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

Chapter 71 "Concrete" from Another World

The canyon upstream of the Namka River, the one chosen by Danzo, has now been transformed into a massive construction site.

Hundreds of ninjas and craftsmen were busy here, and the valley echoed with the roar of earth-style ninjutsu, the sound of rocks cracking, and the shouts of the workers.

Danzo Shimura, the head of the Konoha construction team, stood at the highest point of the construction site with a dark expression, like a guardian deity overseeing the work, scrutinizing every corner of the site.

Under his iron-fisted management, the entire construction site was like a tightly wound machine, highly efficient.

However, this infrastructure powerhouse has encountered a problem that is giving him a huge headache today.

"Lord Danzo."

A technical ninja using Earth Release techniques ran up to him, sweating profusely, with a report in hand. His voice was weary. "We've tried seven different earthen structures, but... they all failed."

"What?"

Danzo's brows furrowed instantly.

"The force of the water flow in this location of the Namga River Gorge far exceeded our expectations."

The ninja wiped his sweat and pointed to the experimental dam not far away, "Even if we reinforce the dam with Earth Release ninjutsu, it probably won't withstand the constant impact of the water flow day and night. Depending on the seasonal water volume, it will show signs of damage in as little as two weeks, or even three to five years."

Danzo's face darkened.

He walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down at the raging river below, feeling as if he were looking at an enemy who was constantly mocking his incompetence.

They poured all their energy into this reservoir project.

What he wanted to build was not a shoddy construction project, but an immortal monument that could stand for a thousand years and witness the prosperity of Konoha.

But now, right at the start of the project, the most fundamental problem has been encountered – the materials are not strong enough.

Evening, in the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had just finished processing a document approving the new ninja academy curriculum when he heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Shimura Danzo and Uchiha Kagami walked in one after the other.

Danzo's face showed undisguised fatigue and frustration, and even his signature blue overalls were covered in mud, making him look somewhat disheveled.

"Hiruzen." Danzo's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"Have a seat." Hiruzen Sarutobi gestured to the sofa opposite them, then personally poured them both a cup of tea, a knowing smile on his face. "Judging from your expression, you've run into trouble?"

"Yes." Danzo didn't hide anything; he wasn't the kind of person who would put on a show of wealth when he was not.

He recounted in detail the problems he encountered with the reservoir dam to Rizhan.

"...Traditional earth and stone structures are not strong enough. I've tried everything, but all of them have failed." Danzo's tone was full of frustration.

"Hiruzen, perhaps I've oversimplified this matter."

Uchiha Kagami added from the side, "Hokage-sama, the hydrological conditions of the Naka River Gorge are indeed very complex. With our current technology, it would be extremely difficult to build a dam that can stand for a hundred or even a thousand years."

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quietly without saying a word.

I put down my teacup and looked at my dear friend, who was looking dejected because of his setback.

"Danzo, Kagami."

"Have you ever considered that soil and stone are inherently fragile? But what if we recombine them together in a special way?"

"Reorganize?"

Danzo and Kagami were both stunned.

"That's right." Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a scroll with a special formula written on it from the drawer, which he had prepared long ago.

He slowly unrolled the scroll on the table.

"This is an idea that I came up with unintentionally while studying the nature transformations of Earth Release and Fire Release."

Hiruzen Sarutobi started "Naruto's Little Classroom".

"Look, this recipe requires several very common ingredients: the clay beneath our feet, river sand, and gravel from the mountains."

"But the most crucial ingredient is the fourth one." Hiruzen Sarutobi's pen touched an unfamiliar name on the recipe.

"Black Stone Powder"

"What is this?" Danzo asked curiously.

"A mineral powder. It exists in the eastern part of the Land of Fire. It is not hard on its own, but once mixed with water and then calcined at high temperatures, it produces a wonderful adhesive effect."

"We can mix clay, river sand, gravel, and this black stone powder together in a specific ratio, then add water and stir to form a slurry."

"The last, and most crucial, step."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept over Danzo and finally landed on Kagami Uchiha.

"Pour this mud into the molds we made beforehand. Then, use Fire Release ninjutsu to continuously and evenly calcine it at a high temperature."

"Once it cools and solidifies, we will obtain a completely new building material that is far harder than steel, yet can be shaped in any way."

I named it—

"Chakra concrete".

Chakra...concrete?

"Hiruzen... I..."

Danzo picked up the scroll and seemed to see a magnificent dam made of "chakra concrete" spanning the Naka River, taming the raging beast.

"Go."

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. "Go and create an immortal monument for the village."

Danzo nodded, carefully putting away the scroll as if it were a priceless treasure.

With this, an immortal monument will no longer be a dream.

Just as he was about to turn around and leave, and arrange for people to mine the black stone mine overnight.

Danzo's gaze fell on the last line of small print in the recipe.

"Note: The best results can only be achieved by ninjas who have mastered the Great Fireball Technique and can deliver precise fire output during the calcination process."

Great Fireball Technique...

The name of a family instantly flashed into Danzo's mind.

He stopped in his tracks, turned around, and stared intently at Uchiha Kagami beside him.

"Stare—d=====(￣▽￣*)b"

"(≖_≖ )?"