Kakuzu and Hizashi Earth Flow into Konoha.
Just like when the Kirigakure first arrived...
Kakuzu showed a surprised expression at the fact that Konoha had been expanded with a large amount of money invested in it.
As a ninja who is knowledgeable about money and has some understanding of economics...
Kakuzu understands the true value of this.
"This is not the level Hidden Village should have. A single ninja mission cannot support such a massive peripheral business district. The economic center of the Land of Fire is no longer the capital, but Konoha..."
" Konoha is a ninja community, it shouldn't become such a large consumer market. This doesn't align with the conservative attitude ninjas should have towards money. Don't they keep any money for their own survival?"
Kakuzu and Hizashi walked side by side, observing and analyzing with furrowed brows:
"This shows that the Konoha Ninja are very confident in the village's future, and the village has probably provided them with some kind of guarantee, which is why they dare to spend money."
Hizashi glanced at Kakuzu with considerable surprise.
Where's the ruthless bounty hunter we were promised? This guy's clearly a brilliant economist with keen insight!
They were able to glean so much information just by scanning the outer perimeter of Konoha...
Hizashi suppressed his unease.
He had initially thought that even if a missing-nin from a Small Hidden Village had lived for many years and possessed secret techniques, he shouldn't be so highly regarded by the Lord Hokage... Hizashi slapped himself hard.
Snap!
Kakuzu looked at him suspiciously. "Hey, what are you doing?"
"I am repenting."
Hizashi Hyuga bluntly stated, "I initially thought you were just a fame-seeker, but I've discovered you have real talent..."
"I shouldn't have even the slightest doubt about the Lord Hokage's judgment..."
"This is self-punishment."
Kakuzu frowned. "Are you from the Main Branch or Branch Family? You should be from the Branch Family... Your thoughts and actions, even in the Warring States Period, would be considered feudal..."
In Kakuzu's view, Hizashi's almost fanatical "blind loyalty" was a product of being domesticated by the Main Branch.
He had a negative impression of the village as a whole and was very disgusted by this behavior, which was almost a loss of personal dignity.
"I did separate from the Branch Family, but it's different from what you think..."
Hizashi Hyuga's Byakugan seemed to see into Kakuzu's mind. "I am not blindly loyal, but as a man, I should know how to repay kindness."
"Before following the Lord Hokage, I was a servant and dog of the Main Branch, with no freedom whatsoever."
"After following the Lord Hokage, I became a respected Konoha Committee Member. Even if I said something controversial at a village-wide meeting, the Lord Hokage would protect me with his reputation."
" Hyuga, the Branch Family of Hyuga is no longer oppressed by the Main Branch. Everyone is under the protection of the village, has access to the outside world, and has their own careers and pursuits."
Hizashi Hyuga said coldly:
"Even the Main Branch, the Lord Hokage considered their gains and losses, and wanted to compensate them by finding them decent jobs..." "This is the Will of Fire. It's normal that you don't understand, but don't make wild guesses with your ridiculous thinking."
This time, it was Kakuzu's turn to remain silent.
To repay a debt of gratitude?
He agrees with this viewpoint.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have refused to accept missions related to the Land of Fire and Konoha until now.
However, Kakuzu was relatively tactful; in his view, Hashirama's debt of gratitude had been repaid in fifty years.
Because a ninja's lifespan of fifty years is considered a long life, it can be regarded as a lifetime...
"Not only did they grant the Hyuga Branch Family a certain degree of freedom, but they also took care of the Main Branch?" Kakuzu slowly pondered Hizashi's words. The Hyuga's Caged Bird was a well-known tale in the Shinobi World...
Has this so-called clan rule, passed down for thousands of years, actually been broken by Hiruzen Sarutobi?
" The Hokage truly lives up to his reputation as the man who broke the Ninja Code; I misspoke."
Kakuzu bowed slightly. "I'm sorry."
Hizashi nodded. "It's alright, you're not Konoha Ninja after all, and I'm reasonable too..."
" The Lord Hokage told me that you would probably be very interested in Konoha's policies, and given your experience, you would also be very concerned about the Uchiha Yashiro. The Yashiro is on his way."
" The Lord Hokage hopes you'll visit Konoha more often and then go talk to him."
Hizashi activated his Byakugan, staring at Kakuzu's large bags and the scrolls he carried: "Ahead lies the core area of Konoha..." "What are you carrying? I sensed an unusual Chakra reaction, and my Anbu colleagues are also using jutsu to warn me to be careful." Kakuzu taken aback; Konoha's security was much stricter than he had imagined.
He hasn't been able to figure out what technique the invisible surveillance is using yet...
