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Times had changed. The Land of Waves needed to earn renown in the Shinobi World, not be branded as an invader. If human experimentation were exposed at this time, it would be an enormous problem for the Land of Waves.
It could even affect its future development and current stability.
Therefore, Muzan absolutely would not allow Orochimaru to conduct human experiments without restraint!
After learning Muzan's intentions, Orochimaru did indeed rein himself in considerably. At the very least, he no longer openly sent shinobi to capture people.
At the same time, in the region controlled by the Akatsuki, their alliance with the Land of Waves had led them to spend this period holding back the three major nations.
Although the three nations had not deployed armies, there were no shortage of scouts operating both openly and covertly. All of them had been stopped by the Akatsuki.
Naturally, Muzan had also provided them with material support, freeing the Akatsuki from their financial troubles. Along with Konan's Explosive Tags and other explosive supplies, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Now, the Akatsuki had run into trouble.
Only three of the Five Great Shinobi Villages remained. The three villages that had once hated one another had united to resist the invasion of the Land of Waves and the Akatsuki.
Furthermore, the Akatsuki's methods had grown increasingly extreme. As they continuously gathered Tailed Beasts amid the current chaos, they accelerated their collection efforts, leading to major clashes with the shinobi villages.
"The Land of Waves has finally stabilized."
Konan looked at the report in her hands. It concerned the Land of Waves sweeping through the Land of Water and the Land of Fire. Many people had not believed Muzan could accomplish such a feat,