[Sponsored] Chapter 165: Sarutobi Shinzo

[This Chapter Is Sponsored by "J"! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!]

Time flows gently, and the spring breeze caresses the earth, covering it once again with a green carpet.

Inside the Hidden Leaf Village, reinforcements arrive one after another, ready to replace the ninjas who have been at the front lines for years without returning to the village.

The overall commander guarding the border with the Land of Water, Sarutobi Shinzo, arrives with an elite force, instantly changing the atmosphere in the camp.

As for Sarutobi Shinzo's appearance, he's undoubtedly the eldest son of the Third Hokage and has inherited his father's excellent genes. He looks somewhat like Asuma, as if they were carved from the same mold.

As for his height, he's just a mature-looking man who's barely over 1.6 meters tall. Compared to the Fourth Mizukage, who at least has a youthful face, he's somewhat unremarkable. No wonder Konohamaru has such excellent genes; it's the excellence of the Sarutobi clan.

It seems that Sarutobi Konohamaru was only 1.57 meters tall during the second part of the Boruto series.

"Lord Yoru, you've really been working hard on the front lines."

Inside the tent, when Sarutobi Shinzo personally comes to the front lines, his kindly smile doesn't reveal any flaws. He's especially full of smiles towards the tall Uchiha Yoru beside him.

Uchiha Yoru nods casually, "With Lord Shinzo here, I can finally relax."

Uchiha Yoru looks relieved, as if truly heartfelt. However, beneath the friendly smiles of both, they are silently cursing each other.

Sly fox.

Old fox.

Although they've just met, it must be said that Sarutobi Shinzo truly has inherited the methods of the Third Hokage, putting righteousness plainly on display.

Uchiha Yoru can't help but feel that it's no wonder the Third Hokage intended for his eldest son to succeed him. This is clearly an heir cultivated with his own spirit and will, naturally the most perfect choice.

Apart from strength, he's almost a perfect match for the Third Hokage's choice, also reflecting the desire for no new turmoil at the top.

Although the two have indirectly interacted multiple times through official orders before meeting, pleasantries are still necessary at their first meeting. Especially under Sarutobi Shinzo's smiling demeanor, the transfer of power is already subtly taking place during their conversation.

Uchiha Yoru not only offers no objections but rather plainly chooses to agree. After all, he can't defy the Hidden Leaf at the moment. He also needs this reason to allow his people to return to the village to recuperate, gaining public favor and maintaining his own influence.

"Lord Shinzo, these are the records of the ninjas who have performed meritoriously on the front lines recently. I have already reported to the Hokage of the village."

Looking at Uchiha Yoru's politically fake smile as he slowly handed over a scroll, Sarutobi Shinzo took it with a similarly fake smile. The moment he opened it, his pupils constricted.

This kid is really crafty, Sarutobi Shinzo thought, secretly surprised. He and Asuma were of the same generation, yet the gap between them was not small.

On this scroll of merit requests, you reported all of them to the village and kept some for yourself? This is blatant scheming.

If he agrees to sign his name, it would essentially vouch for the merits of the frontline ninjas. His influence is significant; promotions wouldn't be an issue. But these people are obviously under this young upstart's command.

If he doesn't sign, even if he's vague about it, rumors would circulate in the frontline camps that Sarutobi Shinzo is narrow-minded and doesn't recognize the merits of his soldiers.

Realizing this, Sarutobi Shinzo looked up at the young man and managed a stiff smile. Uchiha Yoru understood that his methods were rather blunt but still sincerely nodded, "Uchiha Yoru is willing to fully support Lord Shinzo."

His attitude instantly changed, implying that once agreed, there would be no tricks; everyone on the frontline, including himself, would cooperate fully.

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Shinzo's stiff expression gradually turned into a smile. The elite ninjas belonging to Uchiha Yoru's side lowered their heads, but were filled with anger.

Their Lord Yoru was still using his merits to pave the way for them, even wishing for them to return home safely.

Uchiha Yoru's move to win hearts did not escape anyone's attention, and Sarutobi Shinzo saw it clearly. However, he didn't care much.

How many ninjas are in Konoha? Over 20,000, and that's after the end of the Third War and before Konoha fully recovered. At its peak, it had 30,000 ninjas.

