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

Chapter 62 Akimichi Barbecue

summer.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire village in a golden light, and a sweltering heat permeated the air.

The newly completed Hokage Avenue is bustling with people.

Along both sides of the road, newly planted roadside trees have sprouted tender green branches, adding a touch of vitality to this "First Road of Konoha" which was personally supervised by Danzo.

At the end of the avenue, a newly opened shop was bustling with activity and filled with enticing aromas, attracting almost everyone on the street.

The shop's signboard displays four large characters in the bold, distinctive script of the Akimichi clan: "Akimichi BBQ".

"Come on, come on, don't be shy! It's on me today, eat as much as you like!"

In the most spacious private room in the shop, Akimichi Torifu's loud voice was like thunder. He was shirtless, wearing only a loincloth around his waist, and his huge body almost took up two seats.

As he laid thick slices of pork belly onto the grill, he warmly greeted the people at the table.

Shila-

The bright red slices of meat sizzled as soon as they touched the scalding hot grill pan, and the rich aroma of meat mixed with the sweet fragrance of the secret sauce instantly filled the entire room.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the main seat, looking at the lively scene before him, a rare relaxed smile on his face.

Since the end of the war, he has been like a fully wound-up top, dealing with mountains of official business every day. Being able to sit down and have a peaceful meal with old friends like today is a real luxury.

Sitting to his left was Danzo Shimura.

This former root of darkness, now a construction powerhouse, still retains that stern and unsmiling demeanor.

But as he looked at the sizzling meat on the grill, a hint of warmth and life crept into his eyes.

Uchiha Kagami sat next to Danzo, his gentle and refined demeanor as he smiled and poured wine for everyone.

Since Hinata's problem was resolved last time, he seemed to have unloaded a heavy burden and looked much more cheerful than before.

"Hiruzen, try this!"

Akimichi Torifu used his specially made oversized chopsticks to pick up a piece of pork belly that was grilled to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, glistening with oil, and placed it into Sarutobi Hiruzen's bowl without saying a word. "This is from our Konoha Ecological Farm! The Konoha Number One Pork that you named!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the piece of meat, blew on it to cool it down, and put it in his mouth.

The meat is firm and fatty but not greasy. With each chew, a rich burst of juice explodes in your mouth, carrying a faint aroma of herbs and plants.

"Hmm! Not bad!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi exclaimed sincerely, "Torifu, your grilling skills are getting better and better. This pork really tastes exceptional."

"Of course!"

At the mention of food, Akimichi Torifu immediately perked up. With his round belly puffed out, he boasted with spittle flying, "This isn't just any ordinary pig! This pig was personally herded to the back mountain by Sakumo and the Inuzuka family's boys every day to graze!"

"They're eating special ingredients supplied by the Nara clan, and it's said that Sakumo even went so far as to... have the Uchiha clan use genjutsu to create happiness for them!"

"puff--"

Uchiha Kagami almost spat out the mouthful of wine he had just taken a sip of.

Using illusion magic on a pig? This Sakumo Hatake is truly a genius.

"I've heard about it."

Danzo rarely spoke up. He picked up a piece of grilled mushroom and said slowly, "That guy Sakumo, his prestige on the farm is no less than mine as the head of the construction team. A couple of days ago, Sakumo held a special commendation ceremony for a meritorious sow in Area A of the farm because it exceeded its litter production KPI for the year, and he personally pinned a medal on it."

"Hahahahaha!"

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He could practically picture the scene.

Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha known for his ruthlessness and precision, solemnly pinned a medal on a grunting sow.

This art style is truly unique.

"Shuomao has indeed managed the farm very well."

Uchiha Kagami chuckled and said, "I heard from the security forces that the farm's security level is very high now. No wild rabbit that tries to steal crops can escape the noses of those ninja dogs."

"Hmph, that's for sure."

Akimichi Torifu said with a proud look, "Our food in Konoha isn't for wild rabbits."

"In a way, it's all thanks to Danzo who built this path."

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his glass with a smile and looked at Danzo across from him, "If it weren't for this Hokage Road, Torifu's shop wouldn't be doing so well."

Danzo, whose name was called, slowed down his chewing.

He looked up at the bustling scene outside the window, then at the steaming roast meat on the table and his old friends chatting and laughing beside him.

A feeling called "sense of accomplishment" quietly spread in his heart.

He picked up his glass, clinked it with the others, and then drank it all in one gulp.

"This is just the beginning."

Danzo put down his wine glass, his voice as somber as ever, yet tinged with mystery, "Once my five-year plan is complete, the entire Hidden Leaf Village will be transformed."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi became interested.

"cough."

Danzo pulled a neatly folded blueprint from his pocket and spread it out on the table. "The road and residential area renovations are just the first step. Next, I'll completely overhaul Konoha's water supply system!"

He pointed to a river on the map: "This is the Namga River. It flows through our village and is our most important water source. However, its utilization rate is too low!"

"I plan to locate it upstream of the Namaka River, at this location..."

His finger pressed heavily on a canyon on the map. "Build a dam!"

"A reservoir dam?" Akimichi Torifu asked, his mouth full of meat, his words muffled.

"That's right, the dam!"

In Danzo's eyes, a fervent flame called "infrastructure" began to burn. "With this reservoir, we can store a large amount of fresh water. At that time, not only will we have enough water for Sakumo's current farm, but we can also cultivate all the wasteland around the village and have more than enough water for irrigation!"

"Furthermore, we can build an independent water supply network that covers the entire village, ensuring that every villager has access to clean and safe water! We'll no longer have to fetch water from the river!"

Danzo became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he could already see that magnificent future.

Uchiha Kagami and Akimichi Torifu were both dumbfounded.

Build a wall over the river to block the water?

This idea is too bold, and too...genius!

"Danzo, your idea..."

Akimichi Torifu's tone was full of admiration, "Truly... amazing."

"That's natural."

Danzo's lips twitched slightly upwards.