Three Years Later

Time always slipped by unnoticed.

Three years had passed like a white horse flashing past a crack in the wall.

Over those three years, Konoha had changed subtly.

"Ahhh, the new issue of the Konoha Daily is out! Hurry and get a copy!"

"Really? The Konoha Daily! Does it have any news about Lord Itachi?"

"Of course! Lord Itachi just returned from a mission two days ago. The Konoha Daily always gives a detailed account of his heroic deeds!"

"It does! It does! Lord Itachi took on twelve Jōnin single-handedly and won the mission without breaking a sweat!"

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

"So handsome! There are flecks of blood on his face, making him look both dashing and noble."

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

Similar scenes played out across Konoha's streets and alleys.

Men and women, young and old, all held beautifully printed sheets of paper and chatted excitedly.

A year ago, a company called the Konoha Daily had suddenly appeared in Konoha, publishing a new issue every seven days.

The Konoha Daily featured many sections, including business, ninjutsu forums, and tales of extraordinary people.

The most popular section was the one hailed as "Konoha's Heroes."

It chronicled in detail the heroic deeds of Konoha Ninja on their missions.

The hottest topic of discussion was the number-one hero of the year: Uchiha Itachi!

Thanks to the Konoha Daily's extensive coverage, Itachi had become the most influential person in Konoha.

Uchiha Clan compound, Konoha.

In a quaint little courtyard.

A large, leafy tree grew in the courtyard.

Beneath it, three people sat at their leisure.

"Kei, how did you come up with the idea of starting the Konoha Daily?"

One of them had delicate features and looked almost like a girl. He took a sip of tea and glanced at the person beside him.

"Needs must. I started a business to make some money."

Beside him sat a man with chiseled features and a spirited air.

The man casually fiddled with the Ninja Headband hanging around his neck, then shifted into a more comfortable position.

"Needs must..."

The delicate-looking young man pursed his lips.

No one in Konoha would believe that.

He had invested in Ichiraku Ramen and opened branches across the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

He had founded Meiyou Delivery, whose couriers streamed endlessly through Konoha's streets and alleys.

And he claimed he was doing it because he had no choice?

Not even a dog would believe that!

"But Kei, wasn't today's article a little over the top?"

Across from them sat a young man with deep tear-troughs.

His face was flushed, and he looked terribly embarrassed.

"Over the top? Everything in my Konoha Daily is true. You did take on twelve Special Jōnin by yourself."

"They were Special Jōnin. There's a huge difference between them and actual Jōnin."

The young man with tear-troughs rubbed his head helplessly.

"Lord Itachi, Itachi the God, no matter how big the difference in strength is, just tell me: are they Jōnin or not?"

"They are, but..."

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

"Hahahaha!"

Laughter rang out through the little courtyard.

These three were the leading figures among the Uchiha Clan's younger generation.

Uchiha Shisui, known as Body Flicker Shisui.

Uchiha Itachi, the most influential of them all, hailed as "Itachi the God."

And Uchiha Kei, known as the "God of Wealth."

Every one of them wielded unparalleled influence in Konoha.

Over the past three years, Uchiha Kei had used the experience he'd gained in his previous life to build his own business empire in Konoha.

These days, even Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled warmly whenever Uchiha Kei came up.

"Kei, there are five Anbu divisions. I've already brought three of them under my control."

Shisui, whose features had grown even more delicate, turned to business.

"Tsk, that's my Shisui, all right. You've already brought more than half the Anbu divisions under your control!"

Uchiha Kei clicked his tongue in amazement.

"Come on. Without your incredible financial backing, bringing the Anbu divisions under my control wouldn't have been so easy."

Shisui knew better than to take all the credit.

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

Even among the fiercely loyal Anbu, quite a few had been won over with that kind of money.

"Money was just a supporting factor. What really earned their trust was your reputation as Body Flicker Shisui."

Uchiha Kei saw things clearly.

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

But one shouldn't underestimate how devoted shinobi in the Naruto World were to their own ninja way.

This was especially true of the Anbu, who served the Hokage directly.

The fact that Shisui had won over three Anbu divisions in three years was ultimately a testament to his own charisma.

"I've also won over quite a few of the village's clans, but the Nara Clan, the Hyuga, and some of the other major clans still haven't declared where they stand."

Across from them, Itachi rubbed his chin, looking troubled.

"Those clans aren't going to take a side."

Uchiha Kei took a sip of tea.

"Most of the villagers already support Itachi, and with a few smaller clans backing us, our strength in the open is already on par with the Hokage's faction."

"If they took a side too, the village would fall into chaos."

Shisui looked at him curiously.

"Why aren't you counting my three Anbu divisions? They make up more than half of the Anbu."

Uchiha Kei shook his head.

"Shisui, you might be mistaken about what they're for."

"Mistaken?"

Shisui didn't understand what he meant.

"Even though you've won over those three Anbu divisions, if our conflict with the Hokage escalates, where do you think they'll stand?"

"Of course they'll stand with us."

Shisui answered as if it were obvious.

Uchiha Kei shook his head again and again.

"They'll stand with the Hokage."

Itachi smiled at Shisui.

"How could that be? They all take orders from me now!"

Shisui refused to believe it.

He was certain he had absolute control over the three Anbu divisions, from their captains to their members.

"As long as we aren't at odds with the Hokage, they'll naturally listen to you."

"But once our conflict with the Hokage escalates, their ninja way won't allow them to side with us."

"They're loyal to the Hokage, but even more loyal to Konoha!"

Shisui opened his mouth, then sighed after a long pause and said nothing more.

Because...

He knew Kei and Itachi were right.

"It's fine. Given the current situation, Itachi is all but guaranteed to become the Fifth Hokage."

"What we lack isn't strength."

Shisui was still a little downcast. At that, he asked glumly, "If it isn't strength, then what is it?"

Uchiha Kei turned his gaze to Itachi.

Itachi understood and stood up.

"What we lack is the right opportunity."

Shisui scratched his head. "What good is an opportunity if we don't have overwhelming strength?"

"The opportunity is when the Third Hokage can no longer remain Hokage!"

Shisui froze, then sprang to his feet.

"Kei, what do you mean? I want Itachi to become Hokage too, but not at the cost of something happening to the Third!"

Shisui glared angrily at Uchiha Kei.

He could accept using money to win over three Anbu divisions.

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

Never!

Itachi patted him on the shoulder helplessly.

"Shisui, that's not what Kei means."

"Then what does he mean? Other than dying, how else could the Third be prevented from becoming Hokage?"

Shisui was still indignant.

"Shisui, you've forgotten someone."

Itachi turned to Uchiha Kei, and the two of them smiled at the same time.

"Danzo!"