Rumors intensified. It started with the Uchiha having five thousand ninjas, then evolved into them having over ten pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan and hundreds of Jonin. Finally, there were even rumors that Uchiha Madara was still alive and within the Uchiha clan.
This scared many ninja clans, their legs went weak, and they greeted Uchiha ninjas with flattering smiles. Even Hyuga ninjas started to lower their heads when they saw Uchiha ninjas.
They couldn't compete!
The Uchiha had even brought out their ancestors, what could they use to fight?
Of course, this was for those who believed the rumors.
Those who didn't believe the Uchiha had five thousand ninjas had an even more unfriendly attitude towards them than before, thinking they were just troublemakers.
It was originally a small matter.
Rumors!
They would have just blown over with the wind.
But it couldn't withstand the sheer number of people discussing it.
The people of Konoha were now discussing it in groups.
In the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's headache had only gotten better for a day.
Looking at the intelligence reports sent by the Anbu, he felt a headache.
Uchiha!
It was the Uchiha again!
To some extent, Danzo's words weren't wrong.
These Uchiha were truly a scourge!
If possible, he also wanted to eliminate these Uchiha, Konoha without the Uchiha would be so peaceful.
Unfortunately, it was simply impossible.
A few days ago, the incident where Uchiha Itsuki and Uchiha Shisui were attacked and lost their Mangekyo Sharingan led to a rapid increase in Uchiha patrols. As soon as one entered the Uchiha clan's territory, they could feel the Sharingan's gaze.
Moreover, the Uchiha were now like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment.
He sent a few Anbu, under Danzo's orders, to try and gather some information, but they were beaten half to death and directly thrown out.
This time, the Uchiha didn't hold back at all.
If it weren't for the fact that they were from Root, they probably wouldn't have survived.
The seriously injured Anbu members clearly told the Hokage and the others about the current state of the Uchiha.
At this time, even those two useless fools, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, didn't dare to mention eliminating the Uchiha.
Now this kind of thing happened again.
"What use do I have for you?"
The Third Hokage slammed the intelligence report on the table, his body trembling with anger.
He roared, "You can't even suppress a mere rumor, what else can you do? Just quit being ninjas and go home to retire!"
Homura Mitokado, standing beside him, felt his eyebrows twitching wildly.
Why did it feel like those words were directed at him?
As an elder, one of the specific areas he was responsible for was intelligence.
The rumor about the Uchiha having five thousand ninjas was the one he was in charge of suppressing.
"Hiruzen, don't be angry!" Koharu Utatane said slowly, "This matter is very strange, someone is fueling the flames."
"Obviously!"
The Third Hokage's face was gloomy.
This incident reminded him of the past.
Something similar had happened before, and that time, it caused a huge rift within the village.
People started to distrust each other.
The casualties of ninjas on missions also began to increase.
The Will of Fire became a joke at that time.
The person who caused all this was named Sakumo Hatake!
That incident took a tremendous amount of energy and resources for the Third Hokage to deal with.
It was mainly the rumors!
Danzo manipulated rumors to attack Sakumo Hatake, but the rumors got out of control.
Not only did it backfire on them, but it also literally forced Sakumo Hatake, the powerful ninja known as Konoha's White Fang, to his death.
Now, this situation was happening again.
The situation of rumors spiraling out of control!
"Immediately, right now!" The Third Hokage pointed at the Anbu, gritting his teeth, "Deal with this matter for me, I don't want to hear any more rumors, understand?"
"Yes!"
The Anbu responded and hurriedly left.
"Hiruzen!"
When only the Third Hokage, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado were left in the office.
Koharu Utatane hesitated and said, "Is there a possibility that the Uchiha really do have five thousand ninjas?"
The Third Hokage turned his head and looked at Koharu Utatane in disbelief.
These words were like a thunderbolt to him.
"Koharu!" The Third Hokage said dumbfoundedly, "You actually believed it?"
This was his elder!
An elder of Konoha?
An elder who helped him govern Konoha?
What kind of thing did he find to help him?
Oh my god!
Konoha, I actually feel a bit sorry for you!
Who the hell would believe the Uchiha have five thousand ninjas?
Have you forgotten the total population of the Uchiha?
Even if you don't know the exact number, you should have a general idea!
The current Uchiha have about one thousand to one thousand two hundred ninjas.
This even includes those on the borders and those out on missions.
Five thousand?
The Third Hokage covered his face with a pained expression.
He didn't know what to say anymore.
Koharu Utatane, I want to give you two big slaps!
And both on the same side of your face!
Koharu Utatane looked sheepish.
Was it that exaggerated?
"Hiruzen, who do you think is behind this?"
Homura Mitokado suddenly said, "I don't know if it's my illusion, but this method, I always feel it's very familiar."
The Third Hokage was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth.
Danzo...
You damn thing, even in confinement, you're still not behaving.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stormed towards the Anbu dungeon.
Danzo had a private cell there.
He would go in and stay for a few days from time to time.
Because sometimes he caused too much trouble, even the Hokage couldn't avoid dealing with him.
Over time!
This place almost became Danzo's second home.
After the Third Hokage left, another Anbu hurriedly ran over.
"What's the matter?"
With the Third Hokage gone, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado immediately straightened their backs and asked with stern expressions.
"This..."
"What? Can't you say it?"
Homura Mitokado's voice was naturally intimidating.
"No, it's not that!" The Anbu's face was covered with a mask, so the two elders didn't notice his conflicted expression. He said, "It's Uchiha Itsuki!"
"What about him again?"
"He, he opened a... shop!"
"A shop?"
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were both surprised and stood up at the same time.
Uchiha Itsuki was not someone who lacked money.
As a genius Jonin, during the Third Shinobi World War, he had made countless contributions. If he hadn't been suppressed, his fame would have surpassed even Shisui's.
Even though it was wartime, missions weren't free.
After returning to Konoha, he completed many A-rank and even S-rank missions.
A-rank missions were worth between 200,000 and 1,000,000 ryo.
S-rank missions started at one million ryo.
Not to mention the B-rank missions he completed along the way.
Even though the village would take a portion, with such quality and quantity of missions, the amount he received was still massive.
Kagami's inheritance wasn't small either, and almost all of it went into Itsuki's pocket.
Shisui had no intention of competing with Itsuki in this aspect, he even gave some of his mission rewards to Itsuki for safekeeping.
Because Itsuki said he loved money!
The Third Hokage and the others wanted to deal with Itsuki, so they had assessed Itsuki's assets.
At least fifty million ryo!
Such a wealthy person opened a shop?
Could it be to make even more money?
"What kind of shop? What is he trying to do?"
Koharu Utatane's voice was stern.
They had also been troubled by Uchiha Itsuki recently.
If it weren't for the fact that they couldn't kill him, they would have exhausted everything to eliminate him.
"This, this..."
The Anbu stammered.
"Speak!"
Homura Mitokado scolded sternly!
The Anbu said tremblingly, "A cremation shop!"
(End of Chapter)