And how many are in the Land of Whirlpools? No more than a thousand. And he knew very well how many traps his father had laid for them.

Not a concern at all.

"Excellent, you are all heroes of Konoha, and I will certainly vouch for you."

Sarutobi Shinzo laughed out loud and signed his name and handprint without hesitation. It's just a thousand ninjas; no need to differentiate or woo them. Time would blur everything; reality would level all things.

Then, the two chatted happily in the tent while their subordinates began the handover. Sarutobi Shinzo needed prestige, so he had to accumulate merits. He certainly didn't trust the frontline people, but fortunately, this batch was already due to retreat back to the village.

Now the situation in the village has stabilized, and it's time for them to go home and recuperate.

This time, Sarutobi Shinzo brought along 600 elite ninjas under the banner of changing border defense, causing the Mist ninjas to shrink back. Otherwise, they'd be facing not 600 reinforcements from Konoha but a mixed force.

The arriving reinforcements began to familiarize themselves with the frontline under the guidance of veteran ninjas. Details about traps and terrain were being thoroughly reported. This replacement operation would take at least three days, after which a wave of ninjas would be ready to return to the village.

...

Just as Uchiha Yoru and Sarutobi Shinzo were exchanging frontline information, within a brand-new tent in the camp.

"My Lord."

Uzuki Yugao half-knelt, lowering her head to conceal her emotions, while the person sitting was Sarutobi Meiko. She looked indifferently at the person she had chosen.

"Yūgao, you should be a sensible person. Although I no longer manage the Anbu, you were brought up by me. The Third Hokage is already old, do you understand?"

Such straightforward words meant that Konoha had no more obstacles. For Sarutobi Meiko, this meant she could achieve her long-cherished wish by simply following the plan, without the need to hide herself cautiously as before.

However, Sarutobi Meiko didn't realize that her blatant abuse of power had caused resentment. Uzuki Yugao's guilt towards the Anbu and the Hokage had significantly decreased.

"The village's power has been ruined by you rotten people. Those who really care about Konoha are pushed to the edge. How detestable!"

At this moment, Uzuki Yugao felt much lighter for some reason. She raised her head and calmly said, "Yugao will not forget the Minister's nurturing."

Seeing Uzuki Yugao's understanding response, Sarutobi Meiko showed a satisfied smile, "Don't worry, I just need you to convey the messages to the Third Hokage and also inform me. After all, Shinobu won't take long to become the Fifth Hokage, so you're not violating any rules."

Sarutobi Meiko, who had just gone through childbirth, was still somewhat weak. However, the temptation to gain prestige and sit in that position sooner rather than later filled her heart with zeal.

Konoahamaru has already been sent back to the village. This is a good opportunity to give the old man something to do and retire early. Then, the village will belong to their Sarutobi clan.

"Don't worry, there are no arrangements this time. You've done well, but you still need to work hard to gain Uchiha Yoru's trust. He will definitely become an elder of the Uchiha clan in the future, so you need to work hard to find clues about the Nine-Tails incident."

"However, I understand that too much of anything is bad. This time, all of you will be sent back to the village. It's a long-term mission; are you willing to take it?"

Facing Sarutobi Meiko, Uzuki Yugao spoke respectfully: "For the village and the Will of Fire, I am willing to continue the mission."

However, Uzuki Yugao felt more anger in his heart at that moment. You rotten people are not worthy to talk about the village, let alone the Will of Fire.

"Good, Yugao, I knew I didn't misjudge you."

Sarutobi Meiko showed a satisfied smile and nodded, "Don't worry, once you complete your task, neither I nor the village will treat you unfairly."

Hearing this, Uzuki Yugao felt a sense of disgust. The power in the village is being misused like this, and the village's resources are being greedily consumed by these selfish higher-ups. At this moment, she seems to finally understand why Lord Yoru wants to overthrow the current rule.

Konoha needs reform! Change everything that is rotten!

Sarutobi Meiko came this time to ensure her former spies. After the last Orochimaru incident, she almost lost all her powers. However, with the birth of a boy, Konohamaru, she regained her say in the Sarutobi clan. The saying "one's status rises with the birth of a male child" holds true everywhere.

She is not willing to become a vassal; she is greedy for power and also enjoys the feeling of being above others. Especially when she controlled the lives of many elite ninjas in the dark part, it gave her a sense of morbid ecstasy.

