Find empty boxes, pack these books, and carry them upstairs.
Not far from here, there is their transport team, and they can finish the work before sunset today.
◎
Land of Demons.
Yesterday, after traveling a long sea route, bypassing most of the Land of Wind's territory, we arrived here.
The cultural environment of the Land of Demons is vastly different from the Five Great Nations, with the Witch as the ruler, adding an aura of mysticism to this country.
Hakushi came here but hasn't met with the Witch yet, choosing instead to stay at the organization's headquarters to begin settling personnel from the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans.
Arranging for them isn't particularly difficult; as long as their presence is hidden for now, there shouldn't be much of a problem.
The only issue is the organization's recent recruitment efforts, coupled with this sudden influx of people, have made the headquarters seem rather cramped.
While Hakushi was contemplating, Ruri walked in from outside.
"So, is everything arranged over there?"
"It's mostly taken care of, but after making a round, I found the place to be a bit small."
Ruri voiced the problem.
"I was thinking about that as well."
Hakushi took out a map of the capital of the Land of Demons, clearly distinguishing residential, commercial, and military zones.
Ruri looked at the map with interest, noting how this management model was entirely different from Konoha.
In the Konoha Village, ninja and civilian residential areas are not separated but mixed together.
In an apartment building, there are both civilians and ninja cohabiting. At times, this can appear chaotic and make deployment more troublesome without a uniform plan.
When Hakushi first established the organization's headquarters in the Land of Demons, he completely segregated it from the residential and commercial zones, making it clear and allowing commands to be issued faster and more effectively.
In a way, the organization founded by Hakushi represents one of the military powers of the Land of Demons.
It also assists the officials of the Land of Demons' capital in handling urban security issues.
It is a semi-official organizational structure.
However, Hakushi hadn't expected the Witch to agree so readily.
It was known that Ruri's parents played a significant role in this.
According to Ruri, her parents had been conducting business under aliases in the Land of Demons since she was very young, and had founded the Shion Flower Merchants Association, representing the official face of the Land of Demons.
The Shion Flower Pharmaceutical Technology Company founded by Hakushi later on also fell under the jurisdiction of the Merchants Association.
Thinking about it, the relationship between Ruri's parents and the Witch of the Land of Demons might not be as simple as it appears on the surface.
This has already directly interfered with the power structure of the Land of Demons.
"Next, I'm planning to expand the scale of the organization's headquarters. Also, it's time to give the organization a name. We can't stay hidden underground endlessly; showing some presence can be beneficial."
Constantly hiding will make others find it unusual and guarded.
On the contrary, revealing part of our strength will help ease their vigilance.
Of course, sensitive matters within the organization, such as those involving the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Uzumaki Clans, must remain undisclosed.
"This requires the Witch's consent."
"I'll visit her later; many of the subsequent plans also require her support."
Ruri nodded, expressing her agreement.
"By the way, does the Witch have any taboos?"
Hakushi asked.
"Taboos? I haven't heard of any, but I did hear she has the ability to see the future, and seems to be incredibly accurate in predicting life and death."
"...That ability sounds incredibly ominous."
Predicting life and death... no matter what, it always brings a chilling sensation.
And being incredibly accurate... frankly, that's quite terrifying.
"Oh right, before you go see the Witch, meet my mother first. She wants to talk to you."
Ruri suddenly remembered something and said.
"Looking for me?"
Hakushi was taken aback.
"Yes, but don't mind anything she says, that woman has a terrible personality and is quite unorthodox."
While Hakushi was still in shock, Ruri reminded him again.
◎
Ruri's mother is named Uchiha Miyoko.
Honestly, Hakushi could count the number of times he'd met her on one hand; her visits back to Konoha to see Ruri were often unscheduled and irregular.
Hakushi's impression of her was that she was wealthy, elegantly dressed, eccentric, not very serious, and a beauty.
In a luxurious residence in the capital of the Land of Demons.
Uchiha Miyoko was adorned in a beautiful black kimono, her hair tied up, her skin fair, holding a paper fan. Although she was in her thirties, she could easily be mistaken for a youthful woman in her twenties, and Hakushi believed it.
As soon as Hakushi arrived, before he could speak, she smiled and asked:
"You've already slept with Ruri, haven't you?"
"Cough cough!"
Hakushi coughed violently, choking on the tea that went down the wrong way.
He'd imagined a lot of scenarios but didn't expect Miyoko's first question to be this.
"Oh my, are you embarrassed? Such a cute reaction, indeed playing with boys is more fun."
"I'm not embarrassed..."
"Don't deny it; there's nothing to be embarrassed about. You know, when I was Ruri's age, she was already two or three years old. But if I had to guess, Ruri would definitely be the one on top."