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

Chapter 356 Age Spots in the Dark

"It actually retreated back into the sealed space on its own?!"

Sasuke Umino frowned slightly.

The flow rate of the Eight-Tails' chakra was reduced by 99% instantly, but he did not stop. His shark-like body remained seated on top of the water sphere.

The six arms slowly rose, forming a unique spherical space in front of the open mouth of the shark head in the center of its chest.

"Congeal!"

With a low shout, the massive chakra devoured from the Eight-Tails Gyūki, and even the Tailed Beast's origin, began to frantically gather and compress in the void surrounding his six arms!
Then, a jet-black chakra sphere, radiating terrifying energy fluctuations, began to take shape, its volume expanding until it reached the size of a millstone.

"compression!"

At this moment, the veins on the six arms bulged and the muscles bulged, like six hydraulic steel columns, and began to exert unimaginable pressure inward.

Buzz buzz—!
The space itself seemed to tremble as the black chakra sphere was forcibly compressed under the terrifying strength and precise control of the six-armed being. Its volume shrank dramatically at a speed visible to the naked eye.

From the size of a millstone to the size of a washbasin, and then to the size of a basketball... During the compression process, the chakra sphere emitted a heart-pounding hum and surges of energy. Its color gradually changed from pure black to a deep, restrained, and seemingly all-absorbing inky black. Its texture also evolved from pure energy towards a kind of crystallization.

This process lasted for quite a long time, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on Umino Sasuke's forehead. Clearly, compressing such a huge and violent source of tailed beast chakra was a huge burden for him.

Finally, when the raging black chakra sphere was compressed to the size of a pigeon egg, it seemed to have reached a certain limit. It stopped shrinking, but the energy inside had been condensed to an incredible degree. The surface of the jet-black sphere even began to show a warm, jade-like, deep luster, as if it contained starlight.

"It's done!"

Sasuke Umino slowly retracted his six arms.

The black jade crystal, the size of a pigeon's egg, lost its supporting force and gently fell downwards.

A giant claw covered in deep blue scales reached out and caught it steadily.

It felt warm and slightly cool to the touch, like holding a piece of top-grade black jade, but the terrifying energy contained within was like a dormant volcano, making him feel a slight unease.

It was entirely black, yet a dark red light faintly emanated from its core, like solidified tailed beast blood. Its surface was covered with pale blue specks of light, like stardust, making it both beautiful and deadly.

This is a Tailed Beast Chakra Crystal formed by forcibly compressing, purifying, and solidifying the core chakra of the Eight-Tails. Its value is no less than that of the First Hokage's necklace chakra crystal left by Hashirama Senju, and because it originated from the Eight-Tails, it contains extremely unique power.

Unlike the First Hokage's necklace left by Hashirama Senju, which is mainly composed of Yang Release chakra and contains powerful life force and sealing power, and can be used to suppress the Nine-Tails, the Eight-Tails Black Jade Crystal in his hand contains an unowned chakra source with water attribute characteristics. Its ability is "release" and "grant".

If someone can guide and extract its power, they can easily obtain the powerful blessing of the "Ox-Demon Tailed Beast Robe". For "pseudo-Jinchūriki" like Nightingale and Death Burial who have already transplanted the Eight-Tails' chakra, if they can wear this item for a long time, it will be like obtaining a continuous source of energy and catalyst. The Eight-Tails' chakra in their bodies will definitely grow faster, and they may even catch up with Xia Rixiang, the "pseudo-Nine-Tails Jinchūriki".

Of course, this was not the core purpose for Umino Sasuke's painstaking efforts to create this treasure.

When the Eight-Tailed Gyūki spat out ink containing the power of Yin-Yang Release, instantly sealing Tsuchida and Kaguya Hyakusen, he keenly sensed the extraordinary nature of this power.

That is not just simple ink, but a wonderful product that combines the sealing and shaping power of Yin Release's "creation from nothing" with the life-suppressing power of Yang Release. This ink itself is a powerful Yin-Yang Release sealing carrier!
The black jade bead condensed from the essence of the eight tails naturally inherits the ability to create "Yin-Yang Release Ink". This is a tailor-made treasure for studying sealing techniques, especially for cultivating the Ink Release: Super Beast Imitation Painting in the Book of Sealing.

