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

Chapter 64 Mobilization Meeting for the Establishment of the Konoha Reservoir Construction Corps

Orochimaru.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him and said in an extremely solemn tone, "Danzo is planning to build the Nakagawa Reservoir. I need you to turn this blueprint into reality."

"I will establish a brand new research team in the name of the Hokage—Team Zero."

"I appoint you as the leader of Class Zero, with full authority over this S-class top-secret research project—the art of energy conversion."

"You can choose any personnel from ninjas and craftsmen."

"I have only one request."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked into Orochimaru's eyes. "I hope that every family in Konoha can use this energy called electricity. So that the nights in Konoha will no longer be filled only with the flickering of candlelight."

Orochimaru's body jolted violently.

Looking into the teacher's eyes, I saw the hope for the future and the determination to change the world.

An unprecedented sense of mission welled up from the bottom of his heart.

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Day two.

The newly built central plaza in Konoha is the first masterpiece of Danzo's "Konoha Construction Team".

The smooth bluestone pavement was wide enough for the Akimichi clan's meat chariots to drift.

In the center of the square, a monument to heroes gleams in the sunlight.

Today, the place is once again packed with people, even more lively than the last memorial service, and the atmosphere is completely different.

A huge red banner was hung high on a stone pillar raised by two Root ninjas using Earth Release techniques. On it, written in Danzo's powerful calligraphy, was a line of highly inflammatory words: "Mobilization Meeting for the Establishment of the Konoha Reservoir Construction Corps".

Danzo was not wearing his signature somber black outfit today, but instead wore a set of specially made dark blue work clothes that he designed himself for ease of movement.

He stood on the makeshift platform, looking down at the dense crowd below, and a surge of pride welled up in his heart.

Among these people were the core members of his team, ninjas attracted by his personal charisma, Hyuga and Uchiha clan members who had been assigned mission targets, and many villagers who had come to see the spectacle.

"cough!"

Danzo coughed softly, his voice amplified by a secret technique, clearly resounding throughout the entire plaza.

The square, which had been somewhat noisy, fell silent instantly.

All eyes were focused on the man on the high platform who looked energetic and even radiant.

"Everyone!"

Danzo surveyed the entire area. Unlike Hiruzen, he didn't begin with any grand pronouncements. Instead, he directly posed a question: "Do you know what this land beneath our feet, this village upon which we depend for survival, is most afraid of right now?"

The people below the stage looked at each other in bewilderment.

What are you most afraid of? War? Rogue ninja?

"It's drought! It's famine!"

Danzo's voice suddenly rose, filled with power: "Without water, the land will crack! Without water, we can't even have a bowl of steaming miso soup!"

These straightforward words instantly resonated with many ordinary people in the audience.

The elderly, especially those who had experienced difficult times, nodded in deep feeling.

"Therefore, the village, with its far-sighted vision, put forward a magnificent idea!"

Danzo's tone was full of pride about this project: "We're going to build a reservoir upstream on the Namka River! A reservoir that can store enough water for the entire village to use for many years!"

"We not only want the villagers to have access to clean and safe water, but we also want to ensure the fields have irrigation water! We want Konoha's granaries to always be full of grain, and the Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant to always have a supply of the finest pork!"

"roar!"

A few Akimichi clan boys cheered from the crowd, drawing laughter from those around them.

Danzo was very satisfied with this effect; this was exactly the kind of practical mobilization he wanted, one that everyone could understand.

"This reservoir is more than just a building!"

Danzo's eyes burned with a fanatical flame. "It will be the cornerstone of Konoha's prosperity! It will be another monument to the Hokage's wise leadership! It will be the most precious legacy that our generation leaves to future generations!"

"Therefore, I, Shimura Danzo, hereby announce the official establishment of the Konoha Reservoir Construction Team!"

He pointed to several distinct formations within the crowd.

His gaze swept over the veteran members of the construction team and the newly joined retired ninjas. "You may not have powerful bloodline limits, but you have the richest experience and the most unwavering will! You are the backbone of the construction team!"

"This reservoir is the result of our collective efforts!"

"It will stand tall on the Naka River, witnessing Konoha's thousand-year prosperity! It will tell our descendants, their ancestors, how much they strived to protect this home!"

"Ooo ...

The entire square was ignited by Danzo's highly inflammatory speech.

The cheers, as loud as a mountain and as powerful as a tsunami, resounded through the sky.

At this moment, countless ninjas and civilians were moved by the grand vision that Danzo had painted, their eyes filled with longing for the future and admiration for Danzo.

On this day, the image of Shimura Danzo in the hearts of the villagers of Konoha completely changed from that of the gloomy and ruthless leader of "Root" to that of a visionary, iron-fisted, and pragmatic "cornerstone of Konoha".

His popularity was unparalleled for a time.

On the top floor of the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly watched the passionate scene below, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Hiruzen was quite satisfied to see that Danzo had been able to integrate the Hyuga clan, a powerful family, into the village's development system so smoothly.

"Making the best use of resources and talents. Very good, very good."

……

At the same time, the news spread like wildfire to the Muye Ecological Farm on the outskirts of the village.

In Area A of the farm, an awards ceremony was also being held in front of the largest pigpen.

Sakumo Hatake, the former White Fang of Konoha and now the farm's general manager, solemnly hung a medal carved from a carrot around the neck of a large, glossy-looking sow.

"Big Black Flower 2.0!"

Sakumo's voice, amplified by his ninjutsu, clearly resonated throughout the pigpen: "Given your outstanding performance this quarter, ranking second in production! You successfully gave birth to several healthy piglets, exceeding your production targets and making an exceptional contribution to the meat reserves of Konoha Ecological Farm!"

"By unanimous decision of the farm's senior management, you are hereby awarded the title of 'Meritorious Sow of the Year'! You will be rewarded with several kilograms of premium secret-recipe feed! And you will enjoy the privilege of a private single-room enclosure!"

"I hope you'll continue your efforts and make even greater contributions to the cause of Konoha's barbecue freedom!"

"Hmm hmm-ruru"

As if it understood, Big Black Flower 2.0 wagged its tail excitedly and let out a satisfied cry.

The Akimichi family's animal handlers and the Inuzuka family's sheepdogs, who were watching from the sidelines, all applauded enthusiastically and barked joyfully.

Nara Shika stood to the side, watching this absurd yet harmonious scene before him, and lazily yawned, feeling that his intelligence had been insulted.

Just then, a Nara clansman responsible for intelligence transmission rushed over and whispered a few words in his ear.

Konoha Reservoir? This guy... is going all out?

After hearing the report, Nara Shikano's expression became very strange.

He walked up to Sakumo Hatake, who was pinning a big red flower on a meritorious sow, and said in a complicated tone, "Sakumo."

"Um?"

Without turning his head, Sakumo focused on adjusting the angle of the medal. "What's wrong? Is there a problem with the pig feed ratio in Zone B, or is the irrigation canal in Zone C blocked?"

"Neither."

Nara Shikazuki sighed. "It was that guy Danzo. Today in the central square, he held some kind of reservoir construction mobilization meeting. He made a huge scene, and he announced in front of everyone that he would build an immortal monument to protect Konoha for a thousand years."

"An immortal monument?"

Shuo Mao stopped putting flowers on the pig.

He silently wiped the...pig saliva off his hands.

His eyes instantly became incredibly sharp.

That was the look in Konoha's White Fang's eyes.