Under the shading tree, Hakushi found the Nokizaru Group led by Insect Man.
"Judging by your fruitless return, it seems Woods Village has indeed been wiped out."
"Yes, Lord Hakushi."
Insect Man spoke truthfully.
Although the Nokizaru Group's inadequate handling was part of the reason, they did not expect the Raikage from Hidden Cloud Village to retaliate against Woods Village so decisively, leaving no time for reaction.
This led to the bounty task being interrupted.
But failure is failure, so Insect Man would not look for excuses.
After all, for the Nokizaru Group, who mingle in the Underground Black Market, it's impossible to guarantee a 100% task completion rate.
Even Undead Kakuzu, in his past Underground Black Market tasks, had a completion rate of just over ninety percent. Currently, the Nokizaru Group's completion rate also fluctuates around this value.
"Additionally, there's another matter worth noting."
Insect Man recalled something and said.
"What?"
"The bigwigs behind the Underground Black Market platform, along with bounty hunters relying on the platform for survival, are very dissatisfied with the Land of Demons eliminating the Black Market platforms. Some capable bounty hunters might be incited by the bigwigs behind the scenes to recklessly attempt assassination on Lord Hakushi as a form of intimidation."
After all, the Land of Demons not only cleared its own domestic Black Market platforms but also inflicted a destructive blow on the Black Market platforms in surrounding small countries.
This undoubtedly shrinks the trading market of the Underground Black Market, harming the interests of the Black Market platform.
Consequently, the interests of the Black Market platform also adversely affect the income of bounty hunters who depend on the platform for survival.
Even though the Black Market platform hasn't acted yet, if the Land of Demons continues to expand its influence and cut off the Underground Black Market platforms, it will surely provoke retaliation from the Black Market, angering those lawless bounty hunters.
Simultaneously, it would displease the influential businessmen and officials behind the Black Market platform.
This means that if these businessmen and officials' enemies fled into the Land of Demons' protected area against the Black Market platform, they wouldn't be able to carry out assassination.
Doing so will no doubt directly or indirectly offend many people.
"This situation was anticipated long ago. You just carry out your tasks well in the Underground Black Market; when necessary, you can act as insiders and eliminate the Black Market forces from within."
Hakushi wasn't surprised.
His directives to the military to cut off Black Market platforms near the Land of Demons were bound to face counterattacks and retaliation from the Black Market platforms.
Based on the character of those businessmen and officials controlling the Black Market platforms, they wouldn't stand idly by.
The open threat from the Land of Demons has been removed, using these insignificant underground forces for training is a decent choice.
In his vision, the Underground Black Market, a platform filled with dark nature trading, was always the major target for elimination and shouldn't exist in the world.
With the Nokizaru Group as insiders, it's sufficient to grasp the dynamics of the Underground Black Market at the first moment.
"Yes!"
A sharp glint flashed in the eyes of Insect Man and others.
These years, the five of them not only simply completed bounty tasks in the Underground Black Market, but also covertly explored the various intricate behind-the-scenes of the Underground Black Market. Constantly touring multiple places, locating every nation's stronghold.
Simultaneously, they secretly hunted down those bounty hunters, businessmen, and officials who posed a threat to the Land of Demons.
After all, the rapid development and astonishing wealth of the Land of Demons have already sparked many envious desires.
The war between the Land of Demons and the Underground Black Market has long begun.
And the path the Land of Demons is destined to take will inevitably disturb the interests of most vested interests, knocking them out of the heavens down into the dust.
"Go ahead, the remaining troops of the Underground Black Market, a total of one hundred thirty-two people, will also join you in the hunting action."
Hakushi waved his hand.
Insect Man and the other five nodded, and with a swoosh, used Instantaneous Body Jutsu to vanish from the spot.
"It seems the Underground Black Market is not much of a concern now."
Raidenmaru, standing on Hakushi's shoulder, said.
"This chaotic Black Market platform never posed a threat. Not only are there few experts, but they are also a group of desperadoes selling their lives for money. When faced with real mortal threats, they cherish their lives more than anyone else. Fighting them is just a minor skirmish."
"True. The Black Market's power is too dispersed. If it were concentrated, it might pose a bit of a challenge."
But that's an impossible thing to happen.
There are too many influential businessmen and officials behind the Black Market, divided into dozens or hundreds of factions; the secret contest between Konoha's high-ranking Hokage and Root has already rendered Konoha exhausted. The difficulty in integrating the power scattered into dozens or hundreds of Underground Black Markets is imaginable.
Hakushi did not reply but walked out of the cave, coming to an open space in a forest, he said:
"From here on, let's separate. You head to the Land of Waves to assist the operation. I will return alone, no need for you to follow."
"Yes, then I'll take my leave, father."
Raidenmaru nodded slightly, jumped off Hakushi's shoulder, and swiftly ran with four limbs, transforming into a dazzling blue lightning disappearing among the dense trees.
Watching Raidenmaru depart, Hakushi withdrew his gaze and hurried back in the direction of the Land of Demons.
◎
Night fell.
"Uh, Lady Tsunade, we'll be on the road tomorrow, it's better not to drink too much tonight... Moreover, drinking too much is not good for your health."