Naruto: Starting from Eating the Gold Fruit

Chapter 244 Konoha Year 46 and Uchiha Itachi

The Uchiha clan members came simply to report to Yua and, incidentally, to hint to the Hokage that he should visit the Uchiha clan's territory for a banquet and to present gifts.

Of course, whether or not gifts are given is irrelevant; the Uchiha clan is not short of money.

The main problem is that there are problems within the Uchiha clan.

What's the problem?

This is, of course, a well-worn topic.

The old forces represented by the elders of the Uchiha clan.

The new generation represented by Uchiha Fugaku.

There is no doubt that the younger generation does not want to clash with the older generation of Uchiha clan members.

But there is no way.

The older generation of clan elders firmly controlled the Uchiha clan's security forces, while simultaneously forbidding Uchiha ninjas from leaving the clan without permission.

Oh, we do all the work of the garrison headquarters. You old geezers are always giving orders and making a fuss, which is annoying enough, but your constant chatter is also incredibly tiresome.

You do all the talking, but we do all the work? Is this how you do things?!

After the death of the oldest clan elder in the Uchiha clan, Fugaku Uchiha stopped hiding his intentions and bluntly stated that the Uchiha Security Force would need to expand its recruitment in the future.

It would be impossible for the Uchiha clan ninjas alone to complete the work of the security department.

The older generation of Uchiha clan elders were naturally furious about this decision.

However, for the new generation of Uchiha clan members, this is an exceptionally good thing.

The older generation of Uchiha clan elders would talk about the glory of the Uchiha clan every day, about the Uchiha clan's past glories, and about how the security forces should be controlled by the Uchiha clan.

However, for the new generation of Uchiha clan members, especially the new generation of Uchiha ninjas who were born after Yua came to power and are now in their twenties.

The Uchiha glory you're talking about is the era when the entire Uchiha clan struggled to even have enough to eat.

It was an era when people dared not speak because they were suppressed by Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.

The Third Hokage had a good temper and didn't hold it against you, yet you two are acting all high and mighty?!

When Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju were in power, you didn't dare utter a single word. Now you're spouting this nonsense to us?

After all, these people's parents are just old, not dead.

These Uchiha elders always say that the security force belongs to the Uchiha clan and that outsiders shouldn't be allowed to interfere.

As a result, their own children are busy until 11 or 12 at night and then have to leave home at 6 or 7 the next morning.

Human hearts are made of flesh and blood; if you don't love your own sons and daughters, who will?

Moreover, it would be fine if hard work paid off, but the problem is that it doesn't!

You old guys take up all the seats, how much of the money you get every year is given to us?

The big head eats everything into its own belly, fattening itself up, and doesn't even glance at the people in the other branches.

And yet they still expect us to dedicate ourselves and work hard every day.

Pah! I quit!

...Does this look familiar?

Yes, the Uchiha clan now has a corporate culture that's pretty much like that.

Those above were being fed by You Ya until their mouths were dripping with oil, while those below were being exploited so much that even the thought of getting a couple more days of rest was a luxury.

Under such circumstances, it's understandable that these new generations see no hope.

Now that Fugaku Uchiha has finally found his chance, he has risen up in rebellion and is ready to fight these Uchiha elders.

If you don't support me, are you prepared to go back to being a beast of burden?!

Of course, Youya was unaware of these things.

He genuinely had no idea what Fugaku Uchiha had been doing for the past month or so; he hadn't cared at all and didn't bother to care.

However, he did know that Fugaku Uchiha was preparing to seize the opportunity to consolidate power after the death of the oldest elder of the Uchiha clan.

But the specific content...

Youya doesn't worry much.

After all, the Konoha University matter took up too much of his energy, and his energy was limited.

Therefore, Yua felt completely bewildered by the various looks that this member of the Uchiha clan cast at him.

You Ya nodded after accepting the invitation.

Seeing that the other person hadn't gone out for a while, Ya looked at them with suspicion: "What's wrong? Is there something else?"

The Uchiha ninja hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.

As mentioned before, because Yua's abilities are so strong, most people in Konoha Village have great respect for him.

This is not differentiated based on family background.

Or rather, even the heads of many Konoha ninja clans, such as Hiruzen Sarutobi, held Yua in high esteem.

Of course, admiration is one thing, but when it comes to fighting for the family's interests, they don't mind banging on the table with You Ya.

However, privately, they had no objections to You Ya and the others.

Take Hiruzen Sarutobi for example.

