Naruto's civilian cannon fodder starts with the three-body technique

Chapter 268 The Hokage Position
When news of the Land of Rivers' great victory reached Konoha, the entire village was immersed in an atmosphere of near-boiling excitement.

In the streets and alleys, in taverns and ninja academies, people were excitedly discussing the great achievements of the Leaf Village's Iron Wall and the great victory in the Land of Rivers.

"Have you heard? Our village's Iron Wall of Konoha single-handedly annihilated two thousand Sand Village soldiers, and even the Sand Village elder Ebizo had his legs severed by him."

"Not only that, I heard that he also fought a legendary Sand Ninja monster for three thousand rounds and escaped unscathed."

"As expected of Konoha's Iron Wall, Konoha's strongest guardian, being able to defeat Sunagakure Elder Ebizo shows his immense strength!"

"I heard that Konoha's Iron Wall is also a disciple of the Second Hokage. He not only mastered a large number of Water Release techniques, but also inherited the Second Hokage's Thunder God Sword."

"Wow! No wonder he's so powerful, he's a disciple of the Second Hokage."

Inside the izakaya, the villagers were talking animatedly, spitting as they discussed the matter.

The absurd rumor that Sasuke Umino was the successor secretly trained by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, spread like wildfire throughout the village. The villagers believed this absurd claim without question, and Sasuke Umino's reputation soared to a whole new level. Inadvertently, he was molded into the "true successor of the Hokage."

His immense prestige even subtly surpassed that of the legendary Sannin of Konoha in a very short period of time. Now, Umino Sasuke is no longer a low-key Jonin of Konoha, but a hero of Konoha who can protect Konoha, turn the tide, reclaim lost territory, and severely damage powerful enemies. He is the successor of Tobirama and a true heir to the Hokage throne.

More importantly, Umino Sasuke comes from a commoner family and represents the fundamental interests of the vast majority of commoner ninjas. Now he has established a ninja clan, which is doing quite well. In addition, he has inherited the Senju legacy, which allows him to balance the interests of various forces in Konoha. He even seems to be showing signs of becoming a candidate for Hokage.

The atmosphere in the Hokage Building office was somewhat somber.

Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, the smoke obscuring the expression on his face.

On his desk lay a detailed battle report on the great victory in the Land of Rivers, as well as the current public opinion in Konoha. Looking at the words "Konoha's Iron Wall," "Tobirama's Successor," "Konoha's Guardian," and "Hokage Candidate" on the report, a complex look flashed across his eyes.

There is certainly some admiration for Umino Sasuke, but it is quite limited. While admiring Umino Sasuke for protecting Konoha, defeating the Sand Village, and reclaiming the lost territory of the Land of Rivers, there is also an indescribable sense of apprehension.

Sasuke Umino's rise was too fast and too rapid. He was originally an unknown Chunin, but after receiving Tobirama's Water Release technique, his strength skyrocketed as if he had been injected with steroids. In particular, after acquiring Samehada, he even made up for his only weakness of insufficient chakra. Later, he even awakened the Ice Release Bloodline Limit, which completely established his status as a strongman.

With his unique puppetry skills, he is now capable of defeating Ebizo.

"Hinzan, this kid is too sharp and ambitious, we must suppress him a bit."

Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses, looking very worried. "The rumors in the village that he is Tobirama's successor are rampant. We are the true successors of Tobirama, and this is a direct challenge to our authority!"

As Mitomon Homura spoke, he was practically gritting his teeth. If it weren't for Umino Sasuke's interference, the Mitomon clan wouldn't have fallen to this state. Even with Hiruzen Sarutobi's protection, in order to keep their position as elders and appease the various ninja clans, their Mitomon clan's assets had been completely divided up by the other ninja clans. Even the fish, bird, and dog clans had gotten a share. It was simply outrageous!

Koharu Utatane frowned slightly: "But Sasuke Umino's achievements are real and undeniable. It's unreasonable to suppress his accomplishments."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag on his pipe and said in a deep voice, "Merit is merit, and fault is fault. Merit should naturally be rewarded, but the rumors about Tobirama's successor also need to be clarified."

Furthermore, since the frontline support troops are so powerful and have repeatedly captured the daimyo's prefectures, let them attack the heartland of the Land of Wind and see if they can capture the daimyo's prefecture, take him prisoner, and sign a ceasefire agreement as soon as possible.

"Yes, let's do it!"

Mitokado En clapped his hands and laughed.

Then, Mitokado Homura offered a suggestion: "Hiruzen, there are rumors that Umino Sasuke's strength has improved so quickly because he secretly conducted human experiments and modified his body. I think this rumor is not unfounded and is probably true. Otherwise, how could someone of his commoner background have such strength?!"

Koharu Utatane nodded, also somewhat worried, and said, "I've heard this rumor too. It really needs to be clarified. Otherwise, if other ninjas follow suit, wouldn't things get chaotic? We should examine Sasuke Umino's body. If he hasn't been subjected to human experimentation, it will allow him to prove his innocence. If he has indeed undergone body modifications, it will be good to advise and guide him so that he won't keep calling himself Tobirama's successor and ruining Tobirama-sensei's reputation."

