In the Hokage's Office in Konohagakure, the gentle afternoon sunlight spilled through the shoji windows, casting warm golden patches onto the wooden floor. Inside, Yamato stood straight with a scroll in hand, reporting earnestly while trying to suppress the bubbling excitement in his heart.
"Sensei, the Agricultural Production Cooperative Project is progressing smoothly." Yamato began, flipping open the scroll. "So far, ten new farms have been successfully established across the Land of Fire as pilot sites for cultivating hybrid rice."
He continued with rising enthusiasm. "Not only that—more and more grain merchants are applying to join the rural cooperatives. Just this week, dozens of merchants from neighboring countries have flocked to Konoha, eager to claim a stake in this agricultural revolution."
"We've screened them thoroughly per your specifications." Yamato added with a proud smile. "Only those with excellent credentials and reputations have been granted cooperation rights."
Namikaze Mirai, seated calmly behind the Hokage desk with his fingers steepled beneath his chin, listened in silence. After a moment, he gave a small approving nod.
"As expected… I made the right decision in taking you as my disciple."
Yamato flushed with embarrassment and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Th-thank you, sensei. But… there's a rumor going around the village lately. People are calling me the 'Second Senju Hashirama'. I… I think it's far too exaggerated. How can I be compared to the God of Shinobi?"
Mirai chuckled softly, his blue eyes gleaming with depth and affection.
"The First Hokage used Wood-style to calm the chaos of the Warring States Era. But you… you're using Wood-style to end a different kind of war—the war against hunger."
He paused, letting his words settle in the air like ripples on still water.
"Don't belittle your achievements, Yamato. In this age of relative peace, saving lives with food might be even more difficult than saving them with a sword."
The anxiety that lingered in Yamato's heart began to melt away. If his teacher said so, then maybe… just maybe, his actions truly did hold that much weight.
But Mirai's expression turned serious.
"However, remember this well. The same people who praise you today because of your accomplishments... will turn on you the moment you fail to produce new ones."
His gaze sharpened.
"Keep your heart steady. Stay true to your purpose. Don't let the cheers blind you, and don't let the jeers break you."
"Yes!" Yamato said, bowing his head solemnly. "I understand, sensei."
"Good." Mirai said. "Now tell me—did any issues arise in the ten pilot fields during planting?"
Yamato's expression turned serious. "Yes… there was one unexpected issue."
He frowned, placing the scroll gently on the desk. "Pests. Insects, specifically. The hybrid rice strains were bred in a greenhouse environment—completely controlled. Temperature, moisture, soil—everything was simulated perfectly. But the moment we introduced the strains to open natural fields, infestations started cropping up."
"Hm…" Mirai leaned back in thought.
That was a valid concern. Natural environments carried unpredictability that no lab could simulate. And now, the ninja world's eyes were on Konoha's Agricultural Cooperative. Failure here could be disastrous—politically and diplomatically.
"We don't have time to develop a pest-resistant strain from scratch." Mirai said after a moment of silence.
His eyes flashed.
"Let the Aburame clan handle it."
"Huh?!" Yamato blinked in confusion. "The Aburame clan?"
"Yes." Mirai nodded. "No one in Konoha understands insects better than the Aburame. Their symbiotic relationship with parasitic insects makes them the perfect solution."
"The pests are a plague. But to Aburame bugs, they're just food."
Mirai's voice was calm and steady, as if the conclusion had always been obvious.
"We can deploy Aburame shinobi to each experimental farm. Their insects can keep the fields free of pests and simulate a greenhouse-like environment naturally."
Yamato's eyes lit up in understanding. "That… that could really work!"
Mirai grinned.
"And something tells me they'd actually enjoy this kind of job. No human interaction. Just them, the crops, and their beloved insects basking in golden fields of rice. What could be more perfect?"
Yamato chuckled at the mental image.
"Actually, sensei… I think they'll thank you for giving them this mission."
Mirai's expression turned contemplative again. A new idea was forming in his mind.
"Yamato."
"Yes, sensei?"
"I intend to establish a new division in Konoha—The Ministry of Agriculture. And I want you to serve as its first minister."
Yamato's eyes widened. "A Ministry… of Agriculture?"
"Yes." Mirai said seriously. "It will join the ranks of Anbu, the Intelligence Division, the Medical Corps, the Barrier Team, and the Security Department. This new ministry will focus entirely on food production, rural management, and supporting agricultural development throughout the Land of Fire."
He leaned forward.
"You will lead it. And Aburame Shibi will serve as your deputy. We will also recruit shinobi who excel in Earth-style and Water-style techniques, training them to become production-type ninja who can support irrigation, soil fertility, and weather moderation."
Yamato's mind was reeling. These terms—Ministry of Agriculture, production-type ninja—they were completely new, concepts never seen before in Konoha's history.
"Sensei… can I really do this?"
Mirai placed a reassuring hand on Yamato's shoulder.
"You already have."
Yamato took a deep breath and nodded. "I understand. I'll do my best."
"Good. Go and rest. I'll take care of briefing Shibi myself."
Yamato exited the room with renewed purpose.
Mirai remained at the window, looking over the rooftops of the village he swore to protect.
Now that he had established the Ministry of Agriculture, the time had come to address another issue.
The Security Department.
Originally founded by the Second Hokage and placed under Uchiha control, it had done more harm than good to Uchiha's image. Putting an already aloof clan in charge of civil policing only further alienated them from the general populace.
Perhaps… that had always been Senju Tobirama's plan.
But Mirai was not Tobirama.
And he would not let old politics destroy new peace.
"It's time for a change."
Mirai's eyes narrowed.
"Let Hyuga take charge of the Security Department."
With their Byakugan and increasing familiarity with firearms, Hyuga shinobi could monitor and respond to crimes with accuracy and fairness. Their dignified demeanor and more approachable reputation made them better suited to work with the public.
"As for the Uchiha…" Mirai smiled slightly.
"They'll lead something far more important."
A few moments later, Anbu was dispatched with instructions to summon Uchiha Fugaku.
…
Ten minutes later, Fugaku arrived in the Hokage Office, his brow furrowed.
He hadn't even spoken when Mirai said bluntly, "Fugaku, I'm dissolving the Uchiha's authority over the Security Department."
The blood drained from Fugaku's face.
The Security Department was the Uchiha's last foothold in village administration.
Before panic could set in, Mirai continued calmly.
"Don't misunderstand. I have something better in mind."
Fugaku's frown deepened. "What do you mean?"
"I'm establishing a new division." Mirai said. "One tasked with a higher purpose. The Peacekeeping Department—an elite force designed to uphold peace across the entire ninja world."
"Your job will be simple—if anyone tries to start war, you beat them until they can't stand up again."
Fugaku blinked.
Then slowly, a spark of understanding—and approval—flashed in his eyes.
Namikaze Mirai leaned back in his chair, confident.
Konoha was no longer just a shinobi village.
It was a model for the future.
And with every change he made, Mirai ensured that it would not just survive—but lead.
*****
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