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

Chapter 318 Daimyo's Assistance
"Months ago, I had already seen through everything and sent people to the front lines to execute the culprit, Mitomon Takashi, on the spot as a warning to others, and to use his blood to commemorate the fallen heroes!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took all the credit, making no mention of Danzo Shimura's rigorous investigation of corruption on the front lines.

Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone turned gentle and concerned: "However, although the culprit has been brought to justice, the widows and orphans of the heroes have lost their place to live!"

Because I am busy with countless affairs on the front lines, I have overlooked some things, which is my dereliction of duty as the Hokage! I am heartbroken. Therefore, I personally order the Mitomon clan to sell their clan property and raise funds to purchase new homes for each of you who have lost your homes, compensate for your losses, and ensure that you will have a worry-free life in the future!
Konoha will never let the blood of heroes be shed in vain! We will never let the families of heroes be left destitute!

He delivered a moving performance, even with his eyes slightly reddening, perfectly portraying the Hokage as "observant, impartial, and caring towards his subordinates."

The villagers of Konoha, especially the ordinary people who were unaware of the truth, had no idea about the sordid dealings between the higher-ups. They only saw that the Hokage had already punished the evildoers and was now "forcing" the criminal families to use their clan property to settle the victims, and they were immediately moved to tears.

"The Hokage is wise and mighty!"

"The Third Hokage is truly our great Hokage!"

"I'm so touched! Long live the Hokage!"

"With the Hokage here, Konoha has hope!"

Praise poured in like a tidal wave, elevating Hiruzen Sarutobi to the moral high ground.

Although the bereaved families still harbored doubts and sorrow, upon hearing that they would receive new housing and compensation, and intimidated by the Hokage's authority, they could only bow and express their gratitude to Hiruzen Sarutobi amidst the cheers of the villagers, tears welling in their eyes.

Representatives from various ninja clans stood on the high corridor of the Hokage Building, watching this scene with cold eyes. Some were indifferent, some had a hint of sarcasm on their lips, some were simply watching the show, while most admired Hiruzen Sarutobi's political acumen and deeply despised him.

Only Uchiha Kakuzu stood on high, his crimson Sharingan sweeping over the fooled villagers and the showy Hokage below. A mocking smile curled at the corner of his mouth. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of the representatives of the various ninja clans.

"Hehe! What a 'perceptive' and 'caring subordinate' Hokage! His showmanship is truly unparalleled and masterful."

Below, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile remained as warm as a spring breeze, as if he hadn't heard Uchiha Hikaru's harsh mockery. He even nodded slightly in Uchiha Hikaru's direction, appearing incredibly magnanimous.

However, when he turned around and walked into the Hokage Building with his back to the cheering crowd, his kind smile vanished instantly, leaving only a sinister and cold glint in his eyes, and a murderous intent surging in his heart: You Uchiha, it was indeed you who were stirring things up behind the scenes, I will remember this.

This isn't aimed at that lazy good-for-nothing Mitokado Homura; it's clearly aimed at me! This is blatant provocation, an attempt to shake the foundation of my position as Hokage!

Throughout the entire ninja world, who else but the Uchiha with their evil Sharingan could manipulate public opinion so precisely and subtly influence so many people with their nearly unsolvable genjutsu?!
Uchiha Fire Core, is he testing my limits? Or is it that the Uchiha are already eager to seize the Hokage position?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes grew colder and colder, and his killing intent intensified. It seemed that he had been too lenient with the Uchiha clan before. Danzo was right. The Uchiha clan was born evil and had rebellious genes engraved in their bones. They were the most unstable factor in Konoha and a cancer!

Soon, a plan took shape in his mind. He decided to teach the Uchiha a profound lesson and planned to order all the unruly Uchiha troublemakers to be transferred to the front line of the Land of Loess Plateau, so that Danzo could teach them what obedience and dedication to the village meant. Only in Danzo's hands could these evil Uchiha have any value left.

Stepping into the cold corridor of the Hokage Building, he felt extremely anxious. He felt that his Hokage prestige had never been challenged as much as it had today. In the eyes of those ninja clans, especially in front of the Uchiha, he seemed to be losing more and more weight.

