Chapter 171: Itachi’s Guide to Being a Spy
After handing over the money, Hiruzen reminded Funan: "Uchiha Funan, our accounts are settled."
"Settled?" Funan sneered. "You have taken so much money from the village, is it so easy to settle it?"
Hiruzen didn't listen at all and turned away.
That was his limit.
If Funan wanted more, they would have to fight to the death.
Funan looked at his back and smiled slightly. It seems he can't squeeze any more money out of Hiruzen anymore.
Funan turned his head, looked at this office, and sighed softly.
Finally...
...
The arrival of the Fifth Hokage, who turned out to be Uchiha Funan, caused a great earthquake throughout the shinobi world.
Only Sunagakure remained calm. After withdrawing its five thousand shinobi from the border, they returned to their normal life.
However, their relations with Konoha grew noticeably closer, something that even low-ranking shinobi could notice.
Kirigakure also sent congratulations to Konoha.
This village, which had been isolated for so long, finally opened its doors and began to connect with the outside world.
However, Obito had been causing trouble in Kirigakure since the time of the Third Mizukage, tormenting two generations of Mizukage.
Kirigakure wants to recover, it is not an easy task.
Thus, the shinobi world entered a brief period of calm, although the fights in the shadows continued.
Hiruzen and Danzo, although their foundation had been severely damaged, had been in power for many years, and Funan could not let his guard down.
Before, the Third Hokage was afraid that the Uchiha would do something reckless. Now, it was Funan who was afraid that the Third Hokage would do it.
Whoever is the leader, will have worries!
...
Konoha.
After Funan came to power, he immediately started a series of big moves.
First, he allocated resources to civilian shinobi to help them improve their skills. He then promoted many of these shinobi to the ranks to which they were truly entitled.
Among the civilian shinobi, the majority were Tokubetsu Jonin, Chunin and Genin, while Jonin were rare.
Since the Jonin enjoyed special privileges, neither Hiruzen nor Torifu wished for there to be too many civilian Jonin.
They preferred that these privileges remain among their own, since an excess of civilian Jonin would represent factors of instability.
But Funan was not worried about that.
As expected, due to these actions Funan gained a large number of followers.
Many Tokubetsu Jonin had been harboring resentment inside.
They possessed strength comparable to that of a Jonin but were only recognized as Tokubetsu Jonin. The frustration and discontent were palpable.
This was because they had chosen the wrong side or had no influential connections.
Some Tokubetsu Jonin craved the privileges of the Jonin, but most desired to be recognized and respected.
All they asked for was a fair chance.
And Funan gave them to them.
It can be said that this policy alone, which in the eyes of the Third Hokage and his allies was madness, helped Funan consolidate his control over Konoha.
This measure further compressed the room for maneuver of the Third Hokage and his allies.
Funan then began building roads to connect the various cities around Konoha.
Funan had neither a business mind nor a special talent for management.
However, after living two lives, he knew enough.
Combining the experience of his previous life, Funan could manage everything efficiently, leading everyone to prosperity.
In fact, with his power, if something went wrong, he could forcefully correct it.
Furthermore, Funan did not neglect his own training.
Now that he has become Hokage, many things are easier to do.
For example, death row prisoners!
They all went into Funan's pocket and became the nutrients for his fruit.
In addition, Funan issued a series of arrest warrants for Konoha's missing-nin, ordering that all bodies be brought back.
So while all this was happening, time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, a year has passed.
Naruto was already six years old.
Funan is almost seventeen years old.
In just one year, Konoha has undergone earth-shaking changes.
"Hokage-sama!" Uchiha Itachi walked into the office, looked at Funan, and said in a deep voice: "The Daimyo has sent another letter to urge you."
Although Funan had assumed the position of Fifth Hokage, he had not yet visited the Daimyo, nor received his official recognition.
"Is the Daimyo impatient?" Funan looked out the window and said with disdain: "This is the third time this month."
Uchiha Itachi said: "Not only is the Daimyo anxious, but many people in Konoha are also anxious, including some people in the clan."
He didn't understand the reason behind Funan's refusal to visit the Daimyo.
All it took was one trip to the capital to gain official recognition. Then, his position as Fifth Hokage would be undisputed.