"Alright, Koharu, I'll leave the physical examination for Umino Sasuke to you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and slammed it on the table, sealing the deal.

Meanwhile, a hint of joy flashed in Mitokado Homura's eyes, and he sneered inwardly. He was the one who spread the rumor about human experimentation. Although he couldn't do anything to Umino Sasuke, he at least had an excuse to suppress him, or even to damage his prestige and reputation.

Sure enough, Hiruzen wouldn't let go of this opportunity as long as there was a pretext. At that time, as long as human experiments were conducted for verification, once the rumors spread, regardless of whether physical modifications had been carried out, it would be difficult to escape public scrutiny.

Proving one's innocence is not that easy.
While Mitokado Homura was plotting against Umino Sasuke, the scene at the Konoha Root underground base was quite different.

"As expected of my capable subordinate, Sasuke fought well in this battle!"

Shimura Danzo had never been so proud of his judgment of people, as if he had completely forgotten who had given up on Umino Sasuke, a promising talent from Root. Now he only remembered how insightful he was and who had promoted Umino Sasuke.

"Danzo, aren't you afraid he'll compete with you for the next Hokage position?"

Orochimaru stood in front of a huge culture tank, which was filled with green cell tissue that looked like sarcoma. This was the interstitial cell tissue used for preliminary cell fusion experiments.

Upon hearing this, Shimura Danzo's face darkened, and a cold light flashed in his eyes. Then, a cunning smile appeared on his lips. "Orochimaru, you're overthinking it. Sasuke is a capable lieutenant whom I personally promoted. Do you think I don't know him? How could he possibly rebel against me?"

Once I ascend to the position, he will be the best candidate to assist the Hokage. At that time, he will be second only to the Hokage. Moreover, I also plan to let him take charge of Root.

With Sasuke's intelligence, he surely understands that it's more beneficial for Konoha to become Hokage. Following Hiruzen will only lead to Konoha's decline. Only by following me can he realize his ambitions and values, making Konoha great again and upholding Tobirama-sensei's iron will!

Danzo Shimura, with his wisdom fully in mind, had already meticulously planned everything.

In his eyes, Umino Sasuke was an extremely sharp blade and a crucial pawn in his future power map. As long as he was promised the position of his assistant, he would obediently submit and assist him, so that Konoha could relive the era of Hashirama.

"Danzo, are you so sure he'll support you instead of becoming Hokage himself?"

Orochimaru smiled knowingly. He didn't even know where Shimura Danzo got his confidence from, thinking that Umino Sasuke would be easily manipulated. As far as he knew, Umino Sasuke was a rare master of political maneuvering.

If I'm not mistaken, Sasuke Umino has absolutely no prejudice against the Uchiha clan; in fact, he might even admire them. On the surface, he's at the forefront of suppressing the Uchiha and has close ties with all the major powers in Konoha.

All of this demonstrates just how high his political acumen is; he is not as simple as he appears on the surface.

Even the so-called Will of Fire, with its hawkish ideology, may be questionable.

Of course, Orochimaru did not reveal these speculations. Compared to Umino Sasuke's ideas and help, his cooperation with Shimura Danzo was just to get more funding and materials. Umino Sasuke was the real partner, and even provided him with the idea of ​​the Reincarnation Jutsu.

With true partners, who would still offer advice to Shimura Danzo? They'd be better off spending more time studying the art of immortality and the true essence of ninjutsu.

"Hmph! Orochimaru, you underestimate me."

Danzo Shimura, however, had a determined look in his eyes and was filled with an iron will. "If Sasuke Umino can defeat me, it wouldn't be unreasonable to make him Hokage."

"Let him be Hokage, it's a thousand times, ten thousand times better than letting the weak Hiruzen be Hokage. As for you three legendary Sannin of Konoha, apart from Orochimaru, who's somewhat capable, Jiraiya and Tsunade are practically cut from the same cloth—weak and powerless. To have someone like that as Hokage is practically a crime against Konoha!"

Despite his seemingly selfless demeanor, Shimura Danzo harbored a deep-seated fear of Umino Sasuke.

At this point, however, Shimura Danzo's beliefs had not completely collapsed, and his obsession with the Hokage position had not been twisted so deeply by Sarutobi Hiruzen. If Umino Sasuke could truly remain as ruthless and tough as ever and lead Konoha to greatness again, he would not mind sincerely assisting him.

Compared to making Konoha great again, what harm is there in giving up the position of Hokage and spending his life as a root beneath Konoha?

He wanted to let Tobirama-sensei know that no one could match his dedication to Konoha. The fact that he didn't say he would stay behind to cover the retreat didn't mean his Will of Fire was weaker than Hiruzen Sarutobi's. He was the true successor to Tobirama-sensei's iron will.

"Hmm." After hearing this, Orochimaru nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Danzo Shimura solemnly promised, "Orochimaru, you can focus on your research. The power of Wood Release will be the cornerstone for Konoha's future rise. When I become the Fourth Hokage, you will be the head of the Anbu. Your research will receive the full support of the village and will be free from any obstacles!"

As for Sasuke, he would be a good candidate for the Fifth Hokage.

(End of this chapter)