That was a major project undertaken by the United States to develop the arid state of Arizona in the southwest. The project included the construction of famous hydraulic structures such as the Roosevelt Dam.
After doing his research, Hardy adapted some of the projects that could be realized through puppet techniques and ninjutsu, localizing them for the ninja world.
When the Third Kazekage saw the proposal, he was astonished.
The design was just too professional, too perfect!
Upon discovering that the author of the proposal was Hardy, a disciple of Chiyo and Ebizō, the Third Kazekage immediately brought the document to them for a meeting.
And that led to the current situation.
"I never expected you to think of using puppet techniques for these purposes—building reservoirs, sluices, and pumps with large puppet mechanisms... Remarkable."
Ebizō was full of praise.
As expected of my disciple!
Even though I haven't actually taught you anything yet.
Ebizō pushed open the door to the Kazekage's office and led Hardy inside.
"Haha, Jonin Hardy, the last time I spoke with you was two years ago, wasn't it? As expected of Elder Chiyo and Elder Ebizō's disciple—so young, yet with such outstanding achievements and abilities."
The Third Kazekage sat at his desk, laughing heartily as he looked at Hardy.
Beside him, Chiyo also looked at Hardy, her eyes full of surprise and delight.
Hardy had already anticipated that his proposal might attract the attention of the higher-ups, but he had still underestimated the impact of a plan that integrated the expertise of a highly developed modern world and was designed by countless top engineers.
Ninjas had never considered or dealt with such matters. The daimyo, nobles, and officials of the Land of Wind were only skilled at squeezing the last penny from the people, and their methods of governance hadn't changed in centuries.
In this era of the Naruto world, technology was only just beginning to emerge. The proposal Hardy submitted was nothing short of a dimensionality reduction attack.
"Come and explain your proposal in detail. I still have some questions," Chiyo said, taking the document from Ebizō and spreading it out on the table.
Hardy was a little nervous, but still put on a calm and confident front as he stepped forward.
It was like when you were doing a final project and, for convenience, found a similar paper online, made a few changes, and submitted it.
But the paper you found was so good that the teacher called you in to ask about the logic behind the code.
In reality, you only half-understood it yourself.
At times like this, it all comes down to your acting skills—you have to look like you really know what you're talking about. Even if the teacher points out possible mistakes, you have to insist you're right and that there's a reason for your approach.
Often, this is enough to get by.
The more you know, the more you realize how much you don't know.
But this situation was a bit different, because Hardy realized that of the three people in front of him, the Third Kazekage could only understand the general idea and wouldn't ask about the technical details.
The other two acting as advisory judges, Ebizō and Chiyo, mostly asked technical questions related to puppet techniques. Fortunately, Hardy's current proficiency in puppetry was high enough that the localized designs in the proposal were, at least in theory, basically feasible.
As for some questions that Hardy was temporarily unable to answer...
"I wouldn't dare to speak rashly on these aspects either."
Hardy sat across from the three highest-ranking leaders of Sunagakure, accepted a cup of tea from a nearby ANBU member, and moistened his throat, which had grown a bit dry from his lengthy explanations.
"As for the design of the routes, as well as the development and construction of the reservoir and various branches, more detailed arrangements can only be made after actual surveys of the relevant areas—considering the terrain, climate, surrounding population, and resources."
Seeing that the Third Kazekage was clearly determined to proceed, and intended to use his plan, Hardy knew he truly needed to put his heart into this matter.
After all, if this canal was designed well enough, it could directly influence the development of Sunagakure and even vast regions of the Land of Wind.
"Indeed, a proper preliminary plan must be made first."
Hardy didn't make any reckless guarantees, which only further convinced the Third Kazekage of the reliability of Hardy's proposal.
However, after saying this, the Third Kazekage suddenly paused in thought, then looked up and solemnly declared:
"Special Jōnin Hardy... No, from this moment on, you are a true Jōnin—the youngest Jōnin in history."
Recalling Hardy's past mission record and achievements, the Third Kazekage realized that, aside from perhaps lacking a bit in seniority, Hardy already met the standards for promotion to Jōnin.
Hardy: ???
Ebizō and Chiyo, however, smiled knowingly at this scene, as if they had already anticipated it.
To become a Jōnin at just thirteen years old—across the entire shinobi world, since the founding of the five great villages, there have been very few such cases. Even Chiyo and the Third Kazekage themselves were a year or two older than Hardy when they became Jōnin.
It's no exaggeration to say that, before the legendary Kakashi Hatake became a Jōnin at the age of twelve, Hardy would have been the youngest Jōnin in shinobi history.
But if this much was within Chiyo and Ebizō's expectations, the Third Kazekage's next words left them completely stunned.
"In the name of the Third Kazekage, I hereby approve the waterway system design submitted by Jōnin Hardy for connecting the Lands of Wind and Rain, and establish a special canal development project. This project aims to mobilize the full strength of Sunagakure to construct a canal linking the two countries."
"A canal construction leadership team will be formed, with myself as the team leader and Jōnin Hardy as deputy leader. Other members will be determined later. This leadership team is authorized to require the unconditional cooperation of any department except the ANBU..."
Hardy and the two across from him, Ebizō and Chiyo, wore identical expressions—utter shock.
Mobilize the entire Sunagakure for this endeavor!
Every department except the ANBU must cooperate unconditionally!
And the leadership team consisted only of the Kazekage himself as leader and Hardy as deputy—no one else.
The meaning was simple: Hardy was to take charge of this project, and if any problems arose, the Third Kazekage would bear the responsibility. Within the Land of Wind, there was hardly anything the Kazekage couldn't resolve. As for personnel, Hardy could choose whomever he wanted.
Now, Hardy finally understood.
The Third Kazekage regarded the construction of this canal as a matter of utmost importance, one that could influence Sunagakure and even change the destiny of the Land of Wind itself.
...
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