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

Chapter 433 Wood Release Clone
"Oh?" Danzo's eyes flashed, and he asked casually, "Didn't you ever think about becoming Hokage?"

Umino Sasuke laughed as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, saying self-deprecatingly, "Hokage? Elder, please don't joke with me. I have never had such a thought. Besides, now that both my legs are broken, I am a cripple. The ninja clans in the village value face the most. How could they allow a cripple to sit in the position of Hokage? Wouldn't that make Konoha a laughing stock in the entire ninja world?"

His words, though seemingly unintentional, were like a poisoned needle, piercing Danzo precisely. He too was disabled, blind in one eye.

Danzo's face darkened for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

Umino Sasuke seemed to realize his slip of the tongue and quickly tried to "remedy" the situation, saying, "Ah! Elder, I didn't mean what you said! You've only lost one eye, it's not... sigh, unlike me, I've lost both legs, I'm truly disabled..."

His attempt to explain only made things worse, making him appear quite "sincere" and "unrestrained."

Danzo suppressed his anger and stopped dwelling on the topic, revealing his true intentions directly: "Sasuke, what do you think about me becoming the Fourth Hokage?"

"Excellent! Elder, it would be perfect if you became Hokage! You are highly experienced and loyal to Konoha. With you leading Konoha, we will surely sweep away the ninja world and make Konoha great again!"

Sasuke Umino praised him "sincerely" almost without hesitation.

This blatant flattery pleased Danzo greatly, and he couldn't help but ask, "Oh? You mean I'm more suitable to be Hokage than the Third Hokage?"

"Of course!" Umino Sasuke said sincerely. "Alas, if it weren't for the Third Hokage's poor decision-making, the western front wouldn't be in this state, and now they're even missing. Speaking of which, the Second Hokage probably really misjudged back then. If he had chosen you, Elder, Konoha might have already dominated the ninja world!"

These words struck a chord with Danzo. He had spent his entire life resenting Tobirama for choosing Hiruzen Sarutobi over him, and now someone finally understood him.

Danzo no longer concealed his intentions: "In that case, Sasuke, I need your support! Publicly support me in becoming the Fourth Hokage!"

“No problem!” Umino Sasuke nodded without hesitation. “Elder, rest assured, when I return to Konoha, I will be the first to stand up for you! I, Umino Sasuke, and the Iron Wall Legion will follow your lead!”

Danzo was somewhat surprised by such a decisive statement, but he was overjoyed, as if he could already see himself wearing the Hokage robe.

"Very good! Sasuke, I am very pleased that you are so understanding!" Danzo nodded in satisfaction, and even began to make promises, "When I become Hokage, I will entrust the Root organization to you! With you and me working together, we will surely lead Konoha to unprecedented heights!"

Sasuke Umino timely displayed an attitude of "deep gratitude" and "sworn loyalty to the death".

Meanwhile, the true form hidden underground sneered inwardly at Danzo's blatant ambition: 'Danzo, I've already done more than enough by giving you one chance. If you stop here, out of consideration for our past relationship, I might let you be a puppet Hokage for a few days to have your fun. But if…'

As expected, Danzo's greed and suspicion meant he would not be satisfied with mere verbal promises.

Danzo's smile gradually faded, replaced by a sinister and unquestionable expression.

He stared at Umino Sasuke and slowly said, "Sasuke, words are not enough. To ensure our 'cooperation' is foolproof, and to help you 'strengthen' your beliefs and avoid being misled by someone in the future, you need to undergo a small 'test'."

Sasuke Umino's "loyal" smile froze instantly, replaced by astonishment and wariness: "Elder, what do you mean by this?"

Danzo stopped wasting words and laid his cards on the table: "Let me plant the seal of the Root of Tongue Disaster in you."

"What?!" Umino Sasuke's expression changed drastically. He struggled to sit up straight, his voice filled with shock and anger. "Elder! This is against Konoha's rules! This is an act of suppressing thought, creating dictatorship, and undermining democracy! My loyalty to Konoha and the Hokage is as clear as day. Why resort to such methods?! You are insulting me!"

Seeing Umino Sasuke's intense reaction, Danzo's suspicions grew even stronger.

He sneered, "Umino Sasuke, you don't need to act anymore! Your quick agreement just now was nothing but pretense to appease me temporarily, wasn't it? You don't want to support me at all, and you even plan to use your reputation and the Iron Wall Army to compete for the Hokage position yourself after you recover from your injuries! Isn't that right?! You're just an ambitious person!"

