Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 353 The Finance Minister is up to something.

Hyuga Mirror floats in mid-air, looking down at the vast ocean below.

He had been wandering around this area for seven days, but still couldn't find the exact location of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

Giant Turtle Island itself is a giant sea turtle that has lived for thousands of years, and the island on its back changes position as the sea turtle moves.

Furthermore, the Hidden Cloud Village had set up numerous sealing barriers and sensory shielding devices on the island, making it impossible for even the Tenseigan's perception to lock onto the target in a short time.

"They've kept it well hidden," Hyuga Kagami muttered to himself, withdrawing his gaze. "Looks like it won't be possible to switch places anytime soon. Oh well, there'll always be another chance."

Just then, a cicada-like insect in his arms chirped, "Master is calling! Master is calling!"

Hyuga Kagami pinched the back of the Jade Cicada, and a sound came from inside. After listening to the message, he smiled slightly, "Interesting. I didn't expect everyone in the organization to be so talented. In that case, I might as well go and take a look."

The Land of Earth, Tagawa District.

The Ida family's residence is located on the largest commercial street in Tagawa County. From the outside, it looks like just a large trading company, but the layout inside is full of surprises.

Only by passing through three courtyards and two hidden doors can one enter the true core area, a secret room filled with maps and intelligence materials.

When Hinata Kagami entered the secret room, Ida Ryuji was standing in front of a huge map of the Land of Earth, drawing circles on the map with his finger.

"You're here?" Ryuji Ida didn't even turn his head, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Hinata Kagami sat down in the chair, crossed his legs, and watched with great interest as the middle-aged businessman paced back and forth in front of the map.

Ryuji Ida is over fifty years old, but his hair is still thick and black. Although he hides it well, his chakra is unusually abundant.

It seems he has taken quite a few longevity-promoting insect medicines over the years.

"To be honest, I'm just a junior in your eyes. I wonder what business you, the Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs, have with a newcomer like me?"

Ryuji Ida turned around, placed his hands on the table, and stared intently at Kagami Hyuga.

"I want to steal the country."

Hinata Kagami raised an eyebrow but did not interrupt him.

"The daimyo of the Land of Earth is fifty-seven years old this year. His health is declining year by year, but he still refuses to relinquish power. He has three princes. The eldest prince is mediocre and incompetent, the second prince is cruel and heartless, and the third prince is somewhat capable, but unfortunately his mother is of low birth and he has few supporters in the court."

"so what?"

"So—" Ryuji Ida took a deep breath, "I want my son to become the daimyo."

The room fell silent instantly. Hinata Kagami looked at Ida Ryuji with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

So, is this the Lord's will, or a private action?

It appears to be a private matter, but it's unclear whether it was reported to God.

What makes you think it can succeed?

Ryuji Ida picked up a thick document from the table and handed it to Kagami Hyuga.

Hinata Kagami took the document and opened it.

It contains densely packed records of all the nobles in the Land of Earth, including each person's personality, weaknesses, political leanings, financial situation, and any leverage they might have.

Some of the information was so detailed that it even specified how many mistresses the other party had and which street their illegitimate children were hiding on.

"My son spent fifteen years exploring the Land of Earth from top to bottom."

With a hint of pride on his face, Ryuji Ida said, "I know exactly who can be bribed, who cannot be offended, and who must be eliminated."

Hinata Mirror closed the file without commenting.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Ryuji Ida assumed that he was still hesitating, so he changed his tone and lowered his voice, saying, "Besides, this is the Lord's will."

Hinata Kagami's brow twitched slightly, and he even suppressed the urge to laugh.

"Although the Lord did not say it explicitly, the hints were enough."

Ryuji Ida's eyes turned fanatical, a look that Hyuga Kagami had seen before—the look in the eyes of devout believers, in the eyes of those who firmly believed they possessed the truth.

"Look at the system our Lord gave us—it's interconnected, with clear division of responsibilities, progressive layers, and logically consistent. It's not something a mere researcher could design casually. It was prepared for rule, for managing a vast country!"

Ryuji Ida became increasingly excited as he spoke, his voice gradually rising: "And then there are the Five Elements Celestial Palaces, scattered throughout the ninja world, each controlling the core resources of a region. You think the Lord only did this for the convenience of research? No, it's a strategic plan! It's laying the groundwork for the future unification of the ninja world!"

Hinata Kagami looked at him, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Your idea is good, but I haven't finished the task the Lord gave me, so I'm sorry I can't participate."

Ryuji Ida was taken aback: "Why?"

"Because I think—" Hyuga Kagami paused, carefully choosing his words, "Our lord probably doesn't want outsiders to know that we belong to the same system."

Ryuji Ida's eyes suddenly lit up, and then he showed a knowing expression.

"I understand, I understand."

He nodded repeatedly, his face beaming with even greater excitement.

"Indeed, it's too early to act now. Our lord has a far-reaching plan, and we, as his subordinates, must not be too hasty, lest we ruin his grand scheme!"

Hyuga Kagami looked at his "I have figured out the Emperor's intentions" expression and did not expose him.

He didn't actually think that Shisei Aburame had any ambition to unify the ninja world.

That lord, in the end, is just a research enthusiast. He is only interested in insects, souls, and all things unknown now.

As for conquering various countries, establishing celestial palaces, and gathering subordinates, those are merely incidental matters, basic work that must be done to better conduct research.

But Ryuji Ida clearly doesn't think so.

In Ryuji Ida's eyes, every action of his lord had a profound meaning, every word was a sacred decree, and even a fart could be some kind of mysterious hint.

Hyuga Kagami has seen many people like this.

They need faith, they need a goal greater than themselves to support their ambitions.

Rather than saying they were following the Lord, it would be more accurate to say they were following an imagined Lord.

But... this is fine too.

Ambitious people have motivation, and motivated people are the ones who succeed. As for what happens after success, that's a matter for later.

"However—I do have some immature suggestions." Hinata Kagami's fingers twirled on the rim of the hot teacup, and some interesting ideas suddenly popped into his mind.

He was eager to see what would happen if these people were allowed to run wild.

Moreover, if this person makes a mistake, Kakuzu will also be implicated, which would reduce the number of competitors.