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

Chapter 288 Barbecue and Wine

zizi——

The oil dripped onto the scorching charcoal fire, bursting into an enticing sizzle, instantly exploding with a rich aroma of meat, aggressively invading every corner of the private rooms on the third floor of the Akimichi BBQ restaurant.

"Come on, come on! Freshly cooked Konoha Pork Tenderloin! Try it all! The texture is absolutely unique!"

With a ruddy complexion, Qiu Daoqufeng skillfully used a huge pair of iron tongs to distribute the perfectly grilled, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, juicy meat onto each person's plate.

He picked up the largest piece, didn't even have time to blow on it, and stuffed it directly into his mouth, grimacing from the heat, yet chewing it with a blissful expression.

"Mmm...delicious!"

The entire private room was in complete chaos.

"Jiraiya! If you dare to add water to my cup again, I'll shove you into a barrel of sake and give you a good wake-up call!"

Tsunade placed one foot on the chair and downed a large cup of sake in one gulp, displaying a heroic spirit.

"I'm innocent, Tsunade!"

Jiraiya, sporting a fresh handprint, cried out in grievance, "You've already had a whole drinking session! I was worried you'd get a headache tomorrow if you got drunk! I was just concerned!"

"You? Care?"

Tsunade grabbed his collar, and the two started arguing again.

Beside them, Mitomon Homura and Utatane Koharu sat upright, the grilled meat in front of the two advisor elders stacked neatly, their eating movements refined and orderly, seemingly out of place with the surrounding noise.

But when they occasionally glanced at the group of mischievous young people, there was a hint of indulgence that they themselves were unaware of.

Hiruzen Sarutobi held his sake cup, quietly observing everything before him.

To his left were two people with the most bizarre art styles.

Danzo Shimura sat upright, his back straight as a javelin.

He ate the fastest in the room, his plate going from empty to full, then full again, his chewing movements precise and efficient.

My mouth was eating, but my mind was still working.

"Sakumo, I've seen the farm's latest report. The new breed of Konoha No. 2 hog has a feed conversion ratio of 2.5:1, which is excellent. However, the slaughter cycle is still too long, averaging 180 days. Is there any way to shorten it to less than 150 days?"

Sakumo Hatake, the former White Fang of Konoha, is currently holding a small notebook and diligently writing something down.

Upon hearing Danzo's question, he adjusted his non-existent glasses and answered solemnly:

"It's worth a try. I've recently been researching grinding sand scorpion shells into powder and mixing them into feed in a certain proportion. Sand scorpion shells are rich in chitin and various trace elements, which theoretically can promote bone development and protein synthesis. Preliminary experimental data show that it can increase the growth rate by three percent."

"Sand scorpion?"

Danzo paused for a moment. "Those are the ones you brought back from the western front? The medical department still needs to conduct a biological risk assessment, right?"

"Um."

Sakumo nodded. "The assessment results will be available soon. Besides being edible, scorpion venom also has high medicinal value. It's a complete industry chain, Hokage-sama."

His last words were spoken to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen smiled and nodded, but inwardly he was speechless.

Goodness, Sakumo is really pushing the limits of what a scorpion can be.

While others capture weapons and treasures in battle, he went and transported back an entire biological species, along with a report on developing the supply chain.

Danzo, however, became genuinely interested, leaning forward slightly: "If feasible, a breeding and processing base could be established on-site along the western border. This would solve some logistical problems and create jobs. Write me a detailed plan for this later."

"It's already written." Sakumo took out another scroll from his pocket and handed it over.

Danzo: "..."

Hiruzen: "..."

Among the entire Konoha leadership, there are probably only these two people who can switch to work mode so seamlessly at the victory celebration banquet, and with frighteningly high efficiency.

"You two should take a break."

Akimichi Torifu walked over carrying a large plate of freshly grilled beef tongue, grumbling, "Today is for celebrating victory! For enjoying good food and wine! Work can wait until tomorrow!"

Without saying a word, he piled up grilled meat on Danzo's and Sakumo's plates.

Danzo seemed to want to say something, but in the end he silently picked up his chopsticks and continued to devour his food at an astonishing speed.

At the other end of the table was the most miserable person in the entire room.

"Deer Antlers! Come! Let me toast you! You've worked hard as the acting Hokage this time!"

Jiraiya held a sake cup larger than a bowl and hooked it around the neck of Nara Deer Antlers.

Nara Shikaku was practically slumped on the table, looking utterly dejected.

"No...don't look for me...my head hurts..."

He waved his hand weakly.

These past few days, I feel like I've used up all the brain cells I'll ever have in my life.

During the day, he had to deal with a flood of documents, and at night he was dragged into meetings by Danzo to discuss the budget and blueprints for the second phase of the Namakawa Dam project.

He feels nauseous whenever he sees a roll of film.

"Oh no, this won't do!"

Akimichi Torifu joined in, his massive frame like a wall. "Shikanobu, you're a hero this time! You have to drink this! Not drinking it is disrespecting me!"