The Super Beast Imitation Painting uses ink as a medium to imbue the painted beast with life and power; its core lies in the ingenious application of the Yin-Yang Escape technique.

Yin Dun is an "imagined" form, while Yang Dun is "endowed" with vitality and power.

Its cultivation is extremely difficult, requiring not only strong chakra control but also a deep understanding of Yin-Yang Release. With the blessing of this Eight-Tailed Black Jade, cultivating this technique will surely be twice as effective, and the power and spirituality of the drawn black beasts will be greatly enhanced.

The reason why Sasuke Unno wanted to train in Super Beast Imitation Painting was not to gain aerial combat ability or summon painted beasts to help him in battle. His real purpose was to use this secret technique as a bridge to explore the ultimate mystery of Yin-Yang Release!

As he continued to refine his skills in physical transformation and spiritualization, he became increasingly aware of the unfathomable depths of Yin-Yang Release. The Sharingan of the Uchiha clan and the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan, these powerful eye techniques, in essence, were nothing more than different manifestations and ultimate applications of Yin-Yang Release power in the abilities of organs.

If one can understand the deeper fusion and changes of Yin-Yang Escape and elevate it to a higher level, then developing a completely new eye technique may no longer be an unattainable fantasy!
Yin Dun can create all things and make wishes come true; Yang Dun can give them a real form and vitality.

The miracles that can be created by combining these two elements have long transcended the limitations of ordinary ninjutsu.

Just as he was pondering, the flying puppet controlled by the mechanical Ruri-hime transported two pitch-black ink spheres formed by the sealing of the eight-tailed ink to his front. The runes on the surface of the ink spheres flowed, radiating a powerful binding force.

Sasuke Umino gently raised the hand holding the black jade, aimed it at one of the black spheres, and with a slight thought, the dark red light at the core of the black jade flashed slightly.

hum-

An invisible, primordial energy spread out.

The surface of the jet-black, exceptionally sturdy sealed magic sphere seemed to be summoned by the Lord of Origin, instantly losing its binding power and receding, disintegrating, and dissipating like a tide!
The sealed earthen puppet was instantly freed, its dark red rubber body twitching slightly. The other magic sphere, illuminated by the black jade light, crumbled, revealing the chilling bone spikes of Kaguya Hyakuba within.

"Retract." Sasuke Umino thought to himself.

He then carefully placed it into a specially made sealed scroll.

Almost simultaneously, the giant oval water prison beneath him, which was connected to nine dragon-binding water ropes, also lost the support of chakra and shattered with a crash.

The nearly 100-meter-high wall of water crashed back into the sea with tremendous force, as if the sky were collapsing.

Rumble——!
Amidst the deafening roar, towering waves surged and roared in all directions like raging sea monsters, nearly capsizing several nearby patrol boats. Burubi, imprisoned in the water dungeon, fell down with the violent current.

call out--!
Under the precise control of Mechanical Ruri-hime, a flying puppet swooped down like a hunting sea eagle, and just before Burubi was about to fall into the sea, it firmly grabbed her with its mechanical claws.

At this moment, Burubi's entire body was charred black, with large areas of skin peeling off and burned, and many bones twisted and broken. His breath was as weak as a candle flickering in the wind, but a stubborn glimmer of life was still beating.

With a sweep of his spiritual senses, Umino Sasuke instantly understood.

"Heh! Eight-Tails protecting itself?"

Clearly, at the last moment, in order to protect itself, the eight-tailed ghoul, which had retreated back into Burubi's body and was barely clinging to life, used the power of Yang Release to forcibly keep Burubi, its vessel, alive for the last breath.

For Ushioni, as long as Burubi is alive, the sealed space remains, and there is still a glimmer of hope. If Burubi dies completely and the seal collapses, it will either die or be exposed to the outside world. Facing a human monster that can suppress it once, the outcome is likely that its essence will be completely refined, and even the chance of rebirth will be slim. Rather than being reborn and not knowing if it will still be itself, it is better to protect this vessel first.

The Eight-Tails Gyūki surrendered and retreated back into the Jinchūriki's body. With this, the last resistance force of Kumogakure in the Land of Whirlpools completely collapsed with the capture of Burubi.