...

On the other hand, after the conversation, Sarutobi Shinzo revealed a reassuring smile of a superior, "Even though I have come to the front lines, the village will not forget your efforts. Moreover, it is essential to leave one or two familiar people at the front lines."

Seeing Sarutobi Shinzo's kind smile, Uchiha Yoru nodded and said, "The personnel adjustments are all up to Lord Shinzo."

In a word, since I've chosen not to obstruct, then do as you please.

Sure enough, seeing the other party being so understanding, Sarutobi Shinzo smiled, "In that case, I can't let go of the Uchiha clan's genius, Shisui, and the genius ninja Kakashi. They are our village's future."

Sarutobi Shinzo appeared very generous, seemingly trusting these people. However, he was secretly pleased. The youngsters of the Uchiha clan wouldn't suspect that Kakashi was arranged by the elder secretly. The other selections were just excuses to cover it up.

"By the way, the village has an important mission for Lord Yoru. However, considering that you have contributed so much on the front lines, others can complete this task. After all, you also need to return to the village for rest."

Since you're so understanding, I'm not a petty person. If you don't want to take the mission, you can go back to the village to rest. Sarutobi Shinzo then slowly took out a mission scroll, allowing Uchiha Yoru to choose, and his expression gradually became serious.

When it came to the mission, he was still very solemn, and Uchiha Yoru also looked seriously at the task the village was going to assign him.

Gather information about the Land of Whirlpools!

When Uchiha Yoru saw this mission, his brows immediately furrowed. The infiltration mission was not excessive; after all, Orochimaru had once infiltrated the Hidden Cloud Village and incited the Eight Tails' uprising during the Three Wars.

Such a valuable ninja, although the mission is essential, seemed somewhat wasted in his eyes.

But that's the world of ninjas.

"This mission?" Uchiha Yoru revealed a puzzled expression, and Sarutobi Shinzo also set aside all pretense and said solemnly: "With the turmoil in the ninja world, the Land of Whirlpools has become a gathering place for nearly all rogue and wandering ninjas, especially for some illicit precious items traded there."

"Spies from all major ninja villages have infiltrated, although some are from our village. Now the village needs someone to go in with an observer's identity to gather information, and preferably secretly investigate some precious items being traded."

Good guy, what intelligence gathering? It's clear that the village is drawn by the enormous benefits here.

Any items that are traded here in secrecy are undoubtedly incredibly valuable. The Leaf Village wants to make a clandestine move.

He gathers the information, and then the village secretly takes a portion of the profits.

'Don't worry, nothing major will happen. You should know that the news of the appearance of the Sannin Tsunade in the towns of the Whirlpool Country has already been investigated by all the major ninja villages, so your safety is greatly assured.'

Looking at Sarutobi Shinzo painting a rosy picture for him, Uchiha Yoru knows that this mission isn't mandatory, but it is a mission that proves his loyalty.

If he chooses to accept this mission, it proves that he has the village in mind, gaining a bit of trust from the higher-ups in the village. The downside is that this mission takes a long time. Ninjas who return to the village may be infiltrated, or even slowly subverted.

When he returns to the village, the force he had gathered at the front lines will have scattered. Regathering them won't be easy.

If he doesn't take the mission, then in the eyes of the Leaf Village's higher-ups, he is someone with great ambitions, unwilling to give up the benefits in hand. After returning to the village, he will definitely want to gather the ninjas he recruited at the front lines into a unified force.

I must say, brilliant!

But Uchiha Yoru feigned a determined expression and said solemnly, "For the village, I'm willing to carry out the mission, but I hope Lord Shinzo will remember the merits of the frontline soldiers."

His last sentence is still about claiming credit for the frontline soldiers. As for splitting his own force? He can't outmuscle the village, and what he needs is to start a wind of reform. Planting the seeds of dissatisfaction against the village is enough; those seeds will scatter into every corner of the Leaf Village.

He just needs to occasionally water them, and then they will take root and grow. When they grow into towering trees, he will own a forest.

Moreover, he has already found that special 'water'.

On the other hand, hearing this, Sarutobi Shinzo showed a satisfied smile, thinking that the final threat had already disappeared.