It also has real-time communication capabilities.
In Konoha today, security can be roughly divided into three layers.
The first layer consists of Patrol Force on the outskirts of the village, mainly composed of the Aburame and Inuzuka Clan.
The second layer is the commercial area surrounding Konoha, where Hyuga Clan Anbu scan the coming and going merchants, along with some members of the Military Police Force. The third layer is the gathering area for ninjas entering Konoha, also known as the Inner Ring.
It is guarded by personnel from the Military Police Force, the Anbu, and the Root.
Intelligence and perception sharing were conducted with the Yamanaka Clan ninjas as the core, while the Nara Clan ninjas took overall control of the village's dynamic defense forces. After Konoha's financial revenue increased, some ninjas who were not good at front-line combat found full-time jobs in the Military Police Force based on their expertise, such as "operators" and "dispatchers".
Important research institutes and Intelligence Department have relocated next to the Senju Ancestral Residence, Mito Uzumaki occasionally activates her Mind's Eye of the Kagura and Malice Sensing to extract information...
"Some gifts for the Lord Hokage and Lady Mito, including economic intelligence from other Hidden Village, and some old artifacts from the Warring States Period..." Kakuzu slowly said, "The scroll on my back contains a sealed corpse, a Storm Release ninja from Kumogakure, Teuchi on the road..." He continued, "I thought it might be of some value to Konoha, Lord Hokage paid me a deposit, allowing me to freely collect Material beneficial to Konoha. This is one of those orders."
"Of course, whether or not to do so depends on the Lord Hokage's decision. I don't engage in forced sales."
Hizashi blinked.
Just a few days ago, the Lord Hokage said that the long-range attack and tracking capabilities of Storm Release are a good match for the Byakugan...
He was told not to rush things, not to take the risk of developing a Kekkei Genkai that wasn't right for him, and that good things come to those who wait...
So it was delivered right to my lips?
Hizashi was momentarily speechless, recalling a casual remark made by Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Those who follow the right path receive much help; those who stray from it receive little."
" Hizashi, I've arrived..."
"This must be Mr. Kakuzu, right? I am Uchiha Yashiro..." Yashiro walked over with a smile.
After the incident involving the Ancient Mirror, Hiruzen Sarutobi held Fireside Chat with him to discuss the matter, which ironically transformed him from a "sinner" into a household name...
Everyone knows that Yashiro is a ninja who, even when facing powerful enemies, still thinks about protecting his comrades. People in the village always greet him with a smile, even if they didn't know him before...
As a result, the reputation of the Uchiha Clan also improved considerably.
From his previous arrogance, indifference, and haughtiness, he has become, in some people's eyes, "Just not good with words, but surprisingly reliable when things get tough..." "Okay, then I'll be going now." Hizashi nodded.
"Mr. Kakuzu, which part of Konoha would you like to see?" Yashiro asked with a smile.
"May I learn about Konoha's various systems and regulations?" Kakuzu asked tentatively.
The village's system is a piece of information, neither too big nor too small, and it is relatively kept secret from ninjas from other villages.
"That's easy, let me think..." Yashiro Kakuzu said unexpectedly.
"Then let's go to the Uchiha Clan Compound. Clan Leader Isshin and Fugaku have recently put a lot of effort into setting up Model Bulletin Board. The village's policies and the essence of the Lord Hokage's speeches are all on it..."
"We also invited Koharu and Yan, advisors from the Administrative Department, to provide an official interpretation to help everyone understand."
"You know what, it's actually quite effective. A lot of ninjas have come to the Uchiha Clan Compound to sit and stroll around because of this Notice Board..." Kakuzu nodded silently.
He discovered that Konoha's uniqueness compared to other Hidden Village was reflected in every aspect.
Even the smallest things are done differently from others...
"Let's go, let's drop off our luggage at the Police Force first. You're always carrying so much stuff, it's too conspicuous..." Yashiro hummed a little tune as he walked ahead. The two of them made their way to the Konoha Police Force.
In the past, although the Police Force had great power, its office space was only a two-story semi-circular building.
The Uchiha Clan Crest is inlaid in the center of the second floor, along with the words " Konoha Police Force ".
Many ninjas found this appearance somewhat strange.
After all, apart from the Uchiha, no other Ninja Clan has such complete control over a department...
With funding from the village, the Police Force has now built a magnificent high-rise building.
The Uchiha Clan Crest has long since disappeared, replaced by a large Konoha emblem.
Several eye-catching banners were also stretched from top to bottom.
"Strictly abide by Konoha's discipline and remain forever loyal to the Hokage."
