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

Chapter 620 Tidal Energy - Lightning Release Conversion Energy Station

Kaguya Honebami's lips twitched. She wanted to curse him for being spineless, but then she found herself unconsciously licking her chapped lips as well.

Mei Terumi watched this scene, feeling both amused and exasperated, but the shock she felt only intensified.

Using ninjutsu to... develop recipes?

Before they could recover from the shock of the fishing revolution, Haiyue's finger had already moved to the second part.

"Second, the infrastructure boom."

On the blueprints, a magnificent all-weather deep-water port leaps off the page.

The massive steel crane, the miniature railway powered by chakra that shuttles between the docks and warehouses, and the complex building marked as a desalination plant... every design is like a precise steel needle, piercing the pain points of Kirigakure's inconvenient transportation and scarce resources.

"With ports, there can be trade. With trade, there can be a future."

Haiyue's voice was resolute.

This time, all eyes were on Yagura Karatachi.

Because they saw that this mature-beyond-his-years man's fingers were uncontrollably sliding back and forth gently along the maritime trade route of "Hidden Mist - Land of Fire," marked with dazzling gold lines on the blueprint.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

He knew better than anyone what this route meant.

That's not just a line, it's a lifeline that sustains the entire Hidden Mist Village!

He could even immediately calculate how much revenue this route would bring to the village each year, how many jobs it would create, and how many ninjas who spent their days facing death would have the opportunity to pick up tools instead of butcher knives.

Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed his subtle movements, and the gentle smile on his lips deepened.

Children can be taught.

What truly sent chills down the spines of the Hidden Mist members was the third part.

Third, energy innovation.

Hozuki Kaigetsu's voice was filled with an almost fanatical passion as he pointed to a building model on the blueprints, which had an extremely complex structure and was covered with all sorts of unheard-of magical arrays.

"--Tidal Energy-Lightning Conversion Energy Station".

"What is it?" Kaguya Honebami finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked in a gruff voice, like an enraged bull.

Haiyue glanced at him, her eyes showing pity for the first time.

"It is a new energy source that transforms the endless tidal power of the ocean into electrical energy through a special array of techniques."

Hozuki Kaigetsu's explanation is simple and direct.

On the drawing, next to the intricate and beautiful array of techniques, there is a dashing signature—Orochimaru.

For Kirigakure, which still uses oil lamps and campfires for lighting, this was no longer a plan, it was a miracle.

Mei Terumi's gaze, however, was drawn to a small, inconspicuous corner of the building next to the energy station.

The painting depicts several steaming mountain cabins surrounded by wisps of mist and contented tourists.

The project is named "Boiling Point: Specialty Hot Spring Resort".

hum-

Mei Terumi felt as if her brain had been hit hard by a heavy hammer, leaving it completely blank.

Boiling...

His own bloodline limit possessed astonishing destructive power, capable of even melting Susanoo...

To be used for... developing tourism?

She never imagined that the power she held, which even she herself feared, could be used to do such a thing.

Can it be used to create warmth and comfort?

She instinctively covered her mouth with her hand, and her eyes instantly reddened.

A long, deathly silence fell over the office.

The high-ranking members of the Hidden Mist Village present were all dumbfounded, like puppets whose souls had been ripped out.

Master Yuan leaned back in his chair, breathing heavily, his face, as withered as tree bark, displaying an extremely complex expression.

There was shock, shame, and resentment.

He finally understood.

I understand completely now.

Konoha's strength wasn't just because they had ninjas like Hiruzen Sarutobi or monsters like Shisui Uchiha who killed like it was art.

What's even more terrifying is that they possess the ideology and system to use ninjutsu for creation, development, and to improve people's lives.

This is the crushing power of civilization.

"I used to think that killing was the ninja's destiny, and that power was only for plunder and destruction."

Hozuki Kaigetsu's voice rang out again, pulling everyone back from their daze.

This former killing genius, the sharpest blade in Kirigakure, now resembled a fanatical scholar, passionately explaining every detail of the blueprint, from the planning of the sewers to the wind-resistant design of the houses.

His words were no longer cold, but filled with anticipation for the future and a thirst for new knowledge.

Transformation itself is a more powerful proof than this blueprint.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been silent like a tourist, finally spoke.

He picked up the now-cold tea, took a small sip, and then said slowly and deliberately:

"This plan is not about aid, but about cooperation."

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Konoha provides the technology, the standards, and the initial funding."

"Mist Shadow provides manpower, resources, and venues."

"We will split the profits proportionally."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his teacup, looked around at everyone, and smiled as gently as an elder neighbor.

"I'm not here to be a savior, I'm here to be a partner."

A single sentence subtly shifted the previously tense and confrontational atmosphere.

Yagura's breathing became rapid as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his eyes filled with struggle.

Mei Terumi clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her flesh.

Even Yuan Shi's skinny, bony hand began to tremble slightly.

"Drawing a pie in the sky!!"

A loud shout, like a thunderclap, shattered the eerie atmosphere.

Kaguya Honebami slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly. Her pale eyes were bloodshot with rage as she glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"It's all just empty promises! They make it sound so grandiose!"

He pointed at the exquisite blueprint, spitting as he spoke.

"By the time we build all this, it'll be too late!"

His question, though rude, was like a sharp knife, piercing to the heart of the problem.

Yes, no matter how wonderful the future may be, it is still the future.

What about now?

Right now, the villagers are still starving, and the ninjas are still taking on death missions in order to get their next meal.

How far away is this bright future?

The hearts of all the high-ranking members of Kirigakure present sank with Kaguya Honebami's question.

Reality, after all, is cold.

The atmosphere in the office froze once again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi still wore that confident smile on his face.

He didn't even look at Kaguya Honebami, but instead focused his gaze on Hozuki Shio, who seemed like an outsider from beginning to end.

Just now.

"Bang!"