Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 327 Naruto Mini-Lesson

"Lord Hokage, this..."

Nara Shika stiffly raised his head, attempting to salvage his doomed fate with the most sincere, humble, and innocent gesture of his life. "Overall planning is a matter of great importance, I'm afraid..."

"Shikanobu, you are the most suitable candidate." Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him, his tone gentle but leaving no room for argument.

He didn't even give the antlers a chance to continue arguing, but instead looked at the two people next to him who were about to start arguing.

"Danzo, your third-generation chakra-reinforced concrete is indeed a groundbreaking masterpiece, representing the highest achievement of Konoha in the field of civil engineering. Conducting a public compressive strength test at the expo is absolutely necessary and will greatly boost morale."

Upon hearing this, Danzo Shimura straightened his back, his face radiating an almost overflowing fervent confidence.

"but,"

Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject and looked at Sakumo Hatake, "Sakumo, the live earthworms you cultivated and the superior fertile soil you improved with them are the key to solving the food problem. The cabbage that's as tall as a person—the name may be simple, but it represents a promise that every villager can have enough to eat. This is also the most direct manifestation of the Will of Fire."

Sakumo Hatake nodded calmly. The notebook on his lap had been turned to a new page, on which was drawn a huge cabbage, with various data marked in extremely precise strokes, from leaf thickness to water content, everything was included.

"so,"

Hiruzen Sarutobi surveyed the crowd and made his final decision: "Your achievements are all Konoha's most precious assets, equally valuable. Danzo's stress test can serve as the opening ceremony of the expo, showcasing Konoha's resilience to everyone in the most awe-inspiring way. Sakumo's giant vegetable exhibition can be the grand finale, filling everyone's hearts with the joy of harvest and hope for the future as they leave."

He looked at the Nara deer antlers and gave them an encouraging smile.

"Look, the antlers. I've already booked the opening and closing ceremonies for you. All that's left is to fill in the rest of the program. It shouldn't be too much trouble for you, right?"

Is it too much trouble?

Not... troublesome?

Nara Shikanobu felt his soul had floated up to the Hokage Rock, looking down at himself in the office, the poor soul who had been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Hokage in the gentlest tone.

He could even clearly see that, after hearing this arrangement, although Shimura Danzo and Hatake Sakumo stopped arguing, an invisible spark of electricity emanated from the air the moment they looked at each other.

It was a more intense, unspoken competitive spirit.

Danzo's idea was that his opening ceremony had to be unprecedentedly grand, so that everyone would forget what cabbages were coming up.

Shuo Mao envisioned a closing exhibition that was so abundant it would be a dreamlike spectacle, so that after seeing the giant vegetables, everyone would completely forget about the pile of broken stones at the opening ceremony.

Nara Deer Antlers' head started hurting again.

He could already foresee the outrageous budget requests and venue requirements these two would submit in their quest to outdo each other. And he, responsible for approving and coordinating, would be caught in the middle, completely drained.

"Alright, Hokage-sama."

Nara Shika slumped back onto the table, sounding as if he was about to die.

Seeing his utterly dejected expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his teacup with satisfaction and took a sip.

The village's development needs such an engine. And for that engine to run smoothly, it needs an excellent coordinator. Although Shikanobu is averse to trouble, his sense of responsibility and wisdom are unmatched in the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

If you squeeze it, there will always be some left.

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his teacup, and after a brief silence, the atmosphere in the office became lively again.

Danzo and Sakumo had already begun to discuss the details of their respective plans in hushed tones. Even the two advisor elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, showed great interest in this novel expo and offered suggestions from time to time.

"Hiruzen, this idea is indeed very good."

Mitomon Homura pondered, "Showcasing the village's achievements in a concentrated manner can effectively transform the victory in the war into a peace dividend that the villagers can tangibly feel, which is crucial for uniting people's hearts and minds."

"That's right."

Koharu Utatane nodded in agreement, "Moreover, exposing children to these things from a young age, and helping them understand that ninjutsu has broader uses beyond combat, is extremely beneficial for cultivating the values ​​of the next generation."

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened with a smile, and only spoke slowly after they had finished their discussion.

"You're all right. These are precisely some of the reasons why I started organizing the expo."

He paused, his voice becoming deep and magnetic, drawing everyone's attention.

"Danzo's concrete, Sakumo's cabbage, Tsunade and the medical team's new technology, Orochimaru's research on energy conversion... these are all brilliant achievements of our first five-year plan."

"but,"

He abruptly changed the subject, his deep gaze sweeping over everyone present, "That's not enough."

The office fell silent instantly.

Everyone stared at him, waiting for what he would say next. Even the Nara deer, who had been lying down pretending to be dead, quietly perked up its ears.

not enough?

Is that not enough?

Danzo's brow furrowed slightly. In his view, at the current rate of development, Konoha would become a truly impenetrable super fortress, an immortal monument, within ten years.

The ecological farm's output is enough to allow the entire village to eat meat freely, and there is even a surplus for strategic reserves.

This is an achievement that no previous Hokage had ever accomplished.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took in everyone's doubts. He stood up, walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed at the vibrant village below the mountain.

"Material strength is merely the foundation. No matter how sturdy a village is built or how much food it has stored, it is still just a cold shell. A village, a civilization, cannot truly be passed down without these things."

He turned around and stared at the crowd.

"It is thought, will, and the inheritance of the soul."

"Our generation experienced the bloodshed of the Warring States period, built our village with our own hands, and won two major wars. We know that peace is hard-won, and we understand the meaning of protecting it."

"But what about our next generation? And the generation after that?"

"They were born in a time of peace and enjoy everything we have created. They will take it for granted that clean streets, ample food, and safe homes are all things they were born with. They will forget how much blood of their ancestors has soaked through this prosperous land beneath their feet."

These words caused everyone present to fall into deep thought.