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

"Thump."

The dull thud of knees hitting the floor struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Former head of the Kirigakure Anbu, Yagura Karatachi..."

He lowered his proud head, his voice hoarse, yet each word was clear.

"...I pledge my loyalty to the Fourth Mizukage!"

The entire room was filled with astonishment.

The elders gaped, their eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.

Hozuki Shio stared at the scene in disbelief. She couldn't understand how this little guy, who was prickly yesterday, had changed so much today.

Only Hozuki Kaigetsu, after a brief moment of shock, instantly understood Yagura's intention.

He is not pledging allegiance to himself.

He was offering his loyalty to the entire Hidden Mist Village to the Hokage behind him, to the irresistible absolute power of Konoha.

This seemingly humiliating kneeling was actually the wisest choice.

Just then, a soft, silvery laugh broke the tense atmosphere.

Mei Terumi stood up and walked forward with graceful, swaying steps. Unlike Yagura, she did not perform a full bow, but instead gave Hozuki Kaigetsu an elegant bow with her hand on her chest.

"Mei Terumi represents the family in supporting the leadership of the Fourth Hokage."

She blinked her emerald green eyes, a sly smile playing on her lips, and then changed the subject.

"However, Mizukage-sama, while revitalizing the village is important, you also need to resolve my personal issues as soon as possible, okay? Otherwise, all the outstanding men in the village will be snatched up by the female ninjas from Konoha."

This pointed joke, like a spring breeze, instantly dispelled the tension and awkwardness in the office.

This statement clarified his stance while preserving his dignity, and subtly reminded the new Mizukage that the family's support was not unconditional.

Looking at the two people kneeling and standing in front of him, Hozuki Kaigetsu finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

He knew that from this moment on, his position was secure.

With Yagura and Mei Terumi's statements, the high-ranking officials who were previously wavering in the conference room no longer hesitated and stood up, bowing their heads in submission to the Shinkage in the main seat.

Hozuki Kaigetsu didn't waste any time and immediately announced several appointments.

A new power core was firmly established in a very short period of time.

Throughout the entire process, Hiruzen Sarutobi simply watched quietly.

Only then did he put down his teacup and nod in satisfaction at Hozuki Kaigetsu.

A simple action speaks louder than a thousand words.

It's so obvious... the words "Konoha is your backer" are practically written all over my face.

……

After the meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi contacted Nara Shikazuki, who was far away in the village, through Konoha's private channel.

"What? You need people now? And a top-notch engineering exploration team and agricultural technical guidance team?"

In the Hokage's office, Nara Shikano, sporting two huge dark circles under his eyes, let out a desperate wail into the communicator.

"Lord Hokage, please spare me! Lord Danzo's initial plans for that transcontinental railway network are driving me crazy, and now he wants to pull more people away... Do you know how troublesome it is to train a qualified engineering ninja? They're all precious gems!"

"And the agricultural team? Director Shuo Mao hasn't slept for three days straight while researching some salt-tolerant coastal rice. If you remove his key personnel now, he'll fight me to the death!"

On the other end of the communicator came Hiruzen Sarutobi's leisurely voice.

"Oh? Is that so? That's perfect. Tell Sakumo that Konoha will receive 70% of the mining revenue from this Kirigakure project. Of that 70%, I've specially approved 10% as project bonuses, which your two departments can distribute among yourselves."

"..."

Nara Deer Antlers fell silent.

His highly intelligent brain quickly calculated the estimated reserves and value of the Fog Shadow mineral vein.

"cough."

He cleared his throat, his tone instantly becoming serious and full of energy, "Hokage, please rest assured! For the peace and prosperity of the ninja world, our Nara clan and the Konoha Construction Department will not shirk our responsibilities! I will send you the list and the optimal flight path within half an hour! I guarantee it's the elite of the elite!"

After hanging up the call, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.

There's no problem that money can't solve.

If so, then add more money.

"Alright, the professional team from Konoha will arrive in three days at the latest."

He turned to Hozuki Kaigetsu, who was standing beside him with an expression of adoration, and said, "Don't be idle these three days either."

"Perfect timing, it's been a long time since I've been around Kirigakure. You two siblings, along with Yagura and Mei Terumi, come with me and show me around."

"Consider it... a preliminary scouting trip for our future chief engineer and chief agronomist, to get a feel for the situation."

Three days flew by in a flurry of activity.

Over these three days, all the ninjas and civilians of Kirigakure witnessed a truly miraculous scene.

The legendary Third Hokage, like an inexhaustible inspector, led the new Mizukage and several high-ranking officials to every corner of the village.

They saw the Hokage simply step on the mud and look at the water flow at a dilapidated dam that had been destroyed by the Kaguya clan. Then, he casually took out paper and pen from his ninja tool bag and quickly drew a completely new structural diagram of the dam, complete with diversion channels and floodgates.

The level of detail in the blueprints left the village elder in charge of logistics completely dumbfounded.

They saw the Hokage pass by a landfill emitting a foul stench. He merely frowned and then asked Mei Terumi about the acidity and corrosive properties of Lava Release. He then proposed an unbelievable solution—to use Lava Release to decompose the garbage, and then combine it with Earth Release for harmless deep burial, and even extract usable minerals from it.

This idea made Mei Terumi realize for the first time that her terrifying bloodline limit, capable of melting everything, could actually be used in this way.

They even witnessed the Hokage, when Shio Hozuki complained that the village's drinking water had a fishy smell, take a sip and point out several possible locations where the water source was contaminated. He then designed a simple water purification system on the spot, consisting of a filter layer, a sedimentation tank, and chakra heating and disinfection.

He also jokingly added, "Once the equipment from Konoha arrives, I promise you'll have something sweet to drink."

This promise made Hozuki Shio's eyes light up; she wished she could kneel down before the Hokage on the spot.

Hozuki Kaigetsu followed behind the whole time, holding a small notebook and frantically taking notes.

The more he remembered, the more horrified he became.

He originally thought that the revitalization plan he brought back from Konoha was already shocking enough.

But now he realized that the plan might really just be a rough sketch drawn casually by the Hokage.

This man's mind contains a complete system of civilization that transcends this era!