The Current Situation

Just then, a merchant caravan finished its inspection and began transporting goods out under ninja escort.

Judging by the merchants' expressions, they did not seem worried at all about bandits or rogue ninja appearing along the way.

Ever since the Fifth Hokage dispatched ninja to every city, a series of massive bandit-suppression campaigns had followed.

Now, throughout the Land of Fire, bandits and rogue ninja were dealt with the moment they showed themselves.

Any rogue ninja or bandit with even a little sense now knew they could not remain in the Land of Fire. They either fled to other countries as quickly as possible or immediately dropped to their knees and surrendered when Konoha ninja came knocking.

Konoha's policies were quite good. As long as an investigation confirmed they had not committed any heinous crimes, they could be released after a period of labor reform.

As for those inherently evil rogue ninja and bandits, every last one of them was sent to Hozuki Castle to atone for their crimes.

Hozuki Castle was now not only Orochimaru's experimental base, but also the location chosen for Tsunade's Medical Department internships.

After all, they were using rogue ninja and bandits whose deaths would not be mourned. Tsunade was not so morally fastidious as to reject that.

In short, Konoha was now a paradise for ordinary people and a hell for rogue ninja and criminals.

What kind of place Hozuki Castle was had gradually become known over time.

In any case, no one had ever heard of anyone sent there coming out alive.

That was why the caravan owners had no concerns whatsoever about their personal safety.

Even if there were a few fish that had slipped through the net, Konoha ninja were accompanying them the entire way.

These young Konoha ninja were extremely