On Tuesday, Tendo-kun finally returned to the Farm Implement Research Squad after a long absence.
Under Inuzuka Akita's razor-sharp gaze, he clocked in without the slightest hint of guilt, then promptly presented her with a box of her favorite glutinous rice cakes. His attitude was respectful to the point of flattery.
In truth, Inuzuka Akita was not particularly angry. If anything, she was rather pleased. Tendo-kun's part-time work elsewhere had singlehandedly increased the Third Hokage's research funding by nearly twenty percent. From an administrative standpoint, this was an unquestionable success.
As a formal department of Konoha Village, the Farm Implement Research Squad naturally consisted of more than just Inuzuka Akita and Tendo-kun. While Tendo-kun had been moonlighting outside the department, the rest of the staff—the proverbial oxen and horses—had continued grinding away in his absence, handling experiments, revisions, and paperwork without complaint.
No matter how one looked at it, Inuzuka Akita had come out ahead. Not only had she gained additional funding, but she had also secured the Hokage's attention and approval. It was practically a jackpot.
The only ones who truly lost out were the ordinary researchers. They had more work than ever before and were still forced to watch the two lovebirds casually flaunt their closeness right in front of them.
That day marked a critical milestone for the research squad. Their first official product—the Wind Release Harvester—had entered its final stage before mass production.
April had arrived, the season when Konoha harvested its earliest crops. Today was scheduled as the machine's formal acceptance test.
A gentle spring breeze swept across the fields outside the village. Golden wheat rippled in waves, rising and falling like a shimmering sea beneath the sunlight.
Throughout every past Ninja World War, the Land of Fire had always been the most coveted and contested territory. The reason was simple: its mild climate and four distinct seasons made it fertile, stable, and rich in resources.
A glance at its neighbors made the contrast painfully clear.
The Land of Lightning was dominated by towering mountains and treacherous terrain. The Land of Earth was little more than a barren expanse of rocky deserts. The Land of Wind was buried under endless sandstorms, while the Land of Water consisted of scattered islands with limited arable land.
Compared to them, the Land of Fire was practically paradise.
It was no wonder that, whenever war broke out, those so-called great nations inevitably turned their greedy eyes toward Fire Country, eager to seize its food supplies and fertile land.
Standing atop a low ridge at the edge of the fields, Tendo-kun and Inuzuka Akita observed the test site side by side. Behind them stood the rest of the research squad, each member tense yet filled with barely restrained anticipation.
Not far away, the Wind Release Harvester waited silently. Its exterior was black and gray, rugged and utilitarian in design. The machine had just completed calibration; faint vibrations hummed through its frame as chakra flowed through its internal arrays, signaling that it was ready to begin.
Just as Inuzuka Akita opened her mouth to issue the activation command, a familiar figure strolled over from the dirt path nearby.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, approached with a pipe clenched between his teeth, his expression relaxed and unhurried.
He raised a hand in greeting and said cheerfully, "I was simply taking a walk after breakfast. Don't mind this old man. Please, carry on as usual."
Tendo-kun and Inuzuka Akita exchanged a brief glance. They could not quite discern the Hokage's intentions, but since he made no move to interfere, they decided not to dwell on it.
"Activate," Inuzuka Akita ordered calmly.
Inside the cockpit, the operator pressed the start switch.
Stored chakra surged through the machine, activating the miniaturized sealing-scroll arrays embedded within its structure. With a low roar, the harvester lurched forward. Invisible wind blades shot out from its front, slicing cleanly through the wheat stalks at their base. The severed grain fell in orderly rows, while the harvested crops were guided smoothly into the collection bin.
The machine advanced steadily across the field, its movements precise and efficient.
In less than ten minutes, it had traveled from one end of the field to the other, completing a task that would normally take a large group of farmers hours of backbreaking labor.
Nearby, the manual harvesting team stared in stunned silence, mouths hanging open.
"Fifteen times faster than manual labor!" one of the recording researchers shouted excitedly. "And that's with an inexperienced operator! With training and optimization, efficiency will only improve!"
