"Hidden Star Village, huh? With an established Ninja Village system, dealing with it is indeed more troublesome than with the Land of Snow."
Ayane nodded seriously.
Though the Land of Bear is a small country, it, like the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain, possesses a relatively mature Ninja Village system.
This Ninja Village is called the Hidden Star Village.
It's said that the ninjas from the Hidden Star Village are skilled in Chakra Secret Jutsu called the 'Mysterious Peacock Method', which is renowned in the Land of Bear.
Hakushi and Ayane found Hidden Star Village troublesome not because of its combat power.
The greatest difficulty lies in how to legally, without attracting attention, incorporate the Land of Bear into the map of the Land of Demons.
If mishandled, causing the power of the Land of Demons to be exposed, it could be far from worthwhile.
The reason the Land of Demons has been thriving these years is that the Five Great Nations are in the open while the Land of Demons has always been lurking in the shadows, wearing a harmless veil to earn the trust of other nations. Coupled with the protection mechanisms of Neutral Countries and other special reasons, the Land of Demons has managed to thrive.
"Yagura seems to be planning to take action within a year. As for the Land of Bear, let's prepare after assisting Yagura. According to the plan, we have a long period ahead to make arrangements. Once the stance of Hidden Mist is determined, the pressure on our side will greatly decrease."
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Konoha 48th Year, January.
The beginning of the new year also brought new prospects to the Land of Demons.
Ever since returning from the Land of Snow, Hakushi has been busy running between his family, the office, and the laboratory.
The laboratory work mainly focuses on the research of Tailed Beasts and the Zero-tail.
Currently, among the Ninja Villages of the Five Great Nations, only the Hidden Cloud Village of the Land of Lightning possesses mature technology for utilizing Tailed Beasts, though their techniques are mostly applied to military uses.
The difference lies in that Hakushi hopes the power of Tailed Beasts is not limited to just the military, but also in developing medicines and Ninja Tools. In this way, the benefits brought by Tailed Beasts to the Land of Demons would far exceed that of military application alone.
Hakushi's idea is not groundless. The Chakra of Tailed Beasts has an exceedingly strong healing ability, offering unique restorative effects.
If these restorative effects could be expanded into medicine, it would undoubtedly become a bestseller.
Healing is merely one effect of Tailed Beast Chakra. Others include enhancing a ninja's physique and boosting combat burst strength, enabling ninjas to turn the tides in difficult situations.
In short, as long as Tailed Beast techniques are conquered and effectively utilized, it will bring boundless benefits to the Land of Demons.
As for the Zero-tail, it is a unique life form that surpasses even the Tailed Beasts.
Furthermore, unlike the fragments Hakushi collected from Tailed Beasts, which are mostly chunks of Chakra and scattered body remains, the Zero-tail is completely preserved in the experiment.
Though once controlled by the Land of the Sky to power the Royal Capital Fortress's core energy engine, it initially was a naturally formed life form.
It feeds on human sorrow and despair to force its Complete Form.
Currently, the power of the Zero-tail does not match that of the Tailed Beasts, but with proper utilization, reaching the level of Tailed Beasts is only a matter of time. However, Hakushi has not allowed the Zero-tail to grow unchecked.
Because he cannot control the consciousness of the Zero-tail, and should it grow to the level of a Tailed Beast, it might bring nothing but trouble if not kept under control.
The Zero-tail currently submits to the Land of Demons only due to its lack of power, lying dormant for now.
Once it becomes a Complete Form with the power to resist, it might not obey.
A defiant weapon can only be destroyed.
In the laboratory, inside large glass cylinders, several Tailed Beasts' Chakra are stored, which, under the catalysis of special agents, have grown to possess the physical traits of certain Tailed Beast parts. For the average ninja, this level of power is already more than enough.
By absorbing one, one could easily defeat a Jonin.
Yet, for Hakushi, this is far from complete.
Later production of medicine, development of Ninja Tools, and even the energy supply for large warships may all require Tailed Beast Chakra to cut costs.
Unfortunately, Lin is not a Perfect Jinchuriki, otherwise, the utilization of Tailed Beasts might have taken a giant leap forward.
Gazing towards the glass cylinder containing the Zero-tail, its large, pitch-black serpentine body lay coiled inside, resembling a meticulously crafted biological specimen.
The eerie, pale mask on its face slightly opens a slit, revealing a blood-colored light with shades of shadow.
Though it seems devoid of murderous intent, Hakushi knows that the Zero-tail is likely seeking an opportunity to escape.
However, the glass cylinder containing it is equipped with the highest level of Chakra suppression, and its sturdy material makes it impossible to be easily damaged by even powerful Ninja Techniques.
The solution in which its body is immersed is also a specially formulated agent by Hakushi, which keeps it lethargic to prevent a violent escape and unnecessary commotion.
On the lab table lies a purification device. The conduit stores the Zero-tail's body fragments, composed of pure Dark Chakra, filled with intense sorrow and despair.