The lingering smell of blood and gunpowder in the air seemed to have been washed away by the towering waves, leaving only exhaustion and the desolation of the battle's end.

Umino Sasuke took a deep breath of the salty and icy air. His massive shark body writhed and contracted, his deep blue scales disappeared, and he finally returned to his human form, though his face was pale from overexertion.

Without hesitation, he ordered Kaguya Hyakusen, Tsuchida, and Mechanical Ruri: "Purge the remaining enemies, leave no one alive!"

Three powerful Kage-level puppets instantly obeyed the order, transforming into three streaks of light and rushing towards various parts of the Whirlpool Country islands.

Kaguya's battle-hardened bone spikes spread and pierced through the ruins like a death jungle; Tsuchi-tai, like a mobile fortress, used its rubber-melting technique to wipe out any remaining resistance; and Mechanical Ruri-hime's hundred-machine manipulation was like the most ruthless and efficient cleaner, with hundreds of puppets of various shapes sweeping through like metal locusts, searching, locking on, and annihilating...

Wherever it passed, the last remaining resistance of the Mist Shadow was completely crushed.

Under the overwhelming force and efficient, ruthless cleanup, the remnants of the Hidden Mist Army, who had been roaming and hiding in the ruins, caves, and coastlines of the Land of Whirlpools, were completely wiped out in less than half a day.

The headbands symbolizing Kirigakure and the broken ninja swords piled up like a mountain, silently proclaiming the restoration of the entire Land of Whirlpools!

However, Sasuke Umino's plan to press his advantage and annihilate the Kirigakure support fleet fell through.

The massive support fleet, personally commanded by Elder Yuan Shi of Kirigakure, received the devastating news of the defeat in the Land of Whirlpools and the capture of the Third Mizukage through special intelligence channels, and did not rush forward in grief and anger as expected.

This last remaining pillar of strength in the misty wilderness demonstrated his extremely shrewd military wisdom.

The Kirigakure fleet anchored itself at a strategically important strait, some distance from the Land of Whirlpools, where it was easily defensible. Utilizing the numerous reefs and islands scattered throughout the area, nearly a thousand elite Kirigakure ninja, under the command of their master, constructed an impenetrable, three-dimensional defensive system. Umino Sasuke had repeatedly led his submarine force in stealthy infiltrations, attempting to find a weakness, but Kirigakure's sensory barrier was flawless; the submarines were detected as soon as they approached.

The dense barrage of water dragon bombs and combined lightning strikes, along with defensive traps buried in key waterways, rendered the submarine raids futile. One submarine was even hit by the violent combined lightning strikes, burning out a large number of electronic components and nearly sinking.

In the air, the probing bombardment by the Umino Flying Ninja Army also had little effect. Faced with the combined defensive water jutsu of the Mist Ninja, most of the explosive kunai and ninjutsu thrown by the Flying Ninja Army were blocked by these tough water curtains.

Even more troublesome was the Mist Village's combined Mist Curtain, which covered a vast area and contained chakra interference, severely hindering the flying ninja's vision and communication. Several times during their dives, they almost collided with the suddenly rising giant water dragon.

The commander-in-chief, sitting atop the flagship, commanded with composure.

His commands were transmitted through a special conch shell horn, clear and steady. The entire fleet was like a giant tortoise that had retracted its whole body into its solid shell. No matter how the Umino side provoked or tested them, they remained unmoved and defended themselves without any leaks.

After numerous attempts to probe, no obvious weakness was found. A forced attack would be too costly and would be difficult to achieve victory in one battle.

Just as Sasuke Unno frowned, weighing whether to pay a huge price to forcefully break the deadlock.

The Hidden Mist Village, however, took the initiative to send negotiators in small boats, holding high the white conch flag symbolizing peace, and put forward a ceasefire request. Their core demand was very clear: to ransom the captured Hidden Mist Village ninjas, especially the two heavyweight figures, the Third Mizukage and Suigetsu Hozuki.

The negotiations took place on a neutral merchant ship provided by the Kingdom of the Sea.

Sasuke Umino and Kakuzu sat in the main seats, exuding a Kage-level aura without a sound. Sasuke Umino represented Konoha, while Kakuzu represented the interests of the Land of Waves. His eerie green eyes gleamed with shrewd calculations regarding the "ransom."

