Rooted and Blueprinted

With the Third Hokage's official commendation and resources arriving one after another, the construction of Taoyuan Village entered a phase of explosive growth. Duanmu Ci's reputation as the "Konoha Azure Dragon" and his Jonin status, combined with Tsunade's Sannin influence, attracted a large number of people yearning for peace and stability.

Influx of Talent:

Medical Talent: Not only did key personnel from Konoha Hospital come, drawn by its reputation, but elite medical ninja like Yakushi Nonou (the "Walking Witch"), tired of the darkness of the intelligence department and seeking pure salvation, were also attracted. Tsunade personally interviewed them, assembling a core medical team whose strength far surpassed that of ordinary hospitals.

Construction Talent: Craftsmen sent by Konoha collaborated closely with civilian craftsmen recruited independently. Duanmu Ci's Wood Style became a construction marvel—the "Ironwood" he spawned was as tough as steel, an excellent material for beams and pillars; the fast-growing "Fast-Growing Cedar" provided ample ordinary lumber; he could even alter terrain on a small scale, leveling land and digging irrigation canals.

Guard Force: Some retired ninja or members of minor clans (like some collateral branches of the Ino-Shika-Cho) who had experienced war and desired a stable life came to pledge their allegiance. Under Tsunade's vetting, the "Taoyuan Guard" was initially formed, with Duanmu Ci directly leading and personally training them (primarily teaching combined attacks and defensive formations).

Civilians and Orphans: The trauma of war gave hope to many displaced people and orphans. They became the first residents of Taoyuan Village, engaging in farming, logistics, and other work. Duanmu Ci specifically designated an area as the "House of Hope" to shelter and educate war orphans.

Functional Zone Division:

Duanmu Ci began constructing the blueprint, combining knowledge from his past life with the realities of the Ninja World:

Core Medical Zone: Located in the center, a large comprehensive medical center was under construction (designed under Tsunade's supervision), including operating rooms, intensive care units, general wards, pharmacies, and research labs, with the goal of becoming a top-tier medical institution in the Ninja World.

Research and Development Zone: Adjacent to the medical zone, led by Duanmu Ci and Nonou, it combined his "ingenious ideas" (modern medical concepts) with Tsunade's secret techniques and toxicology knowledge to research new drugs, new therapies, and improvements to medical equipment (such as attempting to power a simple centrifuge with Chakra).

Residential Zone: Radiating outward from the medical zone, it featured neatly planned housing (rapidly built with the aid of Wood Style), a marketplace, and the beginnings of a school (Duanmu Ci planned to introduce basic cultural education in the future).

Training Zone: A large area was demarcated near the edge of the Forest of Death for the Taoyuan Guard's training, and also served as a place for Duanmu Ci to practice his Wood Style and Sage Art (multiple barriers were set up to prevent prying eyes).

Agricultural Experiment Zone: This was Duanmu Ci's "black technology" experimental field. He attempted to use Wood Style to cultivate improved crop seeds (short growth cycles, high yields, containing trace amounts of Chakra?), and planned to introduce irrigation in the future (combining with Water Style ninja). Neat rows of fields and lush seedlings were rapidly growing under the nourishment of Wood Style, symbolizing future self-sufficiency.

Tsunade's Role: She was no longer the decadent Sannin drowning her sorrows in alcohol. As the head of medical affairs and Duanmu Ci's most solid support, she used her prestige and connections to bring many scarce resources and talents to Taoyuan Village. She personally participated in the design of the medical center and trained medical ninja, appearing revitalized. Occasionally, she still drank with Duanmu Ci, but their conversations were more about the future of Taoyuan Village.

As the sun set, the busy Taoyuan Village gradually quieted down. Wisps of smoke rose from the newly built rows of wooden houses, the sounds of the guard unit's training concluding echoed from the training grounds, and warm light emanated from the medical center.

Duanmu Ci and Tsunade stood side-by-side on the observation deck at the highest point of the base. Below them was the nascent settlement, in the distance lay their vast, lush land, and further beyond were the hazy outline of the Forest of Death and the direction of Konoha Village.

"In such a short time... so much has changed," Tsunade said with emotion, her golden hair fluttering in the evening breeze.

"Yes, this is just the foundation," Duanmu Ci replied, his gaze deep. "The main structure of the core medical center won't be completed for three months. The school, larger residential areas, commercial streets... and trade routes to Konoha and neighboring countries all require time. The agricultural experiment zone has just started, and its success still needs to be verified."

"It's already very good," Tsunade said, turning her head to look at him, her eyes filled with trust and a hint of undisguised admiration. "With you here, and with everyone working together, I believe it will only get better." She paused, her tone becoming firm. "I will always be here, helping you, and helping ourselves, to build this place into a true 'Taoyuan'."

A warm current surged through Duanmu Ci. He reached out and took Tsunade's hand again, their fingers interlocking.

"I know," he said, looking at Tsunade, then gazing into the distance as if piercing through space. "We are rooted here, but this Taoyuan, in the future, should not only belong to Konoha. It should become a beacon illuminating the dark clouds of war across the entire Ninja World. Let medical skills be boundless, let protection have no borders, and let peace... have a place to take root."

His words were calm yet filled with power, carrying a vision and sense of mission that transcended his age.

Tsunade did not refute him, merely tightened her grip on his hand, her gaze also fixed on the distance. She knew that the man beside her held a world in his heart far larger than this nascent land. And she was willing to accompany him in realizing this seemingly unattainable dream.

Undercurrents still churned. Danzo's Root lurked in the shadows, Konoha's higher-ups were not monolithic, and the conflicts of the Ninja World were far from over. But at this moment, standing on the land of Taoyuan Village, feeling the warmth in his hand and the solid foundation beneath his feet, Duanmu Ci was filled with unprecedented confidence and fighting spirit.

He was no longer the insignificant Genin struggling for survival on the battlefield. He was Konoha Jonin Duanmu Ci, the "Azure Dragon" possessing Wood Style and the Sage Body, the partner Tsunade had chosen, and more importantly, the founder and guardian of this paradise named "Taoyuan Village."

The afterglow of the sunset stretched their figures long, casting them upon the vibrant land. The simple observation deck, the rudimentary base, carried an immeasurably heavy hope.

Duanmu Ci took a deep breath, the air filled with the fragrance of soil and new vegetation filling his lungs.

"Taoyuan Village..." he softly uttered the name, like a solemn vow, "...has set sail."