Mire answered casually.
"Trouble?"
"Because whenever I see someone, the scene of their death appears before my eyes. Even if I initially come with a good mood for a hike, upon seeing the various ways people die, it's inevitable to feel bad. It's better to stay in the shrine than to feel gloomy like that."
"I see."
Hakushi hadn't expected that Mire's reluctance to go out was due to this.
Thinking of it this way, being a witch doesn't seem to be an easy job.
But what exactly this foresight entails is probably some kind of jutsu.
Hakushi didn't delve deeper into this matter with Mire, as he wasn't interested in the so-called future.
Having received the answer he wanted, Hakushi left the shrine.
◎
With Mire's approval, Hakushi began drastic military reforms within the Land of Demons.
Actually, this task wasn't complicated at all. Simply put, it was to merge Hakushi's organization with the existing army of the Land of Demons into one whole entity.
Although they became one whole, the two parties only shared a common name. Their assigned work remained the same as before, with no differences.
Hakushi had considered this matter long ago.
But back then, he needed to familiarize himself with the political environment of the Land of Demons, so he didn't rashly propose this idea.
Now that the timing was right, he could transform the existing organization into a military department of the Land of Demons, thus obtaining an official status, no longer a civilian organization, which would simplify many things.
For Hakushi's convenience, the Mire Witch even granted him the official position of Minister of Military Affairs of the Land of Demons, though it wasn't announced publicly, given his identity as a Konoha Renegade Ninja, which was unsuitable for such high-profile exposure.
Before this, the Land of Demons didn't have a Minister of Military Affairs position. It was a role created and inserted by Mire upon Hakushi's proposal for military unification.
"I didn't expect you, little Hakushi, to become a high-ranking official of the Land of Demons so quickly. Congratulations!"
Coming to discuss some matters with Uchiha Miyoko, Hakushi saw her sitting in the guest room, kneeling there in a brightly colored and gorgeous kimono, holding a paper fan. Her smile didn't at all resemble a middle-aged woman with a twenty-year-old daughter.
"Aunt Miyoko, aren't you also holding a position in the Land of Demons?"
Hakushi recalled that Miyoko was also appointed as an official in the Land of Demons, though under an alias.
"Can't compare to yours. After all, my husband and I are merchants, making money is our main business. And no need to be so formal, you can call me Mom. Anyway, you and Ruri will get married sooner or later, I can't wait to hold a grandchild."
Miyoko seemed to be hinting something furiously.
Hakushi was unsure how to respond to that.
Miyoko teased for a while, then asked:
"So, what brings you to me, little Hakushi? Anything you want to ask?"
"About the Mire Witch."
"The Mire Witch? What about her?"
Miyoko tilted her head.
"I didn't expect the Mire Witch to grant me such an important position. Aunt Miyoko, you've known the Mire Witch for a long time, right?"
"Ah, it's about that. Yes, I've known Mire for a long time. She's someone who seems indifferent to everything, very ethereal and pure. It's not accurate to say she's naive, as she understands the world's principles better than anyone, yet appears uninterested in many things. When Sosuke and I first arrived here, we were in a situation similar to yours, little Hakushi. Perhaps it's related to this country's unique beliefs and culture. Comparing it to the Five Great Nations, this country's existence itself is peculiar."
Miyoko was also baffled, furrowing her brows.
"Indeed."
Hakushi smiled wryly.
The Land of Demons is a country without a daimyo, imbued with a unique witch culture, where all officials and nobles are subordinate to witches.
It has always been this way.
It's a country that doesn't quite seem like a country.
It's essentially a gathering place for witch believers, wrapped in the shell of a country.
Even in remote villages, tales of witches' glorious deeds are widespread, illustrating the deep-rooted influence of such culture and belief.
Its coverage likely influences even the surrounding small nations.
With the information provided by the living slug, there wasn't much about the Land of Demons and the witches, it seems he'll have to gradually uncover the true nature of witches in the future.