Hanabi blinked her large eyes.
Evidently, she didn't quite understand the meaning of that title yet.
Di Yan smiled and waved his hand, signaling Hinata not to be nervous.
He stepped forward, his gaze falling on Hanabi.
He carefully observed this treasure of the Hyuga clan.
Although she was still young,
it was already clear she was a beauty in the making.
Her brows held a hint of heroism and competitiveness that Hinata lacked.
She was at the age of a budding flower.
Di Yan crouched down, bringing his eyes level with Hanabi's.
He put on a smile that was as "amiable" as possible.
Though to others, it still carried an air of oppression.
He said, "There's no need to call me 'Your Majesty' so formally. You can call me... brother-in-law."
"Brother... in-law?"
Hanabi was completely stunned.
Her little mind couldn't process it for a moment.
Brother-in-law?
Her sister's husband?
Hinata, standing nearby, heard the word and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.
Like a cooked shrimp, she was so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to crawl into, even her earlobes turned red.
She hung her head, not daring to look at anyone.
Hanabi's reaction was a beat slower.
She looked at Di Yan, then at her utterly mortified sister, Hinata.
The gears in her mind finally clicked into place!
"Wow..."
She suddenly exclaimed,
her voice full of shock and disbelief.
She frantically grabbed Hinata's arm and shook it vigorously, "Sister, sister! Is it true?"
"Is he really my brother-in-law? When did you... Wuwu..."
Hinata was dizzy from her sister's shaking, and too mortified to utter a single word.
She could only make meaningless whimpering sounds.
She wished she could cover her sister's mouth with her hand.
Di Yan watched the reactions of the two sisters, finding it extremely amusing.
He reached out and gently patted Hanabi's small head.
It felt nice.
He spoke in a certain, unquestionable tone:
"Of course, it's true. So, you are my little sister-in-law, and you must be obedient from now on, understand?"
Hanabi was confused by this sudden "brother-in-law" and "sister-in-law" relationship.
But looking at Di Yan's handsome face and seemingly "kind" attitude,
and then at her sister's shy, almost acquiescent posture,
with her childlike innocence,
she subconsciously and vaguely nodded.
"Oh... oh..."
Hanabi responded softly.
Her gaze at Di Yan had already changed from initial confusion
to a mixture of curiosity, surprise, and a touch of... an inexplicable sense of closeness to a "relative"?
Di Yan stood up, satisfied.
Good, the initial "status" and relationship binding had been planted.
For a child of Hanabi's age,
sometimes a simple title and definition can subtly influence her perception and sense of belonging.
He glanced at Hinata, whose face was so red it looked like it might steam.
He chuckled inwardly.
As for the deeper implications and future arrangements,
there was no rush now.
The prey was already in the cage, and he had plenty of time to slowly "cultivate" their feelings.
In the hotel lobby, the atmosphere became subtly strange and eerie... As night deepened,
the lights of Konoha Village lit up one after another outside the window, outlining the hazy silhouette of this Shinobi Village.
Di Yan stood by the window of the hotel room, his hands clasped behind his back.
His deep gaze pierced through the night,
as if measuring this city he was determined to conquer.
Uchiha Mikoto approached silently,
gently placing a cup of freshly brewed hot tea on the low table nearby.
She did not speak, so as not to disturb him.
She simply stood quietly a little behind him and to his side,
like the most understanding confidante,
expressing her support through silent companionship.
Di Yan took the teacup, his fingertips feeling the warm porcelain.
His thoughts, however, had already flown to the upcoming strategic deployment.
"Konoha's combat strength..."
He silently calculated in his mind, "Based on the original plot, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Allied Shinobi Forces deployed approximately 80,000 personnel."
"As the head of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Konoha's standing Ninja force should be around 20,000."
"But these 20,000 cannot all be concentrated in the Village."
"They need to guard the long border, prevent invasions from other countries; they need to carry out missions throughout the Land of Fire and even across the continent;"
"And there are some Anbu who are constantly out on reconnaissance or special missions..."
"The actual standing defensive force permanently stationed within Konoha Village is probably less than 10,000."
This point was also confirmed by the intelligence extracted from Asuma.
The current standing Ninja force within Konoha Village
is approximately 5,000.
This number, for the core of a Shinobi Village,
is considered a normal defensive scale.
"Five thousand against eight hundred..."
Di Yan took a sip of tea, a cold arc forming at the corner of his mouth, "On the surface, my forces are at an absolute disadvantage."
However, he showed no sign of panic.
"Eight hundred men have a way to fight with eight hundred men." Di Yan's eyes sharpened, "War is never a simple numbers game."
"Especially in this kind of offensive and defensive battle, what's more important is... the overwhelming power of high-end combat forces and the seizing of strategic opportunities."
His core strategy had always been clear:
He did not need his eight hundred loyalists to directly defeat Konoha's five thousand defenders!
That was unrealistic and an unnecessary waste.
"As long as that old geezer Danzo launches his coup as planned, Konoha will surely fall into internal chaos first!"
Di Yan seemed to already see Konoha plunged into civil war, "Let them fight among themselves first, consuming a wave of their strength."
"When they are exhausted and their defenses are at their weakest..."
"At that time, I only need to lead the elite, with the force of a thunderbolt, and directly execute a 'decapitation strike'!"
"Eliminate the stubbornly resisting Hokage and his loyalists, and seize control of the command center!"
"As long as the high-end combat forces are completely suppressed by me, and the command system is paralyzed,"
"the remaining leaderless 'rotten fish and stinking shrimp' are not to be feared at all!"
"At that time, their choice will be either to surrender or be crushed!"
... 54 Danzo's plan; send Ino to invite Tsunade
Di Yan had absolute confidence in himself and the high-end combat forces under his command.
The Mangekyo Sharingan, the Byakugan he was beginning to master, Uchiha Izumi, Tekka and other survivors, and... Uchiha Hikari, who was the ultimate weapon!
This force was enough to turn the tide of battle at a critical moment!
Di Yan's fingertips gently tapped the window frame.
In his mind, a comparison chart of Konoha's current top combat strength unfolded like a precise map.
"Kage-level powerhouses... Konoha is truly in a transitional period right now."
He sneered inwardly, "That old pervert Jiraiya is wandering outside with the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, whereabouts unknown, and won't be able to return in time for reinforcements."
"In the Village, the only one truly worthy of being called Kage-level from the Hokage lineage is probably Lady Tsunade alone."
"The current Kakashi's combat strength isn't enough, at most he's a fifty-fifty match, Might Guy..."
When Might Guy was mentioned, Di Yan touched his right eye, as if recalling something.
He didn't continue speaking... As for Tsunade, that woman's strength and medical Ninjutsu were indeed troublesome.