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

Chapter 396 Connections to Rope Tree

"Relying solely on sealing barriers is ultimately not enough to ensure safety."

Koharu Utatane looked at the deep cave entrance and instructed, "Here's what we'll do: leave a company from your Iron Wall Anbu to be stationed permanently in Loulan, responsible for guarding this place and ensuring its absolute safety! We must not let other ninja villages obtain the power that we in Konoha cannot use!"

Sasuke Unno was secretly delighted. This was exactly what he wanted. With the Konoha Anbu stationed here legitimately, they could not only protect Loulan, but also completely designate the Dragon Vein and the Divine Tree as Konoha's "forbidden zone," making it easier for him to operate in the future.

“Yes!” Sasuke Umino replied immediately.

Thus, the existence of the cloned divine tree was perfectly concealed by this powerful "sealing" barrier.

If Koharu insists on removing the barrier and going down to the ground to check, then he will have to risk transplanting the divine tree, which could damage the root system, causing the precious buds on the tree to fall off and a batch of valuable fruits to be lost, which is something he absolutely does not want to see.

Fortunately, Koharu Utatane was wary of the power of the Dragon Vein and worried that resealing it would delay things further. In addition, she trusted Sasuke Umino's abilities and the Will of Fire, so she gave up the idea of ​​investigating.

"Now that the dragon vein has been properly dealt with and the mission is complete, you should immediately reorganize the troops and set off as soon as possible."

Koharu Utatane said decisively, "Let's go, let's go and say goodbye to Queen Loulan now. After all, we need to leave troops behind, and it's only proper to inform her formally. We can't be impolite and make people think that Konoha is arrogant and looks down on small countries."

Upon hearing this, Sasuke Umino showed a troubled expression and stood still.

Seeing this, Koharu Utatane assumed that he was finding it troublesome and didn't want to go through this formality, so she advised him, "Sasuke, I know you are busy with military affairs and anxious about the front lines, but this is a necessary procedure. It concerns Konoha's reputation and our future dealings with Roran. It won't take much time."

Umino Sasuke touched his nose, his expression becoming even more awkward. He couldn't very well say that His Majesty the Queen had just been "tortured" to the point of fainting and was now unable to get out of bed to receive visitors, could he?

Seeing his brother-in-law's embarrassed expression, Senju Nawaki, who was standing guard nearby, couldn't help but lower his head, shrug his shoulders slightly, and let out a very faint chuckle.

How could such a subtle movement escape the notice of the elite Jonin, Koharu Utatane? She was already somewhat dissatisfied with Sasuke Umino's delay, and now that she saw an Anbu member being so undisciplined, chuckling while carrying out a mission, she immediately vented her anger on him. She couldn't do anything to Sasuke Umino, and she couldn't even control a mere Anbu member like him.

"You! Yes, it's you!" Koharu Utatane's sharp gaze swept over Nawaki Senju, her tone stern. "Step forward! What are you laughing at? Have you forgotten the Anbu regulations? How can you be so frivolous in such a solemn occasion! Which ninja clan are you from? Are you some rich kid who came to the Anbu just to gain seniority?!"

Senju Nawaki was startled and quickly stopped laughing. He stepped forward, stood up straight, and said in a low voice, "This subordinate knows his mistake! This...this subordinate is not a young master of the ninja clan, but a commoner!"

"Commoners should be even more disciplined!" Koharu Utatane saw that his attitude in admitting his mistake was acceptable, but his anger had not subsided. "You don't behave like an Anbu member at all, Sasuke. Is this how you manage your subordinates..."

"Sigh, Elder Xiaochun, it's not easy for me, leading this team is so difficult."

Sasuke Umino sighed and made no attempt to help his brother-in-law out of the predicament.

Seeing that his brother-in-law was so disloyal, and that he had wasted his time pimping for him, Senju Nawaki decided that since his brother-in-law was unkind, he shouldn't blame his brother for being unrighteous.

So, he quickly changed the subject: "Elder, please calm down! I know I was wrong. I was just now because... because I was thinking that Her Majesty the Queen was unwell and was resting. The captain was probably worried about disturbing Her Majesty's rest, so he hesitated to go and say goodbye. I felt that the captain was considerate of others, and for a moment... I couldn't help myself... Please punish me, Elder!"

His words, seemingly an explanation, actually revealed the information that "the Queen is ill."

Umino Sasuke inwardly cursed, glaring fiercely at Nawaki. This kid's got a strong sense of revenge.

Sure enough, Koharu, upon hearing this, immediately had her attention diverted: "What? The Queen is sick? Is it serious?"