"You're spouting nonsense!" Umino Sasuke trembled with rage. "I, Umino Sasuke, have always acted with integrity and honesty! I have no such intention!"

"Since you won't listen to reason, then don't blame me for using force!" Danzo completely lost his patience, revealing his ferocious fangs. "Attack!"

Having prepared for some time, Aburame Ryoma and several Root elites finally made their move.

"Sealing Technique: Limb Sealing!"

"Secret Technique·Insect Jade!"

"Water Release: Multiple Water Whip!"

Several control-type ninjutsu instantly enveloped Umino Sasuke, who was lying on the stretcher. Chakra chains bound him tightly, sealing techniques suppressed his chakra flow, and even his entire body was bound by the chakra-devouring insects, rendering him unable to move, and his chakra was rapidly draining away.

"Danzo! How dare you do this! You have betrayed Konoha!"

Sasuke Umino's eyes were bloodshot as he struggled desperately, but under the combined attack and suppression of several Root elites, and with his "severely injured" body, he was powerless to break free.

Danzo looked down at him, a cold, confident smile on his face: "Don't make a futile struggle, Sasuke. Just become my most loyal subordinate. Since you're somewhat sensible, I can promise you that when I become Hokage, I will not only give you a high position, but I will also find a way to use the First Hokage's cells to cultivate new legs for you! At that time, your strength might be restored, or even improved! Isn't that better than you being a cripple now?"

He attempted to use interstitial cells as a lure, while automatically ignoring their corrosive and assimilative effects.

"Don't even think about it! I'd rather die than submit!"

Umino Sasuke simply stared intently at Danzo with an "unyielding" gaze.

"Stubborn to the end!" Danzo was furious. Without further hesitation, he quickly formed hand seals, and powerful chakra mixed with sealing techniques condensed at his fingertips.

He bent down, forcefully pried open "Umino Sasuke's" mouth, and pressed his ominously glowing fingertips against his tongue.

"The seal to eradicate the root of tongue-related calamities! Seal it!"

The pitch-black curse runes, as if alive, instantly spread across the entire surface of "Umino Sasuke's" tongue, forming a complex and eerie pattern before slowly disappearing beneath the tongue coating.

Danzo released his grip, stood up triumphantly, and looked at Umino Sasuke, whose eyes had become "dull" and "desperate," before letting out a hearty laugh:
"Hahaha! It's done! It's finally done!"

Danzo laughed heartily. In his view, the position of Hokage was already within reach. Controlling Umino Sasuke was equivalent to controlling the entire Iron Wall Army and immense prestige!

At that time, he will use Umino Sasuke to set a trap and control Uchiha Shunya as well, and then he will control a pair of Mangekyou Sharingan.

In this way, Konoha will surely reach an unprecedented peak under his leadership!
Danzo's thoughts were racing, immersed in an incredibly beautiful fantasy, as if he could already see himself wearing the Hokage robes and receiving the worship of thousands.

However, just as his laughter reached its peak, a sudden change occurred!

Having just been implanted with the "Tongue Twister Seal," Umino Sasuke's body suddenly began to twist and deform, his skin rapidly lost its color and transformed into a woody texture, and his entire body completely lost its color.

The "Umino Sasuke" lying on the stretcher had turned into a lifeless wooden figure.

Danzo's triumphant and arrogant laughter abruptly stopped, like a rooster being choked.

The ecstasy on his face froze instantly, turning into astonishment and confusion. He stared wide-eyed at the wooden figure, his mind completely blank.

Aburame Ryoma and the surrounding Root ninjas were also stunned by this unexpected scene.

The scene fell into a deathly silence.

Only the rustling of the wind through the trees in the distance and Danzo's incredulous panting could be heard.

"Wood... Wood Release clone?!"

An incredible word was squeezed out of his trembling lips with difficulty.

No one expected that Umino Sasuke would awaken the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai of the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama! The one before him was actually a Wood Release clone!
what does this mean?
This means that the previous battle with Onoki, the so-called "serious injury and near death," and the "Tongue Twister Seal" that was just planted were all a carefully designed deception, a trap set for him, Shimura Danzo.

"Umino Sasuke! Get out here right now! I know you're here!!"

Danzo instantly understood everything. His face contorted in a ferocious roar, a surge of overwhelming rage at being tricked and fooled welling up inside him.

