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

Chapter 342 Second Generation Toy: Hydroelectric Dam

Tobirama Senju, clutching the heavy report, swayed slightly, as if caught in some invisible vortex. Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and gently patted his teacher's arm.

"Teacher, let's go back to the office first."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice, like a gentle breeze, jolted Tobirama from the immense shock of the report.

Tobirama tightened his arms around the report, took stiff steps, and followed behind Hiruzen.

They walked through the bustling Hokage Avenue, avoiding the crowds, and headed directly towards the Hokage Building.

In the office, Nara Shikano was slumped over the desk, an unfinished document pressing against his forehead, emitting soft snores.

Hearing footsteps, he snapped awake, sat up abruptly, and his eyes instantly cleared.

"Hokage-sama, Hashirama-sama, Tobirama-sama, Mito-sama, Madara-sama, Tsunade-sama, Orochimaru-sama, Kagami-sama... everyone."

Deer Antlers stood up, his voice carrying just the right amount of weariness.

Tsunade glanced at the mountain of official documents piled up on the stag antler table, then at her great-uncle, and couldn't help but quietly yawn.

Orochimaru simply stood quietly behind Tsunade, his golden snake eyes surveying everything in the office.

Madara Uchiha stood quietly by the window, his arms crossed.

He looked out the window at the prosperous village, completely unfazed by everything in the office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked to his desk and gestured for everyone to make themselves at home.

"Shikazuchi, where is the Hyuga clan leader? Wasn't he supposed to come today to report on the progress of the Nakagawa Reservoir dam project?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked softly.

"Reporting to the Hokage,

Deer Horn rubbed his temples. "Chief Sunfoot is already waiting in the reception room. I'll go and invite him over now."

After Nara Kazuno finished speaking, he turned and left the office.

A short while later, he led Hyuga Hiashi in.

When Hiashi Hyuga saw so many people in the office, his expression tightened slightly. He first bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi, then nodded to Mito Uzumaki and Madara Uchiha. His gaze lingered on the Senju brothers for a few seconds before finally settling on Danzo Shimura.

"Lord Danzo, this is the progress report and design drawings for the first phase of the Namakawa Reservoir Dam project. Please take a look."

As Hiashi Hyuga spoke, he took a heavy scroll from his pocket and carefully placed it on the desk.

Upon hearing this, Danzo Shimura showed a satisfied expression.

He took the scroll, walked to the table, and began to flip through it quickly.

Tobirama Senju stood not far away, clutching the "Annual Financial Report and Residents' Happiness Index Survey of Konoha Village" tightly to his chest.

At that moment, his gaze was drawn to the scroll in Hiashi's hand.

Reservoir dam?

"Clan Chief Hiashi, please tell me the details of the progress and the problems we've encountered," Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Danzo.

Upon hearing this, Hiashi Hyuga stepped forward and unfolded another enormous design drawing.

It was an extremely complex engineering drawing, densely covered with various data and lines, the lines smooth and precise.

The moment the blueprints were unfolded, they immediately caught Tobirama Senju's attention.

He took a few steps forward, his sharp red eyes scanning every detail of the blueprints like those of a hawk.

"Lord Hokage,"

Hiashi Hyuga pointed to an area on the blueprint, his voice steady and powerful, "The main construction of the Namaka River Reservoir Dam is progressing smoothly, and we have currently completed 70% of the dam's height. Our Hyuga clan used the Byakugan to conduct a precise survey of the geological structure, ensuring the stability of the dam foundation."

Tobirama's pupils contracted slightly. The Byakugan used for geological surveying? He had imagined the Byakugan's reconnaissance advantages on the battlefield, but he had never thought that this bloodline limit could be applied to civilian projects.

Moreover, the structure on the blueprints was far more sophisticated than the water conservancy projects he remembered.

"Oh? Rolling your eyes can be used in geological surveying?"

Tobirama Senju finally couldn't help but speak. His voice was still cold, but it contained a clear thirst for knowledge.

Before his death, there was only competition and hostility between the Uchiha and Hyuga clans.

Hiashi Hyuga was taken aback by this sudden question.

He turned his head and, upon recognizing the legendary Second Hokage, his body instinctively tensed. He then respectfully replied:

"Yes, Lord Tobirama. The Byakugan's perception can penetrate the earth's surface, detecting underground rock structures, soil moisture, and even anomalies in chakra flow. This has an unparalleled advantage in surveying engineering foundations and preventing geological disasters."

Tobirama Senju raised an eyebrow. He looked at Hiashi Hyuga, then at the strange runes and lines on the blueprints that he had never seen before.

These symbols clearly exceeded the scope of his knowledge of ninjutsu, yet they vaguely conformed to certain patterns of chakra flow.

"And these lines..."

Tobirama pointed to several winding lines on the drawing, "Is it for chakra channeling? I think there also seems to be an energy conversion structure."

Hiashi Hyuga was somewhat surprised that Tobirama-sama could see through the mystery at a glance, and he subconsciously looked at Danzo.

Seeing this, Danzo put down the report in his hand and said in a deep voice, "Master. The Nakagawa Reservoir Dam is not only for storing water, but also part of Konoha's energy independence plan."

"Energy independence?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Tobirama Senju's red eyes. He vaguely sensed that this had gone beyond the scope of traditional water conservancy.

"That's right!"

Danzo nodded, his tone carrying the fanaticism typical of an infrastructure enthusiast. "We utilized the reservoir's drop to build a chakra-powered hydroelectric generator. Through special runes, the kinetic energy of the water flow is converted into chakra energy, which is then transmitted to every corner of the village via an energy transmission network developed by Orochimaru's Team Zero!"

Danzo pointed to the wiring on the blueprints and began to explain at length: "The village's lighting system, heating system, and even the energy supply for some large ninja tools will all be provided by these generator sets. This not only reduces our dependence on the Daimyo's mansion in the Land of Fire, but is also a crucial cornerstone for the future technological development of Konoha!"

Tobirama Senju's brain began to work at lightning speed.

Hydroelectric power? Chakra energy transfer? These are simply unimaginable black technologies he couldn't have conceived of before he died!

He had envisioned using chakra to power ninja tools, but he never imagined that the entire village could be incorporated into a unified chakra energy system.

"And... what about the losses during power generation?"

Tobirama Senju habitually began calculating the return on investment. "A chakra transmission network requires a huge number of maintenance personnel, right? If it's attacked, wouldn't the village be paralyzed?"

These are the kinds of questions he, as a strategist, would first consider when thinking about any large-scale project.

He believes that no system is perfect and always has its vulnerabilities.

Danzo did not answer directly. He glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi simply smiled and didn't interrupt, knowing that Danzo would give the most perfect answer.

Hiashi Hyuga respectfully took over the conversation: "Lord Tobirama's concerns are very valid. Therefore, we considered these issues from the very beginning of the design process."