Naruto: I'm really not an evil scientist!

Moreover, tatami mats don't have the strict shelf life of corn; they can be stored for several months without any problems.

Its only problem is that individual profits are not high.

If this thing doesn't reach a certain scale, no one will be willing to take the lead, since the input and output are not proportional.

And who would be willing to put all their energy into something large-scale? So the task was assigned to Hiruko.

Tatami mats are a necessity in daily life, so there's absolutely no worry about them not selling.

As long as the price is right, the Land of Fire will absolutely consume as much as it can, indicating huge market potential.

The third step is to gradually spread the word among the villagers who have become well-fed and clothed thanks to the ninjas' help, and whose lives have gradually improved, so as to change their impression of the ninjas.

Through daily contact and communication, the villagers witnessed the ninjas' kindness and sense of responsibility, which led them to recruit more members and expand their own power.

Beiliuhu knew very well that by doing this, it had turned into a poverty alleviation model again.

But having learned his lesson the hard way, he preferred to go slower rather than skip steps.

If everyone were willing to believe in him as steadfastly as the Konoha ninjas, and support him no matter what difficulties they encountered, he would have already driven those reckless wealthy merchants back. How could they have almost caused such a huge mess?

Since then, he has come to realize the importance of taking things one step at a time. It's okay to go a little slower, but you have to take it one step at a time.

Hiruko didn't attack directly before because he knew that the more times he attacked, the more openings he would leave.

Changmen and Tuzi are not so easily fooled. They are meticulous and cunning. Once a flaw is discovered, the consequences will be dire.

He had thought that Orochimaru's management skills were top-notch among ninjas, so he should be able to handle things on his own without much trouble.

But now it seems that things are not so simple.

Since he planted the seed, let him resolve it.

There is no such thing as having it all in this world; there are always trade-offs and sacrifices.

The document was completed very quickly.

This is mainly due to Hiruko's previous experience in poverty alleviation in the Grass Country. Now that he is doing this again, he can say that he is very familiar with the process and key points.

"Any other questions?" Hiruko looked up at Orochimaru. "I'm going back to Konoha soon. If you have any questions, ask them now. Don't wait until I leave before something goes wrong."

Orochimaru quickly scanned the file; its format was clear and its organization logical, and he found no problems with it.

Orochimaru's gaze towards Hiruko still held distrust, as if to say, "What are you up to?"

"You really... just want to help them?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Of course! How much money do poor people make? If you're going to make money, make money off the rich." Hiruko shrugged and said casually.

"It does sound like what you said, but..."

Orochimaru stretched out his slender white fingers and began poking Hiruko's forehead, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery and dissatisfaction, "Who is it that went door-to-door delivering fruit baskets to the salt factories in the Land of Fire, forcibly swallowing up the entire salt industry in the Land of Fire, leaving everyone with no business?"

"If it weren't for Konoha behind you, how many times would you want to die?"

"Who is it that owes the Land of Fire so many zeros in war bonds? They're clearly rolling in money, yet they only pay back that pittance of interest like squeezing toothpaste, leaving the Land of Fire's finances in dire straits?"

"And who was it that ruthlessly and forcibly destroyed the relatively well-developed light industry of the Land of Grass, forcing them to only grow corn, causing the corn industry of the Land of Earth to suffer a devastating blow, with countless people in the industry crying out in despair?"

"And who else, in order to solve that ridiculous internal problem of salary cuts, stirred up that absurd millet war, causing chaos everywhere? The millet industry still hasn't recovered, and the market is in a slump."

"And who is it that, bewitched, has once again joined forces with the four great ninja villages to create five major grain merchants, secretly plotting to disrupt the entire grain market when the time is right?"

As Orochimaru said this, he suddenly grabbed Hiruko's face with both hands and rubbed it hard, as if he wanted to tear off his disguise.

"You are an absolutely wicked man. Every time you make a move, you cause chaos and disturb the peace of all sides."

"Tell me honestly, who are you planning to mess with this time? Don't try anything funny again!" Orochimaru's eyes were sharp as he stared intently at Hiruko, not missing a single subtle expression on his face.

"You don't even trust me?" Hiruko smiled bitterly, his face contorted from being pinched. He begged for mercy, "Orochimaru, stop scolding me, stop scolding me, the child is going to go crazy."

I'm really not George Soros! I just want to do something genuinely good, why is that so difficult!

...Hiruko rubbed his face, which was red from Orochimaru's pinching, sighed helplessly, and set off again on his way back to Konoha.

Regardless of how this matter actually happened, now that it's in his hands, he'll definitely handle it thoroughly and not give up halfway.

He first went back to the Hokage's office.

Because he hadn't been gone for long, everyone was busy with their own things and didn't notice anything unusual.

As evening approached, the streets were quiet... Konoha does have a night market, but it opens a little later, and it wasn't bustling yet.

When Hiruko returned, Kakashi had transformed into his appearance and was sitting casually on the office sofa, leisurely eating bear-shaped cookies while petting a dog.

This guy is a staunch dog lover; his affection for dogs borders on obsession.

Despite being known for his scarce mana, he always adds a statue of his beloved dog when releasing Earth Stream Wall, as if not doing so would be insufficient to express his love for dogs.

Chapter 277 Mrs. Mikoto's Charm

Even as Kakashi was using his Shadow Dancer technique, moving with incredible agility, he would never touch the white plastic chair, as if it were a stain on his worldly status, something that would tarnish his lofty and almost "noble" identity.

"Kakashi!" With a shout, Hiruko's figure appeared in Kakashi's sight.

Kakashi turned around at the sound of the voice, and when he saw that it was Hiruko, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he immediately deactivated the transformation jutsu and turned back into his large boy form.

