Governance

The carriage slowly came to a stop in the city center, at the most magnificent building in the metropolis—the Grand Hotel.

Its gates were usually only opened when the King or someone of equal status visited.

The expensive hotel, which had already been taken over by the Konoha Ninja, welcomed its new owner.

Leading the three women to the top floor of the building, Sukama, who appeared to be a secretary and attendant, pushed open the heavy door.

What came into view was a magnificent scene of crystal walls. At the end of the field of vision was the throne on the steps. Below the throne, Uchiha Baru, the commander of the Southeast Ninja Army, and a group of high-ranking Ninja Army officers were already waiting inside.

Greetings, Your Leader.

Upon discovering that another woman had joined Uchiha Muan's side—a three-tomoe Uchiha who was the captain of Minamoto Kaori's personal guard and had become a high-ranking member of the Southeast Ninja Army—he couldn't help but lower his head even further than the others.

"These three can be considered my secretaries in handling the Re-Estize Kingdom's political affairs."

Uchiha Takeyasu's explanation made it clear to everyone else: when there's work to be done, the secretary does it; when there's nothing to do, the secretary does it.

In order to set an example for the Ninja World Head of State, they have done this kind of thing quite often: eating what they don't have and eyeing what they don't.

"Tell me what happened on the [Ye Lantier] border."

"Yes, Lord Takeyasu."

Having prepared in advance, Uchiha Baru cleared his throat and began to speak.

"Five hundred Combat Ninja from Konoha, two Combat Ninja from Kirigakure, two hundred from Combat Ninja Iwagakure, and one hundred from Amegakure, for a total of one thousand Combat Ninja, Combat Ninja all arrived."

"The candidates for squad leader, team leader, staff officer, and commander have been approved by the Military Affairs Department, and senior management has already met with His Leader in the VIP room."

Looking around, Uchiha Takeyasu that the high-ranking members were mostly ninja, nothing particularly unusual.

In Konoha now, it's practically impossible for a commoner ninja to compete with a clan ninja.

If one weren't exceptionally gifted, it would be a joke to think that one could Jonin clan's centuries of effort in just a few decades.

Among the high-ranking officers, a female deputy commander exuded the aura of Kage Level powerhouse, which brought to mind a familiar piece of information for Uchiha Takeyasu: Momoka Senju, Senju ninja who married into Uzushio Village.

"Your Leader, as per your instructions, Hanzo of the Salamander from Amegakure has led his men to wreak havoc on the Empire's borders, destroying the armed forces of border cities and marching towards the enemy's capital."

"According to reports from the ninjas at the front, the Empire has taken measures to concentrate its forces in response to the Ninja World's attack. Frueda, known as the strongest Magic Chanter among Strongest Human, and the Emperor of the Empire [Blood Emperor] have also departed from the capital to personally go to the front."

Uchiha Baru summarized the battle situation between Amegakure and the Empire in just a few words.

After pondering for a moment Uchiha Takeyasu asked, "What measures have our Ninja Army taken?"

"Reporting to His Leader, the [Southeast Ninja Army] has also dispatched one-third of its Combat Ninja forces to follow behind Hanzo of the Salamander. If the enemy suffers a defeat, we will take over the subsequent battle."

Uchiha Baru replied, "The frontline Combat Ninja have already practiced combined attack techniques, and their combat power is comparable to that of Strong Kage. They are at the level of heroes in this world."

"An empire whose highest power is only comprised of those with abnormal abilities is not far from its demise."

"Don't underestimate your opponent or be careless."

Uchiha Takeyasu tapped the table a few times with his fingertips, the sharp sound instantly making the atmosphere in the hall solemn.

"Ordinary humans on the other continent are indeed weak in combat, but what guides the course of the other continent has never been humans. The other races are the greatest threat to the Ninja World."

"We understand!"

Uchiha Baru and the others knelt on one knee, demonstrating their stance.

"When I have time, I will also go to the heart of the war between Amegakure and the Empire, so you must not be careless."

After Uchiha Takeyasu finished speaking, he asked about the Siren Theocracy.

"The Slane Theocracy is being dealt with by Iwagakure. Those stone ninjas, led by the Fifth Tsuchikage Han, are adopting a steady and methodical strategy, gradually eroding the Slane Theocracy's territory."

"The other third of the [Southeast Ninja Army]'s Combat Ninja forces are positioned behind Iwagakure as the final fighting force."

Uchiha Baru's answer was not unexpected by Uchiha Takeyasu.

People with different personalities have different approaches to things. Hanzo of the Salamander is radical and has a strong gambling spirit; he won't let go of any opportunity he seizes.

The Fifth Tsuchikage, Han, preferred a steady and pragmatic approach. In the battle in the Black Horn Domain, he seized upon the Bunpuku of the One-Tails Jinchuriki, Bunpuku, and secured victory in one fell swoop.

In this attack on the Siren Theocracy, apart from the Black Scripture and the unofficial members who awakened the Divine Bloodline of players, the other members of the Five Scriptures are no match for Iwagakure.

"You must keep a close eye on Iwagakure's war against the Slane Theocracy. As the Strongest Human on this other continent, they should have many trump cards, some of which may be of great help to Konoha."

Before forcing out the opponent's World Item [Beauty That Overwhelms Nations], Uchiha Takeyasu had no intention of going to the front lines to fight the Slane Theocracy in Iwagakure.

No one understands the terror of controlling Spiritual Power better than the Uchiha.

If used properly, a single [Beauty That Overwhelms Nations] could destroy Konoha and even the Ninja World, just like the incredibly powerful [Kotoamatsukami] Uchiha Naori. However, its limitations should not be as extreme as those of [Kotoamatsukami].

"Yes, Your Leader. I will soon send Vice Commander Momoka to the rear of the Iwagakure troops to lead the [Southeast Ninja Army] on their expedition."

With her bangs partially obscuring her face, Momoka Senju's usually stern expression softened into a respectful one as she readily accepted Uchiha Baru's command.

"Your Leader, the vast majority of the Sunagakure ninjas have gone to the western part of the fortress city, Desert City located at the border between the Re-Estize Kingdom and the Slane Theocracy. The remaining ninjas, led by their leader Chiyo, are waiting for you in a corner of the VIP lounge."

Uchiha Takeyasu, who already had many women, was somewhat uninterested in Chiyo and said softly, "I know about Chiyo's situation. How are things in the Great Forest of Tob north of the city and the Katze Plains to the east?"

"We have already issued a quest through the Adventurer's Guild, and quite a few monsters have been captured and brought back to the Ninja World for research by the Science Academy."

Uchiha Baru for a moment before replying, "Our Combat Ninja patrol five times a day, and there have been no unusual incidents reported on the Katze Plains so far."

The Katze Plains is the location where the Great Tomb of Nazarick is traversed.

A dangerous area shrouded in mist day and night, known for its danger. It is also a place where the undead and other monsters breed and thrive.

Although the fog itself is harmless, it carries subtle undead-like properties, rendering magical "undead detection" ineffective. As a result, many adventurers have been ambushed by undead hidden within the fog.

The Combat Ninja patrols also had to be expanded to include more personnel to ensure full coverage of the entire Katze Plains.