Naruto: Pay-to-Win Ninja System

"Hey! You guys hear what's going on?"

"Something huge just went down in the Hidden Mist Village!"

"What kind of incident?"

"It seems like their Fourth Mizukage suddenly died!"

"Huh? How could that happen? Who did it?"

"Not exactly sure. Rumor has it there was some internal chaos in the Hidden Mist Village, and a bunch of ninja gathered together to overthrow the Fourth Mizukage..."

"How big was that? Who pulled it off?"

"A rogue Mist ninja named Momochi Zabuza. Of course, he had support from many other Hidden Mist ninja working from the inside."

"Well, bottom line is—the Hidden Mist Village is completely changing hands now."

"And this might even hit Konoha hard!"

"Why do you say that?"

"You didn't know? That Demon of the Hidden Mist—Zabuza—actually invited the newly established Homura Hidden Village to back this coup!"

"They're the ones who defected from the Uchiha Clan!"

"Now that the coup has succeeded, the Hidden Mist Village has officially announced an alliance with the Homura Hidden Village!"

"They might even be planning a joint attack on Konoha next!"

"Huh? They won't really start a war, will they?"

"Who can be certain?"

"Ah! The higher-ups were really asking for it, pushing the Uchiha Clan so hard back then."

"Now look what's happening—they've defected, built a new village, allied with Mist, and are eyeing us hungrily..."

"If you ask me, those leaders just had way too much damn time on their hands..."

"Shh! Don't speak recklessly!"

As several Anbu ninja figures flashed past in the distance.

A group of villagers engaged in such hot-topic discussions on the street immediately fell silent.

Don't let Konoha's laid-back vibe trick you.

If words like these reached the top via an Anbu report, those spreading them wouldn't be in for a pleasant time at all.

In fact, aside from the Anbu, there's something far more terrifying known as 'Root'...

Clearly, no matter the era or nation,

Wherever there's a ruling class,

Such talk of "freedom of speech" is merely a child's fairy tale.

...

Meanwhile,

Inside the Uchiha Clan's compound.

"Father..."

Itachi, recently returned from an Anbu mission, was reporting to Fugaku.

"You did well. Thanks to your balancing acts between the village and our clan over these days, we managed to protect so many remaining clan members."

"By the way, have you heard about what happened in the Hidden Mist Village two days ago?"

"I've heard."

Itachi nodded slightly.

Being part of Konoha's Anbu gave him access to much more precise information than mere street rumors.

Though some details remained unclear, he already knew the general situation.

"What are your thoughts?"

"It must've been cousin Shimoku." Itachi replied with confidence.

"Exactly. The Fourth Mizukage was said to be a rare perfect Jinchuriki, quite formidable. Few shinobi could defeat someone that strong."

"And the Hidden Mist Village forming an alliance with the Homura Hidden Village must have taken his efforts as well."

"Shimoku sure knows how to surprise people!"

"With this development, the clansmen in the Homura Hidden Village can live in peace for quite some time."

Fugaku nodded approvingly.

Originally, the upper echelons of Konoha had been deeply divided over whether to launch a military strike against the Homura Hidden Village.

And now, they've formed an alliance with the Kiri Hidden Village.

If we attacked now, we'd probably end up fighting enemies on two fronts.

Moreover, their ability to help defeat the Fourth Mizukage at least proves their overall strength far exceeds that of smaller hidden villages.

Even if we managed to win that war, the cost would undoubtedly be catastrophic!

I believe even Konoha's leadership isn't foolish enough to push things to such an irreversible point.

Therefore, for a long time to come, the safety of both the Homura Hidden Village and its people should be assured.

To think my nephew Shimoku has achieved so much in such a short time—truly amazing!

Thinking back now, I was indeed narrow-minded.

If only we had abandoned Konoha sooner and established our own village,

maybe the Uchiha Clan wouldn't have ended up like this...

Itachi: "Father, is there anything else?"

Fugaku: "Yes. Because of Shimoku and his group leaving, I recently noticed a few clan members have started stirring up trouble."

"Even a handful of individuals have begun contacting people from the Homura Hidden Village."

"They seem to be preparing to defect again tonight!"

"And apparently, the Homura Hidden Village will also send someone to escort them!"

"Itachi, you understand our current predicament within Konoha. The only reason we're still tolerated is because we're useful for hunting rogue ninja—that's what maintains this fragile balance."

"We cannot allow this delicate equilibrium to be disrupted any further."

"If more clan members successfully defect, the rest of us will face certain disaster!"

"For the sake of the village, for the family, and for your younger brother as well."

"Therefore, Itachi, go tonight."

"Do your best to stop those few clan members and bring them all back safely!"

Fugaku Uchiha commanded gravely.

If Itachi took action, he could quickly knock out those few clan members before they fled Konoha and bring them all back.

As he listened to his father's order, Itachi hesitated for a moment,

then gave a silent nod.

"I understand."

With a swift turn, he strode out decisively.

...

After watching Itachi leave,

Fugaku let out a slight sigh.

"Hachidai, come out."

Soon after, Uchiha Hachidai emerged from the shadows inside the room.

"He's perceptive; he might've already sensed my presence here."

Fugaku shook his head indifferently, "But that doesn't matter. You've had contact with the Homura Hidden Village—he already knows about that..."

Uchiha Hachidai nodded, his gaze fixed on the path Itachi had taken, saying slowly,

"He'll probably report this information to the upper echelons of Konoha soon enough."

"Just like he did last time he snitched."

Fugaku closed his eyes and sighed deeply, "This child, just like Shisui, has made a harsher choice between the clan and the village."

"And I haven't been a worthy clan head either."

"Otherwise, these children wouldn't have to bear such heavy burdens..."

Hachidai: "That's also one of the reasons why I chose to follow Lord Shimoku. Clan Head Fugaku, I'm sorry..."

Fugaku: "Let's not talk about that anymore. Hachidai, tell me—will many people die tonight?"

Hachidai: "No. As long as Itachi delivers this message to Konoha's leadership, Lord Shimoku's plan is already halfway successful."

"There won't be too many casualties tonight."

"Moreover, our target tonight isn't **Konoha**!"

He gave another nod, visibly reassured:

"That's good. That's good..."

"I hope this time can make Itachi finally see just how rotten to the core the village elders he respects and serves really are..."

"Also, after tonight, they'll quickly send me out on orders to launch a campaign against the Homura Hidden Village."

"Perfect. I can use this opportunity to check out what kind of paradise that kid has built for himself!"

...

Elsewhere.

Twenty-something minutes later.

Inside a dimly lit secret room.

Itachi, wearing a raccoon mask, knelt before Danzo, who sat in a wheelchair, delivering what he believed to be crucial intelligence.

Of course, he didn't know at this moment...

That this so-called 'important intelligence' had actually been intentionally leaked to Konoha's leadership from the beginning.

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