"No police matter is insignificant; peace and tranquility warm people's hearts."
"With the force of thunder, chaos is quelled; with the heart of rock, the village is protected."
"Shouldering the heavy responsibility of guarding, embodying the Will of Fire."
Kakuzu's lips twitched slightly as he watched.
Although he hadn't been to Konoha for a long time, the awkward relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha was widely known throughout the Shinobi World...
The reason is simple: who doesn't know the story of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama?
The Valley of the End is considered one of the most famous tourist attractions in the Land of Fire.
The Uchiha, once renowned throughout the Shinobi World, disappeared from the battlefield for over thirty years, only recently reminding ninjas of the Sharingan's terrifying power...
"How was it? Not bad, right?"
With his arms crossed, Yashiro proudly declared:
"The measures conceived by the Clan Leader Isshin were personally suggested by the Lord Hokage, and the words 'Konoha Police Force' were even written by the Lord Hokage himself..." "Look at the back of this plaque; it's filled with red and white, elements of the Uchiha Clan."
" The Lord Hokage believed that although the current Military Police Force are not entirely composed of Uchiha clan members, their past contributions should not be forgotten, so he deliberately incorporated elements of the clan into them..."
"Sigh! The Lord Hokage is always so considerate..."
Kakuzu rubbed his temples; he felt as if he were under Genjutsu...
Rumors of a thaw in the underground Bounty Office had already circulated about the improved relations between Konoha and the Uchiha.
Many believe that the two sides have reached a certain level of thaw, but the specific progress No-Man. Some intelligence experts speculate that this may be a sign that the Uchiha has gained the upper hand over Hiruzen Sarutobi...
After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was Senju Tobirama's apprentice.
In the Shinobi World, if a disciple disobeys his master's will, especially if the master is the former Hokage...
This is something that can easily be blown out of proportion.
Kakuzu seeing this, Kakuzu couldn't help but shed his illusions about the so-called experts on the Exchange Office.
The logic of the analysis may be plausible, but the result is utterly wrong!
Is this still the Uchiha?
Is this all the Anbu directly under the Kage of Major Hidden Villages are capable of?
"Hey, young lady, you'd better be careful..."
"At your age, you have to be careful when walking. If you feel unwell in the next couple of days, just let us know, and I'll have someone bring you some food after get off work..."
Not far away, Uchiha Hono helped an elderly woman who almost slipped while crossing the street and said gently.
"Oh dear, I was afraid of causing you trouble..."
"No problem, no problem! I have a subsidy from the village. I can just ask a few recent graduates to run errands for me, and it'll be good for them to earn some pocket money..."
The elderly woman who was being helped up said with a smile:
"But you, at your age, are still working? Your health is much better than mine, Uchiha Hono. You've probably forgotten about me; we fought each other decades ago..."
Uchiha Hono was taken aback. Who is this?
"I am from the Senju Clan..."
The old lady raised her eyebrows:
"How did you lose your arm? I saw it happen... Your Fire Release killed many of my clansmen back then, no wonder the Second cut you off."
"Hey! Why do you keep bringing up the past, little sister!"
Uchiha Hono wasn't annoyed at all, and cheerfully raised his arms. " Senju Tobirama cut off my arms, but the Lord Hokage reattached them for me..."
"Now I've even adopted a godson, who knows, he might become Konoha Committee Member someday!"
"The past is all that old bastard Senju Tobirama's fault. If he had died a little earlier and passed the leadership to the Lord Third, Konoha would have unified the Shinobi World long ago!"
The old woman, Senju, rolled her eyes at Uchiha Hono: "What nonsense! The Second died young. If he hadn't died on the battlefield helping the Lord Third stabilize the political situation, Konoha could have developed much faster..."
"Anyway, the timing of his death was off!" Uchiha Hono chuckled.
The old lady with the Senju nodded with a sigh, "That's not quite right..."
Two former adversaries from the Warring States Period have surprisingly reached a kind of reconciliation at this moment because of Senju Tobirama.
Time can heal most scars.
It's just that because of the past, they need a dignified way out for each other, which is commonly known as "taking the blame".
Senju Tobirama played this role very well.
Kakuzu watched this scene and felt it was quite magical.
"When Senju Tobirama died, the Uchiha and Konoha were locked in a fierce struggle..."
"So, death would allow the Senju and Uchiha to reunite?"
"Sometimes the dead are more useful than the living..." Kakuzu thought to himself.
"Yo!" Uchiha Hono spotted the Yashiro and Kakuzu, greeted them loudly, and whispered to the old lady Senju, "Let's chat again sometime..."
