At the same time, role models were established to set examples of absolute loyalty to the Emperor.
Information control was also implemented, cutting off all external and past sources of information.
Their original loyalty to the Village and the Hokage was subtly eroded.
A sharp military blade, belonging only to Di Yan, was forged, ready to strike wherever he pointed.
Di Yan had a clear understanding of this.
The so-called "Ninja Army" of the Ninja World.
It was merely a group of Ninja with outstanding individual combat power, temporarily pieced together.
They lacked true discipline and unified tactical thinking.
What he wanted to build was a true, modern, highly disciplined machine of violence.
He even morbidly considered.
Whether to introduce a "political commissar" system in the future to ensure absolute ideological unity.
Furthermore, for Ninja over the age of twenty-five, Di Yan believed their ideologies were already solidified.
It would be difficult to fundamentally change them.
For these individuals, his strategy was "full utilization, strict prevention, and attrition as the main goal."
This group of Ninja was quickly reorganized into two temporary Ninja Armies.
The first, led by Might Guy, who was completely controlled by the "Spiritual Contract."
He would lead this team and rapidly head to the Land of Earth border.
They would rendezvous with the border defense forces stationed there.
Their mission was clear.
To defend against and deter Iwagakure, who might take advantage of the chaos.
Might Guy's very existence was a powerful deterrent.
And his absolute obedience would ensure that this team would not mutiny.
The second, with Uchiha Izumi serving as the overt commander.
But the true core was that seemingly harmless little girl... Uchiha Hikari.
She would coordinate with one hundred elite black-clad Ninja brought by Di Yan.
Together, they would lead this team to the Land of Lightning border to guard against Kumogakure.
Sending Hikari towards Kumogakure was the result of Di Yan's careful consideration.
Kumogakure possessed two perfect Jinchuriki: Nii Yugito (Two-Tails) and Killer Bee (Eight-Tails).
Regular forces and ordinary experts would find it difficult to deal with them.
Uchiha Hikari's Mangekyo Sharingan, however, was the natural enemy of Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki.
It was enough to create a strategic balance or even suppression.
Their goals were prevention and attrition.
To prevent threats from other countries, while also wearing down some of Konoha's old diehards.
Di Yan's positioning of Konoha was complete militarized management; there would be no messy things.
Therefore, these stubborn old Ninja.
Either they would die on the battlefield, or when they returned, they would be kicked out of the Ninja Army.
Di Yan already had ideas for their arrangements.
As for their loyalty, Di Yan never doubted it.
Konoha had too many hostages, easily manipulated... And when Tsunade recovered some of her spirit and learned of these deployments.
Despite her physical and mental exhaustion.
She still couldn't help but remind Di Yan to pay attention to the movements of Hidden Mist Village.
Di Yan, however, merely smiled confidently, re-embraced Tsunade's waist, and said in a relaxed tone:
"Hidden Mist Village? They are preoccupied right now and don't have time to join the fun."
"Don't worry, I have already arranged for someone to guard the eastern sea for me."
He didn't explicitly say it, but the information conveyed in his words made Tsunade curious.
Did he still have a trump card?
As for Sunagakure in the southwest.
As Konoha's "internal strife subsided" and it quickly displayed stronger military mobilization and defensive posture.
And with the secret letter Di Yan sent to Sunagakure through certain channels.
Sunagakure's invasion, which was already somewhat nonsensical, would soon come to a hasty end.
Sunagakure might even move closer to the Land of Earth border to exert pressure on Iwagakure.
Guarding against the possibility of a full-blown war.
In short, Sunagakure was confirmed as the best tool.
And the empire's wheels, with an unstoppable momentum.
Were crushing the old order.
Shaping a new pattern according to its master's will.
And Konoha was just the first piece on this grand chessboard.
The first piece to be firmly nailed down... 76 Tsunade's Sisters; Changes in the Hyuga Clan.
When they finally quieted down, Tsunade let her breathing calm.
She almost roughly pushed Di Yan away.
Somewhat disheveled, she tidied her clothes.
She would absolutely not give Di Yan another chance to be so aggressive.
Her proud Strength of a Hundred Sealings Technique had not feared Danzo's immortality.
But facing Di Yan's demands, for the first time, she felt powerless.
Di Yan chuckled, not minding at all.
Anyway, Tsunade couldn't escape.
The evolution of Wood Release was not an overnight process; he would take his time.
Looking at the furious Tsunade, Di Yan slowly said:
"I'll take you to see your sisters in a moment."
Sisters?
Tsunade's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
She had known this guy was a lawless scoundrel who lusted after beauty.
But the plural term "sisters" still made her heart skip a beat.
She vaguely felt that her decision to agree to surrender... seemed a bit too hasty and imprudent.
She wasn't the only one... For a moment, she felt an inexplicable displeasure.
But she couldn't say why she felt this way.
Di Yan keenly noticed her momentary stiffness and hesitation.
He even, unusually, showed a hint of almost "gentle" demeanor.
He lowered his head and lightly kissed her smooth forehead, his tone carrying a hint of comfort:
"Don't overthink it, relax. They are all people you know, and you might even get along with them."
"All people I know?"
Tsunade's heart sank suddenly.
A very bad premonition instantly seized her.
She immediately thought of the Konoha female Ninja who were separately imprisoned and controlled by Di Yan... Sure enough, when Di Yan put his arm around her waist.
Almost forcibly leading her to a heavily guarded yet exceptionally elegant and tranquil courtyard.
The sight that greeted her made Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage who had seen many storms.
Feel a tingling scalp and an unbelievable sense of absurdity!
In the courtyard.
Some were sitting, some standing, some looking anxious, some worried.
There were several faces she knew intimately... Uchiha Mikoto, gentle in temperament but with a faint sorrow and resilience in her brows.
Kurenai Yuhi, mature and charming, but now pale and with complex eyes.
Hyuga Hinata, with downcast eyelids, flushed cheeks, and hands nervously clasped together.
Inuzuka Hana, looking somewhat restless and uneasy.
Ino Yamanaka, trying to remain composed but unable to hide the panic in her eyes.
And... Tenten and Sakura Haruno, who instantly instinctively recoiled half a step when Di Yan appeared, a clear fear flashing across their faces!
They all seemed to have been asked to change into more casual civilian clothes, rather than Ninja attire.
This added to the eerie and unsettling atmosphere.
The women naturally also saw Tsunade, brought by Di Yan.
Except for Uchiha Mikoto, who merely glanced at her faintly and remained quietly seated in a corner.
As if out of place with everything around her.
The other younger women almost instinctively, as if finding their backbone, quickly gathered around.
They clustered around Tsunade.
Their eyes filled with pleas, panic, and bewilderment.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Lady Tsunade... how could you also..."
"He... he didn't do anything to you, did he?"
"Teacher, are you also..."
Especially Tenten and Sakura Haruno.
They almost reflexively distanced themselves from Di Yan, hiding behind Tsunade.
The terrifying experience of that night had clearly left a deep psychological shadow on them.
Their gazes towards Di Yan were filled with fear and vigilance.
Di Yan was completely unfazed by their obvious rejection and fear.