"Want to buy back Suigetsu Fuguki at a high price? Hah!"

Sasuke Umino sneered inwardly. This spineless fat pig was a pawn to be released in the plan. He had already been marked with multiple Flying Thunder God seals, and even some secret parts of his body had been implanted with summoning talismans that multiply explosive tags. Releasing him back would be like planting a mobile intelligence spy and a nuclear bomb that could be detonated at any time in the upper echelons of Kirigakure.

In the future, obtaining core intelligence about Kirigakure through him, or even delivering a fatal blow to Kirigakure at a crucial moment, will be a piece of cake.

As long as the price is right, he has no reason to disagree with Master Yuan's proposal to redeem the Watermelon Pufferfish Demon.

The crux of the dispute in the negotiations was the Third Mizukage.

The Third Mizukage, a veteran Kage-level powerhouse with the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, possessed a body that was the perfect candidate for creating top-tier human puppets!

Faced with the generous conditions proposed by the representative of the Yuanshi, such as mountains of gold, silver and rare minerals, scrolls recording many advanced ninjutsu of Kirigakure, and even the condition of ceding several resource-rich islands, Umino Sasuke did not even raise his eyelids and directly and coldly rejected the proposal to trade for the Third Mizukage.

Master Yuan was clearly aware of the significant role the Third Mizukage played in balancing power in Kirigakure, and in subsequent negotiations, Kirigakure's demands continued to rise.

For example, the incredibly powerful S-rank Water Release forbidden technique, Steam Burst; the ability to perfectly copy an opponent's Water Mirror Technique; the opening of an important port in the Land of Water as a permanent trading port for the Land of Waves; and even hints at providing some degree of tacit understanding in future operations against the Hidden Cloud Village...

Faced with such temptation, Sasuke Umino admitted that he had wavered, but he insisted that the Third Mizukage was dead and had entered the belly of a summoning sea monster, leaving no trace of his body.

ding ding ding-

Sasuke Umino's persistence, especially the dull sound of his fingers lightly tapping the table, exerted an invisible pressure that made the Kirigakure representative sweat.

The negotiations then reached a suffocating stalemate.

However, just as Sasuke Umino was preparing to give another firm refusal, and even consider ending the negotiations.

His spiritual senses, which covered the entire negotiation area, detected a faint chakra fluctuation, yet it carried a deep-seated malice and icy aura accumulated over a thousand years! This fluctuation, like the cold current of the deepest sea, quietly seeped into the waters beneath the negotiation ship!

A strange black figure, almost completely blending into the darkness, silently slipped into the sea near the negotiation site. It had no facial features, only a pair of indifferent eyes that seemed to have seen through thousands of years, staring intently in the direction of the negotiation room.

"Black Zetsu?!"

Sasuke Umino felt a chill run down his spine as alarm bells rang in his mind.

This filial son of Princess Kaguya may not be particularly powerful in himself, but his elusive nature, his millennia-old scheming methods, and his malice are what make him most fearsome.

More importantly, its appearance here is by no means accidental!

This likely means that the person behind it, the old Madara hidden deep in the shadows of the ninja world, has already set his sights on the Land of Whirlpools!
Furthermore, the fact that Old Man Spot has been controlling the future Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, is likely not an isolated incident. Its origins may be traced back to the time of the Third Mizukage. Black Zetsu's appearance at this moment may indicate that he wants to rescue the Third Mizukage and continue to interfere in the internal affairs of Kirigakure.

Faced with an aging spot lurking in the shadows, capable of intervening at any moment through unknown means, and with the Master constantly increasing his demands, including the possibility of formally recognizing the sovereignty of the Land of Whirlpools and merging it into the Land of Waves, signing a permanent peace treaty and a comprehensive trade agreement, and receiving endorsement from the Daimyo of the Land of Water, these are almost irresistible ultimate conditions.

In an instant, Sasuke Umino weighed countless pros and cons in his mind. The Third Mizukage was good, but he already had three Kage-level puppets and had mastered Ice Release. In comparison, obtaining the Land of Water's legal recognition of the Land of Waves' annexation of the Land of Whirlpools, as well as those two powerful forbidden water-style techniques, was more advantageous for the current situation and future development.

