Chapter 158: "Strictly Observe Konoha's Discipline, Always Be Loyal to the Hokage!"
Kakuzu and Hizashi slowly walked into Konoha.
Just like when the international students from Kirigakure first arrived...
Kakuzu showed an expression of amazement at the Konoha that had been expanded with a massive injection of funds.
As a shinobi who was familiar with money and had dabbled in economics...
Kakuzu understood the gold content within this even better.
"This is not the level a hidden village should have. Simple shinobi missions cannot support such a massive peripheral business district. The economic center of the Land of Fire is no longer the capital, but Konoha..."
"Konoha is a collective of shinobi; it shouldn't be such a huge consumer market. This does not conform to the conservative attitude shinobi should have towards money. Are they not keeping any life-saving funds?"
Kakuzu walked side-by-side with Hizashi, looking around while analyzing with a frown, "This shows that Konoha shinobi are very confident about the village's future, and the village has likely provided some sort of safety net for them, giving them the courage to consume."
Hizashi looked at Kakuzu in considerable surprise.
Wasn't he supposed to be a ruthless bounty hunter? This was clearly an economics expert capable of seeing the big picture from a small detail!
Just by scanning the periphery of Konoha, he could analyze so much intelligence.
Hizashi put away his peculiar thoughts.
He originally thought that a rogue ninja from a small hidden village, even if he had lived for many years and possessed a secret jutsu, shouldn't be valued so highly by the Lord Hokage.
Hizashi suddenly slapped himself hard across the face.
Slap!
Kakuzu looked at him in confusion. "Hey, what are you doing?"
"I am repenting."
Hizashi Hyuga spoke bluntly, "I originally thought you were someone who just fished for fame and compliments, but I see you have real skills."
"I shouldn't have had any doubts about Lord Hokage's judgment, not even a little."
"This is self-discipline."
Kakuzu frowned. "Are you Main Branch or Branch Family? Probably Branch Family, right? Your thoughts and actions, even placed in the Warring States period, would be considered among the feudal ones."
In Kakuzu's view, Hizashi's nearly fanatical "blind loyalty" was a product of being domesticated by the Main Branch.
Having an inherently bad impression of the collective that is a "village," he strongly disliked this behavior that approximated the loss of personal personality.
"I am indeed from the Branch Family, but it's different from what you think."
Hizashi Hyuga's Byakugan seemed to see what Kakuzu was thinking in his heart. "I am not blindly loyal; rather, as a man, I ought to know how to repay gratitude."
"Before following Lord Hokage, I was a servant and a dog to the Main Branch, with absolutely no freedom to speak of."
"After following Lord Hokage, I became a Konoha High Commissioner revered by tens of thousands. Even if I spoke controversially at a village-wide meeting, Lord Hokage would protect me with his reputation."
"In today's Hyuga clan, the Branch Family will no longer be oppressed by the Main Branch. Everyone is under the village's protection, has channels to contact the outside world, and has their own careers and pursuits."
Hizashi Hyuga said coldly, "Even for the Main Branch, Lord Hokage has considered their gains and losses, thinking of ways to compensate them... 'finding a decent job'. This is the Will of Fire. It's normal that you don't understand, but do not make presumptuous speculations using your laughable mindset."
This time, it was Kakuzu's turn to fall silent.
Repaying gratitude?
He agreed with this viewpoint.
Otherwise, he wouldn't still refuse missions regarding the Land of Fire and Konoha to this day.
It was just that Kakuzu was relatively slick. In his view, Hashirama's grace had been paid off after fifty years.
Because a shinobi living to fifty was considered a long life, and could be viewed as a whole lifetime.
"Not only did he give the Hyuga Branch Family a certain degree of freedom, but he also took care of the Main Branch?" Kakuzu slowly chewed on Hizashi's words.
The Hyuga's Caged Bird was widely known across the ninja world.
This so-called clan rule that had been passed down for a thousand years was actually broken in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands?
"As expected of a man who broke the Shinobi Rules, the Hokage is truly remarkable. I misspoke."
Kakuzu slightly lowered his head. "My apologies."
Hizashi nodded. "No matter. You are not a Konoha shinobi after all, and I am also a reasonable person."
"Lord Hokage told me you would probably be very interested in Konoha's policies, and given your experiences, you would also pay close attention to Yashiro Uchiha's incident. Yashiro is currently on his way here."
"Lord Hokage hopes you can wander around Konoha more and then go talk to him."
Hizashi activated his Byakugan, gazing at Kakuzu's large and small bags and the scroll on his back. "Further ahead is Konoha's core area."
