Or perhaps, the Daimyo of the Land of Waves has already secretly submitted to the Land of Fire, and now it's only a suitable excuse away from the Land of Fire's plan succeeding.
"What will the young lady do next?"
"Take the initiative to probe; those who attacked me some time ago, there should be a few survivors left, bring them along and find their employer to settle the score."
Ninety percent of illegal industries involving gambling, drugs, and prostitution in the Land of Waves are products created by the Isolated Island Merchant Alliance through crowdfunding.
Among them, the gang forces are violent organizations that protect these industries.
The people who attacked her earlier were ninjas from this gang.
It's clear they were following someone's instructions to test her.
Since that's the case, let's keep it straightforward and force the Isolated Island Merchant Alliance to reveal themselves, making them easier to deal with.
"Yes."
The Jonin of the Land of Demons responded, looking solemn as he walked out, mobilizing troops to formally take action against the gang forces in the Land of Waves.
◎
Isolated Island.
In a luxurious city, at the top meeting room of a certain building, prominent merchants from all over the Ninja Realm regularly gather for meetings here.
"Damn the Land of Demons, are they planning to formally wage war against us?"
A prominent merchant, upon receiving an urgent letter from the Land of Waves, trembled in anger, his eyes revealing a cold and menacing light, as though ready to devour someone.
"What happened to make you so angry?"
One merchant who was still unaware of the specifics asked.
"Two gang strongholds we set up in the Land of Waves were dismantled by the Land of Demons this morning, affecting some of our industry expansions as well. If we let this situation continue, our plans will be delayed."
The merchant who spoke angrily before replied.
"The Land of Demons? I heard someone organized an attack; why provoke them for no reason?"
Although part of the Land of Waves plan, some conservative merchants still don't want to provoke the currently thriving Land of Demons.
The only place they might surpass the Land of Demons is in their combined financial strength.
"It was merely a test, and not intended to truly antagonize them, as we are unsure of the Land of Demons' purpose in the Land of Waves; we must throw a stone to find the way."
An aggressive merchant said.
"In that case, avoid conflict with the Land of Demons next; treat this as a loss. I don't want to stir up such a frightening enemy that defeated the Land of Wind."
The timid merchant still intends to carry out a conservative policy, avoiding provoking powerful or uncontrollable enemies.
"But what if we don't know what the Land of Demons is arranging in the Land of Waves, and their goals conflict with ours? The Land of Waves is, after all, our second 'headquarters.'
"Using an attack to probe is a foolish approach, but still, if we don't know what the Land of Demons is planning in the Land of Waves and it contradicts our plan, it could be troublesome if conflict arises. At least now we have preparation time."
"Send someone to negotiate with them, at least ensure they remain neutral. Or, bring the Land of Demons into the alliance of interests, enhancing the reliability of our alliance's credibility."
One merchant boldly suggested.
"The Shion Flower Merchants Association previously explicitly refused us, isn't it awkward to invite them again now?"
"The situation is different now. In the past, the Land of Demons needed to hide, so the Shion Flower Merchants Association was somewhat hindered in their actions. But now the Land of Demons has attained a high enough international status, and our Merchant Alliance can offer them more benefits; I don't believe the country's leaders don't want to make more money. Our network, too, is something they're currently in urgent need of."
The merchant's statements immediately elicited high recognition from the other merchants.
Indeed, the international situation has completely changed from past to present.
Though the Land of Demons now has some international status, they have always had few allies internationally, arguably almost none.
To achieve more standing internationally, one must have connections and money.
And these are what their Merchant Alliance can provide.
In the meantime, they can also open the commercial market of the Land of Demons, deploy their industries within it, and collectively accumulate wealth to build a huge commercial empire capable of rivaling great nations.
"This is a good idea... but who will go?"
"How about Oyashiro?"
"That guy, hmm, he seems to have missed this meeting. He hurriedly left the island a few days ago, probably for urgent matters outside."
"A truly unreliable guy, he almost always misses important meetings. Forget it, as long as he injects funds in a timely manner, it's enough; after all, he can only be considered an auxiliary member."
It's not that Oyashiro lacks commercial strength, but his subjective and elusive nature leaves fellow merchants puzzled, not knowing what he's pursuing.
As a result, they have grown accustomed to his absence at important meetings, as companions within the interest-based community.
If he did attend meetings regularly, it would be rather unusual.
"Then, with Oyashiro absent, let me make a trip to the Land of Demons. Previously, my company had some transactions with the Shion Flower Merchants Association's subsidiary companies; I can barely manage to hold talks with their top officials. If introduced by them, it's easy to meet the Minister of Military Affairs of the Land of Demons."