He clearly distinguishes between public and private matters. If the review department discovers anything good—referring to the content of the midnight channel program that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Torifu Akimichi were secretly working on—they will send it to Yua for his enjoyment… well, to discuss and review.

Ultimately, whether or not it passes censorship depends on You Ya's word.

Therefore, in private, Youya actually has a good relationship with the heads of these families.

But that doesn't stop everyone from banging on the table during the year-end review.

Of course, the head of the Shimura family is an exception.

Danzo Shimura is the kind of guy who's both bad at the game and loves to have fun.

Yua has brought Konoha to its current state, yet Danzo Shimura still hasn't come to apologize to Yua.

Yuya's demands aren't high. "Come here, apologize to me, drink three cups of wine as punishment, and I'll forgive you and then recruit the ninjas of your Shimura clan to work for me."

Since you've been refusing to back down, I have no choice but to exclude the Shimura clan.

Of course, Danzo Shimura's refusal to back down does not mean that the Shimura clan also follows suit.

Just like the Uchiha clan, internal divisions are an old tradition.

In short, for many people in Konoha, Yua is someone they truly respect.

Therefore, the Uchiha ninja in front of him ultimately gave up on getting Yua involved in the Uchiha clan's affairs right now.

There's no need for that.

The Fugaku clan chief is definitely loyal to the Third Hokage. When the Fugaku clan chief's child is born next year, the Third Hokage will come to the Uchiha clan's territory to offer his congratulations, and all the rumors will be dispelled.

You Ya nodded and didn't take it to heart.

Until Jiraiya suddenly found Yua and handed in his resignation.

"Going out of the village again? Tsk tsk, never mind. Remember to write your novel properly, and send it to me as soon as you're done. I, uh cough, I'll help you correct a couple of things."

You Ya teased him with a smile on his face.

To his surprise, Jiraiya nodded seriously: "No problem, don't worry, brother, I'll definitely send it to you first."

Yuya was taken aback, looking at Jiraiya suspiciously: "You seem a little different today?"

Jiraiya didn't jump, and calmly said, "What's different? They should all be the same."

You Ya thought for a moment and didn't pay it any mind: "It's probably just my imagination. Okay, let's go. Your royalties should be settled every three months. Any other questions? Let's discuss them here..."

Yuya was about to say a few more words when she saw Jiraiya swiftly grab the village departure agreement approved by Yuya and disappear like a shot.

You Ya looked completely bewildered.

What exactly is this guy doing here today?

Shaking his head, Yua looked at Nara Shikaya beside him, thought for a moment, and asked, "Has Jiraiya caused trouble in the village again these past few days?"

Nara Shika thought for a moment and shook his head, saying, "I haven't received any related reports, at least not from my subordinates."

"That's strange. There's definitely something fishy about this guy's behavior today."

Just as You Ya was about to take this opportunity to slack off, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in." Nara Shikaya is now quite used to his role as the gatekeeper.

"Lord Hokage, Nagato Uzumaki from the Land of Whirlpools wishes to see you. Would you like to let him in?" A short-haired girl carrying a folder walked in and looked at Yuya with shining eyes.

—Wuhu, I knew that even working as a receptionist in the Hokage's office building could give me the chance to talk to the Hokage!

You Ya nodded casually: "Okay, let him in."

"Understood, will arrange it right away!" The short-haired receptionist gave You Ya a serious bow and then walked out with the folder in her hand.

Wow! I got to talk to the Hokage today! My classmates are so envious!

Not long after, Nagato arrived at the Hokage's office.

Upon seeing Yua, he went straight to the point and asked, "Hokage-sama, where is Jiraiya-sensei?"

Yuya was taken aback, then replied to Nagato, "He just left today, he left the village. What happened?"

A bad feeling welled up in Youya's heart. Could it be...?

Nagato started to panic: "Huh?! Jiraiya-sensei has left the village? What should we do?! Today a girl told me she's Jiraiya-sensei and made a promise with him, saying she wants to be my girlfriend..."

Hokage-sama, you're Jiraiya-sensei's older brother, he often mentions you to me, so perhaps...

"Please help me...?"

Youya took a deep breath, then roared furiously, his face contorted in anger:

"Jiraiya!!!"

……

Nagato and Nadeshiko Shizuka were eventually brought together by Yua. Yua reasoned with them, explaining that the world is so big, there's no need to be bound by any promises or vows, and that they should live for themselves.

Nadeshiko Shizuka, however, said: "I've been observing Nagato for a long time, and I like him quite a bit. I have no objection."

