Ubiji explained, "Religious faith arose before chakra civilization and was deeply rooted. Though this land has many peoples and nations within nations, religious authority has always outweighed royal authority. Under that restraint, no major wars broke out for over a thousand years. A blessing in disguise, I suppose."
Ryushiki pinched his little chin and mused, "Even so, if our clan wanted to conquer it, we could surely take it..."
"Yes, but to conquer Jianzhou Country completely, we would have to send at least two or three people who have consumed a Chakra Fruit. As you can imagine, the fighting would inevitably devastate this precious 'seedbed.' That is not something the clan wishes to see..."
At that, Ubiji looked at Ryushiki and asked meaningfully, "My disciple, if you were acting in our clan's interests and knew taking it by force was not an option, what would you do?"
"If it were me..." Ryushiki gave it serious thought, then said in his soft, boyish voice, "I might start with the ruler. Religious authority places one individual above all others. If the supreme ruler truly were wise beyond reproach, that would be one thing, but in reality, that is very, very difficult..."
Ubiji nodded. "Yes. In the early years of his reign, Jianzhou Country's pontiff was indeed an enlightened ruler. But power is too concentrated, and he has already lost sight of his original purpose. In another few hundred years, he will become corrupt and degenerate. Large-scale wars will inevitably break out then..."
Ryushiki thought some more. "But that would mean waiting another few hundred years. There is a strategy... that might work faster."
Ubiji asked curiously, "Oh? What strategy?"
"Divert the trouble elsewhere..." Ryushiki explained, "Unless techniques are used to control people by force, no amount of skillful governance or personal charisma