The Isolated Island is something Ichihime is aware of.
In the darkness of the Ninja Realm, there exists such a lawless zone left unattended.
It is jointly managed by numerous merchants and officials.
No traces of that isolated island can be found on the Ninja Realm map, as its existence has been deliberately erased.
They claim that as long as you have money, you can buy anything there.
This statement is, of course, somewhat exaggerated, as things like Tailed Beasts cannot be purchased there since those merchants and officials lack the ability to sell Tailed Beasts.
Many other things are also beyond the reach of that island's domain.
But undeniably, the network of connections on that unnamed island is indeed vast.
In the Ninja Realm, money is not omnipotent, but a large amount of money can indeed buy many desired things.
Various evil desires breed there, and insiders refer to it as a place akin to paradise.
Ichihime scoffs at this.
It's nothing but a trick to spend money to avoid disaster. For such a place to exist, I suppose they spend quite a bit every year to bribe officials from various countries.
Only in this way can such a place continue without falling into ruin.
"The island is some distance from the Land of Waves, separated by a large stretch of sea and several countries... Yet it is linked to forbidden medicines capable of unleashing Tailed Beast Chakra."
Ichihime sits there pondering.
She quickly recalls that within the towns of the Land of Waves, there are many special establishments involved in gambling, drugs, and other vices, and plenty of gangsters provide protection for them. Their backing has always been a mystery to her.
If the forces behind these industries are merchants from that unnamed island, then many confusing things can be explained.
The Land of Waves... Isolated Island...
At this thought, Ichihime is suddenly startled.
For she realizes that the Land of Waves is also a small island, geographically isolated, with no means to interact with the outside world except by ship.
Moreover, it is blockaded by pirate forces, yet the Land of Fire shows no response.
This is truly strange.
The Land of Waves is not far from the Land of Fire, a crucial outpost facing the Land of Water, strategically important.
It would not be surprising for the Land of Fire to directly invade and take control of the Land of Waves.
Yet the Land of Fire turns a blind eye, as if unaware of the predicament facing the Land of Waves.
Such a thing is impossible.
If the Land of Fire were truly so sluggish to react, it wouldn't be the leader of the Five Great Nations and would have long been replaced by other major nations.
Is it intentional neglect... or are some officials of the Land of Fire bribed by merchants... or is there a plan among the upper echelons of the Land of Fire regarding the Land of Waves?
All these possibilities exist.
The only known fact is that the Land of Fire has thoroughly understood the conditions within the Land of Waves, rather than being oblivious.
"The Isolated Island... seems necessary to visit and investigate some things."
If the truth is not uncovered, facing the Land of Fire's challenges later, her side will appear quite passive.
Whether Konoha's Root is involved is unknown, but in any case, the current situation is uncertain. If one wants to gain greater initiative in the upcoming actions, the situation on that island must be clarified.
Whether the merchants from the island support the illegal industries behind the Land of Waves.
Whether they've reached secret agreements with high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire, these matters need her, as the person in charge, to investigate personally.
For now, she isn't inclined to trouble Hakushi. She will handle matters regarding the Land of Waves in her own way.
Although she thinks this way, reports must still be made, with timely communication to report the situation. In case of failure in her actions within the Land of Waves, the headquarters can promptly adjust to salvage the situation.
As for how to reach the unnamed island, Ichihime has devised a strategy. Kado, who came with her to the Land of Waves, as the current president of the Shion Flower Shipping Company, surely knows how to reach that island.