She looked at Umino Sasuke with a hint of reproach, "Sasuke, this is where you went wrong. The Queen is ill, and we should be visiting and comforting her to show our care and courtesy in Konoha! How can we ignore her for fear of disturbing her? Besides, I have some medical ninjutsu skills, and perhaps I can even treat the Queen. If I can cure the Queen, wouldn't that further enhance the friendship between Konoha and Loulan?"

Umino Sasuke felt a chill run down his spine and quickly said, "Elder Koharu, you misunderstand. The Queen has just caught a cold and needs to rest. She probably doesn't want to be disturbed..."

Koharu waved her hand to interrupt, "How can we miss such a good opportunity to improve our relationship? Since we've come across it, we should hurry up and go see her. Maybe my medical ninjutsu can help her recover faster. Let's go!"

As he spoke, he walked into the palace.

Seeing Koharu Utatane heading to see the Queen, Sasuke Umino sensed something was wrong and quickly followed, trying to make a final effort: "Elder Koharu, Her Majesty the Queen needs to rest. If we go there rashly and disturb Her Majesty, it will not be good..."

Koharu Utatane continued walking without turning her head, saying, "Hey, Sasuke, you don't understand. It's precisely at times like these that we can show our care. Don't worry, I have my own plans."

Although she changed the subject and temporarily let the "unruly" ANBU off the hook, she clearly hadn't completely forgotten. As she walked briskly toward the palace, she said to Umino Sasuke who was following her, "Sasuke, don't leave that ANBU member with connections to guard Loulan."

Umino Sasuke chuckled inwardly, but on the surface he solemnly agreed: "Elder, you're absolutely right! This ANBU member is indeed a nepotism hire who's just trying to get seniority. He's mediocre in ability, undisciplined, and always causing me trouble. He really damages the reputation of the ANBU. I'm having a headache with him too. If it weren't for his sister's influence in the medical department, I would have kicked him out of the ANBU long ago."

Senju Nawaki, who was following behind, heard everything clearly and couldn't help but roll his eyes. Inwardly, he was furious: "Crossing the river and burning the bridge! Using you and then discarding you! I called you brother-in-law, and you didn't even give my sister face! If my sister knew you were insulting me like that, she'd give you a good beating with her powerful punches! I got where I am today through hard work! So what if I said something wrong and risked exposing your affair with the Queen? Is this some kind of retaliation?!"
Koharu Utatane wore an "I knew it" expression, and asked with a hint of disappointment, "Another nepotism case! Who's his sister? I need to give her a good talking to. Konoha is being dragged down by these tangled networks of relationships, which is why reforms are so difficult!"

Umino Sasuke couldn't tell the truth, so he could only give a vague answer: "Ahem, he's just an ordinary Jonin in the medical department, not very famous. Even if I told you, Elder, you probably wouldn't know him." He cleverly combined "medical Jonin" and "not very famous" to answer the question while avoiding further investigation.

Koharu Utatane didn't delve into the matter further, only shaking her head and sighing, "The medical department? Hmph, it seems the medical department needs some overhauling too! Sasuke, I'm not trying to criticize you, but the Anbu is the village's sharpest weapon, one of the most important departments. How can you treat it so lightly? Nepotism will only harm yourself and others in the end!"

Although she was criticizing him, she felt that it was more real. She used to think that Umino Sasuke was so accomplished and shrewd at such a young age that he was almost perfect. But now she realized that young people are still young people and can make mistakes like nepotism. That's what makes him a real person.

Sasuke Unno sighed, "The elder is right. This ANBU is really incompetent. They're bad at their job, have a bad attitude, and are always so self-righteous..."

As he spoke, he glanced mockingly at Senju Nawaki, who was rolling his eyes behind him.

Koharu Utatane happened to turn around and saw Nawaki's "unruly" glare again, and her anger flared up once more: "Look, look! He still dares to be disobedient?! With this kind of attitude and quality, in my opinion, he should just be expelled from the Anbu and sent to the logistics unit to move supplies! Sasuke, it seems that you have it tough on the front lines too. You must have quite a few of these mediocre nepotism subordinates under you, right? It must be hard on you, having to clean up their messes."

Umino Sasuke immediately put on a bitter face that said, "Now you understand me," and began to complain: "Yes, Elder Koharu! You don't know, some ninja clan members are even harder to manage than me. They're not very skilled, but they have big tempers and are arrogant. You can't say anything to them or scold them. How can they be as hardworking and obedient as ordinary ninjas? My team is not easy to lead!"

