A Designer Without a Team

The grander the blueprint, the more painfully reality's harshness cut.

He set down his pen and rubbed his brow, a look of sharpness mixed with helplessness appearing on his face.

Medical front: the future "medical prodigy," Tsunade, was still a little girl who needed patient guidance and companionship as she grew.

The current supervisor was Senior Sister Utatane Koharu. She had sufficient ability and seniority, but her personality was conservative, and her actions emphasized procedure and balance. From what he remembered of the original timeline, she would lean even more toward political maneuvering in her later years.

Could he really let her lead reforms to a medical system built around such forward-looking, even somewhat "obsessive," defensive designs?

Senior Sister Koharu's reply to his proposal would probably be a triple blow of "noncompliant with current regulations," "severe budget overruns," and "the long-term necessity requires further demonstration."

It seemed this position would truly have to wait until Tsunade grew up and possessed enough prestige and pioneering spirit before it could be handed over smoothly.

For now, he could only gradually plant the ideas and push forward in small steps.

Logistics and administration: Senior Brother Mitokado Homura, who oversaw logistics, was rigorous and meticulous, but also somewhat rigid and rule-focused.

Could he build an efficient, flexible logistics rapid-mobilization and material-support system capable of handling sudden large-scale crises, such as wars or devastating attacks?

Senior Brother Homura would certainly keep the accounts and procedures watertight.

But "dynamic strategic reserves"? "Contingency plans for converting civilian production capacity during wartime"?

He would most likely think Nangō Kumoi was panicking before a war had even begun and wasting resources.

Fine. There was little hope of expecting these two "veteran ministers of preservation" to pioneer a new path. Plans for future changes in key positions had to be made early.

Cutting-edge research: this was the most troublesome weakness.

The future "scientific giant," Orochimaru, was currently only a six-year-old genius orphan who had lost his parents and desperately needed proper guidance.

Most existing research talent focused on ninja tool improvements, basic sealing techniques, poison preparation, and similar fields. There was a lack of top-tier minds capable of breaking free from traditional frameworks and thinking in truly disruptive ways.

Candidates for the president of the Research Institute and the director of the Development Department were almost entirely absent.

He smiled bitterly. Could he really serve as head of the Science Department himself?

Guiding Orochimaru and steering his astonishing talent toward "constructive research" rather than "forbidden exploration" would be the most challenging, yet most important, "strategic risk investment" of the next decade.

Teacher, I really do miss you a little.

As for the Ninja Academy's deep reforms and the even more sensitive reconstruction of the comprehensive military training system, Nangō Kumoi sighed and solemnly filed them under "medium- to long-term pending matters."

The task overriding everything else was to stabilize public sentiment, restore production, and lay a solid foundation for the economy and people's livelihoods.

Those reforms, which touched more deeply rooted interests and required greater consensus and authoritative support, had to wait until the time was right.

"You have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time."

He put down his pen and leaned back in his chair, watching the sun gradually rise outside the window and dust billow from the distant construction sites. The trace of helplessness on his face was gradually replaced by resolute fighting spirit.

"Konoha right now is like a giant who has just survived a serious illness and been left severely weakened.

My task is first to carefully replenish his nourishment—people's livelihoods—patiently regulate his blood and vital energy—the economy—gradually clear his meridians—the system—while quietly guiding his inner strength and tempering his sinews and bones—war preparedness.

Then, I will wait for fresh blood brimming with potential, such as Tsunade and Orochimaru, to grow strong. At the right moment in the future, they will give this giant a stronger, more powerful heart and brain."

The plans were as vast as the stars, while reality was as trivial as grains of dust.

Yet after sorting out his thoughts and clarifying the order of priorities, Nangō Kumoi instead felt the solid sensation of moving forward with his feet on the ground. A self-mocking thought flashed through his mind:

"Building New Konoha really is an extraordinarily complex systems project.

And I, this bare-bones 'chief engineer,' have not even assembled the core project team's 'key engineers' yet... What a long and arduous road ahead, yet it makes me eager to try."

He carefully stored this top-secret outline together with the previous economic plan and draft for ideological guidance.

Sunlight filled the office, casting warm patches of light across the stacked documents.

Just as Nangō Kumoi put away the top-secret outline and prepared to take a sip of tea and catch his breath, there was a soft knock at the office door. An Anbu flashed inside.

"Hokage-sama, Elder Danzo requests an audience outside. He says he has something to discuss with you."

"Senior Brother Danzo?" Nangō Kumoi's heart skipped a beat. Why has this old man come to my door on his own? He never visits without a reason. This can't be good!

Yet his face instantly shifted into a warm, composed smile. He said to the Anbu, "Quickly, invite Elder Danzo in."

Shimura Danzō walked steadily into the office, still dressed in his efficient dark clothing, his expression calm and undisturbed. Only his eyes seemed deeper than usual.

He gave a polite nod. "Hokage-sama."

"Senior Brother Danzo, you are too courteous. There are no outsiders here. Please, sit."

Nangō Kumoi greeted him warmly, personally poured a cup of tea, and pushed it toward him. "What brings you here today, Senior Brother? Has the reconstruction work encountered some difficulty?"

Danzo did not touch the teacup. He went straight to the point, his voice low and direct:

"It is not a matter of reconstruction. I came today to discuss an important issue concerning Konoha's long-term security with Hokage-sama."

He paused slightly and looked directly at Nangō Kumoi. "I believe Konoha's current power structure has serious flaws.

"The Anbu are certainly important, but their responsibilities are too complicated. They must protect, carry out routine classified missions, and divide their attention to assist with reconstruction security.

"This has severely diluted their strength and lowered their efficiency in the fields they truly excel at and must focus on—deep infiltration behind enemy lines, long-term undercover work, special deterrence, and absolute surveillance of potential internal threats."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone growing heavier. "Konoha needs another blade, purer, sharper, and completely hidden in the darkness.

"An independent, professional new department dedicated to carrying out the highest-level classified missions that the Anbu cannot conveniently perform, or whose performance would expose the Anbu's core functions.

"It can become the Root Konoha plants in the deepest, darkest soil, drawing nourishment for the entire village while clearing away the unseen pests.

"I am willing to take responsibility for establishing and leading this department."