None of his three apprentices were easy to deal with.

Orochimaru has completely changed since the incident with Nawaki. He locks himself in the lab all day, tinkering with experiments. Where is the demeanor and responsibility that a successor to the Hokage should have? He's practically degenerated!

Jiraiya is utterly useless. Just thinking about that irresponsible disciple makes one furious. He was given a chance to succeed Orochimaru as Hokage and take charge on the front lines of the Land of Rain, where he could have made a name for himself and built up his prestige. But what happened? He spends all his time either writing those nonsensical novels or sympathizing with the rioters in the Land of Rain. He's completely hopeless!

As for Tsunade, she's been a troublemaker since childhood. Making her Hokage would be less of a concern than supporting anyone else.

The three troublesome disciples were one thing, but what infuriated him even more was the news from the front lines that his two most useful tools, Umino Sasuke and Hatake Sakumo, had also begun to disobey orders. The order to return to Konoha had been given, but where were they? They were dragging their feet and had not returned yet.

Especially Umino Sasuke, who annihilated the main force of Sunagakure, killed the Sunagakure elders and the successor of the Kazekage, and captured the One-Tailed Jinchuriki, Bunpuku. What a great achievement!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were sharp as knives, filled with anger at being offended and shame at being deceived. He had really misjudged him before, thinking that Umino Sasuke was a tool with the Will of Fire, no ambition, and easy to manipulate. He never expected that he was actually a venomous snake in the dark, who dared to conspire with Akimichi Torifu, that stupid fat man, to take away the actual command of two thousand ninja troops on the front line of the Land of Rivers from him, the Hokage.

What a well-organized force!
What a brilliant frontline reform!
Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi almost gritted his teeth. This was clearly a plot to seize military power, a blatant challenge to the Hokage's authority, and a complete disregard for him, the Third Hokage!
"Want to be Hokage? Dream on!" Hiruzen Sarutobi sneered inwardly.

In his view, all Umino Sasuke did was for the position of Fourth Hokage. Did he think that by making some military achievements and gaining some allies, he could covet that position? That was wishful thinking!

The position of Hokage is of paramount importance, and it can only be passed down within his own Hokage lineage. It must be entrusted to someone he trusts and can control. As for Umino Sasuke, a newcomer with shallow roots who climbed up through cunning, luck, and opportunism, does he even deserve it?
"Hmph! You're so arrogant! Just wait until you return to Konoha, and you'll see what I'm made of..."

A cold glint flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. Even without the questioning of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, I will make him realize his place and understand who the true ruler of Konoha is. Any ambition that is not his will will only lead to destruction!

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was plotting how to suppress Sasuke Umino and deal with the Uchiha clan inside the Hokage Building.

Outside Konoha Village, on the wide road leading to the village.

An unprecedentedly large and magnificent procession is slowly approaching, bathed in the midday sun.

It kicked up huge plumes of smoke and dust, stretching for miles!
At the very front of the group, Umino Sasuke sat atop the back of a magnificent, snow-white desert falcon. He wore a white divine robe over a dark blue combat suit, with the menacing Samehada sword coiled around his body. His expression was calm and composed, exuding an aura of commanding authority.

Sunlight streamed down, casting a dazzling halo around him, making him appear as if a war god had descended upon him.

Slightly behind him, Uchiha Mikoto stood quietly, dressed in a well-fitting secretary outfit, gentle and serene.

Kurama Konon rode on Tekudo's equally magnificent "sub-bird stage" desert falcon, her posture elegant and graceful.

Hatake Sagumo rode his warhorse, guarding the daimyo of the land of rivers in an extremely luxurious carriage. His silver hair gleamed in the sunlight, and although his white dagger was not drawn, the sharp aura of someone who had been through countless battles was still compelling.

Inside the carriage, the daimyo of the Land of Rivers looked through the beaded curtain at the approaching gates of Konoha Village, a satisfied smile on his face.

The most eye-catching part is the main body of the team.

Three hundred puppeteers, dressed in uniform dark combat suits, moved in perfect unison, like sophisticated war machines, with nearly a hundred large carts beside them.

