Exactly.
The Land of Wind was too tempting a prize, and countless others coveted it. Konoha could never have it all to itself. A rash move would only make it everyone's target.
Yashiro nodded firmly. "Understood! We'll handle everything in secret. Only you and I will know. No one else will suspect a thing."
Uchiha En's expression eased slightly. He tapped the map four times, laying out the overall plan. "There are four steps. Go back at once, put them in writing, and work out the details."
"First, make contact."
"Send trusted people into the Capital of the Land of Wind to meet Watanabe Ichiro. Step by step, have the Land of Wind's state-run shops, mineral resources, key trade routes, and exclusive rights to grain and salt assessed and transferred into our control."
"Second, establish a foothold."
"Build a complete network of Shadow Trading Company operations throughout the Land of Wind, using local businesses from the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers as the entities that take over the assets."
"Konoha's Commerce Department will direct everything remotely from behind the scenes. The word 'Konoha' must never appear in any documents, accounts, or other records."
"Third, secure the essentials."
"Take control of the industries the country depends on first: grain, salt, gold dust, and cross-border trade routes. Those four matter most."
"The Gold Dust Trading Company that Tobi raided still has its foundations and storefronts. Take it over, and it will provide a steady stream of income."
"Fourth, keep things stable."
"This plan is strictly an economic takeover. Do not interfere with Sunagakure's military affairs."
"We can even give them a modest share of the profits and offer Sunagakure limited support, just enough to keep them dependent."
The four steps built on one another, each tied to the next.