Like many small nations, not only do they lack a Ninja Village, even the profession of ninja doesn't exist, and their territory is so small that it doesn't even show up on the Ninja Realm map.

Every time war breaks out, these small nations, whose territories don't even show up on the Ninja Realm map, are the most likely to face the crisis of annihilation.

For example, during the Second Great Ninja War, the Land of the Sky declared war on the Five Great Nations.

Their territory was that giant stone fortress capable of flying in the sky. The reason they declared war on the Five Great Nations was also due to the surge of ambition, wanting to seize more territory and population while the great nations were at war, to display their own power.

The Land of Bear is slightly different; among the small nations in the Ninja Realm, its territory is not considered tiny, and it has the capability to establish its own Ninja Village, which shows that the foundation of the Land of Bear exists.

Moreover, the Hidden Star Village has its own inherited Secret Technique, standing out uniquely in the Ninja Realm.

To silently take over a place like the Hidden Star Village, besides immense military power, pressure must also be applied from the official level of the Land of Bear.

The current ambitious Daimyo of the Land of Bear is the best candidate they have chosen for this effort.

"The person responsible for contact has already gone ahead, there's no need to worry too much over there. More importantly, the Daimyo's Mansion is the critical point."

In the plan to encroach on the Hidden Star Village, the official cover from the Land of Bear is a very important component.

As early as two months ago, the military of the Land of Demons had already dispatched a hundred ninjas to infiltrate the Land of Bear and begin their arrangements.

This time, with Ayane personally leading a team of two hundred ninjas, a total of three hundred are the complete force for attacking the Hidden Star Village.

"First, do our part well. There's no need to worry about the Daimyo of the Land of Bear; someone else will handle things over there."

Ayane is well aware of how much preparation the military made in advance to encroach on the Land of Bear.

It's fair to say this plan had been secretly prepared three years ago.

Massive amounts of resources and manpower have been invested to ensure the capture of the Hidden Star Village without fail, and at the right time, to swallow the entire Land of Bear in one stroke.

This plan to encroach on the Hidden Star Village cannot fail.

Everything is ready, what's left is just the final closing act.

◎

In the hot summer garden, the cicadas' calls could be heard rising and falling.

Wearing a twelve-layered ceremonial kimono, a black-haired girl—Princess Tamahime—gazed at the beautiful view in the garden, lost in thought with a smile on her face.

Soon, the smile on her face vanished, replaced by a deep sense of worry, and she sighed softly.

In her memory, since she became aware, her world seemed to only be as big as this garden.

Looking at the tall walls surrounding the garden, they were her exquisite prison intended to confine her.

And she wasn't a person of flesh and blood, but merely a beautiful vase deliberately adorned by her father, the Daimyo of the Land of Bear.

Someday, she would be 'sold' by her father, the Daimyo, as 'goods' to the nobles of other countries.

The kidnapping incident that occurred a few days ago undoubtedly proved this point; her father was not concerned about the safety of a daughter but rather whether a 'possession' showed signs of damage.

Even so, she was prepared to sacrifice herself for it.

This, probably, is the inescapable fate of women in the aristocracy, she thought.

Just recalling the kidnapping incident from a few days ago, she couldn't help but think of the black-clothed ninja who saved her from the assailants.

"Are you there, Ninja-sama?"

The room was very quiet, so the girl's soft calls could clearly reach every corner of the room. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

As soon as her voice fell, a shadow emerged from who knows where, and knelt on one knee before the girl to show respect.

Wearing black attire, looking very young, seemingly not more than twenty years old, the specific age should be around seventeen or eighteen.

"What are your orders, Princess?"

Akakage maintained his usual indifferent demeanor and inquired to the Princess Tamahime before him.

According to the Daimyo of the Land of Bear's orders, he was now the personal guard of this princess.

Despite the dissatisfaction in his heart with such an order, he had no choice but to maintain the appearance of dutifulness, complying with the Daimyo of the Land of Bear's wishes and becoming the guard of Princess Tamahime.

"Uh, nothing, I just wanted to see if you were here."

Princess Tamahime waved her hand awkwardly; she called out with a speculative attitude, not expecting Akakage to actually appear before her, thus looking at Akakage somewhat at a loss.

Want to see if he's there? So she called him out?

What kind of reason is that?

Crazy! Akakage silently made this evaluation of Princess Tamahime.

Although there was no wave on Akakage's face and no dissatisfaction showed in his eyes, Tamahime faintly felt that Akakage was angry.

Ninja-sama, you're really strange, she thought to herself.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Though Tamahime's appearance was pleasant to look at, for a spy in a foreign country, completing the mission was the primary duty.

Women would only hinder his efficiency in completing the mission.

"Please wait a moment."

Princess Tamahime stopped Akakage.

"Is there anything else, Princess?"

Akakage maintained respect, trying to make his tone more gentle.

Thoughts like twisting her head off only needed to be buried deep inside his mind.

"Could you help me pour a glass of water? I'm a bit thirsty."

Tamahime pointed to the hot weather outside, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her face.