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

Chapter 298 Suicide Mission
The active chakra provided by the Hashirama cell regeneration nucleus is like a source that nourishes the soul's life, and is precisely the most ideal energy to drive the "soul chip". It is gentle, orderly, full of vitality, and can even resonate with the soul.

While it's impossible to achieve Chiyo's forbidden technique, Self-Reincarnation, which grants life to a puppet, maintaining the stability of the "soul chip" is a piece of cake.

Sasuke Umino's gaze once again fell upon the regeneration core emitting an emerald glow within the mecha puppet's chest cavity.

"Now, the two key problems—a stable and gentle source of active energy—have been solved, and the intercolumnar cell regeneration nucleus perfectly meets this requirement!"

A spark of scientific research ignited in his eyes. "Now, the only remaining challenge is to overcome the difficulty of establishing a stable seal and mental link between the 'soul chip' and the metal body. Once this problem is solved, creating an intelligent puppet army with the ability to learn and grow will no longer be a fantasy. At that time, not only will the Red Sand Scorpion be able to operate hundreds of machines, but it will be no problem to operate thousands or even tens of thousands of machines."

However, the stable sealing and spiritual linking of the "soul chip" on the metal puppet is indeed a difficult problem. The reason why human puppets can succeed is that even corpses are still flesh and blood, and the soul and body have a natural affinity, making it relatively easy to seal or link the soul. But for cold metal machinery, sealing and linking the soul is indeed very difficult, and it is not as good as the mechanical intelligent chip provided by Orochimaru and Hiruko.

"The sealing techniques of Iwagakure are exquisite, but they are more focused on energy and material sealing. They are not deep enough to penetrate the connection between the soul and inanimate objects, and can only be used as a reference."

Sasuke Umino put down the scroll in his hand and shook his head.

However, his mind quickly scanned the known sealing techniques in the ninja world, and finally, a name emerged: the Uzumaki clan of the Land of Whirlpools!
"The inheritors of the strongest sealing technique in the ninja world, and only their secret sealing technique, might be able to solve the problem of sealing the link between the soul and the mechanical puppet."

Thinking of the Land of Whirlpools, Sasuke Umino calmed down. The Uzumaki clan possessed powerful sensory abilities like "Kagura's Mind's Eye," making it almost impossible for them to steal sealing techniques undetected, just like they had infiltrated Iwagakure.

Moreover, the Uzumaki clan is founded on sealing techniques, so the protection of their core secret techniques must be extremely tight. Even if he has the Kusanagi Sword that breaks the seal, it would be very difficult for him to obtain it without any risk.

Sasuke Umino tapped his fingers lightly on the lab table, his eyes darkening slightly: "A transaction might be a good approach, but the Uzumaki clan has no shortage of wealth, nor power or status. Ordinary things won't sway them. We need to find something they can't refuse."

However, according to the information obtained from the database established by Yamashiro Aoba, when he infiltrated Kumogakure last time, he unsealed the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Burubi, causing Burubi to lose control and the Eight-Tails to erupt.

The Hidden Cloud Village had been coveting the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques since the beginning of the war. If it weren't for the Hidden Stone Village's restraint, the Hidden Cloud Village would probably have acted long ago. Once the battlefield in the Hidden Stone Village begins to ease, or the Hidden Cloud Village finds an opportunity, the annihilation of the Uzumaki clan will be imminent.

"This matter requires careful consideration."

Sasuke Umino suppressed his thoughts and decided to find an opportunity to visit the Land of Whirlpools in the future to see if he could seduce this top-tier ninja power.

Now that his mission had been accomplished, he released several shadow clones to stay behind and continue the experiments. After checking the progress of each experiment one last time, he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to instantly return to the front-line camp of the Land of Rivers.

He intended to continue guiding Xiao Xiao and the three little fish, birds, and dogs in their cultivation, but the atmosphere in the camp was somewhat strange.

As soon as he stepped into the command center, Nara Shikaku greeted him with a lazy expression and a hint of barely perceptible mockery.

"Commander, you've come back just in time."

Nara Shikaku handed over a document and chuckled, “The Mitomon clan has mobilized all its elite forces, sending over sixty ninjas, saying they are here to ‘support’ the front lines. The leader is Mitomon Ta. They said they were ordered by Elder Mitomon Homura to familiarize themselves with the troops in preparation for Elder Mitomon Homura’s return to the front lines.”

Umino Sasuke raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Mito Kadota came in person. Where is he?"

"A temporary encampment was arranged in the northwest corner of the camp area."

Nara Shikaku's lips curled into a sneer, "However, they don't seem to be very popular. Your reform policies have already taken root in people's hearts, and the frontline ninjas deeply resent the long-standing problems in the logistics department."

Before, the Mitokado clan, well, had engaged in arms smuggling with Sunagakure, an enemy of Konoha. They even "suspected" of trading information with Sunagakure to eliminate dissidents. Although it was suppressed by some people, their subordinates all remembered it.

