"I understand why we need to collect information on ninjas, but why even gather intel on those villagers?"

The man looked at Asami Shinsui, puzzled.

"Those villagers may not be ninjas themselves, but their husbands or wives might be. When necessary, they too become the eyes of the organization."

Asami Shinsui explained briefly.

"Haruno, you can go back now. Based on this intel, I’ll dig up some usable talents in Konoha. When the time comes, you’ll handle the contact. If you fail, you know what the consequences are."

The man’s expression changed slightly. He nodded, turned, and left.

Watching the man depart, Asami Shinsui let out a small huff, put on her thick-framed glasses resting on her chest, and her plain face turned slightly cold.

"This guy still needs some strict discipline, it seems."

She knew very well the man hadn’t fully submitted to her, and there was still a risk of betrayal.

Although she could neutralize the threat before he actually betrayed her, finding another suitable candidate to monitor Konoha’s lower ranks would take a long time.

"Haruno Kizashi, I hope you know how to read the situation."

◎

"Hakushi-sensei, what’s got you so cheerful?"

As she entered the laboratory, Lin saw Hakushi smiling as he read through a scroll, clearly pleased with something.

Seeing Lin come in, Hakushi didn’t hide it: "News just came in from Konoha. Shinsui is doing even better at Konoha Hospital than I expected."

Orochimaru defecting and Tsunade not returning to Konoha—that was double good news for Hakushi.

No matter Orochimaru’s reason for deserting Konoha, it meant Konoha’s strength had weakened even further.

Thinking it over, Hakushi couldn’t help but marvel at all of Konoha’s changes these past years.

Ever since his teacher, Hatake Sakumo, committed suicide, it felt as if Konoha had been cursed—almost nothing good had happened.

The Fourth Hokage died in battle, Orochimaru ran off, Tsunade refused to return, Shimura Danzo seemed to be plotting something in the shadows, and the Third Hokage’s influence was fading, unable to control most of Konoha’s voices like before.

For the spies he had in Konoha, this was an unprecedented chance to expand their influence.

Asami Shinsui hadn’t wasted this opportunity either; she extended her fangs into every layer of Konoha, flawlessly completing the task he’d assigned.

"Shinsui? Konoha Hospital? Hakushi-sensei, do you mean Asami Shinsui-senpai?"

Lin connected the key words from Hakushi’s mouth, easily linking them to a senior Medical Ninja she’d known at Konoha Hospital.

"That’s right."

Hakushi wasn’t surprised Lin knew Asami Shinsui.

"She’s with you too, Hakushi-sensei?"

"I met her by chance in the beginning, that’s all. But she’s indeed an outstanding Medical Ninja. Even back when I was still at Ninja School, she’d already received Tsunade-sensei’s praise more than once."

"So that means, both Konoha Hospital and Anbu have people you placed, Hakushi-sensei? That’s pretty incredible. I wonder if other departments in Konoha have been infiltrated too?"

Lin grew secretly uneasy at how deeply Hakushi’s moved in Konoha.

Not to mention Kakashi in Anbu; as for Asami Shinsui’s performance at Konoha Hospital, she was likely holding a high position there by now.

"It’s still early. Kakashi joining Anbu was just a lucky bonus. Because of my old profession in Konoha, placing people in Konoha Hospital was easier. Of course, Ninja School as well."

As for the other key departments—Interrogation, Intelligence—there were still no suitable people to embed.

"From the looks of it, Konoha’s threat to the Land of Demons has pretty much been neutralized."

"Not completely. Konoha is far stronger than you think. Konoha’s real backbone is in those Ninja Clans. They’re the strongest force in Konoha. The Sannin are powerful, but they’re just three people. The Ninja Clans move in packs."

Hakushi shook his head.

Konoha’s power was diminished, but it wouldn’t do to underestimate them.

The foundation laid by the First Hokage was too solid. The fall of Konoha isn’t something that will happen overnight.

But for future operations, there was room to act more boldly and not worry so much about Konoha’s feelings.

"Speaking of which, how’s your progress on the Jutsu for communicating with the Tailed Beast?"

Hakushi set aside the scroll and asked Lin about her Forbidden Technique training. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"I came just to tell you about that, Hakushi-sensei. After months of practice, I’ve basically mastered the Inner Vision Jutsu for communicating with the Tailed Beast."

Lin answered with a smile.

This meant she could begin her Perfect Jinchuriki training at any time.

Hakushi nodded in satisfaction. "We’ll start officially next week, then. I’ll have Obito and the Uzumaki Clan ninjas assist you."

When Lin begins her Perfect Jinchuriki training, the Tailed Beast power in her body may very well go berserk and lose control.

Obito and the Uzumaki Clan ninjas can use Mangekyo Sharingan and Sealing Techniques to avoid the risk of the Tailed Beast rampaging.

"I understand."

Lin lightly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling gently.

"Also, be prepared to wrestle with the Tailed Beast for a long time. Making it submit is still far too difficult for you right now. Do you think you can manage it in three years?"

"Three years?" Lin murmured to herself, then her eyes turned resolute. "I’ll do my best to overcome it."

"That’s the spirit. From my analysis, the longer you use this Jutsu to fight the Tailed Beast, the less likely you are to succeed. If you can’t subdue the Tailed Beast within three years, your Perfect Jinchuriki training will end in failure."

Hakushi didn’t lie.

Any Forbidden Technique is risky.

Three years is the optimal period for Lin’s Perfect Jinchuriki training.

If she misses this window, it means saying goodbye to becoming a Perfect Jinchuriki.

"The next few years, the Land of Demons will gradually begin expanding outward. If you can become a Perfect Jinchuriki by then, you’ll play a crucial role in this plan."

This was something Hakushi cared about deeply.

Given the Land of Demons’ current size, it was already pretty saturated.

If it wanted to keep growing, it would have to expand, touching the interests of the established classes.

At first, there would be minor conflicts. Then, due to differences in systems and technology, greater conflicts would emerge, intensifying the friction, and finally war would break out and the interests would be redistributed.

Transformation is never about everyone sitting together in peace, enjoying a tranquil afternoon tea—it’s a trial by blood and fire!