novelhk Chapter 217 One Battle Destroys 3 Kingdoms, Public Trial
Chapter 217 One Battle Destroys 3 Kingdoms, Public Trial
Chapter 218 One Battle Destroys Three Kingdoms, Public Trial
On a high slope a few miles from the border of the Kingdom of You, a place that was once a battlefield but was now ravaged and quiet.
Taichi Yokokawa, the daimyo of the Land of the Darkness, paced back and forth anxiously, wearing a magnificent fur robe covered in mud and snow.
He was surrounded by dozens of equally shaken nobles and retainers, while further away were hundreds of rout soldiers and mercenaries who had just been gathered together, their morale low and their equipment in disarray.
They gazed into the distance toward the battlefield, where the earth-shattering roars and chakra fluctuations that had once echoed had subsided, leaving only a deathly silence, a silence that only served to send chills down their spines.
"Is the matter over?" a nobleman asked in a trembling voice, his voice filled with fear.
"The Lord of the Land of Snow will definitely win!" Another nobleman tried to remain calm, attempting to bolster his own confidence: "Lord Fuuka Nutō brought so many powerful ninjas, and that miraculous chakra armor; dealing with those rogue ninja from the Star Ninja clan, they'll definitely—"
"Shut up!" Yokokawa Taichi interrupted him irritably, his fat face covered in cold sweat and fear.
"So what if we win? So what if we lose? Is Feng Hua Nu Tao a better neighbor than Xing Ren? Can't you see his wolfish ambition? If he wins, we'll be the next ones he deals with! He's definitely not just after that forest!"
His words made the surrounding nobles even paler, recalling Feng Hua Nu Tao's cold gaze and the strange conditions he had proposed.
Can a forest truly satisfy the ambition of a raging storm?
Fear and despair filled everyone's hearts in an instant.
Just then, several rapidly enlarging black dots suddenly appeared on the horizon of the distant snowfield!
"Your Highness! Someone's coming!" the sentry exclaimed.
Before Yokokawa Taichi and the others could even see who the newcomers were, those figures had already rushed up to them like ghosts!
The speed is beyond imagination!
It was Firefly and Wutai!
Each of them led three elite Star Ninjas, and like tigers among sheep, they charged directly into the panicked and defeated army of the Land of Darkness!
"Enemy attack! It's a Star Ninja!!"
"Protect His Highness the Daimyo!"
Chaotic screams and cries of terror erupted instantly!
Several relatively loyal samurai drew their swords to meet the attack, but their martial arts skills were no match for those of a true ninja.
How could these ordinary soldiers and wandering samurai be a match for elite star ninjas?
Firefly formed hand seals, and a dazzling purple chakra erupted from her body: "Peacock Mystic Art: Feather Strike!"
Purple chakra swept across like a peacock spreading its tail, instantly blasting away more than a dozen soldiers in front of him, their weapons falling from their hands, and they collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.
Wu Tai was even more direct. As the chieftain of the Ibri clan, he let out a low roar, his body turning into smoke, easily dodging the incoming swords and appearing instantly behind a wandering ninja who was trying to fight back. He then precisely stabbed the man in the back with a kunai.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Spear!" At the same time, several sharp earthen spears pierced out from the ground, stringing the charging samurai together like candied hawthorns.
The six Star Ninjas they brought were like efficient killing machines, using ninjutsu to bombard from a distance or taijutsu to kill in close combat, their coordination was excellent and their movements were clean and efficient.
The defeated soldiers of the You Kingdom had no fighting spirit to begin with, and were instantly slaughtered, crying out for their parents, and completely collapsing and scattering.
Yokokawa Taichi and the group of nobles were terrified and turned to run away.
But Firefly and Gotae's target is them!
"Where do you think you're going!" Firefly shouted coldly, her figure flashing as if she had teleported to appear in front of Yokokawa Taiichi. Her hand, covered in purple chakra, was like an iron clamp, grabbing the daimyo's neck and easily lifting his fat body off the ground!
"Spare me—spare me—" Yokokawa Taichi's face turned purple, his legs kicked wildly in the air, tears and snot streaming down his face. His previous arrogance and scheming had vanished, leaving only the most primal fear.
A stream of excrement and urine flowed from his crotch, and Yokokawa Taichi cried out in tears, "Don't kill me! Don't kill me! I surrender! I surrender! I'll offer the Land of the Darkness to the Land of the Stars! Please spare my life!"