The spirit beast in his arms seemed to sense the change in atmosphere and vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.

However, the bear-shaped biscuit in his hand became an undeniable "evidence," leaving him awkwardly holding it and looking somewhat helpless.

Hiruko looked at Kakashi's appearance and secretly found it amusing, deciding to test him.

He deliberately put on a stern face and asked in a serious tone, "Kakashi, what are you eating?"

Kakashi remained calm upon hearing this, as if he had been prepared for it.

He calmly and naturally placed the tin of bear-shaped cookies on the table. Even though his face mask covered his expression, his eyes revealed a serious and meticulous light.

"Lord Godai, I am conducting an important experiment."

He said slowly, "This is a new type of cookie that has just come out on the market. I am testing its acceptance by both younger and older age groups."

After all, the most important thing for a product to succeed is to find the right market positioning. Only when the direction is right can it go further.

As mentors to Konoha's businesses, we have a responsibility to offer them valuable advice and help them avoid pitfalls.

Hiruko listened to Kakashi's words and nodded inwardly, quite satisfied with Kakashi's responsiveness and eloquence.

He sat down in his own white plastic chair and took out the document he had written earlier from the folder.

"The plans for the Land of Fields need to be adjusted slightly."

He said, "This is my revised version; take a look."

The contents of the document are quite complex, but they are mostly about planting grass balls.

Hiruko explained, "It's already winter this year, so there's definitely no time to plant grass balls."

Furthermore, due to the lack of some crucial data, completing the data will take some time.

These tedious yet crucial tasks naturally fell on Kakashi's shoulders as the Hokage's secretary.

By this time, Kakashi had become very accustomed to Hiruko's unique and efficient working style after working together for some time.

He quickly took the document, glanced at it, and had a general idea of ​​the situation.

"Is the next goal... to plant grass dumplings?" Kakashi looked up at Hiruko with a questioning look in his eyes.

"Yes." Hiruko nodded slightly, confirming Kakashi's question.

As someone who was both a ninja and a secretary, Kakashi didn't ask why Hiruko suddenly changed her mind.

He knew that Beirukhu had his own reasons and considerations for acting, but he asked some necessary questions that might be encountered when carrying out the work, in order to ensure that the work could proceed smoothly.

"Are they going to breach the dikes and flood the fields this time?"

As Kakashi pondered, he calmly said, "This task isn't particularly difficult, but if it's to be done by our people... will it be carried out by those rogue ninja from other countries? I understand."

"...Why destroy the dikes and flood the fields?" Hiruko was completely confused by Kakashi's words and frowned as he asked, "What does this have to do with our plan?"

"what!"

Kakashi looked serious, as if he had already seen through Hiruko's deep schemes.

"Don't you want to control grain prices on the one hand to profit from them, and on the other hand to control the personal freedom of the people of Tianzhi Kingdom, making them your pawns, so that you can profit from both sides?"

Upon hearing this, Hiruko was both amused and exasperated. He helplessly rubbed his forehead, his eyes revealing a hint of teasing and indulgence: "Kakashi, are you also trying to play the game of power?"

We're operating under capitalism now, not restoring a feudal dynasty... I sincerely beg you, even if you're going to play the capitalist game, please don't come up with these bizarre and inexplicable ideas. My fragile heart can't take this kind of torture...

……

After arguing with Kakashi and painstakingly explaining his true intentions, Hiruko looked out the window and saw that it was already late, and the night was slowly enveloping the world like a huge black cloth.

He had a great time these past two days, and his mood was as bright as a clear sky. But he also knew that he had been away from home for too long, and if he didn't explain things to his wife properly, Rumi and Nono's silent disappointment would be enough to make him feel guilty, even if they didn't express their dissatisfaction directly.

After all, they always embraced everything about him with gentleness and understanding.

Ah, before marriage there were so many obstacles, but after marriage she became a precious treasure that needs to be carefully cherished... Hiruko sighed inwardly, and his pace quickened involuntarily.

Before long, Beiruhu returned to his cozy little home.

Pushing open the door, one finds the house bustling with noise. Besides the three permanent residents, Rumi Uzumaki, Shiro, and Temari, there is a large crowd of people inside.

Besides Nono, who was busy at the orphanage, Mikoto Uchiha, the lady of the Hyuga family, the lady of the Kurama family, and the ladies and daughters of all the families, big and small, in the village all gathered together.

The ladies not only came themselves, but also brought their beloved children—Naruto, Sasuke, Yakumo, and some little ones whose names he remembered or couldn't recall.

Even the usually composed Itachi Uchiha was here, but at this moment, dressed in delicate little clothes, he stood like a wooden statue, not daring to move, clearly intimidated by the atmosphere of this women's gathering.

It turns out that today is the village's traditional women's gathering day.

While the men were out in meetings discussing important matters, the wives gathered together, enjoying their time and engaging in social interactions.

Rumi Uzumaki rarely participates in these kinds of meetings; she has a reserved personality and prefers quiet.

But women's gatherings are more private in nature. When a group of ladies get together, the conversation inevitably turns to children, which leads to the lively scene before us.

The ladies sat in a circle, chatting and laughing, the atmosphere so harmonious it seemed to overflow with sweetness.

Upon seeing Hiruko return, everyone immediately stood up, bowed in unison, and said in a clear and respectful voice, "Lord Hiruko!"

Hiruko smiled and strode to the center of the crowd. He took the little Yakumo from Lady Kurama's hands, examined it carefully, and kept praising it before reluctantly returning it to Lady Kurama.

He secretly thought to himself, "If only Yakumo were a few years older, then I wouldn't have to rack my brains trying to figure out how to break through Tsuchiko's Kamui. I could just find a way to delete him."