Reincarnated as Itachi Uchiha at the Start

"This reporter, I'm afraid I can't answer that question directly," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a gentle expression. "But I can give you a suggestion: first, go and thoroughly study the history of our Konoha."

"As everyone knows, since the founding of our village, Konoha has always implemented a dual-system policy."

"The Konoha Military Police Force, established by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, has always been managed by the Uchiha clan. They are primarily responsible for maintaining the village's security and public order."

"This not only reflects the Second Hokage's trust in the Uchiha, but also showcases the Uchiha clan's admirable traits of strict self-discipline and leniency towards others."

"As for why the Uchiha clan is conducting internal inspections and self-purging, that's something you'll have to ask Chief Fugaku Uchiha of the Konoha Military Police Force."

"And as for the claim that Itachi is merely a puppet we've propped up to control the Uchiha clan—what utter nonsense."

"A child as outstanding as Itachi—do you really think he'd let us manipulate him? Even if he agreed, the Uchiha clan wouldn't stand for it. We treasure him, nurture him—there's not even enough time for that. Why would we try to control him?"

"Well then, that's all for today's interview."

"I still have official duties to attend to."

"As for the Nine-Tails' attack and the human experimentation scandal—as the Hokage, I bear full responsibility. I will give a proper explanation to our fallen comrades and to the villagers who lost their lives."

"Let me make this clear—no matter who the culprit is, Konoha will never let them get away with it!"

"If it's a person, even if they're at the ends of the earth, we will hunt them down. If it's an organization or a village trying to sow discord, then they better be ready to face Konoha's wrath."

"Here and now, on behalf of Konoha, I say to those with sinister intentions: I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, am not too old to wield a blade. If you don't believe me, try me!"

"But if you try… you'll die," Hiruzen said coldly, shooting a sharp glance at the reporter from the Land of Fire.

The reporter shivered and lowered his head guiltily.

Once Hiruzen returned to his office, he slammed his fist onto the desk—crack—the desk shattered into pieces. The surrounding ANBU were silent with fear. This was the first time in decades as Hokage that Hiruzen Sarutobi had shown such rage.

His face darkened. Today's interview had gone completely according to someone else's script—he was being led by the nose the whole time.

He hated this feeling of being out of control.

"Did you find anything?" Hiruzen asked coldly.

"We found a little information," an ANBU replied nervously, swallowing hard.

"Speak!" Hiruzen's gaze turned sharp.

"Today's news, reports, and even the posters plastered around the village—all have noble clans behind them."

"According to information sent by spies and ANBU stationed near the Daimyō's estate, two mysterious individuals deliberately leaked intel to several newspaper agencies last night. They also used genjutsu to control some street thugs and underground groups. That's how things escalated like this," the ANBU replied timidly.

"Hmph… mysterious individuals and genjutsu?" Hiruzen sneered.

"Does the Daimyō know about this?" he asked. He recalled the journalist from the Land of Fire causing trouble today—clearly not a coincidence. This had been orchestrated.

"The Daimyō knows, but he's taken a hands-off approach. Perhaps, to him, this is an internal matter for Konoha and not worth his attention."

"What about the Twelve Guardian Ninja?" Hiruzen asked.

"According to the spy's report, several of the Twelve who were close to Konoha have recently died. The official story is internal strife, not assassination or mission-related deaths, but… it's unverified."

"However, according to the last pieces of intel they sent before dying, some members of the Twelve believe that the Hokage is unnecessary and that the actual power of the shinobi should lie in the hands of the Daimyō."

At this, the ANBU began sweating profusely. "It's said that the Daimyō now intends to recruit a few elite jonin from across the shinobi world to fill the gaps in the Twelve Guardian Ninja, likely as a precaution against Konoha."

"This is nothing but rumor and hearsay," Hiruzen slammed the desk. "Konoha cannot exist without the Daimyō, and the Daimyō cannot survive without Konoha. One nation, one village—that was the rule set by the God of Shinobi, the First Hokage."

