"Punishment?"
Neji smiled. "Then let's start by discussing who's going to be punished."
"For years, Kobayashi Koji has exchanged letters with the nobles of the Land of Water and funneled them money. The amount comes to as much as five hundred million ryo. If the daimyo learns you've betrayed the interests of the Land of Lightning, how do you think he'll punish you?"
A smile played at the corner of Neji's mouth as he pinned an entirely baseless accusation on Kobayashi.
"Funneling money?"
Kobayashi Koji's eyes widened. He hurried to explain, "Neji, you can't just make things up. Do you have any proof?"
He didn't just run casinos; he was also involved in smuggling. His trading companies had branches in the Land of Water, so it was inevitable that he would have dealings with its nobles.
But as for betraying the interests of the Land of Lightning, he had never done it—not even considered it.
"Would I have come to you if I didn't have proof?"
Neji pulled out a ledger and several letters and tossed them to Kobayashi Koji.
Kobayashi Koji glanced at them, and broke out in a cold sweat.
The documents and letters were forged so perfectly that there was no way to spot the deception.
Given Neji's status, if he exposed the matter, there was no need to ask whom the daimyo would believe.
"Neji, this must be a misunderstanding!" Kobayashi Koji composed himself and forced a smile.
When you were under someone else's roof, you had to bow your head.
Even if he knew the other man had come looking for trouble, he could only grit his teeth and play along.
"How should I put it? Personally, I believe in your loyalty to the Land of Lightning and the daimyo. But who knows what the