"Umino Sasuke, you deceived me with a Wood Release clone! What are you trying to do?!"

"Naturally—it's to test Elder Danzo's loyalty to Konoha."

A calm and familiar voice came from a large tree not far away.

As the words were spoken, Umino Sasuke's figure slowly emerged from the thick tree trunk.

His white divine robe was spotless, his face was rosy, and his breathing was steady and long. There was not a trace of injury or weakness on his face.

What's even more unsettling is that his deep eyes are now shimmering with a pale green light, and his body is faintly radiating a powerful aura full of vitality.

Danzo's pupils suddenly contracted. Although he had guessed it before, witnessing Umino Sasuke emerge from the trees and feeling that unique chakra still shocked him beyond measure.

"It really is the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai!"

"Protect Lord Danzo!" Aburame Ryoma reacted quickly, instantly blocking Danzo's path. A large number of parasitic insects swarmed out from his sleeves, forming a black wall of insects.

The Root ninjas around them immediately tightened their formation, firmly protecting Danzo in the center, and stared intently at the suddenly appearing Umino Sasuke as if facing a formidable enemy.

Suppressing his shock and rage, Danzo demanded sharply, "Loyalty? My loyalty to Konoha is as clear as day! But you, Umino Sasuke! You dared to desecrate the First Hokage and secretly conduct human experiments with Wood Release cells! This is a grave crime strictly forbidden by the village! Do you know your crime?!"

He attempted to turn the tables, seize the moral high ground, and use it as leverage for threats.

"As long as you repent and support me in becoming the Fourth Hokage, and swear allegiance to me, I can forgive and forget about your private research into forbidden techniques!"

Danzo softened his tone, continuing with a combination of kindness and pressure, "In fact, once I become Hokage, the position of the future Fifth Hokage might very well be given to you!"

Faced with Danzo's threats and empty promises, Umino Sasuke merely sneered: "Heh, Elder Danzo, are you mistaken? With my battle achievements and prestige, wouldn't it be better for me to directly become the Fourth Hokage? Why would I want to be your empty promise of being the Fifth Hokage's successor? Am I stupid or are you stupid?"

"You!" Danzo's face turned ashen from the merciless words. He pointed angrily at Umino Sasuke, "You wicked heart! You really are after the Hokage position!"

"Shouldn't the position of Hokage be held by the most capable person?" Sasuke Umino said calmly.

Unexpectedly, Danzo nodded in agreement, a ruthless glint flashing in his single eye: "That's right! It truly is a matter of the capable taking the lead!"

He stared intently at Umino Sasuke, as if he had figured everything out. "It seems that your elaborate scheme to use Wood Release clones to lure me here was premeditated."

Umino Sasuke shrugged: "It's a matter of willingness. If it weren't for Elder Danzo's 'kindness' towards me and his insistence on plotting against me, I wouldn't have had this opportunity, would I?"

"Umino Sasuke! You think you have victory in your grasp and have me cornered?!" Danzo's single eye flashed with a murderous glint. "Today, I'll show you what the darkness of the ninja world truly means! Attack!"

With a wave of his hand, the eighteen elite Root members, who had been waiting in ambush, instantly sprang into action. They coordinated perfectly, moved like the wind, and charged towards Umino Sasuke from different directions.

"Wind Release·Vacuum Jade!"

"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"

"Secret Technique: Insect Devouring!"

In an instant, all sorts of ninja techniques and secret arts poured down on Umino Sasuke like a storm, completely engulfing his location.

The explosions, the howling wind blades, the billowing poisonous fog, and the pitch-black swarms of insects intertwined, creating a terrifying spectacle.

However, faced with this siege that would have made even the strongest Kage-level fighters flustered, Umino Sasuke didn't even move a step.

He simply stood there calmly, when suddenly a dazzling azure lightning burst forth from his body.

The Plasma Thor Armor activates instantly!
"Boom--!"

All attacks, whether A-rank ninjutsu or powerful secret techniques, vanished completely upon contact with the highly compressed Thunder Armor, like a mud ox sinking into the sea, only causing a few ripples of lightning before disappearing without a trace.

The poisonous fog was ionized, the swarm of insects was scorched by electricity, and the wind blades and fireballs were easily deflected. He stood unharmed at the center of the explosion, as if Thor had descended to earth.

(End of this chapter)