In Simu's plan, as the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha intensified, both sides should have gathered all their strength and engaged in an all-out clash.
However, man proposes but God disposes. Simu truly did not expect a fellow like Shisui to actually enter the tiger's den alone, only to have an eye easily snatched away by Danzo using that forbidden jutsu with such massive side effects.
Having lost an eye and being severely wounded, even if Shisui Uchiha forcibly activated Susanoo at the final moment to unleash extremely powerful strength, it was still difficult for him to escape alive.
Rather than letting him fall into Danzo's hands, it was better for Simu to simply take him. In passing, he could pin Shisui's death on Danzo to deepen the rift between the village higher-ups and the Uchiha.
Yet, what puzzled Simu immensely was that even when pushed into a corner by Danzo, Shisui didn't have the slightest intention of resisting the village.
He even left a suicide note, asking Itachi Uchiha to assist him in faking his death as a suicide to prevent the conflict between the clan and the village from worsening.
At the same time, this forced Fugaku to temporarily suppress the clan's desire to launch a coup.
After all, with Shisui dead, the Uchiha's strength was indeed insufficient to launch a coup; they might not even be able to complete a rapid decapitation tactic.
As the Clan Head, Fugaku Uchiha could only postpone the coup plan and wait for an opportunity.
From this perspective, Shisui's plan was indeed a success.
Furthermore, his last words successfully allowed his close friend Itachi Uchiha to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, completely transferring the pressure and responsibility on his shoulders to this dear friend.
However, looking at the current situation, Itachi Uchiha did not seem to have any intention of revealing his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Is he afraid that once the Mangekyo Sharingan is exposed, those arrogant and ignorant clansmen will harbor thoughts that shouldn't exist again?
This doesn't align with my interests.
At this moment, Simu, who was stationed within the Anbu, quietly shifted his gaze toward Itachi Uchiha, who was also reporting for duty in the Anbu.
Meanwhile, a scruffy kid was wandering the most prosperous street in Konoha, carrying a paint bucket.
The moment he appeared, the originally noisy street seemed to hit the pause button.
Everyone spontaneously retreated to the sides and back, watching the sudden appearance of the yellow-haired child with gazes of vigilance, wariness, and even disgust.
"Is that brat the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox?"
"That's right. Hurry and stay away from him. The Demon Fox brings misfortune!"
"Damn it, why did this guy show up here?"
"Mom, why does he have whiskers on his face?"
"That is the symbol of the Demon Fox. You must never play with him."
Countless words shrouded the child like sharp arrows.
But the latter acted as if he hadn't seen a thing. He heavily dipped a brush into a large glob of paint and began to scrawl wantonly on the street.
Soon, an abstract ninja portrait with a crooked ninja headband appeared on the street.
The blonde child wiped his paint-stained cheeks, slapped the wall hard, and faced those arrow-like sharp gazes with a sunny smile.
"This great me is called Naruto Uzumaki, the ninja who will definitely become Hokage in the future!"
For a moment, the entire area fell silent, and then a wave-like explosion of ridicule erupted.
"Hokage? A fox demon wants to become Hokage too? I think you're crazy!"
"Fox demon brat, it's already good enough if you don't cause trouble. You still want to be Hokage?"
"Go away, go away! Don't scribble here!"
"Exactly, don't disturb our business!"
Everyone began to point and stare at the youth. If Lord Hokage hadn't forbidden it, they would have likely started throwing trash at this annoying boy by now.
The youth remained oblivious, picking up his paint bucket to continue his graffiti.
Finally, one of the shop owners on the street couldn't sit still any longer.
If he let this smelly fox demon continue to cause trouble, how was he supposed to do business?
Thus, he walked forward angrily, grabbed the youth's collar with a large hand, and hoisted him up.
"You brat! If you want to cause trouble, go do it somewhere else! Don't hinder our business!"
The boy in his hand flailed his arms and legs, but with his body and strength, he was no match for the middle-aged shop owner and was soon tossed back.
Seeing someone take action, others also clapped and cheered.
The dust-covered youth didn't get angry either. He seemed long accustomed to such things. He patted the dust off his body, stood up, and left.
The reason he left wasn't because of the others driving him away, but because he had run out of paint.
Furthermore, he was a bit hungry.
Along the way, the youth counted on his fingers and said slowly, "This month's living expenses are almost gone. I should go fishing tonight."
Before long, the youth's figure appeared by the river. He pulled a self-made fishing kit from the grass and began to fish with great proficiency.
Unfortunately, the water was a bit too calm today. After fishing for a long time, the youth only caught a tiny fry the size of a finger.
It seemed he would have to go hungry again tonight.
"It seems the fishing conditions aren't very good today."
A voice suddenly appeared from behind the youth.
The youth turned his head, looked at the visitor, and responded with a smile, "Yeah, I've been fishing for a long time and only caught this one little fish."
The visitor was a middle-aged man wearing a pair of glasses, giving off a gentle and refined feeling.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kimura. What about you?"
The visitor was precisely Simu, disguised as the Chairman of the Spider Lily Chamber of Commerce.
As for why he appeared here?
That could only be said to be the guidance of Lord Jashin.
"I am Naruto Uzumaki! My dream is to become the Hokage who protects the village!"
The blonde youth shouted his dream loudly without anyone even asking.
The middle-aged man named Kimura lightly adjusted his glasses and nodded slightly, his eyes full of praise. "What a cheerful child."
"Eh?"
Hearing these words, a bewildered expression immediately appeared on Naruto's face.
Because in his memory, he seemed to have never received praise from others, especially this kind of praise.
"However, Naruto-kun, it's already so late. You should go home, otherwise your mom and dad will be worried."
Kimura reminded him kindly, appearing exactly like a well-meaning middle-aged man.
Hearing this, Naruto showed a somewhat lonely expression. "Uncle Kimura, I don't have parents."
"Hmm?"
Kimura raised his eyebrows in "surprise," and then, as if realizing something, he hurriedly apologized, "I'm sorry, Naruto. I didn't think for a moment..."
Naruto gave a brilliant smile. "It's okay, Uncle Kimura! Even though I don't have a mom and dad, I'm still doing very well!"
As if to prove he was doing well, Naruto lifted the bucket in his hand and showed off the little fish he had caught.
Kimura pushed up his glasses. "Is just one little fry enough to eat?"
Naruto scratched his head. "I still have bread and milk at home. It should be enough."
Just as he finished speaking, a loud gurgle came from Naruto's stomach.
Kimura gave a faint smile. "Let me treat you to a meal."
Naruto was about to refuse when he heard Kimura add:
"It's Ichiraku Ramen."