[Ding, you killed a wandering ninja (Cannon Fodder A), received: Evil Points +1500][Ding, you killed a wandering ninja (Cannon Fodder B), received: Evil Points +1000]...[Ding, you killed a wandering ninja (Thug C), received: Evil Points +100]
After killing ten people, Ichiro found that each kill now only gave him 100 Evil Points. From here on out, no matter how strong the target, the reward remained fixed.
After wiping out a group of rogue ninjas causing trouble in the Land of Fire, Ichiro made his way to a secluded location.
"Everything in the universe returns to ash—Ryūjin Jakka!"
As soon as Ichiro uttered the Shikai command, flames burst from the tip of his blade and quickly wrapped around the entire sword.
The terrifying heat instantly withered the surrounding flora, igniting a blazing fire.
Though the difference between Shikai and Bankai was massive, Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai alone could reach a temperature of 6,000 degrees Celsius.
Lava tops out at just 1,400 degrees. Even Akainu's magma fruit from One Piece paled in comparison. As for the Lava Release kekkei genkai in the Naruto world—it wasn't even worth comparing. Even Amaterasu's famed black flames bowed before Ryūjin Jakka.
Amaterasu might be hyped as the strongest physical fire, but what actual results did it ever show? It had the "inextinguishable" gimmick, sure—but it took ages to burn anything.
After unlocking Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai, not only could Ichiro wield flames as hot as the sun's surface, but his chakra was also greatly enhanced.
That said, it consumed a lot. Ichiro figured he could only maintain the Shikai for two minutes—less if he used powerful techniques.
If he unleashed his "Flames of Hell" technique, he could probably reduce all of Konoha to cinders.
After releasing the Shikai, Ichiro sheathed Ryūjin Jakka and activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Susanō."
Dark chakra surged forth. Skeletal arms and ribs emerged—this was the initial form of Susanoo.
As more chakra was consumed, a massive half-body skeleton enveloped Ichiro completely—Susanoo's first complete form.
Then came the flesh, sinews, and a robe-like chakra cloak—Susanoo's second form, now armed with weapons.
His Susanoo wielded two long swords, but no special spiritual items or legendary tools. Ichiro was a bit disappointed.
Mangekyō Sharingan only allowed access up to the third form of Susanoo, but Ichiro didn't go that far.
The third form added a tengu-style armor over the second, along with stronger weapons and greater defense—but at the cost of extreme chakra and ocular power.
And unlike chakra, Mangekyō's ocular power couldn't be replenished once depleted unless the eyes evolved into Eternal Mangekyō.
When he released Susanoo, his eyes throbbed painfully, as if he hadn't slept in days.
"Too much strain… I'd better avoid using it until I evolve to Eternal Mangekyō."
The Mangekyō Sharingan was truly a double-edged sword. As powerful as it was, it harmed its user just as much. Sasuke's own descent into blindness proved how quickly it could fail from overuse.
Sasuke's eyes started going blind after only a few days of intensive usage.
"Well, time to head back to the village—still need to persuade Hiruzen Sarutobi to hand over some budget."
Ichiro already had a plan to pressure the Third Hokage into funding the Police Force.
"Starting today, whether Konoha remains peaceful or not—that's for me to decide. I'll make sure Sarutobi gets a little surprise."
A wicked grin spread across his face, already picturing Hiruzen's dumbfounded reaction.
Half a day later, Ichiro returned to the village and summoned Uchiha Goro.
"Any movement from Fugaku while I was gone?"
Even though he'd only been away a day, Ichiro preferred to stay cautious.
"Lord Ichiro, Fugaku hasn't made any moves—but the Third Hokage paid him a visit."
"Hiruzen visiting Fugaku, huh."
Ichiro snorted. He wasn't an idiot—he could easily guess why Hiruzen had gone.
"When do you plan to take over as clan head, Lord Ichiro?"
"You think I could just take the position now? Fugaku wouldn't allow it—and plenty of others would oppose it too."
While Ichiro had his supporters, there were still many who stood against him.
"Then let's deal with the ones who oppose you," Goro said with a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.
"No need to rush. I'm not in a hurry. I wasn't interested before, but now I don't mind becoming clan head. Still, I'm not going to force it."
"If something's meant to be mine, it'll come to me eventually."
"Right now, I have a task for you. You better handle it properly."
"Yes, Lord Ichiro!"
Goro looked thrilled—he was itching for action.
"Konoha's been too peaceful lately, don't you think?"
"Isn't peace a good thing, Lord Ichiro?"
Ichiro cast him a sidelong glance. "What's the job of the Police Force? To maintain order in the village, right?"
"If everything's peaceful and stable, what do we do all day? Sit around? You think that makes us look useful?"
"Well, when you put it that way…"
Goro nodded slowly, though something felt off.
"So to keep ourselves relevant, we need to create some work for ourselves."
"Your task is simple: start collecting 'security fees' from the shops. We keep the peace—they ought to pay up."
"Uh, Lord Ichiro, I doubt they'll be willing to pay."
"Then make them willing. Stir up trouble. Make sure their businesses can't run unless they pay protection. Anyone who refuses—well, they'll learn the hard way."
"I understand, Lord Ichiro. So we deliberately make trouble for them until they cave? Don't worry—this is my specialty."
"Glad to hear it. Just don't let me down."
Ichiro even gave him tips on how to harass subtly, without making it too obvious.