"What are you carrying? I sense an unusual chakra reaction, and my Anbu colleagues are also using jutsu formulas to warn me to be careful."
Kakuzu froze. Konoha's security was much stricter than he had imagined.
An invisible surveillance system... he currently couldn't analyze what jutsu formula it was.
And it had real-time communication capabilities.
In today's Konoha, security could roughly be divided into three layers.
The first layer was the patrol units on the outskirts of the village, with the Aburame and Inuzuka clans as the main force.
The second layer was in the commercial district on the outskirts of Konoha, where Anbu from the Hyuga clan scanned the coming and going merchants, joined by a portion of the Police Force members.
The third layer was the gathering area for shinobi entering Konoha, the so-called inner ring.
Guarded by a triple layer of personnel from the Police Force, Anbu, and Root.
Using Yamanaka clan shinobi as the axis for intelligence and sensory sharing, the Nara clan shinobi macro-managed the village's dynamic defense forces.
After Konoha's financial revenue increased, some shinobi who were not adept at frontline combat found full-time jobs in the Police Force based on their specialties, such as "operators" and "dispatchers".
Important scientific research institutes and intelligence departments were relocated next to the Senju Ancestral Estate. Mito Uzumaki would occasionally open her Mind's Eye of the Kagura and malice sensing for random checks.
"Some souvenirs for Lord Hokage and Lady Mito, economic intelligence from other hidden villages, some old artifacts from the Warring States period..."
"The scroll on my back seals a corpse, a Storm Release shinobi from Kumogakure that I casually killed on the way." Kakuzu said slowly, "I thought it might be of some value to Konoha. Lord Hokage paid me a deposit and let me freely collect materials beneficial to Konoha. This is one of those orders."
"Of course, whether he wants it or not depends on Lord Hokage's thoughts. I don't force sales."
Hizashi blinked.
Just a few days ago, Lord Hokage had said that the long-range strike and tracking capabilities of Storm Release matched very well with the Byakugan.
He told him not to rush, not to risk getting a Kekkei Genkai that wasn't suitable for him. Good food is not afraid of being late.
And now it was delivered right to his mouth?
For a moment, Hizashi didn't even know what to say. He recalled a phrase Hiruzen Sarutobi had inadvertently uttered: "A just cause enjoys abundant support, while an unjust cause finds little support."
"Hizashi, I'm here."
"This must be Mr. Kakuzu, right? I am Yashiro Uchiha." Yashiro walked over with a smile on his face.
Following the ancient mirror incident storm, Hiruzen opened a Fireside Chat to discuss it, which instead turned him from a "sinner" into a household star.
Everyone knew that Yashiro was a shinobi who, facing a strong enemy, still thought to protect his comrades. People in the village always smiled and greeted him when they saw him, even if they hadn't known him before.
By association, the public perception of the Uchiha clan also improved significantly.
From being seen as arrogant, aloof, and haughty in the past, in some people's eyes, they were now just "not good with words, but unexpectedly reliable when encountering trouble."
"Alright, then I'll leave first." Hizashi nodded.
"Mr. Kakuzu, what parts of Konoha do you want to see?" Yashiro asked with a smile.
"Can I learn about Konoha's various systems?" Kakuzu asked tentatively.
A village's systems could be considered intelligence of moderate importance, at least kept relatively secret from shinobi of other villages.
"That's easy. Let me think..." Yashiro said, surprising Kakuzu, "Then let's go to the Uchiha clan compound. Clan Head Isshin and Fugaku recently put a lot of effort into setting up a model notice board. The village's policies and the essence of Lord Hokage's speeches are all on it."
"They even invited Advisors Koharu and Homura from the Administration Department to provide official interpretations to make it easier for everyone to understand."
"And you know what, the effect is actually quite good. Many shinobi come to the Uchiha clan compound to sit and look around because of this notice board."
Kakuzu nodded silently.
He realized that Konoha's uniqueness compared to other hidden villages was reflected in all aspects.
Even trivial matters were done differently from others.
"Let's go, let's go to the Police Force to drop off your luggage first. You carrying all these things around is too eye-catching." Yashiro hummed a little tune, walking in front.
The two of them walked all the way to the Konoha Police Force.
The past Police Force, although wielding heavy authority, its office was merely a two-story semicircular building.
The Uchiha clan crest was embedded in the center of the second floor, with the words "Konoha Police Force" written on it.
Many shinobi felt that such an exterior was somewhat strange.
After all, besides the Uchiha, no other ninja clan completely controlled a department like this.
The current Police Force, with funding from the village, had built an imposing high-rise building.
The Uchiha clan crest had long since vanished without a trace, replaced by a large Konoha symbol.
Furthermore, several striking banners were hung from top to bottom.
"Strictly observe Konoha's discipline, always be loyal to the Hokage."
"No police matter is too small, peace warms the people's hearts."
"Govern chaos with the momentum of thunder, protect the village with a heart of solid rock."
"Shoulder the heavy responsibility of security, practice the Will of Fire."
Kakuzu watched, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
Although he hadn't been to Konoha in a long time, the awkward relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha was widely known across the ninja world.
The reason was very simple: who didn't know the story of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju?
The Valley of the End was even considered one of the Land of Fire's famous tourist attractions.
And the once illustrious Uchiha clan in the ninja world had vanished from the battlefield for more than thirty years. It was only recently that they had reminded shinobi once again of the terror of the Sharingan.
"How is it? Not bad, right?"
Yashiro crossed his arms and said very proudly, "It was Clan Head Isshin's idea. Lord Hokage personally inscribed the words. The words 'Konoha Police Force' were written by Lord Hokage himself!"
"Look behind this plaque, it's even filled with red and white colors, which are elements of the Uchiha clan."
"Lord Hokage believes that although the current Police Force isn't entirely composed of Uchiha clansmen, the contributions made in the past cannot be forgotten. So he specifically integrated the clan's elements into it."
"Sigh! Lord Hokage is always so considerate."
Kakuzu rubbed his temples; he felt like he had been caught in a genjutsu.
In the underground bounty stations, there had long been rumors about the easing of relations between Konoha and the Uchiha.
Many people believed the two sides had achieved a certain degree of ice-breaking, but no one knew the specific progress. Some intelligence experts even speculated this might be a sign of the Uchiha overpowering Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was Tobirama Senju's disciple.
In the ninja world, if a disciple went against his sensei's will, especially when the sensei was a previous Hokage...
This was a matter easily blown out of proportion.
As a result, upon seeing this, Kakuzu couldn't help but feel disillusioned with the so-called intelligence experts of the bounty stations.
Their analytical logic might make sense, but the result was outrageously wrong!
Was this still the Uchiha?
Even the Anbu directly under the Kages of the major hidden villages were probably only at this level, right?
"Oh my, sister, you have to be careful."
"At this age, you must be careful when walking. If your legs aren't nimble these next couple of days, just call out to us. I'll find someone to bring you some food when they get off work."
Not far away, En Uchiha supported an old lady who almost slipped while crossing the street and spoke gently.
"Oh dear, I'm afraid of causing you trouble."
"It's no trouble at all! I have the village subsidy now. Later I'll just ask a few kids who just graduated to run errands for me. It'll also let them earn a little pocket money for snacks."
The supported old lady said with a smile, "But what about you? Still working at your age? Your health is much better than mine, En Uchiha. You might have forgotten me, but we crossed paths a few decades ago."
En Uchiha froze for a moment. Who was this?
"I'm from the Senju clan."
The old lady raised an eyebrow. "I was there watching when you lost this arm of yours. Your Fire Release burned quite a few of my clansmen to death back then. Can't blame Lord Second for chopping you."
"Hey! You, sister, why bring up the past!"
En Uchiha wasn't annoyed either. He smilingly raised his arms. "Tobirama Senju chopped off my arm, but Lord Hokage helped me reattach it."
"Now I even have a god-grandson. He might even become a Konoha High Commissioner in the future!"
"As for the past, it's all that old bastard Tobirama Senju's fault. If he had died a bit earlier and passed the position to Lord Third, Konoha would have unified the ninja world long ago!"
The old Senju lady rolled her eyes at En Uchiha. "Bullshit! Lord Second died too early. If he hadn't died on the battlefield and helped Lord Third stabilize the political situation, Konoha could have developed even faster."
"Anyway, he died at the wrong time!" En Uchiha chuckled dryly.
The old Senju lady nodded emotionally. "It was the wrong time."
Two former rivals from the Warring States period actually achieved some sort of reconciliation at this moment because of Tobirama Senju.
Time can smooth out most scars.
It was just that because of their past, they needed a dignified way out, commonly known as a "scapegoat position."
Tobirama Senju played this role perfectly.
Kakuzu watched this scene, feeling it was very surreal.
"When Tobirama Senju died, the Uchiha and Konoha fought bitterly."
"But his death can actually bind the Senju and Uchiha together?"
"Sometimes the dead are more useful than the living." Kakuzu thought to himself.
"Yo!" En Uchiha caught sight of Yashiro and Kakuzu, greeted them loudly, and whispered to the old Senju lady, "Let's chat again some other day."
