Naruto: With maxed-out affection, I am invincible in the ninja world.

Plant them all over the central and southern regions of the Land of Fire, where there are many rivers. With the help of the transportation system built by Haneda next year, it will be enough to feed most of the Land of Fire!

Of course, Orochimaru's scientific research capabilities go beyond this.

He also cultivated a cold-resistant, pest-resistant, and high-yielding wheat variety that can be planted in northern regions with relatively little rainfall.

Even in the far north, where crops can only be grown in spring and summer, two harvests a year can be achieved!

From one harvest a year to two harvests a year, the yield has doubled. With the addition of high-yield wheat, the grain output is estimated to triple!

Furthermore, Orochimaru cultivated a fungus strain suitable for rainy and humid regions, called the cowleg mushroom.

It tastes like beef, and after cooking it is very fresh and chewy, and it has far more protein than beef!

These delicious and nutritious mushrooms, along with grains transported from other regions, are enough to meet the needs of the Rain Country region.

Haneda didn't know exactly how the cowleg mushroom was cultivated.

He attributed it to Orochimaru's incredible black technology.

It seems there's nothing Orochimaru can't do in any scientific field!

It's just a matter of spending more or less time.

Haneda held two bags of seeds and one bag of spores. Looking at what he held in his hands, he knew exactly what it meant.

If these are distributed to the Land of Fire, the resulting food production will be sufficient to solve the hunger problem.

Of course, producing more food does not necessarily mean that hunger can be solved.

Many profit-driven merchants would dump grain or sell it to other countries for profit.

Haneda also needs to solve the distribution problem, as well as the problem of transporting grain to some remote mountainous areas and the problem of self-produced grain.

At this moment, Orochimaru received a message from Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki organization.

Orochimaru found Haneda and said:

"It's been too long since I've been back to the Akatsuki. The leader is already suspecting that I might have defected. I need to go back."

"I may need to complete some tasks assigned by the organization, and it will be a while before I can come back."

…………

Chapter 286 Shikaku's Shock, Orochimaru Returns to Akatsuki

"No problem. Remember to pinpoint Scorpion's exact location if you get the chance."

Haneda didn't try to keep Orochimaru; the three crops were enough to keep him busy for a while.

As for Sasori, Haneda felt that with his caution and intelligence, he wouldn't be so easily trusting of Orochimaru.

"Alright." Orochimaru left with some of the experimental subjects.

Watching his departing figure, Haneda pondered how to complete the first five-year plan in the fastest and most efficient way.

With the grain already secured, Haneda is capable of cultivating a large number of seeds in a short period of time.

Unlike the previous generation, which declined with each generation, Orochimaru cultivated only purebred seeds.

Either all genes are dominant, or all genes are recessive. Unless there is a gene mutation, all seeds are almost identical to the first generation.

The real issue that needs to be addressed is the distribution: how much should be used for poverty alleviation and relief, and how much should be exported abroad to generate profits.

When it comes to relief, there's also the issue of targeted relief, and there are always some officials who can use this to seek personal gain.

If we're exporting, we have to consider market share to avoid the situation where people in China go hungry while people abroad eat and drink well.

After pondering for a long time, Haneda finally decided to pass this thorny matter on to Shikaku and let him discuss a solution with the cabinet.

Upon arriving at the office, Lu Jiu was, unsurprisingly, diligently working.

Haneda's steps and movements became much lighter, and he only spoke after watching Shikaku finish his official duties:

"Lu Jiu, do you remember the high-yield grain promotion plan I told you about last time?"

"Orochimaru has been trained."

Without looking up, Shikaku said:

"I will arrange the implementation details. When the time comes, you just need to prepare enough seeds, Hokage."

Haneda nodded; he had the same idea.

Seeing that Shikaku didn't seem to realize the seriousness of the situation, Haneda explained:

"Orochimaru's hybrid rice yields up to 800 kilograms per acre, and wheat yields can also be increased..."

Upon hearing the figure of 800 kilograms per mu, Lu Jiu looked up, asking with a mixture of surprise and doubt:

"Wait, Hokage-sama, what did you just say about the yield of hybrid rice? 800 kilograms per mu?"

Seeing Haneda nod, Shikaku asked again in disbelief:

"Lord Hokage, are you sure about the yield of 800 kilograms per mu? You haven't been tricked by Orochimaru, have you?!"

"This production rate has doubled! If implemented nationwide, it could completely solve the country's food problem!!"

Haneda had also heard of a super hybrid rice that was even more potent than the hybrid rice Orochimaru was currently cultivating.

He seemed rather nonchalant and replied:

"That's right, it's 800 kilograms per mu. I watched Orochimaru cultivate it step by step, and I've already tested it."

Having confirmed that Haneda was not lying, Shikaku took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.

I originally thought the Hokage was just finding an excuse to dump all the political affairs on me, like he always does...

I didn't expect Haneda to be serious!

He actually collaborated with Orochimaru and cultivated a high-yield crop! An incredibly high-yield crop!!

However, there's always a price to pay, isn't there?

Having witnessed too many extremes leading to their opposites, Shikaku instinctively became suspicious.

He suspected that Orochimaru was only responsible for cultivating high yields, while neglecting the environment for the seeds to grow and mature!

They're using the guise of high productivity to deceive the Hokage, who still has a lot of room for improvement in his knowledge!

Orochimaru is an S-rank rogue ninja of Konoha; he has no reason to help Konoha!

Shikaku had never heard of any special relationship between Haneda and Orochimaru!

It's just that it's not appropriate to say it outright in front of Haneda.

He implied:

"Lord Hokage, some places have harsh environments, with many pests and frequent rain. In the north, there are also frequent sudden drops in temperature..."

Haneda interrupted, "I considered these factors a long time ago."

"I specifically instructed Orochimaru."

"Hybrid rice is not only high-yielding, but also resistant to diseases and pests."

"Wheat is also highly productive, with the added advantages of cold and drought resistance, and can be harvested twice a year even in the frigid northern regions."

"In addition, Orochimaru also cultivated the 'cow's leg mushroom, which can grow in dark and damp areas and has seven times the protein content of beef."

Shikaku was completely speechless.

Haneda had no reason to deceive himself about these important matters; they must be true.

But countless questions remained in Shikaku's heart.

Orochimaru is one of the legendary Sannin, a powerful ninja, isn't he?

Is he neglecting his duties?

How come he even knows about cultivating food, something that has absolutely nothing to do with ninjutsu?

And how did the Hokage know that Orochimaru was also good at this kind of thing?

These two things are completely unrelated!

…………

Meanwhile, Orochimaru returned to the Land of Rain two and a half days later.

At this moment, in Amegakure, Pain sat on the tongue of the central statue.

He stretched out his right hand to sense the chakra aura of the falling raindrops.

Konan walked up behind Pain.

"Is Orochimaru back?"

Pain stood up, raindrops falling on his red cloud cloak, leaving only his silhouette against the heavy rain.

"Summon Orochimaru and Sasori to see me."

A few minutes later, Orochimaru and Sasori met at the Akatsuki's base.

Sasori secretly observed Orochimaru, guessing that Orochimaru hadn't contacted him for a month and must be with Haneda.

The fact that he was connected with someone like Haneda made him feel dangerous, so he instinctively chose to stay away from Orochimaru.