Rōran Royal Palace, Council Hall.
Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows into the spacious council hall, its golden radiance illuminating the intricately carved stone pillars and lending the room a solemn grandeur.
A detailed topographic map of Rōran lay spread across the table, marked in red ink with wind directions along the desert's edge, variations in elevation, and the areas most vulnerable to erosion by windblown sand.
Shinichi and Sara sat at the head of the table, studying how to create a sustainable oasis in this desert.
Shinichi traced a finger along the desert's edge on the map, his gaze sharp and his tone assured.
"First, we need to establish a windbreak around Rōran to keep windblown sand from constantly eroding the oasis."
"This area has the strongest sandstorms. We can plant giant trees with the greatest resistance to desert conditions to form a natural windbreak."
Sara nodded slightly and tapped a spot on the map, thoughtfulness flickering in her purple eyes.
"But the soil here is poor. If we plant giant trees directly, they probably won't survive..."
Shinichi smiled faintly. "Don't worry about that. My Wood Release doesn't simply grow ordinary vegetation. It carries senjutsu chakra and can transform the soil directly."
He paused before continuing.
"The key is a stable water supply."
As he spoke, he turned toward Tsunade, who sat beside them.
"Tsunade, this is where you come in."
But Tsunade was leaning back lazily in her seat with her arms folded, looking as though her mind was wandering somewhere far away.
Only after Shinichi finished speaking did she instinctively lift her eyelids and reply offhandedly.
"Mm."
The corner of Shinichi's mouth twitched, but he continued.
"We can follow the underground rock layers and use Water-Style Sage Art to carve out natural groundwater channels..."
Tsunade nodded