In particular, this can help avoid premature confrontation with age spots.

So, Sasuke finally sent a telepathic message to Kakuzu, and Kakuzu immediately engaged in a "quid pro quo" with Sasuke, seemingly persuading him.

Kakuzu finally made his decision: "The Third Mizukage can be redeemed, but the ransom for Suigetsu Hozuki must be doubled. Furthermore, the treaty must be personally signed by Elder Genji and stamped with the seal of the Daimyo of the Land of Water, and will take effect immediately! Any further delays or changes..."

Before he could finish speaking, a chilling killing intent had already spread.

The representative of Wuyin felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly used a secret technique to send the message back.

The transaction was completed quickly in a delicate and tense atmosphere.

The Third Mizukage, who was tightly imprisoned and sealed and was seriously injured, and Suigetsu Hozuki, who had a fawning expression, were handed over to Kirigakure under the close supervision of ninjas from both sides.

Sasuke Umino also obtained the two scrolls of forbidden water-style techniques as he wished, while Kakuzu obtained a formal treaty document personally signed by the master and stamped with the emblem of the daimyo of the Land of Water.

Legally, the Land of Whirlpools was officially incorporated into the Land of Waves!

Shortly after signing the treaty with Kirigakure.

In the ruins of Wochao Village, a meticulously planned farce officially began.

"Kakuzu! Don't push your luck!"

Sasuke Umino's hair and beard bristled, his eyes wide with rage, and his powerful chakra swept out like a storm, causing the rubble beneath his feet to rattle.

"Kakuzu! If it weren't for the desperate battle fought by my Konoha Umino clan, who defeated the Raikage and suppressed the Eight-Tails, how could you have reaped the benefits? According to the alliance, Konoha should have a share of these spoils! The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is a strategic asset; how can we allow your Land of Waves to monopolize it?!"

Sasuke Umino's voice, filled with anger and resentment, echoed over the ruins of Uzushio Village.

"Hmph!" Kakuzu's hoarse voice retorted sharply, and four Earth Grudge clones appeared around him, emanating a cold and powerful aura.

"Umino Sasuke! Stop twisting the truth! If it weren't for our Land of Waves fleet crushing the main force of Kumogakure, sinking the Kirigakure warships, and capturing their transport fleet, even if your Umino clan possessed extraordinary abilities, you would probably already be dead! The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was captured by our fleet's soldiers through bloodshed, and naturally belongs to our Land of Waves. You want him? Fine, but exchange him for gold of equal value, not a single coin less!"

He rubbed his fingers greedily, his eyes gleaming with a green light, perfectly portraying a greedy and profit-driven character.

The two were on the verge of exchanging blows, their clashing auras sparking crackling electrical sparks in the air.

Sasuke Umino was surrounded by a chilling aura, with frost spreading beneath his feet; his Earth Grudge clones exuded a violent aura of wind, fire, lightning, water, and earth.

War is imminent!
"Gentlemen! Calm down!" Gato, playing the role of a business leader from the Land of Waves, rushed between the two men, waving his arms and trying to soothe them. "We're all friends, why ruin our relationship over a little profit? Chief Umino has worked hard and made great contributions, everyone has seen it, and Minister Kakuzu is only trying to provide for the soldiers. How about this, how about this..."

Kado spoke at lightning speed, proposing an extremely "reluctant" and "unfair" division plan: the Land of Waves would receive all captured ships, including the flagship Raiun and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Brubi; the treasures and supplies of the Land of Whirlpools' treasury would be distributed among the Uzumaki clan; and Umino Sasuke would receive the prisoners, corpses, and other spoils of war from Kumogakure.

Sasuke Unno's face was ashen, his chest heaving violently as if he were desperately suppressing his rage. Finally, he forced out a few words through gritted teeth: "Fine! Gato, I'm only doing this for your sake! Kakuzu, I, Sasuke Unno, will remember this humiliation. Let's go!"

After saying that, he waved his hand abruptly, and with a look of "grief and indignation" and some supplies, he boarded the ship back to Konoha without looking back, his back view appearing extremely "desolate" and "humiliated".

(End of this chapter)