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

Chapter 399 The Puppet Time Clan

"Li is indeed outstanding. During the conquest of the Land of Wind, he single-handedly killed several Sand Village Jonin. He can even fight against elite Jonin. He has made some progress in Body Flicker Technique, swordsmanship, and Fire Release."

Umino Sasuke nodded and praised without reservation: "I think that after a few more years of training, his achievements will be no less than those of Moonlight Night."

Upon hearing this, Shiranui Mama's face flushed with excitement. Gekko Yoru was one of Konoha's most promising young geniuses, and the name "Black Flash" resounded throughout the ninja world.

The captain doesn't praise people easily, but to compare Shiranui Ri to Tsukiko Yoru is such a strong affirmation. He seems to have already seen the glorious future of the Shiranui clan being revived in his nephew's hands and returning to the status of a strong second-rate clan. He feels that he has done his best to become a guardian ninja and stabilize the foundation of the clan. The true hope of the clan lies in Ri.

Watching this scene, Ebihiko couldn't help but feel envious. The Ebi family was small, and he was the first generation of ninja in the family. He was able to grow into a Jonin and become the guardian ninja of the Land of Rivers entirely because of the deep friendship he had with Sasuke since childhood. He knew that his ninja talent was mediocre. Although his son Ebisu had good talent, the gap was obvious compared to the rising star Shiranui Riki.

Thinking of his son, Kosuke, Ehiko asked, "Sasuke, I heard that you're taking a detour by sea and will be stopping at Konoha Village to rest?"

“That’s right.” Sasuke Umino nodded. “The plan is to stay in Konoha for half a day to replenish supplies and allow the soldiers who have been fighting for a long time to relax a bit.”

Ehiko sighed, his tone filled with nostalgia: "I really envy you guys being able to go back and visit. In the past two years, the only time we've been back is when your Umino clan opened its doors and you went back to Konoha with the daimyo's delegation. It's been so long since we've been back. In this foreign land, even though we hold a prestigious position, we always feel like we're missing our roots."

Sasuke Umino patted him on the shoulder understandingly: "You've worked hard. You are here because you are the most important nail that Konoha has driven into the Land of Rivers. It is of great significance."

Ehiko shook his head: "What hardship is this? Countless people would envy this. It's all thanks to your arrangements. Otherwise, with my talent, I probably would never have been able to even touch the threshold of Jonin, let alone become a Guardian Ninja."

Then, pointing to the Iron Wall ninjas on the ship, he sighed, "Compared to them, I'm enjoying myself in the rear. They are the real warriors. Many of them have been fighting on the front lines since the start of the Ninja World War, and haven't had a chance to go back to Konoha for several years, right?"

Sasuke Umino nodded: "The veterans of the frontline mobile support unit have all made several trips back. As for the other lower and middle-ranking ninjas, especially those from commoner backgrounds, apart from those with connections and a few who have made meritorious contributions and received awards, most of them haven't had the chance to return to their villages since the start of the Ninja War. This opportunity to pass through, even if it's just for half a day, is a rare comfort for them."

Ehiko suggested, "Why don't we rest in Konoha for a day or two? I reckon that with their eagerness to return home, the speed at which they can march might be enough to make up for the lost time. Sigh, if it weren't for the time crunch, I'd like to have a drink with you and tell you how we conquered Sunagakure."

Sasuke Umino hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Let's wait and see. The Hokage has already led the Fire Release battalion to the front line in Takigawa. The military situation is urgent, and as the commander of the follow-up troops, I can't delay for too long. Let's skip the banquet. We'll have plenty of time to drink after the war. Once this resupply is complete, the fleet must set off immediately."

“Okay.” Ehiko said with some regret, but expressed his understanding.

His gaze shifted to the Sand Village laborers silently unloading supplies at the port, his tone tinged with worry, "Won't these Sand Village ninja cause trouble? What if they start a disturbance on the way..."

Sasuke Umino smiled confidently: "Don't worry, they wouldn't dare. Their families are all under our control. Moreover, I've placed curse seals on these Sand Ninja squad leaders, and a small portion of them are even ninjas from the Kumochi clan. With these people watching over them, they won't be able to cause any trouble."

"The Kujiki clan?" Ehiko asked curiously. "I heard you plan to make the Kujiki clan a vassal of your Umino clan?"

