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

Chapter 362 Listening to politics behind the curtain
"Sacrificing allies?!"

"To end the war, they sold out the Land of Whirlpools?"

"That can't be right?!"

"How could the Hokage do this? The Uzumaki clan is our most important ally!"

A tidal wave of questions, shock, anger, and confusion arose as countless eyes focused on Hiruzen Sarutobi, filled with suspicion and scrutiny.

Sacrificing the most important ally in exchange for peace completely overturned Konoha's long-standing Will of Fire. Elder Uzumaki's questioning not only exposed the cruel truth of war but also directly shook Hiruzen Sarutobi's moral foundation and political prestige as Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face instantly turned extremely ugly, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead. He never expected that the Uzumaki Elder would be so ruthless as to launch an attack in front of everyone at the village entrance, which completely disrupted his plan to appease and resolve the situation privately.

He must turn the situation around immediately!
"Elder! You've misunderstood! That's absolutely not the case!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was filled with urgent explanation, even tinged with a hint of grief and indignation as he said, "Supporting the Land of Whirlpools is my inescapable duty as Hokage! I think about leading the army to the Land of Whirlpools at all times and fighting alongside our allies!"
However! At that time, Konoha's situation was extremely precarious. Sunagakure had mobilized the entire village, and the Third Kazekage was watching with predatory eyes! Onoki of Iwagakure had personally led his elite troops to deploy in the Land of Waterfall, putting immense pressure on Konoha! Fighting on two fronts, Konoha's forces were stretched thin, and they were simply unable to spare any resources!

As for why only the Umino clan went to support the Land of Whirlpools, my original intention was to have the Umino clan act as the vanguard, providing initial support and stabilizing the situation, with subsequent reinforcements following immediately! However, the battle situation changed too quickly later, and we…”

Then, he sighed heavily, clenched his fists in anguish, as if bearing immense helplessness and grievance.

He then changed the subject, turning his gaze to the elders and the Hyuga clan leader behind him, and said in a heavy tone, shifting the blame: "Moreover, there was a heated discussion at the high-level meeting about whether to immediately provide full support to the Land of Whirlpools. At that time, Elder Koharu Utatane and Clan Leader Muneyoshi, based on a grim analysis of Konoha's overall defensive situation, believed that under the enormous threat from Sunagakure and Iwagakure, rashly diverting the main force to the Land of Whirlpools was too risky, potentially leaving Konoha's homeland defenses vulnerable with unimaginable consequences. Their opinion was also based on careful consideration of the overall situation of Konoha..."

boom!
These words struck Koharu Utatane and Muneyoshi Hyuga like thunderbolts!

Koharu Utatane's well-maintained face instantly drained of color, turning deathly pale. She stared incredulously at Hiruzen Sarutobi's retreating figure, a familiar feeling of being used as a scapegoat washing over her. Danzo and Homura had taken the blame before, and now it was finally her turn?!

She wanted to retort, saying that it was Hiruzen Sarutobi who said that Konoha should be prioritized, but looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi's seemingly sorrowful but actually warning look, and the angry and contemptuous gazes of the surrounding villagers that instantly focused on her, she felt as if her throat was blocked, her lips trembled, and she couldn't say a word.

Hyuga Muneyoshi was struck dumb. He glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his once pure Byakugan eyes now blazing with shock, anger, and the flames of betrayal. At the high-level meeting, his Hyuga clan had indeed voted in favor of "sacrificing the Land of Whirlpools to prioritize Konoha's defenses," driven by self-interest and a conservative stance. But he never imagined that Hiruzen Sarutobi would so openly push him forward to take the blame in front of everyone, under the interrogation of the Uzumaki Elder. This wasn't just shifting the blame; it had placed his clan in opposition to the Uzumaki clan and all the villagers. He, Hyuga Muneyoshi, had become one of the "masterminds" behind the "sacrificing allies" decision? This burden weighed so heavily on him that he almost suffocated!
He wanted to question him sharply, to produce meeting minutes to prove it was a collective decision, and that Hiruzen Sarutobi had even voted in favor first. But Hiruzen Sarutobi's "big picture" look and the Hokage's authority weighed on his heart like a mountain, forcing him to swallow his humiliation and anger, turning his rage into clenched fists and bulging veins on his forehead.

