsula was exposed. When people saw the various torture devices and piles of corpses in the underground dungeons, they shuddered in horror. No one had imagined such vile activities hiding beneath the seemingly peaceful facade of Yuexi Peninsula.
Sunagakure Wind Shadow Tower
"Rasa! Liangping! Yamashita Tetsu! This is treason! It’s subversion! When the Kazekage returns, you won’t escape punishment!"
The military and political minister Dust Sand, his hands bound behind him by two intelligence department Jonin, struggled violently as he was escorted out of his office, shouting incessantly.
This veteran, one of the few remaining "elders" from the First Kazekage’s era, was practically the third most powerful figure in Sunagakure. His arrest caused quite a stir among the administrative staff of other departments.
"Dust Sand, you should consider yourself lucky. If it were Jinghang-sama, he wouldn’t be so polite! Take him away! Send him to the interrogation room!" Rasa said coldly.
Many intelligence and anti-corruption ninjas stormed into various offices within the Wind Shadow Tower. After reading out arrest warrants, they immediately took people away without further ado. If not for the warrants bearing Jinghang’s signature, some might have mistaken this for a coup.
"Everyone is here. Next, we need to extract confessions. The scale of corruption is staggering—it involves nearly one-sixth of the village’s senior officials," said Liangping, the bureau chief, with a sigh.
"Go down the list and conduct house searches one by one. Every trace left behind—assets inconsistent with income—will leave them with no room for denial. Move quickly to prevent them from transferring their wealth. Minister Yamashita, how long will it take to get confessions?" Rasa asked.
"Two days at most. I’ve already brought in Blood Pool Gaojin and the Blood Pool Squad ahead of time. If it takes an hour longer, I’ll consider it a disgrace to my skills," Yamashita Tetsu replied confidently.
"Good. This way, we’ll have results before the Kazekage returns. Also, start organizing the village representative meeting. We’ll clean up all this mess in one go!" Rasa said fiercely.
The large-scale actions in Sunagakure naturally did not escape the attention of other major ninja villages. They looked at Sunagakure with suspicion. Was this another purge like the one in Iwagakure? Or had something happened to Jinghang, the Kazekage? For a time, intelligence personnel from various countries flocked to investigate, and rumors spread like wildfire. Even the neighboring small countries were on edge, and Konoha, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure were equally tense.
At this moment, Sunagakure’s spokesperson Karuke organized a "press conference" for representatives of various ninja villages stationed in Sunagakure.
"Distinguished guests and friends, I apologize for calling everyone here during such a busy time to hold this meeting. First, let me offer my apologies," Karuke said with a gentle smile and a slight bow.
"The purpose of this press conference is to provide an explanation for the recent series of military operations and arrests carried out by Sunagakure, to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings."
Karuke’s beauty and sweet voice immediately captured the attention of everyone present. (Indeed, her appearance was impressive.)
"First, let me clarify: this operation is neither the military coup some have blindly speculated about nor a purge or suppression. It is a targeted anti-corruption campaign aimed at rooting out corrupt officials and degenerate elements within Sunagakure."
Her words sparked a wave of discussion among the attendees.
"What? Such a large-scale operation is actually an anti-corruption campaign?"
"Corruption? Embezzling military funds?"
"Probably embezzling construction funds? Isn’t Sunagakure known for its engineering projects?"
Karuke gently tapped the table, signaling for silence. Naturally, a beauty’s request was respected, and the crowd quieted down.
"Please wait. I’ll provide time for specific questions after explaining the details. May I continue?" Karuke said with a charming smile. Everyone naturally waited quietly.
"As you all know, Sunagakure’s economy has been developing well in recent years. However, some ninjas have abandoned the excellent tradition of hard work and simplicity, indulging in corrupted lifestyles. The trend of extravagance and degeneration has grown, and worse, some have colluded with offshore illegal merchants, engaging in kidnapping, extortion, and other heinous acts.
To rectify this, the Third Kazekage Jinghang-sama has spearheaded this campaign.
On behalf of the Kazekage-sama, I declare that Sunagakure will not coexist with these corrupt forces and will fight them to the end. I also assure everyone that this operation is purely internal governance for Sunagakure, so please don’t be overly concerned."
"Ah, that’s the reason."
"Fighting corruption so fiercely—it seems Sunagakure has serious issues!"
The audience discussed animatedly.
"Alright, now it’s time for questions. Please raise your hands," Karuke said.
Immediately, hands shot up across the room.
"You, the friend from Kumogakure," Karuke pointed, and a staff member quickly handed over a chakra microphone.
"How many people were arrested in this operation? What is the highest level of position involved?"
"Apologies, as the operation has just concluded, the exact number is still being tallied. However, I can tell you that the highest level involved is ministerial," Karuke replied.
This answer shocked the audience. Ministerial-level—that’s a high-ranking official.
"You, the friend from Konoha," Karuke pointed again.
"Does publicly announcing this operation tarnish Sunagakure’s reputation?" the representative asked.
"I believe the opposite. Yes, corruption is a disgrace. But by publicly announcing this anti-corruption campaign, Sunagakure demonstrates its courage and confidence to confront this disgrace head-on.
It also proves the Third Kazekage-sama’s determination to take decisive measures against corruption. Compared to mere reputation, I believe a clean and upright political environment is far more important."
Her words were grand and dignified, earning applause from the audience.
"You, the friend from Kirigakure."
"How long will this operation last?"
Karuke smiled and replied, "The fight against corruption is an ongoing journey!"
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