Umino Sasuke nodded: "Yes, the Kujiki clan helped us open the natural barrier of the Wind Gorge during this attack on Sunagakure, making a great contribution. They can no longer stay in the Land of Wind, and the entire clan, men, women, and children, are on the transport ship behind, preparing to move to Konoha. As an outside ninja clan, it is not easy for them to gain a foothold in Konoha. They took the initiative to offer to rely on my Umino clan for protection, and I could not refuse them out of both sentiment and reason."

Ehiko laughed upon hearing this: "You brat, don't act all innocent after getting such a good deal! The Kumochi clan is an old-established puppet ninja clan of Sunagakure, with considerable strength and foundation. They were only suppressed by the Sunagakure elders before. Now that they've joined Konoha, it's like a dragon returning to the sea. Although it's difficult for them to become a top-tier clan like the Uchiha or Hyuga, with their exquisite puppetry techniques and large population, the possibility of them developing into a first-class ninja clan of Konoha is very high!"

Umino Sasuke agreed, “Indeed! Konoha’s puppet army has only been established for a short time, and the addition of the Kujiki clan is like adding wings to a tiger. However, if the Kujiki clan takes advantage of its first-mover advantage, it is very likely that it will control this huge potential military force of the puppet army in the future. Even if it does not reach the scale of the Sunagakure puppet army, it will definitely be a significant new force in Konoha.”

Ehiko's smile faded, and he warned with a slightly serious tone, "Sasuke, you'd better be careful. The potential of the Konoha Puppet Army is much greater than that of the half-crippled Mitokado clan. As the Konoha Puppet Army grows stronger, the Konoha Puppet Army's status in the village will inevitably rise. Be wary of them developing inappropriate thoughts after their power grows, or even turning against their master."

A sharp glint flashed in Umino Sasuke's eyes as he calmly said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. The first commander of the Konoha Puppet Force, Haruno Mori, was a trusted confidant whom I personally promoted. Moreover, this force can be said to have been created by me. I am their 'founding father.' The Puppet Clan won't be able to overthrow us so easily."

Moreover, unlike the Uzumaki clan, who have been on good terms with Konoha for generations, they are outsiders who defected from a rival ninja village. Their roots in Konoha are shallow, and if they want to survive and develop, they can only rely on the great tree of my Umino clan.

Kui Shiyu is a smart man; otherwise, he wouldn't have proactively offered to become a vassal. He understands very well that only with my full support can his clan truly establish itself in Konoha and have a bright future.

"It's good that you know what's going on." Ehiko was relieved.

As they talked, their eyes involuntarily drifted toward the dock.

There, the Kujiki clan ninjas, dressed in Konoha-style vests, were strictly supervising the work of the Sand Ninja laborers.

These members of the Kujiki clan were extremely diligent in their supervision, filled with anticipation for their new life in the powerful Konoha, and thus showing a greater degree of ruthlessness and decisiveness towards their former village companions.

The Sand Ninja laborers glared at these "traitors" with hateful eyes, but under the pressure of reality, they could only dare to be angry but not speak out. During this time, a few Sand Ninjas were slow to move due to exhaustion or resentment, and were immediately reprimanded by the Puppet Time Ninjas. They were even punished with some small tricks. The troublemakers who dared to resist fiercely had been picked out and severely dealt with beforehand as a warning to others.

In this somewhat oppressive atmosphere, a conspicuous figure was also busy at work; this person was Ye Cang.

She was also helping to move supplies, her beautiful face showing both exhaustion and determination. She reacted quickly, sensing Sasuke Umino's gaze and looking over herself, her feelings incredibly conflicted and complex. The fall of Sunagakure had once again overwhelmed any remaining goodwill she felt towards Sasuke Umino with the hatred of national and personal vendettas. She had matured considerably as a result, understanding that the Sunagakure ninja were now like fish on a chopping board, and that provoking Sasuke Umino would bring no benefit.

This time, when she was dispatched to the allied forces, she volunteered to join this "servant army." On the one hand, she wanted to keep an eye on Konoha and prevent Umino Sasuke from using the Sand Village as mere cannon fodder. On the other hand, she also harbored the thought that if things didn't work out, she might be able to use Umino Sasuke's lecherousness to try and save the village, even if it came at an unspeakable price. This thought made her feel particularly complicated when facing Umino Sasuke, and she could only subconsciously avoid his gaze.

At this moment, Kui Shiyu also noticed Ye Cang and quickly ran over, his face showing a respectful and even somewhat obsequious smile: "Lord Ye Cang! How can we let you do these heavy tasks yourself? Just leave them to others, please rest!"

Having experienced the great war in the southern part of the Land of Rivers, Kujiro was already familiar with the ambiguous relationship between Yekura and Umino Sasuke.

