Visiting the Grassroots, Listening to Public Opinion, the Hokage is Warmly Welcomed by the Masses!

Kusagakure, much like its name suggests, has always survived in the Shinobi World by playing both sides and acting as a fence-sitter.

Historical records claim they nearly conquered the world using the Box of Ultimate Bliss, but that is a gross exaggeration.

Setting aside whether these fellows could even open the Box of Ultimate Bliss, even if they could, nothing but destruction would await them.

When Kizaru received word of the exiled nobles' schemes from the Merchant Guild, he nearly laughed out loud.

In this lifetime, due to Kizaru's emergence and the establishment of the Scientific Research Institute, the Five Great Shinobi Villages never authorized Kusagakure to build a prison.

Criminals, especially those who were shinobi, were the Scientific Research Institute's favorite test subjects.

Any criminal from the Land of Fire who committed a serious crime was immediately sent to Konoha's Scientific Research Institute.

Serious offenders from other nations were also almost entirely bought up by Konoha through merchants and nobles within the Land of Fire.

Under such circumstances, there was simply no need for any nation to establish an overseas prison for high-profile criminals.

Without an overseas prison, it was incredibly difficult for the shinobi of Kusagakure to collect the energy required to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss.

"Leave this matter to the Anbu. We might as well take this opportunity to annex the Land of Grass as well!"

"And the Land of Rain; Hanzo hopes to join us as soon as possible," Tobirama reminded him.

"Then we shall take them both!" Kizaru waved his hand with great dominance.

"Understood." Tobirama displayed the excellent qualities of a "hard worker," accepting the task assigned by his "leader" without mentioning any difficulties.

In the Land of Grass, while the Kusagakure shinobi were secretly congratulating themselves on seizing the opportunity to