"These Mitomon clan ninjas came in all arrogant and domineering, but after being 'warmly entertained' by our people, they're much more obedient now. Lord Tian's expression isn't very pleasant at all."

Upon hearing this, Umino Sasuke immediately understood. The Iron Wall Army was now united, and the reformist ideas had taken root in their hearts. Mitokado Homura's attempt to seize control of the original Mobile Support Force was wishful thinking. Sending Mitokado to pave the way was simply courting death. "Now that they've come to the front lines, we can't let them sit idly by. They must accomplish something to repay Elder Mitokado Homura's 'deep affection'."

Sasuke Umino's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority: "By order of command: the Mitomon clan ninjas are to be incorporated into the 'Special Assault Team,' personally commanded by Hayama Shirakumo. They are to be fully prepared immediately for a major raid at dawn this morning. The objective is to capture the Sunagakure Red Sand Fortress outpost. This outpost controls a crucial passage and is of great strategic importance. We must eliminate it at all costs!"

He also emphasized the words "major," "critical," and especially "at any cost."

Nara Shikaku's eyes lit up, and he instantly understood the commander's intention. "Yes, Commander! I will go and relay the order immediately!"

The order was quickly relayed to the Mitomon clan's ninja base.

Mito Kadota, a middle-aged Jonin with a square face and a touch of nobility, looked at the order document, his face turning ashen. He slammed his hand on the table, sending wood chips flying.

"Absurd! Utterly shameless!"

Mito Kadota was furious. He roared at the Iron Wall Army ninja who came to deliver the order, "Red Sand Fortress! That's a tough nut to crack, heavily guarded by Sunagakure troops. The terrain is treacherous, and the garrison has at least two battalions. Sending us, with our small force, to forcibly attack it is clearly sending us to our deaths!"

That scoundrel, Sasuke Umino, is definitely settling a personal score!

I refuse to carry out this blatantly suicidal order! I will report this to Elder Yan and appeal to the Hokage!

Mitomonda's roar echoed within the camp.

The Iron Wall Army's messenger ninja remained expressionless, coldly recording in his notebook: "Jonin Mito Kadota refused to carry out the combat orders issued by the frontline command. This act of disobedience has been recorded and will be reported to the command headquarters and the Konoha Military Law Office."

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Mitomonda and a group of pale-faced clansmen behind.

Mitomon Ken said urgently, "Elder! Disobeying orders from the front lines is a serious crime!"

Mitomonda was so angry that his chest heaved violently. He knew all too well the consequences of disobeying orders from the front lines, but he couldn't bring himself to lead his clansmen to their deaths!
“Disobeying orders is a serious crime, but carrying out such a death order is also a death sentence. Elder Yan has considerable influence in the village. As long as we insist that the order is unreasonable, we may be able to negotiate when we get back and avoid some of the punishment, thus saving our lives and titles.”

The Mitokado clan ninjas nodded in agreement; compared to going to their deaths, this was the only option.

However, not long after the Mitomon clan ninjas disobeyed orders from the front lines, Nara Shikaku arrived in person, his face unusually solemn, even with an exaggerated theatricality.

"Lord Ta! An urgent S-rank mission has been issued!" Nara Shikaku said urgently and anxiously, "The latest top-secret intelligence indicates that after carrying out a country-destroying mission in the heart of the Land of Wind, Lord Hatake Sagumo and Commander Umino encountered the relentless pursuit of Sunagakure Elder Chiyo and her elite puppeteer unit. The two lords are desperately retreating towards our controlled territory on the border, but Chiyo and her troops are hot on their heels. The situation is extremely critical!"

Then, Nara Shikaku produced a new order and said in a resolute tone: "Command has ordered: the special assault team must depart immediately, at all costs, and proceed at full speed to the designated location to provide support. The mission is crucial to the safety of two of Konoha's top fighters and the overall situation on the front lines. Command has designated this mission as the highest priority. Your unit is to depart immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Mitomonda felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of ice water, his whole body was cold, and he had nowhere to vent his anger.

This rendezvous mission involves facing pursuit from Chiyo and her elite puppet troops, which is even more desperate than attacking Red Sand Fortress. Red Sand Fortress is a death trap, but if it cannot be taken, at least a retreat can be made, and many clansmen can survive. However, if they go to the border to provide rendezvous and are caught by Chiyo and her elite puppet troops, they will definitely die.

Faced with Chiyo and her fearsome elite puppeteer unit, their sixty-odd men were no match for her.

What's worse, he had just openly disobeyed an order, leaving an indisputable record of insubordination. This order was perfectly reasonable and legal; supporting vital combat forces was the inescapable responsibility of any frontline unit. If Mito Kadoda dared to utter another word of "no," Umino Sasuke would absolutely not hesitate to impose battlefield discipline on him on the spot for crimes such as "continuous insubordination," "desertion in the face of battle," and "disregarding the safety of his comrades on the front lines," and might even implicate his entire clan!
The despair brought on by the order to die surged into his heart. For the first time, Mito Kadota felt so clearly that he had willingly walked into a carefully designed deadly trap.

(End of this chapter)