Having defeated the Land of Wind, the confidence of the Land of Demons' citizens grew stronger. Traders going abroad no longer felt inferior, exuding more self-assurance. These local merchants, with extensive networks, became avenues for the Land of Demons to extend its reach across the Ninja Realm, organizing secret activities.
It can be said that no country within the Ninja Realm is more progressive than the Land of Demons. The citizens, who have already experienced various conveniences in life, will not stagnate.
Even without the military and government pushing them from behind, they will not stand still; instead, they proactively assist in maintaining the operations of the state machinery.
Not just in technology, but also in the improvement of systems and social welfare, making them feel like individuals rather than slaves working for the elite.
In the Ninja Realm environment, where hierarchical suppression exists, only the Land of Demons provides these defenseless people with relatively equal living rights, instead of struggling on the line of survival, uncertain about the future.
Ask yourself, would humans give up the sparks they have painstakingly acquired?
The answer is, of course not.
Once enjoyed, they cannot go back.
Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking on the door echoed.
A ninja, dressed differently from the military ones but also wearing attire marked with Shion Flower, entered.
"What is it?"
"Captain, this is intel sent from Konoha. Please review it."
The ninja placed a scroll on the desk Ayane used for work and then left the room.
Though not as large as the military's organizational structure, the Security Team is also a complete department with all necessary components, and intel collection does not rely solely on the military.
The Security Department has begun transitioning away from the military, moving closer to government departments.
After all, the military's authority has become too high, causing the government's command power to decline and indirectly increasing the burden of military operations.
In the context before the Land of Wind conflict, this was not an issue. The military, with its supreme authority, could effectively use all of the Land of Demons' strength.
However, the end of the Land of Wind conflict solidified the Land of Demons' status internationally; thus, the military's power needed to be reduced to enhance the significance of government departments to regulate internal stability.
The military deals with external affairs, the government with internal affairs, and the treasury supports the economy while operating military and governmental institutions, driving the state machinery.
As the international situation continues to change, the functions of the three departments will also adjust accordingly, without ruling out division and reorganization.
Ayane picked up the scroll, formed a one-handed seal, and released the specific jutsu on it before spreading it open for a quick glance.
Two matters were mentioned.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire is involved in the civil war in the Land of Rain, with unveiled fangs closely collaborating with Danzo from Root, trying to formally influence the civil war's situation in the Land of Rain, while also seeking the Hyuga Clan's power to join.
The second matter regards the Hyuga Clan of Konoha's Main Family head, Hyuga Hiashi, intending to abolish the eldest daughter's status as the Main Family heir due to Hyuga Hinata's personality defects, allowing the yet school-aged younger daughter Hanabi to ascend as the Main Family. This decision was opposed by the Main Clan Elders, who preferred to leave it for further observation.
Thus, the selection of the next Main Family heir of the Hyuga Clan of Konoha has become increasingly enigmatic.
The discussions of the Main Clan Elders during the meeting and the current challenges faced by the Hyuga Clan in Konoha were all meticulously documented in the scroll.
It felt as though Ayane was personally attending the highest-level family meeting of the Hyuga Clan in Konoha, with clear insight into the reactions of the Clan Leader and all Main and Branch Family Elders.
Compared to the last intel about the Hyuga Clan, this was more detailed.
It seems in the future it could even influence the Hyuga Clan's decisions, possibly creating significant potential.
However, Ayane only mused about it, as the Main Family of the Hyuga Clan of Konoha still holds absolute advantage over the Branch Family, and attempting to leverage the Branch Family to sway the Main Family's decisions is certainly unrealistic.
That turtle-like Main Family becomes immovable when it concerns their sovereignty, their foundation of existence. Once shaken, their ruling power gradually diminishes.
"The actions are quicker than imagined. If I'm seeing this, it's likely that Hakushi is noticing the same. It seems the sudden outbreak of the Rain Country civil war might unexpectedly become a turning point for the Land of Waves over there."
In the initial plan of the Land of Demons, the civil war in the Land of Rain had already been analyzed.
Whether it would impact the schemes concerning the Land of Waves, both the military and high-level government members conducted assessments.
At that time, due to a lack of intel from the Land of Fire, the initial decisions did not fit the current international trend shifts.
This time, the Land of Fire's intervention is purely political or direct military involvement, assisting the Rain Country's elite class in suppressing internal strife and regaining control over Hidden Rain, becoming the pivotal point of the Rain Country civil war.
The intel suggests that the Land of Fire is more likely to engage with military intervention.
This escalation could amplify the Rain Country civil war issue, possibly evolving into an international problem more severe than that of the Land of Waves.
Is it a case of inevitability amid spontaneity, or spontaneity amid inevitability?
Currently, the interests of the Land of Demons and the Land of Rain, coincidences aligned, have overlapping parts.