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

Chapter 380 The Banquet

And atop that towering wooden building, which seemed like a miracle under the moonlight.

On the top-level platform, the wind howled.

Hashirama Senju was sitting cross-legged on the cold wooden floor without any regard for his image. In front of him was a thick book written by Tobirama himself, titled "Modern Wood Release Greenhouse Ecological Cycle Construction and Management".

With a pained expression, he reached out and poked at an incredibly complex chakra rune formula on the page.

Then, he let out a long, resentful sigh.

"Tobirama... why bother calculating the effect of leaf transpiration on microenvironment humidity? It's too complicated! Can't I just let the leaves grow and prevent them from falling off?"

Tobirama Senju, standing to the side, did not even raise his head.

The specially made metal pen in his hand flew across the drawing paper, leaving countless precise and meticulous lines, making a rustling sound.

"Brother, please wake up."

He stated succinctly, "This is science, yours is a miracle. What we need is a replicable and scalable modern agricultural model, not for you to play the role of a creator god here."

Madara Uchiha sat alone on the edge of the platform, his back to the two of them.

His eyes were closed, his arms were crossed over his chest, as if he were meditating, oblivious to everything around him.

The two men had been arguing about all sorts of strange and unusual engineering details since evening.

The noise was a bit excessive.

but……

His profile, as hard and sculpted as a rock, seemed to soften slightly for a moment when he heard Hashirama's long sigh.

This noise doesn't seem to be annoying.

At least, it's much more pleasant to hear than the clash of weapons and the dying cries of the Warring States period.

As night deepened, the snowflakes stopped.

A pale, crescent moon hung above the branches, casting its silvery light across the tranquil village. The snow on the eaves reflected the soft light, like a layer of delicate icing.

The air, crisp and clean like winter, mingled with the warm aroma of food wafting from the windows of every household, creating a comforting scent.

At the same time, a completely different scene unfolded at the "Tsuten Woodcraft Spiral Farm," a new landmark on the outskirts of Konoha Village.

Inside the giant tower, it was warm as spring.

The constant temperature barrier completely isolated the outside cold. On the semi-transparent barrier wall, an array of runes composed of countless miniature fire-style techniques emitted a soft orange light, like thousands of lamps that never go out.

Sakumo Hatake, dressed in a dark blue uniform specially provided by the farm's management, was standing on the circular corridor on the 50th floor.

He did not carry the iconic white fang dagger; instead, he wore a leather holster at his waist with various measuring tools.

Beneath my feet stretched a breathtaking expanse of lush greenery.

Giant cabbages, taller than a person, were being carefully pulled from the life-energy-rich soil by members of the Akimichi clan using their multiplication technique.

Not far away, on specially cultivated vines, hung plump tomatoes like red lanterns. A ninja from the Aburame clan was controlling parasitic insects to conduct the final sugar content test.

"Manager, the first batch of vegetables has been harvested and meets the premium grade standard."

Nara Shikaku's deputy, a young ninja from the Nara clan, strode over and handed over a densely written report.

Sakumo Hatake took the report and quickly glanced at it. The insight he had once used to track the smallest traces left by the enemy on the battlefield was now being used to check production and loss rates.

"The loss rate is controlled within a reasonable range, which is good."

He nodded, his voice calm yet firm.

"According to the plan, execute the first contingency plan for a mild winter. Distribute 10% of all harvested vegetables immediately. Prioritize the families of all craftsmen and ninjas who participated in the construction of the Tongtian Wooden Tower, as well as the elderly living alone and war orphans in the village."

"yes!"

With his command, this massive agricultural miracle began to reap its rewards to the village in the most efficient way.

A long line of flatbed trucks, specially modified by Shimura Danzo's construction department and equipped with insulated compartments, formed at the huge exit on the farm's ground floor.

Freshly picked vegetables, still fragrant with the scent of earth, were quickly loaded onto trucks and driven into the snow-covered village.

Soon, knocking could be heard from every household in Konoha Village.

"Hello, this is a winter gift from Konoha Ecological Farm! This is a gift from the Hokage and all the farm staff!"

