Uchiha Lei sheathed his blade, its clear metallic ring echoing down the empty street.
With a wave of his hand, all the wooden vines binding the villagers dispersed, their emerald leaves and branches slowly withdrawing into the ground.
All the villagers regained their freedom, yet none dared move an inch. Every one of them kept their head lowered, trembling all over.
The decisive slaughter moments earlier had seared itself deep into everyone's heart.
Uchiha Lei surveyed the crowd, his deep, commanding voice reaching every corner.
"Remember! From this day forward, Lady Tsunade is the Fourth Hokage, overseeing all of Konoha's affairs!"
"I, Uchiha Lei, will serve as Hokage Advisor and maintain order within the village!"
"Anyone who covets power, spreads rumors, stirs up trouble, or throws Konoha into chaos will share these two's fate!"
Someone suddenly shouted from the deathly silent crowd.
"Advisor Lei rid us of a scourge!"
Once one person spoke, the others joined in, their shouts rising one after another and resounding throughout Hokage Boulevard.
"He rid us of a scourge!"
"Advisor Lei is fair and strict!"
"Advisor Lei is fair and strict!"
"..."
Voices supporting Uchiha Lei rang out nearby.
Uchiha Lei remained impassive, entirely unmoved.
He formed several simple hand seals, and several Wood Clones instantly took shape.
"Dispose of the bodies, clean up the area, and restore the street."
At his quiet command, the Wood Clones immediately set to work.
The surrounding villagers dared not slack off, volunteering to help clean up the aftermath. Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.
The sun slowly sank in the west, its orange-red afterglow spilling over Konoha and softening the bloody, murderous atmosphere of moments earlier.
A power struggle that had shaken the Konoha High Command had finally settled.
Uchiha Lei vanished from the end of the street