More sloppiness by Puzo. If Fanucci was such small otatoes, why did it make Vito such a hero for killing him?
it showed to the people of the neighborhood that Vito wasn't just some run-of-the-mill Italian immigrant hood.
...and he gained the respect of Clemenza and Tessio, which helped establish him as man to be respected in the neighborhood. What we don't know from the film is what happened between his killing of Fanucci and the scene with Senor Roberto. Obviously a few years passed by. Vito likely built up his reputation as a strong, no nonsense, but benevolent, business man.