The other Star Ninjas quickly subdued all the remaining nobles who were trying to escape and used their specially made chakra to revive them.
These tyrants, who usually acted arrogantly and domineeringly, were now like lambs to the slaughter, slumped on the ground, their cries of pleading for mercy filling the air.
"My lord, spare our lives! We're willing to give up all our possessions!"
"It was all Yokokawa Taichi's fault that we forced this out! It has nothing to do with us!"
"Lord Hoshinobi! I can also pledge my allegiance to the Land of Stars! I know many secrets of the Land of Darkness!"
I glanced at these spineless bastards with disgust and said to Firefly, "Mission accomplished. Take them back. Lord Shura is still waiting for news."
Star City, Military Zone Headquarters.
In stark contrast to the tranquility of winter outside, this place is filled with the coldness of modern technology and the tense atmosphere of efficient operation.
On the huge electronic screen wall, dozens of images were displayed. Some were blurry images transmitted in real time by miniature cameras worn by frontline ninjas, while others were aerial reconnaissance ninjutsu or summoning beasts capturing overhead views. The images clearly showed the situation of the battlefield on the border of the Land of Darkness, the Motomatsu Castle in the Land of Swamp, and the Star Ninja Force that was rapidly advancing into the Land of Snow.
The central hub for transmission was Uchiha Hikaru, who was directing operations from the front lines.
Several researchers and technical ninjas in white lab coats sat at complex control panels, nervously monitoring the data flow and maintaining real-time contact with frontline units through an encrypted communication channel built on a "chakra network" based on inscriptions, relaying instructions and summarizing intelligence.
Menma stood calmly in front of the main screen, still wearing the black robe with red trim. Beneath her black hair, her azure eyes calmly scanned every scene.
He didn't need to go to the front lines himself; this was his throne, and the entire battlefield was clearly laid out before him.
When he saw the footage of Hotaru and Gota successfully capturing the daimyo and nobles of the Land of Darkness, his face remained expressionless, as if he had only caught two small fish.
Immediately afterwards, Uchiha Hikaru's cool voice rang directly in his ear through the encrypted channel:
"Kisame has severely damaged Feng Hua Nu Tao, and I have captured him. The main force of the Snow Ninja has been defeated, and the remnants are being wiped out. As per your instructions, I have ordered Kisame to lead an advance team, relying on his rich experience, to break into the capital of the Land of Snow, control key nodes, and clear obstacles for subsequent takeover."
With a slight nod, he observed that the speed and efficiency of light in decision-making were always remarkable.
Kisame, that veteran ANBU member, is indeed a master at carrying out these kinds of infiltration and control missions.
The time has come.
Without further hesitation, Mianma issued the final order clearly and calmly:
"Order: The First, Second, and Third Star Ninja Army units on standby at the border, depart immediately!"
"First squad, target the Land of Snow, take full control, wipe out the remaining resistance, and cooperate with Kisame Hoshigaki to control the capital and all important towns and ports."
"Second detachment, target the Swamp Country, maintain order, suppress any possible riots, and ensure the safety of the administrative team."
"Third Detachment, target: the Land of You, clear the battlefield, guard prisoners of war, and stabilize the region."
"Command Whirlpool Vanilla to immediately lead all reserve administrative officials and logistical support teams into the Land of Snow and the Land of Swamps in three routes."
"The Kingdom of You! Begin establishing a prefecture-level administrative system. The primary tasks are to open granaries, distribute winter supplies, provide large-scale relief to disaster victims, organize medical personnel to treat the wounded, and implement work relief programs to restore basic production and order as quickly as possible!"
"action!"
The order was instantly transmitted to every team leader and person in charge via the imprinted network.
The Star Kingdom's massive war and administrative machine instantly sprang into operation at full speed with high efficiency!
The three Star Ninja Army units, each composed of 36 elite soldiers of mixed Chunin, Special Jonin, and Jonin, which had already assembled and were waiting on the border, were like three unsheathed swords, heading towards the north, the west, and clearing the local battlefield respectively.
They were well-trained, swift in action, and had a clear objective.
Following closely behind, an even larger contingent of administrative officials, under the personal coordination of Whirlpool Vanilla, arrived in various vehicles and pack animals.
With the assistance of some ninjas, they crossed the border in a grand procession and headed towards three countries.
They carried large quantities of food, medicine, clothing, and construction materials.
The speed at which the Star Kingdom acted was beyond everyone's imagination!
Almost simultaneously with the physical elimination of the powerful daimyo and nobles of various countries, the governance system of the Star Kingdom quickly filled the power vacuum!
With the powerful entry of the Star Ninja Army and the arrival of administrative officials, the remaining sporadic resistance from noble private soldiers or die-hard loyalists within the Three Kingdoms quickly melted away like ice and snow under the sun.
The Star Ninja crushed any attempt to resist with their absolute power.
Immediately following, a grand and unprecedented public trial was launched simultaneously in the major cities of the three kingdoms, especially their respective capitals!
A few days later, in the central square of the capital of the Swamp Country.
Despite the freezing weather, the square was packed with people!
Tens of thousands of citizens and farmers from the surrounding villages gathered here. They wore thin, tattered clothes and their faces were pale from long-term hunger, but at this moment, their eyes burned with a complex emotion.
There was fear, there was confusion, but more than anything, there was anger that had been suppressed for far too long and was about to burst forth, and a sliver of unbelievable hope!
A temporary platform was erected in the center of the square.
On the high platform, the captured Daimyo of the Swamp Country, Ono Takuto, along with dozens of the most important nobles and ministers, were bound hand and foot and forced to kneel on the cold table.
They had lost their former finery and majesty, and were like stray dogs, trembling and pale.
The surrounding area was filled with expressionless Star Ninjas in standard vests maintaining order.
Vanilla Whirlpool personally presided over the meeting, dressed in a smart Star Kingdom administrative official uniform, her expression serious and impartial.
The Maitreya priestess stood beside her, and her very presence had a great calming and inspiring effect on the people of the west.
Kisame Hoshigaki, carrying Samehada on his back, stood like a gatekeeper in a corner of the high platform. His ferocious appearance and terrifying killing intent effectively suppressed any possible disturbance.
"Everyone from the Swamp Country!" Whirlpool Vanilla's voice, clear and powerful, resounded throughout the plaza via loudspeakers: "For a long time..."
You suffer oppression and exploitation from the corrupt aristocratic class led by Ono Takuto! They treat you like dirt, living a life of decadence even in years of famine, and even attempting blasphemous acts!
"Now, the Star Kingdom, upholding justice, has captured these parasites!"
Her gaze swept across the sea of people below the stage, and her voice rose: "Today! Right here! Lord Shura of the Star Kingdom will give you justice!"
"Each of you can stand up and denounce the crimes of these people! Speak out about the injustices you have suffered! The land they seized, the grain they forcibly requisitioned, the innocent deaths of your loved ones—everything! Lord Shura of the Star Kingdom will stand up for you! As long as the evidence is conclusive, the laws of the Star Kingdom will surely give them the punishment they deserve!"
The crowd was completely silent, with only the sound of the cold wind howling.
Long-term oppression has instilled fear deep in their bones; they dare not believe it is real, fearing it is yet another trap.
At this moment, Maitreya stepped forward, her voice gentle yet carrying a sacred power: "Do not be afraid. Lift your head."
"Lord Shura has brought a new order, brought hope. Speak out your pain, let the sunlight shine into those dark corners. I swear in the name of the Oni Shrine priestess, the judgment will be just!"
The witch's words seemed to possess a magical power, breaking the ice in some people's hearts.
Finally, a gaunt old farmer, leaning on a cane, walked out shakily from the crowd.
Tears streamed down his face as he pointed at a fat nobleman on the stage, his voice hoarse and filled with grief and indignation: "My lord! My priestess! I want to denounce the treasurer Matsudaira! Three years ago, during the floods, all the disaster relief funds allocated were embezzled by him! My son, my son, died from exhaustion while repairing the riverbanks, and we didn't receive a single penny in compensation! My wife starved to death, and he just gave us moldy chaff to get rid of us!"
The old man broke down in tears at the end of his story.
Once there's a first one, there's bound to be a second!
A middle-aged woman rushed out, crying and pointing at another nobleman: "It's him! The steward of the city lord's mansion! He seized my family's land and crippled my husband! His excuse is that he couldn't pay the taxes he arbitrarily increased!"
"And him! That infamous lackey! He's the one who abducted my daughter, raped her, and drove her to commit suicide by jumping into a well!"
"Their horse trampled my father to death, and they then accused us of offending a noble person and demanded compensation!"
"....."
The grievances, bloodshed, and hatred that had been accumulated for decades or even centuries erupted like a flood bursting its banks at this moment!
Countless people, their eyes red with tears, vehemently accused and pointed at the pale-faced nobles on the stage.
The scene nearly spiraled out of control, with the angry crowd attempting to rush onto the stage and tear their enemies apart, but the Star Ninjas forcibly stopped them.
Vanilla Whirlpool struggled to maintain order, shouting, "Quiet! Everyone, quiet! One at a time! The Star Ninja Society will record every accusation! We will definitely investigate!"
The process was not one-sided.
When the accusation was made against a minor nobleman, there was a moment of silence in the audience.
Suddenly, several craftsmen in simple clothes stepped forward, hesitated for a moment, and said, "-Master Fujiwara, although he also collects taxes, last winter he secretly opened a soup kitchen, saving many people and stopping the constables from conscripting men."
Whirlpool Vanilla and the official in charge of recording exchanged a glance and nodded.
After preliminary verification, it was confirmed that the nobleman named Fujiwara had indeed done some good deeds and was not guilty of any heinous crimes.
Vanilla Whirlpool publicly announced: "Upon investigation, Fujiwara has indeed performed good deeds and is not a truly wicked person. He is hereby released, stripped of his noble status, and demoted to a commoner. Apart from retaining his basic living expenses, his family property will be confiscated and used for relief."
The Fujiwara family, which had been completely silent and weeping in despair, burst into tears of joy.
This scene showed the audience that the Star Kingdom was not just about killing, but truly valued evidence and justice, which increased their trust in the nation.
As for the main culprits, such as Ono Takuto, whose crimes were irrefutable and whose evil deeds were heinous, after summarizing and verifying all the charges, Uzumaki Vanilla announced the verdict on the spot: "Based on the laws of the Star Country and the accusations of the people, the former Daimyo of the Swamp Country, Ono Takuto, is guilty of corruption, dereliction of duty, murder, and seizure of private property."
"One hundred and thirty-seven major crimes! The evidence is irrefutable, and the crimes are unforgivable! He is sentenced to death! Execution is imminent! All his property is confiscated! The other nobles shall be punished according to their crimes—"
"good!!
"Long live the Star Kingdom!!"
"Long live Lord Shura!!"
A deafening roar of cheers and sobs erupted from the audience—a cathartic release of revenge and a yearning for the future!
Similar public trials were simultaneously staged in major cities of the Land of Darkness and the Land of Snow.
Once an angry volcano erupts, its power is astonishing.
Countless hidden crimes were exposed, and countless injustices were redressed.
The Star Kingdom's administrative officials were busy recording, verifying, and judging, while the Star Ninjas were responsible for maintaining order and enforcing punishments.
Maitreya and the priestesses and priestesses she brought moved among the crowd, calming their emotions, explaining the policies of the Star Kingdom, and encouraging production, which greatly boosted the people's support.
In this upheaval that swept across the Three Kingdoms, the old aristocratic ruling system was uprooted and thoroughly purged, both physically and spiritually.
The Star Kingdom, by posing as a savior and enforcer of justice, quickly won widespread support from the lower classes, or their obedience born of fear.
With overwhelming force, the Star Kingdom swiftly and decisively annexed and initially assimilated the former Snow Kingdom, Swamp Kingdom, and Dark Kingdom.
Like the previous Land of Demons, they were reorganized into "counties" and became part of the Land of Stars: Snow County, Swamp County, Dark County, and Demon County.
When the distant Land of Earth and the Land of Wind finally received detailed news of the upheaval in the west through various intelligence channels, the flag of the Land of Stars had already been planted in the capitals of the four counties, the administrative system had begun to operate, relief food had been distributed to most of the disaster victims, and the aftershocks of the public trial had not yet completely subsided.
The map was forcibly rewritten.
A vast nation whose territory and population suddenly expanded, becoming the second largest country in the western part of the ninja world after the Wind and Earth nations.
The Star Kingdom has risen to power!
Its formidable military strength, efficient organizational and mobilization capabilities, and unconventional methods of governance, like a chilling current, instilled deep unease and vigilance in the leaders and shadows of the two great powers.
The landscape of the ninja world has quietly undergone a dramatic change due to the rapid expansion of the Land of Stars.
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