Ruthless

Having thought it through, Shiraishi Yoshijo immediately set aside his pride and complacency and began reconsidering how to deal with the Uchiha Clan.

Anna smiled at this. "Uchiha Mikoto was indeed at fault. From now on, let her stay with me. Don't worry, I'll make sure she understands exactly where she went wrong."

Shiraishi Yoshijo curled his lip. "Hopelessly stupid."

"Women who are too clever aren't any good either. I think her stupidity is rather adorable. Reika... ah, forget it. I'll be leaving first."

After Anna summoned a maid to take Uchiha Mikoto away, Shiraishi Yoshijo thought it over carefully before summoning Shiraishi En.

"En, suspend the punishment of the Uchiha Clan for now. Lock Uchiha Itachi in the Anbu prison and keep him under strict guard. Also, notify Right Red to organize the Uchiha clansmen on the front lines into a separate unit, then place them under Yan Xuan's command. Make it clear to Yan Xuan that if the Uchiha Clan causes any trouble, he need not come back to see me."

"And the Intelligence Department—especially the division monitoring satellite imagery—tell them to stay on high alert. Any unusual movement in the Land of Fire must be reported directly to me."

"Yes."

After En left, Shiraishi Yoshijo had no time to seek out women for more intimate exchanges. Instead, he sat on his throne and began considering his future plans.

Those at the top employed others' labor, those in the middle employed their wits, and those at the bottom labored with their hands.

He could leave warfare to others, but how to reward those who had rendered merit after the war, how to establish a new political system, and how to divide power—those were all matters the emperor had to consider. He had to prepare for what lay ahead.