He then strode over. "You're Kakuzu, right? Thank you for your cooperation with the village, otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to reattach my arm..." As he spoke, Uchiha Hono rolled up his sleeve, revealing the black lines of Earth Grudge Fear wrapped around his shoulder:
" Yashiro man, treat them well! Here's the money, use it to buy them a meal later!"
"I'm on duty today, I'll be going now!" Uchiha Hono smiled at Kakuzu, stuffed a stack of banknotes into the Yashiro without saying a word, and waved his hand casually.
Yashiro sighed helplessly, "That old man Yan, really..."
"That must be worth 100,000 taels, right? Are all the ninjas in Konoha this generous?" Kakuzu couldn't help but ask.
"Not all of them, Old Man Yan is a bit of a special case," Yashiro said speechlessly.
"He receives three subsidies! A subsidy for elderly people living alone, his salary plus a pay raise from the Military Police Force, and an allowance for his temporary role as an instructor in Patrol Force. Minato also occasionally gives him cigarettes and alcohol..."
"Old Man Yan always says he has more money than he can spend, so he's always willing to give money to people he meets, especially the students at the Ninja Academy. He's practically a god of God of Wealth to them." "Sometimes when there are disputes in the village over money or something, Old Man Yan sometimes solves the problem out of his own pocket. He has prestige, so no one dares to go too far..." Yashiro muttered to himself.
Kakuzu's face was filled with confusion.
no...
Do the veteran ninjas of Konoha spend money like this?
besides...
Kakuzu had assumed that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted his Earth Grudge Fear technique to replicate it, but it turned out to be for limb regeneration technology for disabled ninjas? "How much did he spend to repair his arm?" Kakuzu asked instinctively.
"It didn't cost any money... Old Man Yan was among the first batch of volunteers, so he didn't have to pay."
"If the disability is due to work-related injury, there's no charge. I honestly don't know how much it costs for personal reasons."
The Uchiha Yashiro pondered, "It shouldn't be too expensive. Tsunade and Orochimaru said the Konoha Mutual Aid Fund is used for medical purposes, and there will be special discounts allocated to it in the future..."
Kakuzu let out a long breath.
He understood...
Konoha is not only incredibly wealthy, but they also spend it extravagantly.
To Kakuzu, this gleaming silver was like a torrential downpour showering down on the ninjas...
"What kind of ninja can enjoy this kind of treatment?" Kakuzu's tone carried a hint of anxiety.
He wasn't saying he wanted it too...
He possesses the body of Earth Grudge Fear and has at least several hundred more years to live, so he doesn't need ordinary Medical Ninjutsu.
But if all Konoha Ninja could enjoy it...
Kakuzu subconsciously feels that his values, which he has held for decades, are about to collapse!
So not all Hidden Village are the same? Then he's wasted decades of his life!
"Students from the Ninja Academy should be eligible, right?"
"Wait a moment, I'll help you put your luggage away. Don't worry, no one will touch it." Yashiro took the luggage from Kakuzu and walked into the Military Police Force. A moment later.
The Yashiro Hokage, accompanied by the silent Kakuzu, arrived at the demonstration notice board at the entrance of the Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Subsidies for the elderly and orphans."
" Pension fallen ninjas."
" Hardship Post Allowance, and recognition for the Root of the Firmament."
"Public disclosure of procurement for public facilities and scientific research funding."
"The distribution and system of Childbirth Subsidy."
"The full text of the Lord Hokage's Fireside Chat is included."
Kakuzu seemed to be under Genjutsu, his deep green pupils fixed on the contents of the Notice Board.
Uchiha Yashiro stood silently beside him, reading the contents of their Fireside Chat.
This is a classic he never tires of, to the point that he can recite it from memory.
This is also why he has decided to report to the Lord Hokage and apply to join Root!
People should know how to be grateful...
A moment later.
A voice that Kakuzu recognized rang out, but the content didn't sound like what the voice's owner should be saying...
" Fugaku, Isshin!"
"I, Uchiha Danzo before; it was my fault, I was narrow-minded!"
"From now on, let's work hard together in the Anbu and the Police Force, and give our all for the village and the Hokage! Don't worry about Aosui with me; I'll give him all my resources. He has the potential to be Hokage!"
Kakuzu and Yashiro turned around together and saw a scene that left them speechless.
Danzo, with his arms around Fugaku and Isshin's shoulders, his flushed face reeking of alcohol, spoke loudly.
The once-powerful Darkness of the Shinobi now resembles a drunkard...
Tobirama followed silently behind them, his expression complex, but inwardly he was quite satisfied...
Danzo's attitude was the only one he could barely accept!