The one-sided effort and giving cannot sustain an alliance; both Hakushi and Yagura are well aware of this.

"Lord Hakushi, we've killed all the assailants trying to disrupt the negotiations."

Uzumaki Fumiko came over with Obito and three other teammates.

She was the captain of this squad; aside from Obito, they were all Jonin from the Land of Demons, known for being elite ninjas within the military ranks.

"Thank you for your hard work. Have you identified them?"

Hakushi asked.

Fumiko shook her head and replied, "We haven't investigated thoroughly yet, but there's no doubt their target was Lord Mizukage."

She glanced at Yagura.

Hakushi also looked at Yagura, who shrugged helplessly and said, "They're probably mercenaries from the Fierce Light Group."

"Fierce Light Group?" Hakushi seemed to recall something and said, "I remember they're a mercenary group operating in the Underground Black Market, notorious for assassinating key figures from various countries. How did you get involved with these guys?"

"It's probably the work of rats behind the scenes. According to the information I've received, the Fierce Light Group seems to be colluding with remnants of the Blood Mist Faction. They've probably been hired by them with money to come assassinate me."

Yagura answered indifferently.

In fact, if it weren't for this attack by Fierce Light Group ninjas, he would have almost forgotten about this issue.

Because in the Underground Black Market, Fierce Light Group's strength is mediocre at best, not particularly outstanding.

A group of money-hungry people, blinded by enormous rewards, didn't even bother to assess the strength of both sides.

"Your movements have been tracked, so it's better to be more cautious. I don't want to hear the news of your sudden demise someday."

"I'll wipe out this group when I return."

Yagura nodded.

The Blood Mist Faction remnants don't pose a threat, but leaving them unchecked is certainly bothersome.

Especially their occasional attempts to harass him — it's better to eliminate them sooner.

"Do you want me to recommend you a mercenary group from the Underground Black Market?"

Hakushi asked with a smile, seeking Yagura's opinion.

"Oh?"

"Since the Blood Mist Faction hired mercenaries from the Underground Black Market, the same approach can be used against them — hire a mercenary group to deal with a mercenary group. They're experts in this area and won't disappoint you."

"Let's hear it."

"Nokizaru Group."

"Nokizaru Group? Were they the ones assisting Hidden Rock, opposing Konoha in the Underground Black Market? I didn't expect your reach to be so far."

Yagura was slightly speechless.

Hakushi recommending the Nokizaru Group clearly indicated an undisclosed connection between the Land of Demons and the Nokizaru Group.

Based on his understanding of Hakushi, the so-called 'ninja hunting ninjas' — the Nokizaru Group — is a mercenary group supported by the Land of Demons military.

"It's called being prepared. They're very suitable for handling people and matters that I find inconvenient."

"No problem. I'll try to contact them. I don't really have the time to handle these trivial matters."

Yagura agreed with a nod.

His main focus now is on the development of Hidden Mist Village; the threats from the Blood Mist Faction remnants and the Underground Black Market can be dealt with by specialized personnel.

Using the Nokizaru Group to confront the mercenary group hired by the Blood Mist Faction remnants is just fitting.

"Then it's settled, looking forward to the next cooperation."

Hakushi extended his hand.

Yagura also reached out, shaking hands with Hakushi.

"Yes, looking forward to the next cooperation."

Yagura nodded, released his hand, and turned down the path with Ringo Ameyuri, their figures quickly disappearing into the wind and snow. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

As Hakushi watched them leave, he said to Fumiko and the others, "Let's go too. If we hurry, we might make it back to the Land of Demons by tomorrow morning."

"Yes."

Their figures also swiftly faded away in the wind and snow.

◎

A Perfect Jinchuriki refers to a Jinchuriki who has perfectly mastered Tailed Beast power.

Before his encounter with Yagura, this was Hakushi's usual thought.

Actually, this idea wasn't fundamentally wrong.

But the key lies in the true meaning of 'mastery', which differs from Hakushi's understanding.

Previously, Hakushi always thought that a Jinchuriki who becomes one with the Tailed Beast, enduring all the darkness of the Tailed Beast and meeting it sincerely, could become a Perfect Jinchuriki... which is actually a flawed conclusion.

Accepting the Tailed Beast's darkness, understanding its pain, and showing a broad, powerful heart is indeed an important part of the journey of becoming a Perfect Jinchuriki, but it's far from enough to achieve this.

According to the information provided by Yagura, there are two crucial aspects to becoming a Perfect Jinchuriki.

The first is that Tailed Beasts don't easily recognize humans.

Arguing with words won't convince them.

One must possess a strong power to seize Chakra from the Tailed Beast for it to value the Jinchuriki.

If one doesn't achieve even this seizing of Chakra, but instead resorts to other devious ways to wield Tailed Beast power, the Tailed Beast would merely scoff at such methods.

In other words, the primary condition for becoming a Perfect Jinchuriki is to take Chakra from the Tailed Beast and use this power to defeat the Tailed Beast.

Only then will the Jinchuriki be recognized by the Tailed Beast.

Only in this way will the Tailed Beast behave and acknowledge the Jinchuriki's position.

The second point is the inner resonance with the Tailed Beast, which means opening up one's mind and heart to the Tailed Beast, and the Tailed Beast also needs to open its mind and heart, becoming 'one entity'.