Ayane is already eager to engage in a major battle.
The Hidden Sand Village of the Land of Wind can perfectly satisfy her combat needs.
Conquering a small ninja village like the Hidden Star Village was hardly a battle; it was purely a complete overpowering.
"At this moment, declaring war with the Land of Wind is a bit premature. I am recently preparing to convene a meeting of top military officials to discuss this matter. From any perspective, now is not the right time to take military action against the Land of Wind, but in terms of timing, the action should take place within the next two or three years. Before that, incorporate the Land of Shadow into the territory, so that naval power can be further deployed."
Naval power is also a crucial combat unit envisioned by Hakushi in the future.
Resources on land are extremely limited, while the immense ocean resources are currently almost untouched, yet in the future, they will undoubtedly become the focus of contention among countries.
Before that era arrives, Hakushi wants to lead the Land of Demons to seize the initiative.
Therefore, the development and utilization of ocean resources is urgent.
Because of this, the Land of Shadow, which is as close to the ocean as the western part of the Land of Demons, becomes an excellent choice.
Moreover, the Land of Snow also has ports, which can be used to develop naval bases to strengthen control and exploitation of ocean resources.
No matter the era, resources are one of the most important foundations of development. A country's economy, military strength, all rely on resources as a foundation to develop.
"The Land of Shadow? I remember this country does not have a ninja village, so moving action should be much simpler than in the Land of Bear. Also, I've heard that there was once a rumor of the Land of Shadow wanting to merge into the Land of Demons."
Ayane recalled something and said.
The outbreak of the Ninja Realm War marks the time when the forces of major ninja villages act with extreme boisterousness.
It is also a tragic song for small countries.
Only special neutral countries like the Land of Demons can be free from the intrusion of war, quietly developing on the periphery of the Ninja Realm.
Even a neutral country like the Land of Iron has past experiences of being involuntarily drawn into war, leaving quickly but unable to change the fact of being caught up in the conflict.
The turmoil in the Land of Demons occurs only once every few decades, marked by the wars between witches and demonic creatures, bringing unease and fear.
Apart from this, there is no other neutral country as stable as the Land of Demons in the Ninja Realm.
"Yes, but this proposal was rejected by the Mire Witch at the time. The Mire Witch considered multiple aspects and did not want too much disturbance from the outside world, which is why the proposal to incorporate the Land of Shadow into the Land of Demons was not accepted."
Whether the Land of Demons has ambitions or not, once the Land of Shadow merges with the Land of Demons, it will definitely encounter many obstacles internationally.
Especially from major countries led by the Five Great Nations, they would certainly intervene to obstruct.
However, the Mire Witch is no longer around, and now Shion presides over the main vein, becoming the new witch of the Land of Demons.
A strategy for the Land of Shadow can be appropriately altered.
Yet these plan changes, like those for the Land of Bear, can currently only proceed covertly and cannot yet surface in the open.
The more at times like these, the less one can afford to be careless; it requires maintaining extremely high alertness.
Yagura has already shared the pressure with Akatsuki, so the Land of Demons only needs to wholeheartedly advance and improve expansion plans, checking for any overlooked areas.
"Next, while completing the plan to incorporate the Land of Shadow, I will have the debt collectors from the Commerce Division probe the reactions of the Land of Wind and the Hidden Sand Village. After that, we will make a decision."
Hakushi made this decision.
◎
Hidden Rain.
Heavy rain continues to pour down, with rainwater flowing along the village's steel pipes into the sewers, forming vast water channels outside the village.
This makes the Hidden Rain Village appear as a village built on water, lonely afloat.
In the tower, dim lights are on, and White Zetsu emerges from underground, standing before Nagato.
The unfeeling Rinnegan consistently instills an unsettling pressure on White Zetsu.
"Lord Nagato, I have already investigated the matters previously assigned."
White Zetsu said.
"Let's hear it."
Nagato, expressionless, continued to stare at White Zetsu.
White Zetsu, accustomed as ever, continued responding: "Since escaping the Land of Water, Hoshigaki Kisame first wandered in the Ninja Realm for half a month. When he was last located, he was immersed in the Underground Black Market, handling two bounty tasks but simultaneously being targeted by the Hidden Mist Village's pursuit squad, in a precarious situation."
The attitude of various ninja villages towards renegade ninjas is essentially zero-tolerance.
Especially towards an S-Class Renegade Ninja posing a threat to village and state security, such individuals are seen as severe thorns by the ninja villages.
But for Akatsuki, this presents a good opportunity to recruit Hoshigaki Kisame.
At present, Akatsuki is short-handed compared to the peripheral organization personnel; recruiting core members is even more challenging.
To date, figures like Orochimaru continue labor intensely for the organization.
If at this time a powerful ninja can be recruited into Akatsuki, Akatsuki's plans can be prioritized.
Hoshigaki Kisame is on the observation list as a renegade ninja this time.
"After defecting, did he work in the Underground Black Market?"