The villagers who opened the door were initially stunned when they saw the fresh vegetables, which seemed incredibly luxurious in the dead of winter, being presented to them. Then, their faces lit up with unbelievable surprise and smiles.

Deep within the Hokage's mansion, an elegant Japanese-style room is filled with a warm glow.

The air wasn't filled with the simple aroma of ordinary food, but rather with a rich and complex fragrance that had been carefully simmered for several hours before rising.

It is the essence of an entire dish, quietly embracing the souls of more than a dozen kinds of wild mushrooms under the influence of time, ultimately transforming into a rich soup aroma that can make any hungry soul tremble.

A huge copper pot sat in the center of the low table, its rim bubbling merrily, as if singing a ballad about winter and reunion.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's wife, Biwako, was meticulously laying out slices of Konoha Pork belly, as thin as cicada wings and with a texture like snowflakes, onto a blue-and-white porcelain plate with an almost artistic focus.

The slices of meat even shimmered under the light, and every texture seemed to tell the story of the almost demanding breeding standards at Hatake Sakumo Farm.

Young Asma lay on the edge of the table, her big, bright black eyes fixed on the few pieces of fish that were rolling and bobbing in the pot, her small throat bobbing up and down with each boil of the soup.

Tonight, Hiruzen Sarutobi finished his official duties early.

Instead of mountains of scrolls and reports on budgets and project progress, he personally rolled up his sleeves and, in this small kitchen, made the final preparations for a banquet.

The name of any one of the invited guests is enough to shake the entire ninja world.

"Hahaha! It smells so good! Hiruzen! Your skill in making this hot pot broth is far superior to that Akimichi kid's! It smells so good I want to swallow my tongue!"

The rough, hearty laughter seemed to have the power to penetrate walls; before the words were even finished, the curtain was suddenly ripped open by a large hand.

Hashirama Senju, the man hailed as the God of Shinobi, was dressed in the simplest cotton clothes, like an uncle visiting a neighbor's house, and stepped in laughing.

Behind him followed closely the expressionless Tobirama Senju.

The Second Hokage held a delicate food box steadily in his hand.

"Brother, your decibel level has exceeded the indoor safety threshold by 30%. Please be mindful of the etiquette and demeanor befitting the First Hokage."

Tobirama Senju spoke calmly, his words precise and devoid of any superfluous emotion.

Hashirama's hearty laughter abruptly stopped. He stiffly turned around, looking at his younger brother's sharp red eyes filled with disapproval, and his tall body visibly slumped down.

He silently retreated to the corner by the door, squatted down, extended a finger, and began to draw non-existent circles on the smooth wooden floor, muttering incantations as he did so.

"...I can't even laugh...There are more rules than stones on the Nanka River...How boring..."

"Hashirama".

A gentle yet undeniably powerful call, like a spring breeze and gentle rain, instantly dispelled the awkwardness in the room.

Mito Uzumaki walked in slowly. Time seemed to have been exceptionally kind to this princess of the Land of Whirlpools. She wore a plain-colored kimono, and her long red hair was styled into an elegant updo at the back of her head. Her eyes were calm and loving.

Beside her, Tsunade seemed somewhat reserved, while the young Nawaki looked excited and curious, secretly observing everything in the room.

"Mito..."

Hearing this voice, Hashirama, who was drawing circles in the corner, seemed to be injected with life force, instantly revived, stood up straight, and put his signature sunny smile back on his face.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi watched this scene, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

Just then, the last guest arrived.

The door was gently lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles, without making a sound.

Madara Uchiha.

He also changed out of the purple robe that symbolized the demeanor of a master and into a well-tailored dark casual outfit.

That almost innate, imposing aura seemed to be neutralized and diluted by the warm air as he stepped into this small house filled with the warmth of everyday life.

"spot!"

Hashirama Senju's voice rang out instantly, and his large hand went straight for Madara Uchiha's shoulder, so enthusiastically that Tobirama Senju, who was standing next to him, subtly moved half a step to the side.

"You're way too slow!"

Madara Uchiha's body stiffened for a moment, but he did not dodge.

He let Hashirama half-drag and half-pull him to the table, his face, deeply marked by the passage of time, showing no emotion.