A flicker of genuine surprise passed through the Third Hokage's eyes. His previously casual demeanor gradually turned serious.
Like many of Konoha's upper echelon, Hiruzen had not initially thought much of the Farm Implement Research Squad formed by Inuzuka Akita and Tendo-kun.
Combining ninjutsu with technology sounded impressive on paper, but could it truly rival a ninja's hardened body and refined chakra control?
The same doubt applied to agriculture. Could a machine really outperform an experienced farmer who had worked the land for decades?
Yet the Wind Release Harvester before him was undeniable proof.
This fusion of ninjutsu and technology was not merely viable—it was revolutionary.
No, calling it "promising" was an understatement. If widely adopted, it could trigger a massive upheaval across the entire ninja world.
Whether that upheaval would ultimately benefit or endanger Konoha, even the Third Hokage could not say with certainty.
"At the very least," he thought quietly, "this change begins here."
Placing his trust in the judgment of future generations, Hiruzen set aside his complex thoughts. He turned toward the assembled researchers, his expression once again warm and composed.
"The Farm Implement Research Squad has achieved a dazzling success today," he announced. "This machine greatly improves efficiency and reduces the need for manpower. In the future, exporting such technology could become a valuable source of income for the village."
He continued, his tone measured and authoritative. "Section Chief Inuzuka organized this project excellently. Tendo-kun's technical skills and innovative thinking are both solid and practical. Every member of this squad deserves recognition."
He paused briefly before delivering the reward.
"The entire section is granted three days of leave, along with double pay."
"Hokage-sama is brilliant!" the researchers cheered in unison.
Raising a hand, Hiruzen signaled for silence. His expression grew stern.
"Additionally, the secrecy classification of this section is hereby upgraded to Top Secret. All members are to strictly observe confidentiality regulations. Any leakage of technical data will be dealt with severely."
"Yes, sir!"
The researchers, now buoyed by promotions, bonuses, and recognition, eagerly returned to collecting test data with renewed enthusiasm.
The Third Hokage then turned back to Inuzuka Akita and Tendo-kun, his voice softening once more.
"You two have done exceptionally well. The Wind Release Harvester has far exceeded this old man's expectations."
As he looked at Tendo-kun, memories surfaced of another brilliant genius from the past—someone whose boundless ideas had once shone just as brightly. Thankfully, this research involved no human experimentation, a small but meaningful comfort.
"Tendo," Hiruzen said, "your research achievements are outstanding, and your personal combat strength has not fallen behind either. I've heard that you wish to apply for promotion to Special Jonin. Is that correct?"
Tendo-kun bowed slightly, unsurprised that the Hokage was already aware of his intentions.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"I approve," Hiruzen replied without hesitation. "You may disregard the standard mission-count requirement. Your contributions through research more than make up for it. Pass the final assessment, and the promotion is yours."
Tendo-kun's heart surged with joy. The Third Hokage truly was a capable and fair superior.
Whoever had slandered him with conspiracy theories—claiming that Danzo was merely a disposable pawn while Hiruzen himself was a cowardly, power-hungry schemer—was clearly spouting ignorant nonsense.
Tendo-kun had personally reviewed the regulations. In terms of strength, he already qualified. The only obstacle had been the mission quota. Continuous research work had left him no time to grind missions from scratch, and that delay would have postponed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan reward indefinitely.
"Well played, Hokage-sama," Tendo-kun thought. At this rate, he might even be able to step in and save the venerable leader during the future Konoha Crush incident. Leaving the Hokage to fight alone while Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy stood by had always seemed absurd to him.
He bowed deeply, his voice sincere and resolute.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. I will live up to your trust and give everything I have."
Seeing Tendo-kun's earnest expression, Hiruzen smiled faintly.
"You are Konoha's future," he said. "Continue your research, and bring forth the next project soon."
"Understood!" Tendo-kun straightened, responding with unwavering determination.
[New Mission: As the family's rising star, the Hokage places great expectations upon you. Develop and release a new research product as soon as possible.]
[Mission Reward: Cursed Seal Crafting Method]
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