Pupet Master in Konoha

The material cost of the teaching materials is the biggest problem facing Hideki's teaching method.

As Hideki mentioned in class, in order to control the Pocket Puppet Beast and make flexible movements with a small handle, the entire set of teaching materials will require a significant amount of precious chakra-conducting materials.

Although Hideki has been brainstorming ways to reduce costs by using various mechanical structures to lessen the dependence on sealing runes and chakra-conducting materials, the handle line, which is a key component, must still be made of chakra-conducting materials, as it needs to simulate chakra lines as closely as possible.

This also means that to create a set of teaching materials like this, a large amount of money will be spent on materials.

Unfortunately, Hideki's next answer confirmed the Third Hokage's concerns:

"The cost of the entire set of teaching materials is probably around 200,000 ryo."

Although the price is much lower than what Sarutobi Hiruzen had imagined, it is definitely not something the ninja school can afford!

"Hideki, have you forgotten that the funding for the training program for one academic year is only 300,000 ryo?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his sore temples with his hands and said with a wry smile:

"Then, although your method of teaching the Pocket Puppet Beast is excellent, we simply don't have enough funds to purchase materials..."

He then saw Hideki smile slightly and say:

"Hokage-sama, you misunderstood."

"The material cost of the entire set of teaching materials is 200,000 ryo."

"But the handle line, which makes up a large portion, was specifically prepared so everyone can experience the Pocket Puppet Beast in the first class."

"If it's just a handle line that students typically use for practice, it's actually very cheap and might not even cost any money..."

The Third Hokage almost jumped when he heard this, his eyes widening in surprise.

"How is that possible?"

You must know that chakra-conducting materials have always been famous for being rare and expensive.

If such chakra-conducting material truly exists, it would rewrite the structure of the ninja world!

"Of course it's possible."

Hideki smiled calmly and said, "This material can be found everywhere, in fact, it is practically within reach."

After saying that, he tapped his head with his slender index finger.

Seeing this, the Third Hokage thought deeply.

Hair...

Is Hideki saying he can't think of it because he doesn't have a brain?

No... Oh, I know!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes suddenly lit up as he realized:

"Hair!"

"Hideki, you plan to use hair as the material for the handle line!"

"How brilliant! Why didn't I think of this trick?"

In fact, in the history of the ninja world, it is not uncommon to use hair as a chakra-conducting material.

For example, during the Chunin Exams in the original story, Yamanaka Ino used chakra-infused hair to bind Haruno Sakura, giving her the chance to perform the Heart Turn technique.

Not to mention the infamous Jiraiya, who masters a set of ninjutsu using chakra to control hair to attack enemies, known as the "White Hair Ninja."

The reason hair is not widely used as chakra-conducting material is that, on one hand, its strength is quite poor, and a large amount of chakra needs to be infused before it can be used in actual combat.

On the other hand, while the chakra-conducting performance of hair is not bad, once it is separated from the body, its performance drops dramatically.

Therefore, using hair as chakra-conducting material is, at best, an emergency measure and is rarely useful in combat.

It's understandable that Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't thought of it immediately.

But after Hideki reminded him, he realized that if hair is used for practice, all its defects seem to no longer be a problem.

Sarutobi Hiruzen analyzed happily:

"Although the strength of the hair and its chakra-conducting ability are average, it is still sufficient as a teaching material to simulate chakra lines."

"In fact, this might even help better train everyone's chakra control."

"It's easier to solve the problem of the hair's performance decreasing after it leaves the body."

"Anyway, the children are still young and have a lot of hair..."

At that moment, Hideki couldn't wait to take out a recorder and play these words for the students.

This is what Hokage-sama said!

As the saying goes, every villain has their own debtor. If any of you lose your hair in the future, don't blame me, go to Hokage for compensation.

Of course, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no idea of Hideki's rebellious thoughts and looked at him with admiration.

What a genius!

He didn't expect Hideki to turn decomposition into magic and use the forgotten hair to train the children's chakra control.

Konoha has always lacked powerful ninjas, but what it lacks even more are ninjas like Hideki who can innovate and bring new changes to Konoha.

Originally, he had no high expectations for Hideki, who had applied to be a puppet teacher on his own. It would have been a blessing to train a few more skilled puppeteers for Konoha.

But now, it seems that if he gives Hideki more confidence and support, maybe he can bring even more surprises for him and Konoha...

Sarutobi Hiruzen then waved his hand and said boldly:

"The thoughts of the young are flexible."

"Hideki, if you have other ideas or encounter difficulties in this course, don't hesitate to bring them up!"

Hideki, with a surprised expression on his face, asked:

"Is that true?"

"Really?"

"Really?"

"About the funds..."

"Everything is easy except the money!"

Seeing Hideki's speechless face, the Third Hokage could only explain helplessly:

"The village really doesn't have money, but in other areas, as long as it makes sense, the village will support you 100%."

"Hokage-sama, please listen to me first..."

Hideki smiled wryly and said: "Although I want to talk about funding issues, I'm not asking for money. I plan to discuss with you how to help the Ninja School earn money."

Earn?

The Third Hokage was a bit confused.

How can you, a puppet teacher, help the school earn money? Do you still want to charge tuition fees?

However, since Hideki had surprised him repeatedly, the Third Hokage decided to listen to Hideki's thoughts.

"Go ahead."

Hideki first sighed seriously and then slowly said:

"As you know, Hokage-sama, although there is no cost for the control lines, the funding issue for this course has not been resolved."

"After all, the puppets, handles, and materials for students to practice with cost a lot of money. The school's funds alone are simply not enough."

"So, I plan to follow the example of many puppeteers in Sunagakure and build a workshop in Konoha."

"The workshop can cooperate with schools so that students interested in making puppets or ninja tools can hone their skills by manufacturing various related products."

"I call this a work-study program."

"Or we could take orders for machine repairs, improvements, or even inventions from all aspects of life as projects for the students."

"In this way, the school can make a profit, part of which can be used for the puppet classes, creating a virtuous cycle..."

Hideki began to explain his workshop plan to the Third Hokage.

Naturally, this plan was not just a whim, but something he had been planning for a long time.

After all, being a puppeteer is an expensive profession. The salary alone cannot feed this gold-devouring beast.

So, when Hideki applied to be a teacher, he was already prepared to set up a workshop.

As for cooperating with the schools, the purpose was to reduce unnecessary problems caused by others coveting the workshop and, by the way, also to train students' skills in making puppets.

Originally, he had planned to propose this plan to the Third Hokage after the course yielded real results.

But since the Third Hokage seemed to have high hopes for him, Hideki was naturally willing to implement the plan earlier than expected.

However, the ginger is still spicy.

Regarding the century-old cake Hideki had crafted, the Third Hokage did not accept it immediately out of impulse but instead asked Hideki to prepare a detailed plan.

After all, Hideki had only been recognized for his inventive talent, and his business talent had not yet been proven.

The Third Hokage could not just listen to Hideki's words and make a decision immediately. He needed to conduct relevant research before making a decision.

Hideki, of course, understood this well.

Even if the Third Hokage agreed immediately, he would still have to worry about whether the other party would change things overnight, which could affect the progress of future plans.

Later, the two exchanged many opinions on the topics of Pocket Puppets and workshops, and both felt they had learned a lot.

It wasn't until it was completely dark that the first conversation between them ended, and the curtain fell in the cheerful atmosphere between host and guest…