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

Chapter 249 Sustainable Development Industrial Chain

Extremely high quality.

These four words, in the scorching air, seemed to take on a physical form, striking Inuzuka Tsubasa's heart heavily.

His breathing instantly became heavy.

The desert has no shortage of sand and scorching heat, but it lacks fun.

And now, the fun begins.

And it's the kind of extremely high quality!

"hey-hey..."

Inuzuka Tsubasa crouched down next to Hatake Sakumo, staring at the words made of insects with curiosity on his face.

Sakumo Hatake didn't speak, but simply extended a finger and gently touched the small black creatures still wriggling on the sand.

hum...

As if receiving some kind of command, the insects instantly scattered and flew back into Shirin Aburame's collar.

"Hey, Sakumo."

Inuzuka Tsubasa nudged the white-haired man beside him with his elbow, sounding impatient. "How high is 'high quality'? Is it edible? Is it tasty?"

His mind was now filled with the famous dish from the Land of Wind that he had heard about before—deep-fried sand scorpions.

Just thinking about that crunchy texture made Inuzuka Tsubasa's mouth water.

"Awoo!"

The ninja dog, Mokuyu, at Inuzuka Tsubasa's feet let out an excited growl, its front paws pawing restlessly at the scorching sand, its tail thrashing as if trying to break free of its restraints.

Its master's fighting spirit is its battle cry.

"Never mind!"

Inuzuka Tsubasa ripped off his straw hat and threw it hard onto the sand, revealing a face slightly flushed with excitement.

He stretched his muscles and bones, and his joints crackled and popped.

"I've been holding it in for days, my bones are practically rusting!"

Inuzuka Tsubame was already in a state of excitement before the hunt. He had even started to plan whether to dig a pit from the left flank or a hole from the right side to rush into the swarm of scorpions as quickly as possible and enjoy a thrilling capture.

However, just as he was about to give the order for the Inuzuka clan ninjas to form a formation.

A hand rested calmly on his shoulder.

It is Hatake Sakumo.

"Calm down, Tsubasa."

The white-haired ninja's voice was completely calm, as serene as the cloudless blue sky above the desert.

"What's with the calming down?!"

Inuzuka Tsubasa, caught up in his emotions, wouldn't listen to any advice. "Time is life! You said it yourself, to add new varieties to the farm!"

"I'm simply implementing the policies of the Konoha Farm!"

He spoke with such conviction that he even clenched his teeth.

Sakumo Hatake did not refute, but the hand that was pressing on his shoulder remained motionless.

"Well, don't get excited, don't get excited~"

Sakumo Hatake pointed to the ground with his other finger, his serious face revealing a scholarly rigor. "Our goal is to capture him alive, if possible."

"Capture alive?"

"Yes."

Sakumo Hatake continued his explanation, immersed in his professional field as a farm manager.

"and……"

Sakumo Hatake's tone shifted, becoming even more enigmatic.

"The most crucial point. What we need are breeding scorpions. By breeding scorpions, we mean those whose physical functions are intact, especially... their reproductive system."

"Only in this way can they reproduce effectively after returning to the farm, forming a sustainable industrial chain."

The reproductive system?

Inuzuka Tsubasa felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

Looking at Sakumo Hatake's serious face, and at his clear and focused eyes as he discussed the scorpion's reproductive system, a huge sense of absurdity swept over him.

Who am I?

Where am I?

Why should I be on the border of an enemy country, listening to my comrades discuss the...reproduction problem of a group of scorpions?

buzzing...

Shirin Aburame's parasites timely formed a new line of characters on the sand.

He's right.

Inuzuka Tsubasa suddenly turned his head to look at the man wearing sunglasses, a tic-tac-toe mark appearing on his forehead.

The parasites change rapidly.

"rigorous."

"science."

Tsubasa Inuzuka was completely speechless.

I felt like I wasn't having a pre-battle meeting with two Jonin, but rather a field seminar with two agricultural technology experts.

He slumped his shoulders dejectedly and sighed resignedly.

"Alright, alright... what do you suggest?"

Seeing that Inuzuka Tsubasa had finally given up on the idea of ​​a violent charge, Hatake Sakumo nodded in satisfaction.

He slowly straightened up, looked around, and the gentle demeanor that belonged to the farm manager vanished instantly.

"There is too little intelligence, and taking rash action is too risky."

"Zhilin, can you find out the specific situation underground? For example, the general structure of the nest, the number of sand scorpions, and... whether there are any scorpion kings or other individuals with abnormal body sizes."

Shirin Aburame didn't speak, but simply extended one hand.

More parasites flew out from his sleeves, like black streams, silently burrowing into the sand beneath his feet.

The whole world fell silent, with only the sound of the wind remaining.

Inuzuka Tsubasa also put away all his joking thoughts. He knew that now was the time to truly demonstrate the professionalism of the "Eye of the West".

Time passed by, second by second.

Sakumo Hatake had exceptional patience; he stood there quietly, like a statue.

Finally, Shirin Aburame's shoulders twitched slightly.

The swarm of insects on the sand began to transform rapidly. This time, they were no longer forming words, but... beginning to draw a map.

A three-dimensional cross-sectional view showing the structure of a nest thirty meters underground...

The complex passageways, spacious nest chambers, and countless points of light representing sand scorpions were all clearly marked.

"...This is possible?" Inuzuka Tsubasa leaned closer, staring in disbelief.

A hint of approval appeared on Sakumo Hatake's face.

As expected of the Aburame clan.

He crouched down and carefully studied the underground map made of insects. His mind raced, and a meticulous plan quickly took shape in his mind.

A moment later, Hatake Sakumo raised his hand and made a gesture to the Konoha ninjas waiting not far behind him to assemble.

A dozen figures immediately appeared silently behind the three, kneeling on one knee in perfect unison without making a sound.

They were all elites of the Eye of the West, and each of them was accustomed to Sakumo Hatake's decisive and efficient style.

"The mission the Hokage entrusted to us is to deter Sunagakure and ensure absolute peace on the western border."

Sakumo Hatake's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

Everyone listened attentively.

"However, contributing to the village's development while completing the main tasks is also a manifestation of the Will of Fire."

"Now, I announce a new mission."

Sakumo Hatake's expression turned extremely serious. He looked around at his subordinates and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"According to intelligence, the target is right beneath our feet; there is a large sand scorpion nest."

"Next, prepare to execute... Level A... no..."

He paused, seemingly considering his words, and finally, in an unquestionable tone, gave the final instruction.

"S-Class Capture Plan!"

"..."

The air froze instantly.

The young ninja at the very front stiffened noticeably.

Catching scorpions?

S-class...?

Not only him, but almost all the ninjas present showed varying degrees of astonishment on their faces.

Inuzuka Tsubasa covered his face, finding the scene utterly absurd and fearing he might burst out laughing.

Okay, you're the commander, so you decide. S-rank it is.