On the cart, piles of spoils gleamed coldly and bloodily in the sunlight.

The severed limbs, twisted skeletons, and shattered chakra transmission devices of numerous Sand Village puppets were piled up into small mountains, silently testifying to the ferocity of the battle and Konoha's victory.

In addition, dozens of large carts were covered with various broken standard ninja tools such as kunai, shuriken, fūma shuriken, and senbon needles. The sheer number of them was enough to make one's scalp crawl.

This wasn't even the most visually striking part. Ten large carts overflowed with Sunagakure headbands, piled up like small mountains, reflecting a chillingly bright metallic sheen under the midday sun. Each headband represented a Sunagakure ninja who had been killed or captured. This "sea of ​​headbands" on the carts silently proclaimed: the main force of Sunagakure had been utterly crushed by the Iron Wall Army!
Behind this breathtaking array of spoils were endless prison wagons.

Hundreds of dejected Sand Village prisoners, bearing sealing runes, were imprisoned in specially made cages.

Most of them were wounded, their expressions numb and desperate; their former pride and ferocity had vanished.

As the procession moved forward, the only sounds were the heavy clanking of shackles and the rolling of wheels.

The real focus of this massive procession were two exceptionally large, specially made prison wagons located in the middle of the procession, covered with numerous sealing runes.

Inside the first prison van, a gaunt old monk sat quietly cross-legged, his eyes closed and his hands clasped together, as if silently reciting Buddhist scriptures. He was none other than Bunfuku, the Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast of Sunagakure.

His face was calm, without sorrow or joy. All the chakra in his body was sealed, yet he still exuded a chilling aura. His hands and feet were covered with chakra chains engraved with runes. As the perfect Jinchūriki and the vessel for the One-Tailed Shukaku, he could not be too cautious.

The very existence of Monk Bunpuku is a testament to the strongest fighting force of Sunagakure, and his capture is the most powerful symbol of Sunagakure's defeat!
Inside the second prison van was a woman with a graceful figure, her hands and feet also bound by chakra chains. She was none other than the Fourth Kazekage's successor, the Scorching Release user, Pakura.

She looked slightly disheveled, her face partially obscured. Although she appeared somewhat disheveled, the pride of a strong person had not completely disappeared. Her capture represented the defeat of the Sand Village's top young fighting force.

Such a grand display, such imposing power, was even more awe-inspiring than the previous two prisoner-presentation ceremonies combined!

As this team, laden with glorious achievements and unparalleled honor, slowly approached the gates of Konoha.

The Konoha villagers and ninjas, who had already received the news and were gathered on both sides of the road and on the high walls of the village, were instantly shocked by the scene before them.

After a brief silence, a thunderous roar of cheers erupted!

"We won! Sunagakure has been defeated!"

"Long live! Long live Lord Iron Wall!"

"Look! That's a Jinchūriki! My God, they really caught him!"

"And that female ninja, I heard she's Pakura, the Scorching Release expert, a Sunagakure genius, and the strongest candidate for the Fourth Kazekage!"

"Our Konoha is too strong..."

Cheers, exclamations, and praises instantly filled the gates of Konoha Village.

The villagers were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes, and they waved their arms, cheering for their hero.

Among the crowd, the representatives of the various ninja clans wore much more complex expressions.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the "sea of ​​headbands" and the monk Bunpuku in the specially made prison cart, a smile on his face, but his eyes were extremely solemn and full of fear.

The Hyuga clan leader stood to the side and in front, his gaze sweeping over the massive procession and the spirited Umino Sasuke, then glancing at Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him, a deep, unfathomable, playful smile playing on his lips.

Uchiha's crimson Sharingan stared at Bunpuku and Yekura in the prison cart, then at Umino Sasuke's tall, straight back, his eyes filled with both scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible admiration.

Representatives from the Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, and Kurama clans were all shaken and overwhelmed by the display of such powerful force.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood directly in front of the Konoha gates, a perfect, gentle yet solemn smile on his face, as if the fear and coldness deep in his eyes had never existed.