Standing to the side, Uchiha clan leader Uchiha Hikko felt a surge of relief and lingering fear. A fleeting Sharingan flashed in his somewhat cloudy eyes. At the high-level meeting, his Uchiha clan, due to their consistent pride, lack of tradition of betraying allies, and instinctive resistance to Hiruzen Sarutobi's policies, had inexplicably abstained from voting. Now, it seemed like a stroke of genius!
Otherwise, the one who was singled out by Hiruzen Sarutobi to bear the wrath of the Uzumaki Elder and the contempt of the villagers today would probably have been Uchiha Fire Core!
Sacrificing allies to save oneself—if this traitorous accusation were pinned on the Uchiha clan, it would be a devastating blow to the reputation of the proud Uchiha. He clenched his fist inwardly, his gaze towards Hiruzen Sarutobi deepening with fear, and at the same time, strengthening his resolve to maintain the Uchiha's independence.

The atmosphere at the village entrance plummeted to freezing point amidst Hiruzen Sarutobi's explanations and attempts to shift blame. The Uzumaki Elder coldly watched the "performance" of the Konoha high-ranking officials before him, a hint of undisguised sarcasm curling at the corner of his mouth. Today's attack was just the beginning. What Konoha owed the Uzumaki clan could not be merely an apology; there had to be substantial compensation.

Sasuke Umino quietly watched the political storm he had orchestrated unfold before him, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips. Hiruzen Sarutobi's pathetic attempt to shift blame, Koharu Utatane and Muneyoshi Hyuga's frustrated anger, Hikaru Uchiha's secret relief, and the surging tide of doubt from the villagers—all of this was within his expectations.

However, this drama that is shaking the Hokage's authority and tearing apart the superficial harmony of Konoha's leadership has only just begun.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Umino Sasuke knew it was time to step in and "mediate" to boost his prestige.

He stepped forward, his voice calm yet clear, reaching everyone's ears: "Elder, fellow Konoha comrades, please calm down."

He first bowed slightly to Uzumaki Ashina, his attitude respectful: "The Uzumaki clan and my Umino clan have always been on good terms. When the Land of Whirlpools suffered this calamity, it was only right and proper for my clan to lend a helping hand. I dare not take credit for it."

The arrival of the Grand Elder and his clan in Konoha is truly a blessing for the village! Konoha and the Uzumaki clan are one family, bound by blood; though blood ties may have been broken, we are still connected. There may have been hardships in the past, but in the future, we should work together to protect this hard-won peace.

He then turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the people of Konoha, and said earnestly, "The Hokage is busy with many affairs and oversees the overall situation. It is inevitable that there will be times when he neglects one thing and misses another. The pressure on the two great nations of Sunagakure and Iwagakure is indeed heavy. Although there were some considerations in the decision-making, Konoha has ultimately failed its most steadfast ally in failing to provide timely and full support to Uzushiogakure."

His words, seemingly an attempt to exonerate Hiruzen Sarutobi, actually confirmed the fact that "decision-making considerations" led to the failure to provide full support, and further emphasized the result of "letting down the allies."

Immediately following, Umino Sasuke delivered his long-planned proposal, his gaze sweeping over all the Konoha high-ranking officials present: "The First Elder is highly respected and has made great contributions to the establishment of Konoha. Even the First Hokage admires him greatly. He is also the foremost sealing master in the ninja world. It is an honor for Konoha that he is here. I humbly propose that, to show Konoha's gratitude and respect to the Uzumaki clan, and to leverage the First Elder's wisdom and experience, I earnestly request the Hokage and all the elders to recommend him as an advisor elder of Konoha! With the First Elder's qualifications, knowledge, and deep affection for Konoha, he is truly deserving of this position!"

"An advisory elder?!"

These words immediately caused a stir in the room.