Nagato got goosebumps all over his body. He never expected that such a beautiful girl would follow him!

You Ya sighed in exasperation and finally decided to give up and throw caution to the wind, suggesting that the two of them should spend some time together and see how it goes.

Nagato firmly refused, but Nadeshiko Shizuka agreed.

Youya finally came up with a compromise: "Living together is not an option, but you can study together."

You all came to Konoha to learn, didn't you?

You Ya was a little unsure when she said that.

Nagato was supposed to be here to learn, but this Nadeshiko Shizuka...

hold head high……

Forget it, it's best not to dwell on worries, because that will only make you more and more annoyed.

……

Ultimately, Shizuka Nadeshiko joined the study group consisting of Nagato, Yahiko, and Sasori.

After that, the first goal of this study group was naturally to obtain the qualification to enter Konoha University in the first formal college entrance examination held in Konoha in 46, which was open to all villages and all people of the appropriate age.

The first phase of Konoha University's entrance exams for this year has concluded.

If you want to keep trying to see if you can get into university, then try again next month.

Next month is the end of the year, so we can try a winter recruitment drive.

Anyway, 37 people made it through in the first round, so how come even more will make it through the second round?

Yes, Konoha University only admitted 37 students in its first term.

Only 37 people were admitted out of more than four million applicants.

Youya originally planned to recruit 400 people.

result……

It can only be said that once the difficulty increases to a certain level, you simply won't know it.

However, these 37 people also gained a little fame because of this.

Their subsequent revelations about their university life also inspired longing.

They benefited greatly, especially from the fact that the university professors taught them truly practical and valuable knowledge.

The learning atmosphere they fostered has become even stronger.

This year, Yahiko, Nagato, and others were not eligible to take the exam because they were from other villages.

But it will be available next year.

The scope given by Youya is quite broad. If you're shameless enough to send in 10,000 to 20,000 students using a sheer number of applicants, you should still be able to get one or two accepted.

However, Yuya would certainly be happy to accept this.

Konoha is so short of people, why would he bother to be picky?

Anyone can come, but you'll be miserable if I make you work like a slave.

……

The Konoha Ninja Clan Meeting at the end of Konoha Year 45.

This year's regular meeting was, as always, a complete mess.

Nara Shika watched expressionlessly as the various ninja clan leaders below slammed their fists on the table and roared, trying to secure more benefits and resources for their clans next year.

Nara Shika also felt a wave of weariness.

Ever since we let Youya fill in for me once, he's completely let loose.

Today, You Ya would rather go fishing with his fishing basket than come here for a meeting.

But to be fair...

if it is possible……

I want to go fishing too...

"...I have a question for you." An elder of the Shimura clan stood up, his face somewhat grim. He asked Nara Shikaya with trembling hands:

"Please have Secretary Nara pass on this message."

Does the third generation have any prejudice against our Shimura clan?

Our year-end accounting has declined for the third consecutive year, reaching only 19 billion taels this year…

After the elder of the Shimura clan finished speaking, the other ninja clan leaders who had been spitting wildly stopped and looked at Nara Shikaya.

Nara Shika remained unmoved: "Don't you Shimura clan know the reason best?"

As times have changed, the price of raw materials for your Shimura clan's glass factories, parts factories, and furniture factories has increased slightly. However, other villages in other countries also have the ability to manufacture such parts. If you don't lower your prices, no one will want your products.

Raw material prices are rising, but selling prices have to be lowered. To be honest, I think the fact that we have 19 billion taels in revenue is a testament to the Third Hokage's generosity.

The elders of the Shimura clan fell silent.

He couldn't speak because when Shimura Danzo failed to prove himself to Senju Tobirama, he was forced to step down as Hokage. As compensation, Yua let him choose which factories he wanted, and these factories were extremely profitable at the time.

However, now...

The elder of the Shimura clan sat down helplessly.

Ultimately, they still have a sense of shame and wouldn't say anything too shameless.

Nara Shika also appeared relaxed; although he didn't want to come, he figured he might as well host...

It's still fine.

In the end, the accounting for Konoha at the end of year 45 came to an end.

And the Shimura family...

Some people might care, but...

What's the use of that?

……

The following year was Konoha Year 46.

Yuya stood at the entrance to the Uchiha clan's territory, looking at the banner that read (Congratulations on the birthday celebration of Prince Fugaku Uchiha), and took a deep breath.

after all……

He's finally going to meet Itachi Uchiha!

Since that's the case, then...

Let's go!

(End of this chapter)