The military power of the Land of Snow, like the Land of Demons, consists of ordinary soldiers and Snow Ninja who know how to use Chakra.
That night, among the Snow Ninja who participated in the resistance, some of the main combat faction were eliminated, some are currently imprisoned for transformation, and about a hundred surrendered Snow Ninja have been officially integrated into the Land of Snow's military system by Hakushi.
This was a matter that had long been drafted with his adopted daughter Koyuki. He only needed to manage the military power of the Land of Snow; for other matters, he would only offer suggestions and eventually leave the decisions to Koyuki, the new Daimyo.
For Hakushi, becoming the Minister of Military Affairs of the Land of Snow and holding military power is sufficient. Although Koyuki is still young, with Sandayu assisting her, managing the Land of Snow should not be too problematic.
The reform of the Land of Snow cannot be completed in just a day or two.
First is military unification, then mobilize the army, clear all roads within the Land of Snow, and strengthen ties with the Land of Demons.
As for future merger matters, that is a separate issue.
In summary, with the precedent of the Land of Demons, Hakushi finds himself more adept at the reform plan for the Land of Snow.
Most importantly, during Kazahana Doto's tenure, he provided Hakushi with a good starting point.
Because Kazahana Doto's claim to power was illegitimate, during his tenure as Daimyo of the Land of Snow, he removed the internal noble forces opposing him with brutal means, greatly weakening the noble group within the Land of Snow, reducing the difficulty of Hakushi's reform in the Land of Snow.
Therefore, Hakushi sincerely hopes these nobles can be honest and straightforward; otherwise, he wouldn't mind carrying out a colder cleansing action in the Land of Snow than Kazahana Doto, to make them understand what their current position is.
These vestiges of the old era, these vested interests, if not for Kazahana Doto first cleansing them internally, Koyuki's ascent to the position of Daimyo of the Land of Snow might not have been as smooth as imagined, and they would certainly seek more power from within.
Regarding these noble groups, strategically Hakushi can disdain them, but tactically he focuses on them significantly.
In traditional countries like the Land of Snow, it's not uncommon for the Daimyo to become a puppet pushed to the forefront by noble groups.
To prevent these noble forces from rebounding, deploying ninja to monitor their every move must also be implemented.
On the way back, only half of the ninja returned with Hakushi and Ayane, while the other half were stationed in the Land of Snow to manage the surrendered Snow Ninja, to prevent them from causing any disturbances.
Also, there is the important task of ensuring Koyuki's personal safety, monitoring the treacherous nobles within the Land of Snow, and preventing any unforeseen events.
"The affairs of the Land of Snow are concluded; next are the Land of Bear and the Land of Shadow."
Hakushi will have people regularly monitor the development plan of the Land of Snow, to prevent any oversights.
Without strong external forces of the Five Great Nations intervening, the affairs of the Land of Snow can be said to be very secure.
The remaining plan for Hakushi to execute is to incorporate the Land of Shadow and the Land of Bear in the south into their domain.
These two countries will become the best springboards for the Land of Demons to attack the Land of Wind.
"But it's not so easy to take down these two countries, is it?"
Ayane pondered and responded.
This time, they managed to take over the Land of Snow due to chaos within and by first roping in Koyuki, the rightful heir of the Land of Snow, the only resistance was Kazahana Doto, which gave them the opportunity.
But the Land of Shadow and the Land of Bear are different; currently, no suitable pretext can be found for intervention.
"The resistance to incorporating the Land of Shadow should be much lesser."
Hakushi remarked.
"Oh?"
"The Land of Shadow was previously a severely afflicted country by magical creatures, and not just once they extended goodwill to the Witch of the Land of Demons, hoping to incorporate the Land of Shadow into the Land of Demons. However, previous generations of witches in the Land of Demons refused."
At this point, Hakushi's expression turned peculiar.
"They refused?"
Ayane was surprised.
"If the intelligence I gathered is correct, that's indeed how it is."
"I really can't understand why such a good opportunity was declined."
In Ayane's view, this is truly incomprehensible.
If such a matter occurred in the Five Great Nations, they'd probably laugh themselves awake from dreaming.
This is an opportunity to freely obtain a vast territory and population without spending a penny.
"I think it might be that the witches of the Land of Demons found it bothersome. They don't like engaging in worldly disputes or have no interest in interfering. Their mission in the world is to exterminate malicious magical creatures for humanity. If they are forcefully given other missions, it would cause aversion."
Hakushi clearly remembers Mire saying that witches have special significance to humanity.
Compared to managing a country, the witches of the Land of Demons evidently place more importance on cultivating themselves.
The feeling they give is like being forced onto the podium as the 'god' of the country under duress, reluctantly agreeing.
"So, can the Land of Shadow be taken down quickly?"
"In about a month or so, after Mire Witch successfully gives birth, I'll inquire about the situation to see her plans for the Land of Shadow. However, compared to the Land of Shadow, the most difficult is undoubtedly the Land of Bear, this country with a Ninja Village institution, trying to incorporate into the Land of Demons' territory will make it extremely troublesome."