Chapter 223: Descendants of the Dragon!

After witnessing the fate of Rōran, Naruto's resolve to change the shinobi world only deepened.

If he had the ability, then why not create a golden age—one where everyone could survive?

A man always harbors the desire to expand his domain and leave behind an immortal legacy.

That ambition had long been carved into the depths of his soul.

It was the belief known as "Descendants of the Dragon."

Lost in these thoughts, Naruto spoke calmly:

"You're too kind. Since you already know about the Umbrella, you should also understand our purpose, right? The shinobi world will achieve peace someday."

"Yes… I believe that."

A glimmer of hope flickered in Naisha's eyes, softening her expression.

The wrinkles on her face seemed to fade with her lifted spirits.

"We came this time to borrow the power of the Dragon Veins for development. We hope we can receive your permission."

Naruto's tone remained respectful.

Even if he could take the Dragon Veins by force, he had no intention of doing so.

He respected the descendants of Rōran who had protected them for generations.

Naisha hesitated. She studied Naruto for nearly a full minute before finally speaking.

"Yes, child… I see a light in you that I've never seen in anyone before."

Her words brought a hint of excitement to both Naruto and Orochimaru.

Orochimaru glanced sideways at Naruto. He had seen that light as well.

The light of hope—

The light of technology—

A brilliance with infinite potential.

"Thank you for your support," Naruto said as he rose to his feet.

Ding ding ding… ding…

A series of beeps sounded from Naruto's communicator.

He apologized before stepping out of the room.

When he connected the call, Gaara's voice came through—exhausted, yet steady.

"Naruto, I need your help."

Naruto laughed. "Being Kazekage isn't easy, huh?"

Gaara, on the other side, surely rolled his eyes.

"I've realized that becoming a qualified leader really isn't simple. I have to consider finances, development, the villagers' livelihoods… But even though it's tiring, I like this feeling."

His voice carried a subdued joy.

Compared to the numb, violent existence he once lived, this new life gave him meaning.

Controlling Sunagakure, opening a path for Naruto—Helping Naruto-kun grow stronger.

These were his goals.

"Alright, enough chatter. What do you need help with?" Naruto asked.

Gaara got right to the point.

"Last year, the afforestation plan you proposed—we've already begun implementing it. But it'll take at least ten years to see results. And Sunagakure can't wait that long."

"As you know, our village lacks water severely. Expanding the Oasis is urgent. The South-to-North Water Diversion Project is progressing, but slowly."

"At the same time, the Warrior Project has started as well."

To strengthen Sunagakure's combat power, Gaara had begun training a corps of warriors—people who greatly admired the Umbrella.

Bit by bit, he was integrating Umbrella's influence into every corner of his village.

Naruto thought for a moment.

The drought-resistant, heat-tolerant saplings developed through chakra-based botanical research were perfect for the desert environment.

If planted around the Oasis and gradually expanded outward, they could grow the Oasis over time.

But Gaara's manpower was too small.

A handful of people couldn't handle such a massive plan.

"I understand. Give me two days. I'll send you a team—and a good helper."

A sudden idea had come to Naruto.

After ending the call, Naruto and Orochimaru said their farewells to Naisha and returned to the Umbrella.

Since the Dragon Veins had been fully investigated, the organization would naturally dispatch a research team afterward.

If someone like Mukade could use the Dragon Veins, then Umbrella—with its many brilliant minds—had no reason to fail.

Later, Naruto found Tsunade, who was conducting experiments.

When she saw the two of them walk in, she immediately rolled her eyes.

"You two are seriously too busy."

She thought they came to join her research—but Naruto's next words left her speechless:

"Lady Tsunade, can I borrow a shinobi from you?"

Naruto grinned.

Tsunade gave him a sideways glance.

"You already have so many powerful people under you. Do you still need to borrow someone from me?"

"No choice. People with special talents are too few."

Naruto waved casually.

His words drew Tsunade's attention.

"Oh? And who exactly are you looking for? Let me hear who's worthy of such high praise from you."

She removed her white gloves, curious.

"I want to borrow Yamato from the village," Naruto said.

"Yamato? The one who can use Wood Release?"

Tsunade's expression immediately shifted—she remembered him well.

Yamato had once served under Danzō.

Before that, he had been one of Orochimaru's experimental subjects.

Orochimaru had believed no one could withstand the power of Hashirama's cells, yet Yamato had somehow survived.

Danzō had rescued his dying body and named him Tenzo.

Now that Root had been disbanded, Yamato worked in the Anbu.

Someone with Wood Release certainly counted as "special talent."

"Oh, and it's just right," Naruto added.

"I have a project that needs someone who can plant trees. Yamato is perfect. One person can do the work of hundreds—maybe thousands."

He said this as if it were a trivial detail.

"What?!"

Tsunade nearly choked on her own breath.

"You want to use my Wood Release shinobi… to plant trees? How did you even come up with that idea?!"

"You don't understand," Naruto replied calmly.

"Gaara needs manpower, and this time we're planting in the desert. You know how much expanding the Oasis will help the people of the Land of Wind."

"And once Gaara's prestige reaches an unprecedented height—surpassing even the Daimyō—the Land of Wind will be the first major nation we bring under our control."

The Land of Wind appeared barren, but its desert concealed the oil reserves Naruto needed.

Once that value was developed, he would have access to a source of limitless wealth.

Tsunade fell silent, unsure what to say.

Secretly, she admired his vision.

She had no idea that one of the Five Kage had already pledged allegiance to Naruto.

And with Konoha partially aligned with him as well—though the many clans made it more complicated than Sunagakure—the village was also drifting into his orbit.

"…Alright," Tsunade finally said.

"I'll write you an authorization letter. You can directly summon Yamato with it."

Then she turned to Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru… what are your thoughts on my grandfather's cell research?"

Seeing this, Naruto knew she was signaling the end of their visit.

But he was satisfied.

Someone as diligent and brilliant as Tsunade—top-tier research talent—was exceedingly rare.

...

TN:

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