Traveling through three generations: Making Konoha great again!

"There aren't many, let's each have one to fill our stomachs..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as he distributed the rice balls, then feigned surprise and said, "Save one for me!"

The patrol troops laughed.

Danzo Shimura silently walked to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side and sized up the squad in front of him.

After a day of inspection, Shimura Danzo had figured out the organizational structure of the patrol force.

Teams of three to five individuals, skilled in reconnaissance but not combat, were formed, with experienced veterans serving as captains. They conducted cross-patrols of the village's outer defenses.

Their salaries are paid directly by the village, which includes the cost of their specially made uniforms and ninja tools.

Danzo Shimura had just asked Hiruzen Sarutobi whether the village could bear the financial burden.

The Hokage's answer was that this was actually making money for the village...

In the ninja world, a stable job with a sense of honor and responsibility, and guaranteed to cover losses, is extremely attractive, even if the salary is only one-half to one-third of that of taking on freelance work.

However, this balance of stability and income is something that veterans with disabilities or injuries are generally willing to accept.

Jonin-level ninjas prefer to undertake lucrative but dangerous missions.

Under this logic, the village does not provide much support for the patrol force, but their presence can greatly prevent enemy infiltration and sabotage, which is actually part of the revenue generation.

It's just invisible; it's not real money that you actually get your hands on, so it's easy to overlook it subconsciously.

"Is everything going well?"

"You've all seen the current situation in the ninja world..."

"Spies and scouts from all sides could infiltrate at any time; you bear a heavy responsibility!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi encouraged everyone: "Report any unusual situations promptly; if you need further support from the village, don't keep it to yourself, I'll make adjustments."

A Chunin from the Inuzuka clan shook his head repeatedly, saying, "Hokage-sama, this is perfect! We all love this job..."

"Many of my clansmen envy me and regret not signing up! Even one Jonin said that..."

This Chunin from the Inuzuka clan wasn't strong in direct combat, and his mastery of the clan's secret technique, Fang Over Fang, was only superficial.

However, the work of the patrol team highlighted his strength in reconnaissance.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled but remained silent.

The proposal aims to enhance village security to the greatest extent possible, rather than using a sharp blade as a shield.

Therefore, even though most Jonin were not very interested in this job at first.

A small number of people were interested, but Hatake Sakumo strictly followed Hiruzen Sarutobi's will and rejected them.

This is the optimal solution for resource allocation.

"Young man, is it delicious?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted the Chunin Aburame's shoulder with a little force: "Not bad, very quiet! Good material for counter-espionage..."

Wearing sunglasses and a patrol uniform, the Chunin Aburame appeared expressionless, but her pupils trembled as she silently gasped inwardly:

"The Hokage actually noticed me? I am recognized!"

The unique and mysterious aura of the Aburame clan—easily overlooked by others.

In fact, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't notice him either, but as a mature Hokage, he naturally couldn't neglect one person during this kind of consolation session.

As they chatted, Hiruzen Sarutobi had a sudden thought.

Logically speaking, he should have chatted more with the team leader.

The captain was clearly an Uchiha, looked quite old, and had only one arm.

He was clearly wounded on the battlefield…

The problem is, at this age, Uchiha's injuries might not have been caused by Konoha; they could have occurred during the Warring States period...

So, during the Warring States period, who was most likely to leave him with a disability?

It's so hard to guess.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi only talked to him about work-related matters and did not mention his one arm.

But Danzo Shimura, standing to the side, seemed to have overlooked this point.

"Hmph, this Uchiha is definitely the most rebellious type..."

"Fine, Hiruzen said he wanted to use appeasement to dismantle the Uchiha clan, so I have to learn to do the same!"

Danzo Shimura forced an awkward smile and said in what he thought was a friendly but actually harsh tone, "You left this disability for the village, didn't you?"

"Konoha will not let down anyone who has contributed to the village. Keep up the good work!"

These words immediately plunged the atmosphere into an awkward vortex.

This Uchiha's name is Yan.

He's a true veteran; in terms of age, he's actually a bit older than Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura…

They are among the few remaining members of the Uchiha clan from the Warring States period.

His arm was severed by someone using water-style techniques during the final battle between the Uchiha and Senju clans…

Few people remember, because for that white-haired Hokage, it was just a matter of course.

But since then, this Uchiha with two tomoe has been removed from the front-line combat ranks.

For most ninjas, losing an arm is fatal, even for those with eye techniques.

However, after the Konoha Guard was established, he, being proud, was unwilling to join.

Because the newly established Konoha Guard was staffed with elite Uchiha members who performed field duties and frontline missions, this was to showcase the clan's strongest side within the village.

The clerical work assigned to him spurred Uchiha Homura's competitive spirit, so he simply made ninja tools, received the meager stipend from his clan, and lived a life of quiet asceticism.

Therefore, he was one of the longest-lived members of the Uchiha clan, and his physical condition was very good.

This time, I joined the patrol unit.

On one hand, the Uchiha clan was determined to have him infiltrate the village to investigate what the Konoha leadership was up to…

On one hand, after Hatake Sakumo finished talking with Uchiha Fugaku, he personally went to find Uchiha Homura, hoping that he could do something for the village.

This long-lost feeling of being needed touched Uchiha En's heart.

After joining the patrol unit, his life was quite comfortable.

The descendants of the Inuzuka and Aburame clans greatly respected him as an elder who had lived through the Warring States period, and many details and decisions during reconnaissance relied on his planning and adjustments.

I also really enjoy listening to him tell stories.

So the atmosphere in the team was very harmonious, and the others also learned the reason why he only had one arm...

But looking at Shimura Danzo's bandaged, dead face and hearing his deliberate tone, I was reminded of all the surveillance he had carried out on the Uchiha clan over the years.

Uchiha En felt blood rush to his head and blurted out, "Thank you for your concern, Assistant Lord. I will do everything in my power to stop the enemy for the sake of the village."

"But I cannot claim an honor that does not belong to me."

"This arm of mine wasn't cut off by the enemy; it was done by the Second Generation Lord."

These words transformed what was already an awkward atmosphere into one of intense tension.

Danzo Shimura narrowed his eyes dangerously.

The Inuzuka and Aburame clan ninjas subconsciously swallowed.

As soon as Uchiha En finished speaking, he immediately regretted it.

But as an Uchiha, he couldn't take back what he had said, so he stiffened his neck and remained silent.

"Eh, Danzo..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart skipped a beat, breaking the suffocating atmosphere: "I remember your grandfather killed my father, didn't he?"

Danzo Shimura was taken aback.

Hey, Hiruzen, you're really holding a grudge, aren't you?

I still remember!