Koharu Utatane reacted almost instantly. Wasn't this a golden opportunity for her to salvage her image in the eyes of the Uzumaki clan and get rid of the stigma of being the mastermind behind the "sacrificial ally"?
She was almost too eager to speak, and was the first to loudly agree: "Class President Umino is absolutely right. Senior Ashina is highly respected. Whether it's his seniority, strength, or contributions to Konoha, he is more than qualified to serve as an advisor elder! I, Koharu Utatane, am the first to agree! With Senior Ashina presiding over the elder council and providing guidance, it is truly a blessing for Konoha!"

Her voice was loud and her attitude unusually enthusiastic, as if the previous awkwardness had never happened.

Hyuga Muneyoshi was furious after being publicly blamed by Hiruzen Sarutobi. Seeing Koharu Utatane's quick reaction, he immediately realized that this was a great opportunity to curry favor with the Uzumaki clan and eliminate past grudges.

He immediately and decisively said, "The Hyuga clan seconds this! Senior Ashina's qualifications and abilities make him the most deserving of the position of advisor and elder. Konoha needs a pillar of strength like him!"

He specifically emphasized the "stabilizing force," subtly implying a criticism of Hiruzen Sarutobi's unstable decision-making.

Akimichi Torifu had already discussed this with Umino Sasuke, and now he chuckled, his chubby face full of sincerity: "I completely agree with this proposal! Ashina-senpai, please don't refuse, this position is rightfully yours. Konoha needs an elder like you who has weathered many storms to steer the ship!"

His words were simple, yet carried great weight.

In the blink of an eye, two members of the elder council and a top-tier ninja clan leader clearly expressed their support, instantly putting pressure on Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uchiha Kanoku, who had not yet expressed his opinion.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank to the bottom, his eyes filled with a dark and brooding expression. Letting Ashina Uzumaki into the Elder Council was tantamount to inviting a wolf into the house! Koharu, Torifu, and Danzo, though each had their own agendas, were ultimately superior to him; he was confident he could control them. But who was Ashina Uzumaki? He was an old monster on par with Hashirama Senju, the former Daimyo of Uzushiogakure, and the younger brother of Mito Uzumaki! In terms of seniority, even Hiruzen Sarutobi would have to treat him with the respect due to a junior! In terms of influence, a single word from Ashina could evoke memories of the First and Second Hokage among countless Konoha elders! In terms of strength, Ashina was a top-tier sealing master, backed by the entire Uzumaki clan!
With such a person entering the elders' council, what kind of advisor or elder is he? He's practically a "retired emperor" like Mito-senpai! The kind who "rules from behind the curtain" every day in the Hokage Building. Will Hiruzen Sarutobi still be able to make decisions with a single word like before?
Especially when it comes to the interests of the Senju clan, or when there are differing opinions, if this old guy openly opposes him in a high-level meeting, his authority as Hokage will face an unprecedented challenge. Not to mention, there is a huge rift between them caused by the sacrifice of the Land of Whirlpools. This old guy will not be as detached and apolitical as Mito-senpai, and will be grateful if he doesn't cause him any trouble.

Hiruzen Sarutobi roared inwardly, his gaze urgently sweeping toward Uchiha Kakuno, hoping that the Uchiha clan head, who had always been at odds with the Senju lineage, would stand up and object, even if it was just by offering an excuse like "he is too old." That way, he could go along with it and politely decline the proposal under the pretext of caring for his senior's health.

However, a fleeting Sharingan flashed in Uchiha Hikaru's slightly cloudy eyes before returning to calm, but his mind raced: Oppose? On what grounds? Seniority? Rank? Contributions? Which of these criteria did Uzumaki Ashina fall for? To voice his opposition would be to publicly slap this senior in the face, solidify the Uchiha clan's reputation for arrogance and disrespect for their elders! Moreover, opposing now would mean standing against Koharu Utatane and Muneoshige Hyuga, who had just been blamed by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and against Akimichi Torifu and Umino Sasuke, who clearly supported the proposal. The Uzumaki clan would also come to hate the Uchiha clan—it would be a complete loss!
Although Uchiha Hikaru was proud, he wasn't stupid. Ashina Uzumaki's entry into the elders was a foregone conclusion; why should he jump in and play the villain, only to let Hiruzen Sarutobi benefit? Moreover, letting this old man into the upper echelons, taking away Hiruzen Sarutobi's power, might not be a bad thing for the Uchiha, who had always been suppressed by the Hokage's faction. When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits!
Thinking of this, Uchiha Hikaru lowered his eyes slightly, his voice calm and even: "Whether Ashina-senpai serves as an advisor elder is entirely up to the Hokage and the elders to decide."