The daimyo's mansion has shown goodwill many times, but Funan has always been dismissive.
Uchiha Itachi's heart is full of question marks.
Funan took a sip of tea and said: "What's going on with the Third Hokage?"
Uchiha Itachi smiled bitterly.
His identity as a double agent is still continuing.
A few months ago, a conflict broke out within the Uchiha.
Of course, it was an act.
The actors were Funan, Fugaku and Itachi.
Funan had taken over as the Fifth Hokage and would soon take over leadership of the Uchiha clan. Naturally, Fugaku would retire, leaving him as an elder.
At this time, two positions were vacant.
The Vice Leader of the Uchiha Clan!
And the Captain of the Konoha Police Force!
Originally, these two positions belonged to Funan, and even the vice leader position was created by Funan, there was no such shitty position before.
Now that it existed, the Uchiha clan had no intention of eliminating it.
Fugaku recommended Itachi, proposing him for both positions.
This almost means that Uchiha Itachi will become the next head of the Uchiha clan.
This was Funan's will, but Itachi is now a person linked to the Third Hokage and has always been suspicious to Funan. How can he be allowed to take the position so easily?
For this reason, the two sides had a big quarrel.
Fugaku even activated his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Under Funan's guidance, Uchiha Soji also supported Itachi.
In desperation, Funan agreed to appoint Uchiha Itachi as the head of the Konoha Police Force and deputy clan leader. At the same time, he appointed Shisui as the assistant of the Hokage.
This time, Hiruzen and others were refreshed.
After so many failures, Hiruzen finally saw a ray of hope.
He almost jumped up with excitement.
"Danzo will be very happy if he knows." Hiruzen said silently in his mind: "It's a pity that you can't see it now."
He secretly summoned Itachi that day.
"Itachi, can I still trust you?"
"Of course!" Itachi knelt on one knee in front of the Third Hokage and said seriously: "Everything I did was for Konoha."
"No need to say this specifically." The Third Hokage replied with a forced smile. "I heard that your father almost fought Funan over you."
"It's just a threat." Itachi shook his head and said: "Funan's power is overwhelming. Even my father is no match for him. But now that Funan is Hokage and his position is unstable, he doesn't want to cause unnecessary conflicts. Besides…"
"Besides what?" The Third Hokage asked immediately.
Itachi said in a deep voice: "The Uchiha clan only suspects me, they are not sure that I am a traitor. That is why my promotion has not generated so much rejection."
Just as I suspected!
The Third Hokage nodded silently.
He knew that Funan was just suspicious of Itachi, otherwise, with his temper, he would have killed him long ago.
Thinking of this, the Third Hokage suddenly had an idea in his mind.
...If Itachi manages to uncover the secrets of his faction, or if he eliminates someone close to him, could that earn him Funan's trust? Or even make him his right-hand man?
After this idea came up, he could no longer suppress it.
In this regard, Itachi could only laugh.
You and Funan have the same idea.
"Itachi, tell me!" Hiruzen stared at Itachi and said in a deep voice: "Does Funan know you're one of mine?"
Itachi was a little surprised, but still said: "According to Fugaku's order at the time, Funan believed that I was a spy of Uchiha and was planted by your side."
"Very good!" Hiruzen said slowly: "For all these years, you have been passing information to the Uchiha, but it was always unimportant things. Now, I have decided to increase the investment in you."
Itachi was stunned and said: "Do you want to reveal true secrets to me so that I can pass them on to the Uchiha and thus gain Funan's trust?"
"Yes!" Hiruzen felt a strange sensation in his heart, as if something was out of place, although he couldn't identify what it was. "You are very smart."
Nonsense!
Itachi felt a mix of emotions.
What you just said... is what Funan taught me to do to gain your trust!
"Itachi, what do you think?" Hiruzen stared at Itachi.
"I don't agree!" Itachi gave an unexpected answer.
"Tell me your reasons." Hiruzen's expression did not change.
"Uchiha Funan is an extremely difficult person to deal with." Itachi said in a deep voice: "It seems to be a good idea to offer some of our secrets, and even the lives of some important people, but the possibility of failure is very high. Funan is very smart and suspicious by nature. I am worried that we will return empty-handed, and the sacrifice will be meaningless."
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