"The principle of 'the lips gone, the teeth grow cold'—the Daimyō cannot be ignorant of this."

"There will always be those with malicious intent trying to sow discord between Konoha and the Daimyō's court—this is absolutely unacceptable!"

"Pass down my orders: it is strictly forbidden to privately spread or discuss any news regarding the Daimyō's estate. Any violation will be severely punished!"

"Yes, sir!" The ANBU quickly responded. When he left, he let out a sigh of relief. His back was soaked with sweat—he had thought he wouldn't make it out.

Shortly after, Asuma Sarutobi came to the Hokage's office. A heated argument broke out between father and son. After some time, Asuma stormed out angrily.

From the upper floor window, Hiruzen gazed at Asuma's departing figure and sighed.

Then, he returned to reviewing official documents.

After a moment, as if remembering something, he opened the mission report submitted by Uchiha Itachi earlier that morning.

"Konoha Military Police Force – Internal Inspection and Self-Purging"

"Self-purging starts with identifying problems. It includes ideological work, deepening cautionary education, expanding the scope of intelligence gathering, and strictly punishing any members who refuse to confess their violations."

"There must be laws to follow, and laws must be followed. Law enforcement must be strict, and violations must be punished."

"No investigation, no clearance. The earlier the confession, the better. Those who hide will be dealt with harshly."

"The Military Police Force must take the lead in self-examination—cutting into their own flesh if necessary—and set an example for others."

"Leniency for voluntary confessions; strict punishment for forced investigations."

"Failing to file cases, suppressing investigations, shielding criminals—such parasites must be expelled without exception!"

"Scientific legislation, strict enforcement, fair justice, and universal legal education."

"We must focus on external pressure, truly open the doors, let villagers participate, let them supervise, sincerely invite their judgment. We must win hearts with virtue if we hope to change the Uchiha's image."

"So this is the new leadership of the Military Police Force? Willing to take a knife to their own kind. Looks like Fugaku is paving a smooth road for Itachi," Hiruzen sighed.

"Let Fugaku be the one to do the dirty work, to carry the infamy. Itachi only needs to reap the rewards."

"As long as the precedent is set, no one else will dare resist."

"I wonder how many Uchiha heads rolled last night…"

"Sigh. Looks like I really am getting old," Hiruzen slumped into his chair, looking as though he'd aged decades in an instant, like a man nearing the end of his life.

He didn't know why, but reading this report felt like Itachi had deliberately written it to provoke him.

Now, Hiruzen was deeply unsettled—he had no mood to review documents or handle village affairs.

Every word in the Uchiha's internal report felt like a knife slicing into his flesh.

"You don't understand the meaning the first time you read it. But upon second reading, you realize—you are the person in the text."

If only he had been a bit more ruthless like Fugaku—not so indecisive, not so hesitant—then the Senju clan wouldn't have been wiped out, the Uzumaki clan wouldn't have been annihilated, White Fang and Hiashi wouldn't have had to die by suicide.

Orochimaru wouldn't have dared restart his human experimentation, Danzo wouldn't have been so brazen, Konoha wouldn't have become what it is today. Shisui wouldn't have been driven to a tragic end… Tsunade wouldn't have left in disillusionment, Jiraiya wouldn't have wandered outside for years, unwilling to return, and Minato would have been able to peacefully assume power.

But now… the main Senju bloodline had only Tsunade left. The Uzumaki clan was all but gone. The Hyūga and Uchiha clans had grown distant from Konoha.

Though outsiders praise him as the longest-serving Hokage in the history of the shinobi world, the oldest Hokage, the one who ushered Konoha into its golden age, and bestowed him the title of "Professor of Ninjutsu," the strongest Hokage—

Only he knew… it was just flattery from those below. He was merely the one who enjoyed the fruits of others' labor.

His fortune was simply too good—so good that the First and Second Hokage had already done all the hard work and left him a rich legacy. All he had to do was one thing: enjoy it.

PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin