Chapter 145: Gradual Discord

There are quite a few ninja in his academy, but after multiple assassinations we have discovered some patterns and found his weakest moment.

Fire Country, Tokaido, inside a temple on the city outskirts.

The surviving salt merchants on the Tokaido gathered to discuss important matters; a few bounty hunters were also present, one of whom had twin deep‑green eyes and was extremely eerie.

Don't beat around the bush, just say it. My ninja blade can no longer hold back its thirst to drink blood!

A ninja with bandages wrapped around his hands, his face grim, said this, causing everyone's expression to grow solemn; the blue‑eyed ninja then took out a small booklet and began searching through it.

My scout reported that after that fellow Shangcun Yizhi was assassinated, they always dispatch ninja; if the assassin is a bounty hunter, they have someone take the body to the money‑exchange.

If the assassin is trained by someone else, they send people for retaliation; many have had their identities uncovered by them and were then assassinated.

He should have a ninja skilled in interrogation by his side.

Furthermore, we've discovered that the fellow previously conducted business in Konoha, his family is also there, and every month he sends a ninja to deliver part of the profits to Konoha.

As long as we seize this moment, the first assassination will draw attention, and the chance of a second assassination will increase greatly; we are ready, you just go ahead, and after the deed we will add another twenty million taels.

Heh heh heh, just a minor player, leave it to me!

The bandaged ninja laughed, his face grim, and the blue‑eyed ninja beside him halted his hand movement, then suddenly muttered, "Thirteen million taels."

Several salt merchants were about to warn the bandaged ninja not to be careless, when the blue‑eyed ninja slipped behind the target, and a blood‑stained kunai pierced the bandaged ninja's chest.

Drip— the blood droplets fell, everyone was shocked; the salt merchants' faces turned pale, they all stepped back together, and the nearby guards rushed forward.

No one expected that someone would act so suddenly.

The other bounty hunters glared ferociously, drew their weapons and watched the blue‑eyed ninja warily, but he ignored them and turned to the salt merchants, saying, "Ignore them; they're just minor players worth a few tens or hundreds of millions of taels. This target is mine; I'll come at the end of the month, so have your people ready."

"What? We're minor players? You bastard, you're really arrogant!"

The crowd was furious, and the salt merchants were also shocked, but they did not refuse; they were only concerned with providing money—who receives it doesn't matter as long as the target is killed. After nodding in agreement, they hurried away.

After they left, a group of bounty hunters surrounded the blue‑eyed ninja, their eyes gleaming with hostility.

One of them took out a wanted poster, looked at it, and then exclaimed joyfully, "The bounty amount—two, two hundred fifty."

As he spoke, his voice grew trembling; a bounty over a hundred million is a huge concept—ordinary jinchuriki don't even qualify. Even the 80 million taels on Shangcun Yizhi required them to double‑check the intel before acting together.

The crowd was startled; someone hurriedly said, "You split the money, I have other business."

Heh heh heh, your arrival shows you have a fate with money; I'll take you back to the money‑exchange.

Mosquito legs are also flesh; Jiao Du doesn't reject them. He let out a strange laugh, and bizarre lines shot out from his body.

After a few cries of agony, everything returned to calm.

A quarter hour later, outside Shangcun Yizhi's villa, in a dark corner.

Jiao Du quietly surveyed the courtyard; in fact, it wasn't his first time here.

Since the last time he exchanged the bodies of Shinzusuke and others for money, he had noticed this bounty—forty million taels—which is already a lot, far exceeding that of some famous Jonin, yet the target is merely a merchant.

However, he did not act rashly; he knows many junior bounty hunters have died here, and Shangcun Yizhi has fairly strong ninja by his side, so he often hides nearby to observe and wait for an opening.

He has plenty of time and sufficient patience.

Now, before he even got a chance, the bounty was raised to eighty million taels, and now it's increased to a hundred million taels.

Fortunately, those merchants have made considerable efforts in secret.

Jiao Du thought about that intel but had no immediate plan to act; although confident in his own strength, he never takes needless risks. He hides in the shadows, silent, his emerald eyes faintly flickering, staring at his prey like a poisonous snake.

Konoha, as the Uchiha bared its fangs, the entire atmosphere of Konoha changed instantly.

"That's too much!"

"Indeed, how can members of the Uchiha do this, not even sparing some children."

"Those Uchiha people don't consider Konoha home, nor treat the villagers as family; why hasn't the Hokage intervened to stop them?"

"Has the Third Hokage's body not recovered yet? Damn Uchiha, this group that released the Nine‑Tails are murderers; their clan head must be the incarnation of the Nine‑Tails fox!"

"Enough, the Police Department has arrived."

In just one night, the Uchiha's reputation plummeted, rumors spread everywhere, and even rumors that Shisui Uchiha was a Nine‑Tails fox incarnation that harmed Konoha emerged.

Upon hearing the news, Shisui instantly grasped the malice of the rumor, and summoned Jin Huo, ordering, "These people keep using the same petty tricks; Jin Huo, go make arrangements and muddy the waters."

He is no longer a naive rookie who only knows how to argue; faced with this situation, he immediately responded accordingly.

"Alright, clan head!"

Jin Huo happily accepted the task, about to leave when Shisui asked again, "Have any of the ninja clans responded?"

After Yan Shifan captured members of the Moonlight clan and sent invitations to each clan, a day and a night have passed.

"A few minor clans sent letters secretly last night, but most ninja clans still haven't responded."

Shisui nodded; this was as he expected—those ninja clans have a rift with the Uchiha and won't submit so easily.

"How about the teacher? How's the interrogation going?"

Jin Huo thought for a moment and replied, "Members of the Moonlight clan don't admit any link to spies, but their collusion with the Finance Department has been confirmed, and they also named a few other merchants."

For the ninja clans, tax evasion isn't a big deal; the small amount they underpay doesn't matter much to Konoha as a whole.

Konoha's real economic source lies in daimyo allocations and mission rewards.

Thus, as long as the Moonlight family's affair isn't examined closely, it's not serious; it's merely a pretext they use to manipulate the ninja clans.

Shisui smiled, unconcerned, and sighed, "One is enough."

Having said that, he gave some more orders; after Jin Huo left, he fell into contemplation.

The Moonlight clan only named a few merchants and didn't implicate other ninja clans, especially his protective umbrella‑turned‑sleeping clan; this shows they still harbor fantasies, still resent the Uchiha, and still have low expectations of them.

Yan Shifan was clearly not satisfied with stopping there; after the Moonlight matter, he also set his sights on other ninja clans.

However, some of his ideas seemed at odds with Shisui.

"Brother Shisui, are you busy?"

At some point, Itachi stood beside him, looking at Shisui curiously.

Shisui was startled, then gave an awkward smile; he suddenly recalled that he was still at home because Itachi was on leave, and he had promised Itachi to take him training today.

"No rush, I just suddenly remembered something. Let's go, we'll go together today."

"Clan leader, we just received word that multiple violent incidents have occurred in the Village. The elders request your presence at the Police Department for discussion."

Before Shisui could finish speaking, Jin Huo, who had just left, returned, directly disrupting the two's training plans for the day.

Shisui's mouth twitched. After hesitating for a moment, he could only clasp his hands together and look at Itachi apologetically, saying, "Sorry, Itachi, looks like we can't go today. I'll definitely make it up to you next time."

With that, Shisui stepped forward, touched Itachi's small ponytail, then hurriedly left.

Leaving Itachi alone, puffing out his cheeks and staring discontentedly at Shisui's back, inwardly even regretting supporting Shisui to become clan leader. Now Shisui was as busy as Fugaku had been back then.

On the other side, as soon as Shisui arrived at the Police Department, he saw Yan Shifan leading some people from the Police Department in a standoff with several Anbu.

Nearby, a few drunken ninja lay on the ground with terrified expressions, their hands already bound.

With just one glance, Shisui guessed what had happened.

"Shisui the Jōnin, the Land of Tang defense line needs ninja. By order of the Third Hokage, these offending ninja, including the ninja of the Moonlight Clan from yesterday, are all to be sent to the Land of Tang defense line."

The four Anbu wore masks, their voices icy and their auras imposing.

With one look, Shisui could tell these people were not the Anbu replaced by the assistants, but the Elite Forces originally selected and trained by the Third Hokage. Danzō had lost all prestige and could no longer control the Anbu. The two assistants also realized that the people they had arranged were incompetent, so they had pulled those people back into the Anbu.

These people were powerful and experienced. They directly produced a document signed by the Hokage and did not bother arguing much with Yan Shifan.

The Uchiha's current strength lay not only in their power but also in the completeness of their authority. But this completeness was built on the premise that the Third could not interfere.

"Hm?"

Shisui took the document. Having executed so many missions in the Anbu, he was very familiar with the Third's handwriting. With just one look, he spotted the problem, but he did not expose it.

After exchanging a glance with Yan Shifan, Shisui nodded and said, "Since it's the Hokage's order, release the people."

With that, he walked past the Anbu members and straight into the Police Department.

Yan Shifan's mouth curled into a smile upon hearing this, and he immediately ordered, "Bring those ninja out."

The leading Anbu was stunned, not expecting the Uchiha to agree so easily.

Still, it was fine. Their mission was complete, and they didn't want to stir up more trouble.

However, when the people were brought out, they were instantly dumbfounded.

Because Yan Shifan had only released the ninja, including Moonlight Hayate and Uzuki Kō, while the ordinary people remained locked in the prison.

Seeing the four standing still, Yan Shifan clasped his hands behind his back and asked curiously, "Not leaving? Is there something else to discuss? As long as there's a writ from the Third Hokage, the Uchiha will comply with anything."

"Nothing else!"

The writ specified ninja, so they had nothing to say. They turned and left with the people.

After they left, Yan Shifan said to the Uchiha Ming beside him, "Post a notice announcing that they've been sent to the Land of Tang defense line. Make sure to emphasize their criminal status."

"Yes!"

Yan Shifan smiled, turned, and entered the Police Department. Shisui was already waiting for him in the office.

"How is it?"

Yan Shifan asked impatiently as soon as he entered.

"The handwriting is fake. Looks like the news Danzō sent yesterday was true. The Third's health has deteriorated, and he's fallen unconscious again. The two assistants have temporarily lost this trump card."

"Hahaha, heaven helps me!"

Watching Yan Shifan laugh heartily, Shisui's eyes were somewhat strange. "But, I recall the Third's health was fairly stable before, and with so many medical ninja treating him, why did it suddenly worsen?"

Yan Shifan's eyes flickered, but his expression remained unchanged. Still smiling, he waved his hand and said, "Who knows what Danzō did. With his character, even assassinating the Third wouldn't be surprising. The priority now should be to press the advantage!"

Shisui gave Yan Shifan a long, hard look, then nodded in agreement after a moment.

That night, after finishing his work, Shisui returned home and called Jin Huo over, asking, "Does my teacher have any other secret lines of contact?"

Jin Huo was taken aback. He didn't know; after all, that was Shisui's teacher, and no one would deliberately monitor him.

"I'll investigate right away."

"Mm, investigate quickly. Also, go check on Danzō's movements."

Suspicion arose in Shisui's heart. He felt that Yan Shifan had also done many things behind his back. He could no longer allow the two of them to do things privately that he would find hard to accept.

"Yes."

Jin Huo didn't understand what had happened between the two, but it didn't matter. In his eyes, Shisui's orders were of the highest priority.

Yan Shifan was, after all, just an ordinary person with chakra and a Copy Wheel Eye, far from a true ninja. It was very difficult for him to hide too many secrets from a professional ninja like Jin Huo.

