Chapter 1259: Contact_2

Now is not the time to have a conflict with the Root. No matter what, Danzo has already gone to the frontline, and if I were to suddenly attack the Root Base now, it would likely spark internal strife within Konoha.

Moreover, the Root at this time is no longer the Root of the past.

Compared to before the Third Ninja Realm War, the power of the Root has expanded more than once.

According to Anbu’s investigation, in recent years, the Root has absorbed many outstanding talents from various Ninja Clans within Konoha, even those from the Yamanaka Clan and Nara Clan, who are close to the Sarutobi Clan, have voluntarily entered the Root under Danzo’s command.

No matter the time, there will always be aggressive radical factions in the village, gathering under Danzo’s banner.

With the development of such unfavorable international situations for Konoha, this trend is becoming more and more apparent.

After Tenzo went down, Hiruzen also had a rare moment of rest, taking a puff from his pipe and looking out the window.

“Everything that can be done has been done. Now, I can only do my best and leave the rest to fate. I hope things won’t turn for the worst.”

As Hiruzen said this, worry appeared in his eyes, his heart not as calm as it seemed on the surface.

◎

The sun was setting in the west, and orange twilight was shining into the study.

Ichihime was organizing all sorts of materials and intelligence documents sent from the military headquarters of the Land of Demons, feeling surprised by the ever-changing international environment.

According to her intention, as long as the Isolated Island Merchant Alliance that settled within the Land of Waves could be expelled, it would be enough. After all, the interests behind the Merchant Alliance were too numerous, and poking too deeply may cause a lot of unnecessary trouble.

However, what she didn’t expect was that her old man had united the three great nations of Lightning, Earth, and Water to decisively uproot the Isolated Island Merchant Alliance’s nest.

Before the incident, not to mention the Land of Fire, she herself wasn’t prepared at all.

By the time she reacted, the matter was already settled.

No matter how dissatisfied the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind are with the actions of the Land of Demons, they must accept this fact.

“Looking for the right moment to strike, it’s indeed just like my old man’s usual style. So, is this him using me as bait?”

Ichihime shook her head helplessly.

If before the actions she was still feeling puzzled by the standby instructions issued by headquarters, now it was clear she was becoming the target presented upfront, the best choice to attract attention from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

Because her identity was sufficiently high.

It would make people think she was the highest-ranking military commander from the Land of Demons stationed in the Land of Waves, thereby overlooking the danger posed by the military headquarters of the Land of Demons.

Of course, unlike military institutions such as Ninja Villages, the Land of Demons’ military is extraordinarily close with each branch, due to the maturity of communication technologies, basically engaging in intelligence communication with headquarters every two to three days, even if far away by thousands of miles, Ichihime can quickly get first-hand information from headquarters.

Moreover, the military’s mode of action also differs from Ninja Villages, suddenly attacking indeed makes enemies like the Daimyo of the Land of Fire feel at a loss.

The military of the Land of Demons represents not only the military might of the Land of Demons but also has full support from the government.

Compared to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire who only has political power, the forces they wield are entirely on different levels.

This is the flaw in the One Nation, One Village system.

With severe divergences between military and politics, each basically operates independently, only when facing major difficulties do they think of uniting.

This is a dual disadvantage in terms of system and communication technology, Ichihime is not at all surprised by the Land of Fire’s slow reaction.

The era has changed, the technology differs from the past, if the Five Great Nations use traditional methods to deal with the Land of Demons, unless over two great nations abandon all prejudices and unite against it, it might bring great trouble to the Land of Demons. Otherwise, they will only be defeated one by one by the Land of Demons.

“Next, the plan for the Land of Waves should be relatively stabilized. However, the remnants of the Merchant Alliance still need time to be cleaned up.”

Ichihime’s eyes flickered with a cold glint.

Recently, the sea-blocking dam in Zone D of the Land of Waves was blown up, causing extensive damage to the factory construction base and fields in Zone D, the mastermind behind is the forces of the Isolated Island Merchant Alliance.

Although the headquarters of the Isolated Island has been destroyed, not all the involved merchants have been captured.

Especially on the side of the Land of Waves, when the Isolated Island was demolished, this group of merchants directly hid, disappearing without a trace from the island.

The island being destroyed means these merchants are homeless, and they must harbor strong vendettas against countries like the Land of Demons, the Land of Lightning, etc.

Because the alliance of four nations destroyed their alliance and divided the enormous wealth accumulated over decades, it’s essentially a fight to the death hatred.

Moreover, all merchants not captured have been issued warrants across the Ninja Realm.

In other words, this group of merchants has now become like rats crossing the street, a presence that can no longer see the light in the Ninja Realm.

Finding and exterminating the hideouts of these fugitive merchants is also a task entrusted to her by headquarters.

At this moment, the door to the study suddenly rang.

“Miss, Mr. Kaiza has arrived.”

A Jonin from the Land of Demons walked in, followed by a young man in his twenties with a cross-shaped scar on his chin.

“Alright, I understand.”

Ichihime steadily gazed at the man standing at the doorway, bearing a curious expression.

This person is the one recommended to her by Kado, and she should really have connected with him earlier.