Three Years Later

Time always slips away when one is not paying attention.

Three years passed by in the blink of an eye, quietly sliding away.

Over these three years, Konoha underwent subtle, transformative changes.

"Ahhh, the new Konoha Daily is out! Everyone, hurry and grab one!"

"Really! Konoha Daily! Is there any news about Lord Itachi in there?"

"There definitely will be! Lord Itachi just returned from a mission two days ago. Following the Konoha Daily's usual practice, they'll definitely have a detailed report on his heroic deeds!"

"It's really here! It's really here! Lord Itachi defeated twelve jonin with ease and secured victory for the mission!"

"Really? Let me see! Ahhh, there's even a close-up photo of Lord Itachi. He's so handsome!"

"So handsome! The specks of blood on his face make him look dashing amidst his handsomeness."

"I can't take it anymore, I'm going to faint!"

Similar scenes were playing out in every street and alley of Konoha.

Regardless of gender or age, everyone held a beautifully crafted sheet of paper in their hands, discussing it with great excitement.

A year ago, a company called 'Konoha Daily' suddenly appeared in Konoha, publishing an issue every seven days.

Konoha Daily featured many sections, such as the business section, the ninjutsu forum, and the section for curious anecdotes.

Among them, the one people talked about most was the section dedicated to the "Heroes of Konoha."

It contained detailed records of the heroic deeds performed by Konoha ninja during their missions.

And the most hotly discussed topic was the number one person on the annual hero rankings: Uchiha Itachi!

At this moment, thanks to the vigorous promotion by Konoha Daily, Itachi's influence had quietly made him the number one person in Konoha.

The residential district of the Uchiha Clan in Konoha.

Inside a quaint, traditional courtyard.

In this small courtyard stood a large, lush tree with thick, dense branches.

Under the tree, three people sat leisurely.

"Kei, how did you ever think of starting the Konoha Daily?"

Among the three, a person with delicate, girl-like features took a sip of tea and looked toward his side.

"Driven by necessity, I suppose. Just doing some business to make some money."

Beside him was a man with sharp, rugged features and a spirited air.

The man casually adjusted the ninja headband hanging around his neck and shifted into a more comfortable sitting position.

"Driven by necessity..."

The girl-like person curled his lip.

No one in Konoha would believe that statement.

He franchised Ichiraku Ramen and expanded it across all five Ninja Villages.

He established Meiyou Delivery, with a constant stream of delivery riders weaving through every street and alley of Konoha.

A person like that claimed he was driven by necessity?

Even a dog wouldn't believe that!

"But Kei, wasn't today's report a bit much?"

Opposite the two sat a young man with deep tear troughs.

At this moment, the young man's face was flushed red, and he looked quite embarrassed.

"Too much? My Konoha Daily only reports the truth. You did indeed take down twelve jonin by yourself."

"They were special jonin; there is a significant difference compared to true jonin."

The young man with tear troughs rubbed his head helplessly.

"Lord Itachi, Itachi the God, regardless of how much difference there is in strength, just tell me: were they jonin or not?"

"They were, but..."

"No 'buts.' The authority of the Konoha Daily is beyond question."

"Hahahaha."

Hearty laughter rang out in the small courtyard.

These three were the pillars of the Uchiha Clan's younger generation.

Uchiha Shisui, known as 'Shisui the Flashing.'

The most influential 'Itachi the God'—Uchiha Itachi.

And Uchiha Kei, who held the title of the 'God of Wealth.'

Any one of these three possessed unparalleled influence within Konoha.

In three years, Uchiha Kei utilized his experience from his previous life to successfully build his own commercial empire in Konoha.

Nowadays, even Sarutobi Hiruzen would greet Uchiha Kei with a smile.

"Kei, I've already gained control of three out of the five Anbu divisions."

Shisui, whose features had become even more refined, spoke about important matters.

"Tsk, as expected of my brother Shisui, to have gained control of more than half the Anbu divisions so quickly."

Uchiha Kei clicked his tongue in amazement.

"Come on, without your terrifying financial support, it wouldn't have been so easy to gain control of the Anbu divisions."

Shisui was self-aware.

Over these three years, Kei had given him hundreds of millions!

With such an astronomical sum, he had managed to win over quite a few of the loyal Anbu members.

"Money is just a tool; what truly earns their trust is your reputation as 'Shisui the Flashing'."

Uchiha Kei saw things very clearly.

Money, whether in his previous life or in the Naruto World, could solve most problems.

However, what couldn't be overlooked was the ninjas' dedication to their own ninja way in the Naruto World.

This was especially true for the Anbu, the direct force of the Hokage.

Shisui's ability to win over three Anbu divisions in three years could only be attributed to his own charisma.

"I've also won over many of the village's clan forces, but unfortunately, the Hyuga, Nara, and a few other major clans have yet to declare their stance."

Itachi, on the other side, rubbed his chin, his expression troubled.

"These clans will never declare their stance."

Uchiha Kei took a sip of tea.

"Currently, the commoners in the village basically all support Itachi, and with a few smaller families, our overt strength is no less than the Hokage's forces."

"If they were to declare their stance as well, the village would fall into chaos."

Shisui looked at him curiously.

"Why don't you count my three Anbu divisions? They represent more than half of the Anbu's strength."

Uchiha Kei shook his head.

"Brother Shisui, you might misunderstand their role."

"Misunderstand?"

Shisui didn't understand his meaning.

"Although the three Anbu divisions have been won over by you, if our conflict with the Hokage escalates, who do you think they will stand with?"

"Naturally, they'll be on our side."

Shisui said as a matter of course.

Uchiha Kei repeatedly shook his head.

"They will stand with the Hokage."

Itachi smiled at Shisui.

"How is that possible? They are all taking orders from me now!"

Shisui couldn't believe this.

He was confident in his absolute control over both the captains and members of these three Anbu divisions.

"When we have no conflict with the Hokage, they will naturally listen to you."

"However, once our conflict with the Hokage intensifies, their ninja way will not allow them to stand with us."

"They are loyal to the Hokage, and even more loyal to Konoha!"

Shisui opened his mouth, sighed after a long moment, and no longer argued.

Because...

He knew that Kei and Itachi were correct.

"It's fine, given the current situation, Itachi is definitely the Fifth Hokage."

"What we lack now is not strength."

Shisui was still somewhat dejected and asked dully, "Not strength? Then what is it?"

Uchiha Kei turned his gaze to Itachi.

Itachi understood immediately, stood up, and said, "What we lack is timing."

Shisui scratched his head. "Without absolute strength, what use is timing?"

"That timing is when the Third Hokage can no longer be the Hokage!"

Shisui paused, then abruptly stood up.

"Kei, what do you mean? While I also want Itachi to become Hokage, it can't be under the condition that the Third Hokage meets with misfortune!"

Shisui stared at Uchiha Kei, a hint of anger in his eyes.

He could allow himself to use money to win over three Anbu squads.

But he would never permit himself, Kei, or Itachi to do anything that harmed the village!

Never!

Itachi patted his shoulder helplessly.

"Brother Shisui, Kei doesn't mean it like that."

"Then what does he mean? Other than dying, how else can the Third Hokage cease to be the Hokage?"

Shisui was still somewhat indignant.

"Brother Shisui, you've forgotten someone."

Itachi turned to look at Uchiha Kei, and both of them broke into smiles.

"Danzo!"