He gazed at the massive army returning with glorious victories ahead, especially the white figure at the very front of the group.

"Welcome back in triumph, heroes of Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice, amplified by chakra, resounded clearly throughout the arena, carrying just the right amount of excitement and satisfaction: "On the front lines of the Land of Wind, you bravely defeated the invading enemy, defended the dignity of the Land of Fire, and protected the peace of Konoha. Your achievements will be forever engraved on Konoha's monument of heroes! Konoha is proud of you!"

These words, spoken with such sincerity, drew enthusiastic cheers from the villagers who were unaware of the truth.

Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject, his gaze falling on the canopy-covered carriage of the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers. His tone was tinged with "apology" and full of "importance," as he said in a deep voice, "Let's end the prisoner presentation ceremony here today. We have an even more important guest to receive. It is an honor for Konoha that His Excellency the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers has come to visit, and it is also a testament to the friendship between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers."

The ceremony of presenting prisoners is important, but we must not keep His Excellency the esteemed daimyo waiting, nor should we neglect our allies because of our celebration!
Guards! Immediately escort His Excellency to the post station to rest. All prisoners shall be transferred to the Dark Guard's serious criminal prison according to procedure. All spoils of war shall be registered, cataloged, and sealed in the warehouse!
"My lords, you have had a long journey. You may now disperse and rest. Specific arrangements for rewards and reports will be made after Your Excellency has settled in."

These words, seemingly reasonable and watertight, are actually a clever attempt to divert attention.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions were clearly intended to downplay the captive presentation ceremony, which was destined to greatly enhance Sasuke Unno's personal prestige and demonstrate his terrifying military power. He aimed to shift the attention of the Konoha people from Sasuke Unno's glorious victory to the theme of "welcoming the Daimyo," using the high-sounding reason of "respecting allies and distinguished guests" to cover up his selfish motives of suppressing meritorious officials and curbing the prestige of new elites.

The Konoha high-ranking officials around Hiruzen Sarutobi, such as Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, understood immediately and prepared to carry out the order.

However, at this moment——

"Wait a minute!"

A very authoritative voice came from inside the canopy carriage.

Immediately afterwards, the daimyo of the land of Kawano, supported by his attendants, personally lifted the beaded curtain and stepped down from the carriage.

He was dressed in fine clothes, exuding an air of elegance. His face showed a hint of weariness from the journey, but his eyes were sharp as he looked directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"The Third Hokage!"

The daimyo's voice, though not loud, clearly overwhelmed the surrounding clamor, carrying the oppressive aura unique to those in power: "Your village's soldiers fought valiantly on the front lines, achieving unparalleled feats, especially Umino-kun, who single-handedly turned the tide and saved our Kawano Kingdom from peril! How can such a hero's triumphant return end so hastily? Is this how one treats meritorious officials? Is this how one displays the majesty of Konoha?!"

He walked slowly forward to Umino Sasuke's side, his gaze sweeping over the mountain of spoils, especially the chilling "sea of ​​headbands" and the monk Bunpuku and Yokura in the specially made prison cart.

His voice suddenly rose, filled with passion and admiration: "Gentlemen, do you know what kind of brilliance this Mr. Umino possessed on the battlefield of the Land of Wind?!"
He defeated the strong with the weak, single-handedly routing thousands of Sunagakure's elite troops, leaving rivers of blood flowing!
He was both wise and brave, killing Sunagakure elders Ebizo and Tetsuran and annihilating Sunagakure's elite puppet army!
His divine power was unparalleled. He defeated Rōshi, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki of Iwagakure, and severely injured Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage. His fame resounded throughout the five countries!
He was so powerful that he defeated A, the successor to the Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure, and captured the most powerful candidate for the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure—Yakura, the Scorching Release!
His skills were unparalleled, and in a direct confrontation, he defeated and captured Bunpuku, the ultimate weapon of Sunagakure and the perfect Jinchūriki!

With each word the Daimyo spoke, his voice grew more impassioned; with each victory he listed, the villagers of Konoha breathed more rapidly, and their eyes burned with even greater fervor.

(End of this chapter)