He chose to remain neutral, neither supporting nor suppressing the Uzumaki clan. The reason he didn't directly support them was because of the Uchiha's pride, so as not to give the impression that the Uchiha were actively trying to curry favor with the Senju clan and were inferior to the Uzumaki clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank instantly, his last hope shattered. That damned old fox, Uchiha Hikaru, didn't object when he should have; he's utterly useless.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt an overwhelming longing for the days when Danzo was by his side. If Danzo were here, given his extreme style and passion for power, he would definitely jump out and fiercely oppose the proposal. In that case, Hiruzen would have a way to object to the proposal by saying that he was "too old and frail to be overworked."

But now, Danzo is far away on the front lines in the Land of Waterfall and can't do anything about it. Koharu Utatane and Muneyoshi Hyuga, the two people he just betrayed, are eager to show their support in order to salvage their image in front of the Uzumaki clan. Akimichi Torifu has already made his stance clear, and among the entire Konoha leadership, apart from Uchiha Hikaru who abstained, not a single person explicitly opposes it.

Ashina Uzumaki's entry into the council of elders was entirely inevitable.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, as expected of a seasoned politician, changed his tune faster than flipping through a book. Seeing that Ashina Uzumaki's entry into the council of elders was a foregone conclusion and could not be stopped, he immediately put on an expression of great satisfaction and respect, stepped forward, bowed deeply to Ashina Uzumaki, and spoke with a tone full of "sincere" joy.

"This proposal is excellent! Excellent indeed! It is Konoha's good fortune, and even more so my blessing, that Senior Ashina would deign to join the Konoha Elder Council! Senior is experienced and wise beyond measure. With your guidance, I will surely avoid many detours in handling affairs, and Konoha's future will be even brighter. On behalf of Konoha, I humbly request that Senior not refuse!"

He adopted an extremely humble posture, as if he hadn't been the one shifting the blame, and as if this suggestion was something he had always dreamed of.

Asuna watched Hiruzen Sarutobi's superb performance, a cold smile playing on his lips, but his face remained impassive. He simply stroked his white beard and nodded slightly, tacitly agreeing. He had no interest in Konoha's power, but in order to secure the greatest benefit for his clan, and given Sasuke Umino's request, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

And so, at the entrance of Konoha Village, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Uzumaki Ashina, the former head of the Uzumaki clan, the former daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, and a close friend of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, officially became the Grand Elder of Konoha! His political status instantly surpassed that of Koharu Utatane, Torifu Akimichi, and others, and even subtly overshadowed Danzo Shimura, who was in charge of Root. This was entirely due to his undisputed seniority, experience, and past contributions. In Konoha's seniority-based political system, unless someone could overturn the table and crush him with pure strength, he had already taken the position of "Emperor Emeritus," and with his political influence, he was essentially ruling from behind the scenes.

Sasuke Unno was secretly pleased. This move was the right one. With the Grand Elder entering the upper echelons and Akimichi Torifu joining the ranks, he now had two solid allies in Konoha's highest decision-making body.

Immediately, he used a sonic telepathy technique to secretly transmit his voice to Akimichi Torifu. Akimichi Torifu nodded almost imperceptibly, then laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell, once again drawing everyone's attention.
"The addition of Senior Ashina to the Elder Council is a tremendous boon! Senior's astonishing sealing techniques are a treasure that Konoha desperately needs. To leave them unused would be a waste! I propose that Senior Ashina personally take charge of the Konoha Barrier Team. With the Uzumaki clan's unparalleled sealing techniques, they will surely strengthen Konoha's defensive barrier to an unprecedented level, and even expand its coverage area!"