Umino Sasuke was the master he had to rely on closely, so he naturally dared not neglect this woman who might have a special relationship with his master. If Yoko Mako became the mistress in the future, would offending her now be asking for trouble later?
Ye Cang, however, showed no kindness and coldly rebuked, "Get out of here! Traitor!"

After saying that, ignoring the embarrassed Kui Shiyu, he picked up a large box of vegetables and walked steadily toward the transport ship.

Being denounced as a "traitor" to his face, Kui Shiyu's face turned pale and then red, but soon his eyes became firm again.

So what if they're traitors?
In Sunagakure, the Kujiri clan was suppressed by the elders. Despite their skills, they had little chance of advancement. Joining Konoha and serving Lord Umino Sasuke was the only way for the clan to continue and achieve glory!

What is this humiliation compared to the future of our people?
He believed that in Konoha, with the support of Lord Umino, the Kujiri clan would surely be reborn!
The supplies were finally loaded, and Umino Sasuke bid farewell to Ehiko and Shiranui Masami once again.

"Take care of yourself!"

"You too, be careful on the battlefield!"

"Li, do a good job, don't bring shame to the Shiranui family!" Shiranui Masama gave his nephew his last instructions.

“Yes, Uncle!” Shiranui Ri replied solemnly.

Umino Sasuke and the others boarded the ship, and the massive fleet weighed anchor again, slowly sailing away from the port of the Land of Rivers, continuing its voyage into the vast ocean.

Ehiko and Shiranui Mama stood on the dock, waving goodbye for a long time until the fleet's sails disappeared on the horizon.

The fleet left the land of rivers and sailed on the azure sea for several more days.

Food supplies were not consumed much, but fresh water was consumed in large quantities and needed to be replenished. The Tea Country has a mild climate and is famous for its tea plantations covering the mountains and plains, which happened to be on this sea route.

The fleet slowly sailed into the southern port of the Tea Country.

On the dock, people had been waiting for a long time. One was a member of the Fuma clan, Fuma Silver, dressed in a magnificent merchant's outfit and exuding an extraordinary air. The other was a red-haired ninja named Uzumaki Aloe, wearing a Uzumaki clan crest and a powerful Uzumaki Jonin.

Fengmo Yin holds a special position in the Tea Country. As the chief manager of the Wave Country Merchant Alliance in this area, he wields enormous trade power, and his every word and action can affect the economic lifeline of the Tea Country. He usually commands great respect in front of the Tea Country's nobles. However, today, he waited at the dock early, his face showing undisguised respect, and he even nervously straightened his clothes.

As Umino Sasuke descended the gangway, surrounded by Nara Shikaku, Shiranui Ri, and others.

Fuma Silver immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said in an extremely humble tone, "Lord Umino, you must be tired from your journey! All the supplies have been prepared."

Umino Sasuke frowned almost imperceptibly, then smiled and said in a calm tone, "Manager Fuma, there's no need for such formalities. I only have a slight acquaintance with Mr. Gato. I'm just passing by to resupply, which is already a bother. There's no need for such politeness."

His words, though seemingly casual, were actually a subtle reminder to Fuma Silver to be careful not to reveal the core secret that he was the one controlling the Land of Waves.

Fuma Gin was a smart man and immediately understood what he meant. He quickly put away his overly respectful attitude and put on a polite smile like that of an important business partner: "Lord Umino, you are too kind. It is our honor that you can come to the Land of Tea."

At the opportune moment, Aloe Vera stepped forward to smooth things over, saying in a loud voice, "Yes, Lord Umino has saved our Uzumaki clan, and we, the entire Merchant Alliance, are deeply grateful. What is this little bit of supplies? We should be as polite as we can!"

His words were reasonable and cleverly concealed the unusually respectful behavior that Feng Moyin had just displayed.

Most of the Iron Wall Legion ninjas who logged in didn't notice anything unusual. They just thought that their commander had a wide circle of friends, and even the Wave Country Merchant Alliance was giving him face. Only the meticulous Nara Shikaku keenly sensed something unusual.

He stroked his chin, thinking to himself: 'It seems the rumors circulating in the village about the Commander's falling out with the Land of Waves over the distribution of profits were largely unfounded. This relationship can't be explained simply by "having a close personal relationship with Gato"...'

However, he kept his doubts to himself and did not investigate further. Instead, he directed the ninjas of the Kujiki clan to supervise the Sunagakure laborers, focusing on transporting urgently needed supplies such as fresh water, fresh fruits and vegetables.

(End of this chapter)