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

Chapter 326 The Expo

"Our village is changing at an unprecedented pace. These changes shouldn't just remain on blueprints and in reports. I hope that every villager, every child, can see with their own eyes and touch with their own hands the future we are creating together."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused briefly before presenting his idea.

"I propose that the first Konoha Culture and Technology Expo be held at the end of the year."

"An expo?"

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, the two advisors, exchanged a glance; the term was quite new to them.

"Yes."

Hiruzen Sarutobi affirmed, "This is a grand event showcasing our post-war achievements in all areas, including infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and education. We want the villagers to see how the dam built under Danzo's supervision became indestructible through a combination of earth-escape techniques and sealing arts; we want the children to understand that the high-yield rice at Sakumo Farm is the result of the Nara family's breeding wisdom and the Akimichi family's meticulous care."

"Through this expo, we aim to enhance everyone's sense of pride and unity. More importantly, we want the next generation to know that the power of ninjutsu is not just for fighting and destruction; it can also be used for building and protecting. Knowledge is the most powerful force for changing the world."

After he finished speaking, the office was quiet for a moment.

Nara Deer Antlers remained lying down, seemingly indifferent, but his ears twitched quietly.

Meanwhile, the eyes of the other two instantly ignited with fierce flames.

"I agree!"

Danzo Shimura was the first to stand up, his voice strong and resonant, carrying an undeniable confidence.

"The Hokage's idea is absolutely necessary! Buildings are the skeleton of a village, the most solid vessel for its will! Coincidentally, the third-generation chakra-reinforced concrete, which I led the research and development of, has completed its final testing!"

A look of fanaticism appeared on his face.

"This new type of concrete incorporates a special chakra-conducting medium during pouring and is inscribed with a miniature Earth Release hardening technique. Its final strength is sufficient to withstand the impact of most B-rank ninjutsu! I propose that a miniature model of the Nakagawa Reservoir be built on-site at the expo and a public pressure test be conducted! Let everyone see just how solid Konoha's foundation truly is!"

Danzo's words were powerful and resounding, as if one could already see the scene at the exposition where the villagers cheered for his immortal achievements.

However, no sooner had he finished speaking than a calm yet powerful voice rang out.

"Sturdy buildings are indeed important."

Sakumo Hatake spoke slowly, without even standing up, but simply flipping open the notebook on his lap.

"But Elder Danzo, the foundation of a village is, first and foremost, living people. And people need to eat."

His fingers traced lightly across the notebook, his movements precise and elegant, as if he were polishing a beloved knife.

"The first batch of 'Aburame-Nara Joint No. 1 Active Earthworm,' jointly developed by Konoha Ecological Farm and the Aburame Clan, has been completed."

"Live earthworms?" Akimichi Torifu's eyes lit up instantly, and he sat up straight instinctively.

"That's right."

Shuo Mao nodded. "These earthworms harbor specially bred parasites that secrete an active enzyme containing trace amounts of chakra. If you put them into the fields, they can transform ordinary soil into super fertile soil within three months."

He raised his head and calmly looked at Danzo.

"I plan to showcase the latest results grown using this soil at the expo."

"A giant cabbage as tall as a person."

"puff--"

Nara Kanojo, who had been pretending to be asleep, finally couldn't hold back and almost spat out his tea.

A cabbage as tall as a person?

The atmosphere in the office instantly became subtle.

If Danzo's chakra concrete represents a hardcore industrial style, then Sakumo's chakra earthworms and giant cabbages represent a magical pastoral style.

These two contrasting art styles, yet both brimming with Naruto-esque advanced technology, left the advisors and elders present momentarily at a loss for words.

Danzo's brows furrowed tightly.

He could sense that Sakumo Hatake was declaring war on him.

Danzo said coldly, "Sturdy walls and dams can protect the village for centuries! My booth must be placed in the most central area of ​​the expo!"

"Food is the foundation of life."

Shuo Mao refused to budge an inch, saying, "Without sufficient food, even the strongest city walls are just empty shells. I believe the agricultural achievements exhibition area should occupy the largest area and be placed in the most prominent position at the entrance, because this concerns the hearts of the people."

"The enduring architecture is the foundation of the village!"

"Filling your stomach is the most important thing!"

"Do you even know what a long-term plan is?!"

"Do you even know what it means to say 'food is the first necessity of the people'?"

Seeing that Konoha's two pillars of glory, one a construction maniac and the other a farming god, were about to argue in the Hokage's office about whose booth was bigger and whose contribution was more important, Nara Shikanobu felt his temples throbbing.

His mind had already begun to run a sand table simulation uncontrollably.

An expo?

That sounds wonderful.

But how does it work in practice?

Site selection, security arrangements, crowd control, booth planning, budget approval, promotional plans...

This workload... is more than doubled.

This is going to flip right up to the sky!

The face of the Nara deer antlers gradually turned black at a visible speed, eventually becoming as black as the bottom of a pot.

He suddenly felt that compared to the two incredibly energetic guys in front of him, his own overtime work yesterday dealing with the mountain of documents was a blessing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the scene unfold before him quietly, not only refraining from stopping it but also picking up his teacup with great interest.

well.

very good.

This healthy infighting, where people argue heatedly about who is better at building the village, is exactly the kind of scene he most wants to see.

He took a sip of tea, his gaze passing over the two arguing figures and landing on the Nara clan chief, who seemed utterly lifeless, as if his soul had been drained away.

A kind and friendly smile appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

"antlers."

He spoke softly.

"Look, Danzo and Sakumo are so motivated, it's a blessing for the village."

"Since they have so many brilliant ideas for the specific exhibits, then the trivial matters of overall planning, venue design, and process arrangement for the entire expo will be entrusted to you."

"Yes, I hope to see a preliminary draft by tomorrow morning."

Nara Shikaku stiffly raised his head, looking at the Hokage's kind smiling face, feeling as if all the sounds in the world were fading away from him.

His mind was blank.

Only one last thought remained.

Troublesome...so bad...