He paused deliberately, observing the gleam in the eyes of the Konoha clan chief and villagers around him, before dropping a bombshell: "As long as the barrier's range can be expanded, Konoha's urban area can expand outwards, and the population capacity will be greatly increased! At that time, Konoha will become the largest city in the ninja world with a million permanent residents, surpassing the Daimyo's mansion in the Land of Fire, which is just around the corner!"

"Expand the barrier?"

"Expand Konoha?"

"A city with a population of one million?!"

This caused an uproar at the entrance of Konoha Village.

The Barrier Team of Konoha is responsible for maintaining and operating the massive sensory and defensive barrier that covers the entire village. It is one of the key departments of the village and is managed by the Uzumaki clan. Technically, no one can question its effectiveness.

What excites everyone even more is the feasibility of expanding Konoha.

Konoha's land is already saturated, and every inch of land is incredibly valuable, with housing and land prices ridiculously high. What would it mean if the city could be expanded?
For the various ninja clans, this means gaining new clan lands in more advantageous locations; it means opportunities to expand their clan businesses such as shops, workshops, and training grounds; it means more sources of mission requests and an increase in strength.

For ordinary villagers and businesspeople, this means cheaper housing, larger shops, more job opportunities, and a leap forward in the prosperity of the entire village.

For Konoha as a whole, this means stronger economic strength, a greater demographic dividend, more promising ninja talents, and a more solid position as the number one ninja village in the ninja world!
This is an incredible boon to the entire village of Konoha, where everyone from top to bottom can reap the benefits!
"Support! We must support it!"

"Elder Whirlpool's appointment as head of the Barrier Class is well-deserved!"

"Expanding Konoha is wonderful! My son is getting married and we're worried about where to put him!"

"The Kurama clan supports this!"

"The Nara clan also supports this!"

"Hyuga clan support!"

"The Aburame clan..."

Immediately, the leaders of various ninja clans expressed their support, their enthusiasm reaching fever pitch. Ordinary villagers cheered and discussed among themselves, dreaming of a better life after the expansion, such as whether housing prices would drop, and whether they could get a loan to buy a plot of land and build a detached house. Merchants, meanwhile, were calculating the commercial potential of the new district.

The entire scene instantly transformed from its previous somber and oppressive atmosphere into an ocean of hope and passion.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could barely maintain his smile. The Barrier Team was an important and powerful department that his Sarutobi clan had cultivated for many years and deeply infiltrated. Although most of the ninjas in it came from small families, the person in charge and key positions were his confidants. This was tantamount to cutting off the flesh of his Sarutobi clan!

Faced with this overwhelming "public opinion," and the unanimous support of all the ninja clans and villagers, would he dare to oppose it? Would he dare to utter a single "no"? He would immediately become the public enemy of the entire Hidden Leaf Village, and his previous attempts to shift blame would be brought up again as evidence of his "disregard for the overall development of Hidden Leaf Village"!

His heart was bleeding, but he had to force the brightest, most "gratified" smile onto his face, his voice booming and echoing throughout the room: "Elder Qufeng's words are exactly what I wanted to hear! Senior Ashina's leadership of the barrier team is truly making the best use of everyone's talents and resources! I firmly believe that under your leadership, Konoha's defensive barrier will be as solid as a rock and unbreakable! No treacherous person will be able to break through the barrier and infiltrate Konoha!"

On the surface, he seemed to approve of the proposal, believing that with Elder Uzumaki in charge of the barrier team, Konoha would be impregnable. However, he secretly set a trap for Uzumaki Ashina, implying that if anyone were to infiltrate Konoha through the defense barrier in the future, Uzumaki Ashina would bear a heavy responsibility.

Uzumaki Ashina was no ordinary person; how could he not understand the implied meaning? He sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he spoke with boundless pride and booming voice, directly promising all the villagers and ninja clans of Konoha:
"Since I have taken on this important task, I will do my utmost! Give me half a month, and my Uzumaki clan will use supreme sealing techniques to reinforce the existing barrier, increasing its defensive power by more than 30%. At the same time, we will begin to expand the barrier's coverage area. Within a month, the barrier's coverage area will initially double, giving Konoha enough space to move towards becoming the number one ninja city in the world with a population of one million!"

(End of this chapter)