He then strode over. "You're Kakuzu, right? Thank you for cooperating with the village, otherwise, I really wouldn't have been able to reattach this arm."
As he spoke, En Uchiha rolled up his sleeve, revealing the black threads of the Earth Grudge Fear wrapping around his shoulder. "Yashiro, my boy, entertain him well! Take this money, treat him to a meal for me later!"
"I'm on duty today, I'm off!" En Uchiha smiled at Kakuzu, forcibly stuffed a wad of cash into Yashiro's hands, and waved handsomely.
Yashiro had a helpless look on his face. "This old man En, really..."
"This must be at least a hundred thousand Ryo, right? Are your Konoha shinobi all this generous?" Kakuzu couldn't help asking.
"Not all of them, old man En is rather special." Yashiro said speechlessly, "He collects three subsidies! A subsidy for elderly orphans, a salary plus a raise from the Police Force, and an allowance for guest-instructing the patrol units. Minato also gives him tobacco and alcohol out of respect when he has free time."
"Old man En always says he can't spend all his money, so he's willing to stuff money into people's hands when he sees them, especially the ninja academy students. He's practically like the God of Wealth."
"Sometimes when the village has minor disputes over money, old man En sometimes pays out of pocket to solve the problem. He has prestige, so others don't dare go too far." Yashiro rambled on.
Kakuzu's face was full of confusion.
Wait.
Is this how Konoha's elderly shinobi spend their money?
And also...
Kakuzu originally thought that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted his Earth Grudge Fear to replicate the jutsu, but it turned out it was used for limb regeneration technology for disabled shinobi?
"How much did it cost to repair his arm?" Kakuzu asked subconsciously.
"It didn't cost anything. Old man En was in the first batch of volunteers, so it was free of charge."
"If the disability was incurred in the line of duty, it's also free. If it's for personal reasons, I really don't know how much it costs."
Yashiro Uchiha pondered. "It shouldn't be too expensive. Tsunade and Orochimaru said the Konoha Mutual Aid Fund will be used for medical treatment, and there will be designated discounts for special projects in the future."
Kakuzu let out a long breath.
He understood now.
Konoha was not only wealthy to a certain extent, but they also threw money around like crazy.
This gleaming silver, in Kakuzu's eyes, was pouring down on the shinobi like a torrential downpour.
"What kind of shinobi can enjoy this kind of treatment?" Kakuzu's tone carried a hint of anxiety.
It wasn't that he wanted it for himself.
He possessed the Earth Grudge Fear body, had at least several hundred more years to live, and didn't need ordinary medical ninjutsu.
But if all Konoha shinobi could enjoy this...
Kakuzu subconsciously felt that his values, held for decades, were about to collapse!
So not all hidden villages were the same? Did that mean he had wasted decades in vain!
"Ninja academy students should also be eligible, right?"
"Wait for me a moment, I'll go put your luggage away for you. Don't worry, no one will touch it." Yashiro took the luggage from Kakuzu's hands and walked into the Police Force building.
A moment later.
Yashiro took the silent Kakuzu to the model notice board at the entrance of the Uchiha clan compound.
"Elderly and Orphan Subsidies."
"Pensions for Fallen Shinobi."
"Hardship Post Subsidies, Commendations for the 'Roots of the Firmament'."
"Public Disclosure of Procurement for Public Facilities and Scientific Research Funding."
"Distribution and System of Childbirth Subsidies."
"Full Transcript of Lord Hokage's Fireside Chat."
As if caught in a genjutsu, Kakuzu's dark green pupils sank into the contents of the notice board.
Yashiro Uchiha silently stood beside him, reading the contents of the Fireside Chat.
This was a classic he never tired of reading, having reached the point where he could recite it backward.
It was also the reason he had already decided to submit a report to the Lord Hokage, applying to join Root!
A person must know how to be grateful.
After a moment.
A voice familiar to Kakuzu was heard, but the content didn't sound like something the owner of that voice would say.
"Fugaku, Isshin!"
"I, Danzo, indeed had issues with the Uchiha before. It was my problem; I was narrow-minded!"
"From now on, let our Anbu and the Police Force work well together, giving our all for the village and the Hokage! Rest assured with Seisui under my wing. I will give him all my resources; he has the potential to be Hokage!"
Kakuzu and Yashiro turned around together and saw a jaw-dropping scene.
Danzo, with his arms around Fugaku and Isshin's shoulders, his ruddy face smelling of alcohol, spoke loudly.
The former Darkness of Shinobi was actually acting like a drunkard.
Tobirama silently followed behind them, his expression complex, but internally, he was very satisfied.
This kind of attitude from Danzo was something he could barely accept!
☆☆☆
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