These words struck a nerve with Koharu Utatane. She had always been troubled by the deeply entrenched power of the ninja clans within Konoha, and she wanted to carry on Tobirama's legacy, promote reforms, strengthen the central authority of the Hokage lineage, and weaken the influence of the ninja clans.

She nodded with deep feeling, her tone heavy: "Alas, it's really not easy for us high-ranking officials. We have to balance the various forces and ensure that the village's fighting strength is not damaged. It's tough! After we defeat Iwagakure this time and end the war, Konoha must carry out sweeping reforms to eliminate the deep-seated problems. We must not allow these evil winds to erode the foundation of the village!"

"Elder's words are absolutely right!" Umino Sasuke immediately declared firmly, his eyes filled with determination and agreement. "At that time, I will definitely give my full support to Elder, deepen the reforms, eliminate all the stubborn problems that hinder Konoha's development, and make Konoha reborn and stronger!"

These heartfelt words pleased Koharu Utatane greatly, and she found Sasuke Umino even more pleasing to the eye. She felt that although the young man was sometimes a bit radical, his overall perspective and determination to reform were commendable, especially his understanding of her own difficulties. If Sasuke were to become Hokage, he would definitely need her, as an advisor and elder, to offer advice and strategies. It would be much more comfortable for him to work under Sasuke than under the monkey's command.

This incompetent "connected operative" became a catalyst for the two to complain about the "problems of the ninja clan" and enhance their "revolutionary friendship," and she temporarily put him out of her mind.

Senju Nawaki watched as his brother-in-law easily fooled the Konoha elder with just a few words, even making him look foolish. He felt both admiration and frustration.

The group arrived outside the Queen's bedroom. Xiaochun stopped and gestured to the palace guards to announce their arrival.

Umino Sasuke could have entered directly with his special privileges, but seeing Koharu Utatane being so polite, he was happy to cooperate. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he subtly activated a shadow clone using the Roe Deer Technique to quietly escape and sneak into the bedroom.

The shadow clone entered the palace and saw that the Queen was indeed still fast asleep on the luxurious bed, her hair spread out, her cheeks flushed with the rosy glow of sleep, and there was even a suspicious trace at the corner of her mouth. She was sleeping soundly.

Shadow clone Umino Sasuke shook his head helplessly, stepped forward and gently nudged her: "Queen, wake up."

"Hmm... Sasuke? Stop messing around... I can't go on, let me sleep a little longer..." the Queen mumbled sleepily, even subconsciously reaching out to hug him.

"Wake up! Elder Koharu from Konoha is here and will be 'visiting' you soon!" The shadow clone said in a low, urgent voice.

"What?! Elder Konoha?!" The Queen was jolted awake as if splashed with cold water. Her eyes widened instantly, and she panicked. "Why is she here? I... I'm like this..." She looked at her disheveled nightgown and the intimate marks all over the bed, and her face turned pale.

"Hurry up and pack your things! Just say you're sick, you've caught a cold, and you need to rest!"

The shadow clone spoke quickly, while covering her hands with gentle Yang Release chakra to help relieve her fatigue and soreness.

"Sick...sick? But do I look sick?" The queen frantically tidied her hair and clothes. "That's an elder of Konoha, how can I easily dismiss her? What if I offend her, and Loulan's future..."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Seeing her flustered state, the shadow clone felt a mischievous urge and chuckled, "How about... we tell the truth? We'll say that Your Majesty is... overworked?"

"You!" The queen was both embarrassed and anxious. She glared at him reproachfully with her beautiful eyes, exuding charm. "It's all your fault! Hurry up and think of a solution!"

At that moment, the faint footsteps of a maid came from outside the hall, and the shadow clone immediately turned into a wisp of white smoke and disappeared.

Several maids walked in quickly with their heads down, clearly knowing that the Queen had woken up. They began to tidy up the bed, open the windows for ventilation, and light incense to mask certain peculiar smells.

With the help of her maids, the Queen quickly changed into conservative pajamas, lay back down, pulled up the silk quilt, and tried to appear weak.

Soon, the female guard arrived outside the palace and respectfully addressed Koharu Utatane and Sasuke Umino, saying, "Elder, Lord Umino, Her Majesty the Queen summons you both to an audience."

Koharu tidied her robes, her expression solemn, before walking into the palace with measured steps. Sasuke Umino also abandoned all his frivolousness, his face showing just the right amount of respect as he followed behind her.

Upon entering the palace, Xiaochun paused almost imperceptibly as her keen sense of smell, honed through countless trials, immediately detected the faint yet unmistakable scent in the air, which could not be completely masked by incense.

A knowing glint flashed in her eyes, but she remained expressionless, as if she hadn't smelled anything.

(End of this chapter)