Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 291: Implementing High-Yield Crops and Introducing Trains

Under the Wood Release abilities of Itachi and Shisui, by the time the New Year passed and spring arrived, both hybrid rice and wheat were ready to supply the entire country.

The bull-leg mushrooms were also transported to the border regions between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain after the New Year.

Haneda personally conducted a discreet inspection of the area and found the results quite promising.

Whether in mountainous areas or towns, nearly every household had planted some. The pricing was also relatively affordable.

Combined with grain transported from other regions, it was enough to meet the five essential nutrients needed for human health.

Perhaps it was because Haneda was genuinely fulfilling his promises under the first Five-Year Plan, and the results were tangible.

In those regions, the number of potential rebels had significantly decreased, and the streets were free of beggars and orphans.

Spring of the 56th Year of Konoha – Hokage's Office

Haneda, who usually lazed around in the morning, pushed the office door open and walked in.

Hearing movement, Shikaku looked up, and a surprised expression crossed his face.

The inherently lazy Hokage-sama was here this early to handle official business—could it be he'd turned over a new leaf?

Before Shikaku could fully process this, Haneda was already pressing him about his work:

"How's the spring seed distribution going, Shikaku?"

Shikaku replied, "There's been significant opposition from about 30% of the people. Based on intelligence reports, many believe the free seeds we're offering might be defective. They fear the crops will fail or yield less than expected next year."

Asuma, who had taken charge of the initiative, couldn't help but express his frustration:

"Haneda-nii has put in so much effort for them, but they don't appreciate it. Whatare they even thinking?"

"They can't even recognize someone doing good for them!"

"Haneda-nii, I say we enforce this! Once they taste the results, they'll realize how great you are!"

Haneda knew Asuma had taken it upon himself to promote the initiative outside the village and had even conducted investigations.

For Asuma to be this upset, the resistance was likely more significant than Shikaku's estimated 30%. It was possible that a considerable portion of people were pretending to accept the seeds but later discarded them.

After a moment of contemplation, Haneda said:

"Change the free seeds to a paid model. Announce that in ten or fifteen days, all seeds will be sold at a high price."

"The information we've been promoting might sound exaggerated to them—double the yield, resistance to various conditions—it's natural they'd think it's too good to be true."

"But price reflects value. Once we start selling the seeds at high prices, they'll realize their worth."

Haneda paused and then continued:

"The distrust in the government started last year."

"It stems from our use of force to suppress the rebellion, where many people were killed. It's natural for them to feel resistant toward us."

"But once the policies are fully implemented and people see tangible benefits, public unity will naturally increase."

"For instance, in the areas near the Land of Rain, the people there clearly recognize the Republic now."

Shikaku, being as sharp as he was, understood these principles and didn't feel rushed.

In his view, as long as some people benefitted from the hybrid rice or wheat provided by Konoha, the rest would naturally follow.

Five years could feel short or long, but it was sufficient to fulfill Haneda's promises.

However, Haneda's suggestion of switching from free to paid seeds pleasantly surprised Shikaku.

Even though Haneda didn't handle much on his own, he often proposed innovative and highly effective ideas.

Free things are often taken for granted, but once they have a price, people may regret their earlier choices.

By then, a significant number of people would be willing to plant the seeds Haneda initially offered for free.

Unlike Shikaku, Asuma didn't think too deeply.

He simply felt the switch to paid seeds was brilliant.

"Haneda-nii is amazing. Changing it to paid seeds means those people will have to pay a hefty price if they want to buy them later!"

"Rice in the south is harvested three times a year, right? In less than half a year, they'll regret their current foolishness!"

Shikaku chuckled. "Hokage-sama will switch it back to free later, Asuma."

"This initiative isn't about profit—it's about promoting the seeds effectively."

Haneda nodded. "That's exactly my plan."

Seeing this, Asuma was frustrated that he couldn't get back at the people who discredited and distrusted Haneda. But seeing Haneda willing to give so much, he reluctantly let it go.

Afterward, Haneda and Shikaku discussed other details regarding the promotion of the seeds.

Once their conversation was over, Haneda headed to the experimental base of the Root division.

This was now Orochimaru's exclusive laboratory.

Orochimaru had spent a month last year completing missions for the Akatsuki and only returned around the New Year.

Since Shikaku's calculations showed that the hybrid rice production would more than adequately meet the country's grain supply, Haneda began shifting focus to another aspect of the first Five-Year Plan.

In addition to eradicating hunger, the first Five-Year Plan also included constructing a complete transportation system.

Haneda had conceived this system to complement the hunger eradication effort.

The traditional methods of transporting grain in the Land of Fire relied on manual carts and horse-drawn wagons.

These traditional methods were not only slow but also consumed significant amounts of grain, leading to unnecessary waste.

Haneda planned to use alternative methods to reduce such losses.

He envisioned vehicles powered by oil, electricity, or chakra to replace these outdated methods.

Since this involved scientific development, Haneda naturally left it in Orochimaru's capable hands.

After all, if there was one thing to trust Orochimaru with, it was his unparalleled research abilities.

Arriving at Orochimaru's lab, Haneda was greeted by the sight of a machine the size of a table, resembling an internal combustion engine.

Noticing Haneda's arrival, Orochimaru pointed to the device at the center of the lab and introduced it:

"This is the device you requested. It has a high chakra storage capacity and can convert chakra efficiently."

"As per your requirements, as long as a ninja channels chakra into it, it will automatically convert it into Lightning Release chakra and store it in a battery."

"This power supply is sufficient to operate the train you described."

"However, there are some drawbacks. The materials capable of storing chakra in the ninja world are exceedingly expensive, making the production cost of such machines very high."

"Additionally, the device requires a complex sealing technique, which must be maintained once a year by a skilled individual."

As he spoke, Orochimaru handed Haneda a thick manual.

"This is the instruction guide. It includes detailed parameters and design schematics for each component and part."

"Just hand it over to the researchers at the Root division—they'll know what to do."

Haneda inquired, "Are all the other components of the train already designed, Orochimaru-senpai?"