In just two days, Jin Huo uncovered another hidden line of Yan Shifan's and reported it to Shisui.

"Have someone watch him. Record every move he makes from now on."

"Yes!"

Yan Shifan was unaware of Shisui's actions. He hadn't been idle over the two days. He had people secretly spread news that the Third Hokage's health was deteriorating, that he was gravely ill and nearing death, and that the higher-ups would be selecting the Fifth Hokage at the upcoming Jōnin meeting.

Two days was enough for the rumors to ferment. By now, the entire Village was in an uproar.

"No wonder we haven't seen the Hokage for so long. So his health has gotten this weak."

The Third's prolonged absence, combined with the Uchiha's increasingly arrogant behavior, almost confirmed the rumor, leaving the ninja in the Village with no doubt.

Utatane Koharu was greatly alarmed and immediately summoned the various ninja clans to explain, "Rizhan is just mentally exhausted. You need not worry. As for selecting the Fifth Hokage, that's utter nonsense."

At these words, the representatives of the various ninja clans, including Shisui, nodded on the surface but sighed inwardly.

'Assistant Utatane is truly getting senile.'

Shisui was even more emotional. Looking at Utatane Koharu at this moment, he was reminded of the late Mitokado Homura.

Utatane Koharu was also helpless. She had been keeping an eye on Danzō for the past two days, afraid he would say something reckless. But unexpectedly, Danzō had suddenly been acting out of character, staying in his root base and not even coming to the Hokage Building.

Still, that was fine. Without Danzō stirring things up, they could focus all their energy on the Uchiha.

Utatane Koharu thought to herself, then turned her gaze to Shisui.

"The Police Department has failed in its supervision. Violent conflicts have broken out on several streets, injuring villagers. Especially this area—the Police Department seems incapable of managing it. From now on, it will be handed over to the Anbu."

Utatane Koharu pointed at the three-dimensional map on the table. The various ninja clans looked over, and many nodded in agreement.

Shisui saw the situation, gave a gentle smile, always composed, "Just as the Zhuan Qin assistant said."

The others were slightly stunned, looked at each other, not understanding its meaning; after the meeting ended, watching Shisui's back, a sense of unease rose in their hearts.

That night, an explosion caused by a malfunctioning detonator talisman occurred in the inner street; although no one was injured, houses on both sides were damaged.

Yan Shifan dispatched people through the night, captured the owner of the detonator talisman; that person turned out to be a member of the Zhuan Qin clan.

The others understood, this was the Uchiha's retaliation.

But the next day the ANBU, bearing the Hokage's orders, took the person away.

Before they could breathe a sigh of relief, Yan Shifan that afternoon announced the detonator talisman regulations, sealing and confiscating all shops' detonator talismans.

Among them, the most prominent shops were those opposite the Uchiha, seemingly run by the Sarutobi Clan.

Later they issued a rule that all merchants and ninja wishing to sell or purchase detonator talismans must report to the Police Department; any clandestine trade would be arrested.

Shocked!

"Is the Uchiha provoking the Sarutobi Clan?"

"Why didn't the Third react, did something really happen to him?"

"If the rumors about the Third are true, perhaps we should consider the Fifth's objective."

Regardless of the outside world or the clan's reaction to the news, Yuan Fei A Si Ma held an unlit cigarette in his mouth, standing in the courtyard feeling the cold wind.

His father's and older brother's affairs made him a few years more mature, and also a bit silent.

He swung his weapon with both hands, continuously chopping, using it to temporarily forget his worries.

Until a certain moment, a ninja from the clan walked over.

"The Police Department, citing bribery of the Finance Department and harming the Leaf Village's interests, used a member of the Moonlight Clan as a witness, and took some merchants and members of the Sunset Family for investigation, including Miss Hong."

These past two days I feel no inspiration, shouldn't write too much internal scheming, will just speed up the plot.

(End of Chapter)