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

Chapter 56 Konoha's Ecological Farm

Having solved the medical department's problem, Hiruzen Sarutobi was in a good mood.

After "coaxing" his mentally challenged son to sleep, he walked along the streets of Konoha, looking at the brand-new buildings rising up on both sides and the villagers with smiles on their faces, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Danzo's Konoha construction team is incredibly efficient. With the help of Uchiha Kagami, the village's infrastructure is being upgraded at a visible pace.

Tsunade and Orochimaru's medical research also made groundbreaking progress. The discovery of the blood type system has elevated Konoha's wartime emergency rescue capabilities to a whole new level.

Education, infrastructure, healthcare... everything is developing in a positive direction.

But a new question arose in his mind.

eat.

He discovered that the villagers of Konoha had a very limited and monotonous diet.

The staple foods are basically rice and noodles, and the dishes are nothing more than pickled vegetables and seasonal vegetables.

As for meat, it was a luxury that could only be enjoyed during festivals and holidays.

Even at Ichiraku Ramen, the most popular ramen in the village, the slice of char siu is as thin as paper.

"This won't do."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his chin, his brows furrowed slightly. "How can they possibly keep up with their nutrition if they eat like this all the time? Especially the kids in the ninja academy who are still growing, and the ninjas who have to undergo high-intensity training every day."

"Health is the foundation of everything. If we want Konoha to become stronger, we must first ensure that everyone eats better and healthier."

"The freedom to consume meat must be a fundamental right of the villagers of Konoha!"

A grand idea gradually took shape in his mind.

The next day, in the Hokage Building, in the high-level conference room.

Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Nara Shikazuki, Akimichi Torifu, the head of the Yamanaka clan, Inuzuka Tsubame, the head of the Inuzuka clan, and several Jonin in charge of logistics and resource allocation for a unique "Agricultural Development Seminar".

On the huge map, he circled a large area of ​​land around the village that had been abandoned due to the war.

"Everyone, I've invited you all here today to discuss something with you." Hiruzen Sarutobi got straight to the point, distributing a plan he had worked on overnight to everyone.

"A Preliminary Concept for Establishing the Muye Ecological Farm".

"Lord Hokage, what's wrong with you...?" Nara Shikaku asked, looking completely bewildered.

"Please have a seat, everyone." Hiruzen Sarutobi gestured to the items on the table and got straight to the point, "Today, I've invited you all here not to discuss military matters or politics, but only one thing—food."

"Eat?" Akimichi Torifu's eyes lit up when he heard the word, and he subconsciously touched his round belly.

"That's right, it's about eating."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was very serious. "I've recently discovered that the diet in our village is extremely monotonous. There are few types of vegetables, and meat is even scarcer."

This not only affects the villagers' quality of life, but also limits the fighting power of our ninjas.

"How can a village that can't even freely obtain meat be considered powerful?"

His last words were powerful and resounding.

Akimichi Torifu nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Nara Shikaku had a helpless expression on his face, as if to say, "You're here again." He was used to the Hokage's unpredictable style.

"Therefore, I have decided to establish an unprecedented—Konoha Ecological Farm—on that piece of land on the outskirts of the village, land that was left idle because of the war!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi spread a huge map out on the table.

"Ecological farm?" Everyone heard a new term.

"Yes." Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to the map and began to explain his grand vision.

"First, there's the planting area."

He looked at Nara Deer Antlers and said, "Deer Antlers, your Nara clan has guarded the herb garden for generations and has the best understanding of the habits of plants. I hope that you will be in charge of the farm's planting plan."

"I have a newly developed rice variety here."

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi took out two sealing scrolls from his robes.

This was, of course, a superior breed cultivated by Orochimaru, that research fanatic, through hybridization and selection, based on his memories from his previous life.

"Its yield is more than three times that of ordinary rice. I need you to use the most scientific methods to cultivate it on a large scale."

Nara Shikano picked up a few grains of rice, looked at them in his palm, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

This rice was indeed fuller than any other variety he had ever seen.

"Secondly, there is the aquaculture area."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze to Akimichi Torifu. "Torifu, when it comes to food, no one is more professional than your Akimichi clan. The task of raising pigs, cattle, and sheep is entrusted to you."

"Don't you need to consume a lot of calories to perform the multiplication technique? Perfect, I grant you permission to legitimately research how to fatten pigs and make their meat taste better."

"Really? Hokage-sama!" Akimichi Torifu's mouth was practically watering.

Researching how to cook food can become a village task? Is there really such a good thing in the world?

"certainly."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded, then looked at the head of the Inuzuka clan.

"Clan Chief Inuzuka, I need your ninja dogs. Not for fighting, but for herding. Use your tracking skills and teamwork to manage these livestock on the farm, preventing them from getting lost or being attacked by wild animals."

The Inuzuka clan chief was taken aback for a moment, then he understood the Hokage's intention.

This is indeed a good mission that allows them to make full use of their family's strengths without any danger.

"at last."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept over everyone. "This farm is not just for solving our food problem. It's a strategic reserve base, a self-sufficient food lifeline. In future wars, its importance will be no less than that of a military fortress."

Is it possible for one's own family to farm and raise pigs?

That sounds a bit cheap.

However, if this matter concerns the village's strategic security, and if it develops successfully... there will be related benefits...

"My Akimichi clan is the first to agree!"

Akimichi Torifu slammed his hand on the table, spitting as he spoke, "So that every villager can have roasted meat! This is part of the Will of Fire!"

"……Um."

Although Nara Shikanoku complained, he nodded. "In the long run, this is indeed a good move. My Nara clan has no objections."

The Inuzuka clan chief also expressed his support.

The plan was successfully completed.

An "agricultural dream team" jointly created by the major secret technique families of Konoha is about to be born.

The plan was approved, but a new problem arose.

Who will manage this unprecedented, massive farm comprised of multiple arcane families?

This person must be very powerful and able to command respect.

He must be absolutely reliable and have the Hokage's complete trust.

They also need to have enough patience and care to handle those tedious agricultural affairs.

Everyone's eyes turned to scan the conference room.

Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze fell on a corner of the conference room.

There, a tall, straight man with short, silver-white hair leaned against the wall, silently polishing his gleaming white dagger.

Hatake Sakumo.

After making great contributions on the battlefield of the Land of Wind and experiencing the choice between "mission and comrades", he was transferred back to the village by Hiruzen to temporarily serve as his bodyguard.

Sensing the Hokage's gaze, Sakumo Hatake raised his head, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him with a kind smile that made Sakumo feel a chill run down his spine.

"Sakumo, you've been staying in the village lately, haven't you been feeling pretty bored?"

"...Thank goodness, Hokage-sama." Sakumo had a bad feeling.

"Alright, I'll give you an S-rank long-term mission..."