What Do You Mean, Eighth Hokage?

When Sarutobi Konohamaru took office as the Eighth Hokage, he told everyone a story from the past.

“When I first arrived at the Hokage Building, Konoha hadn’t developed much. We lacked the drive to change and the know-how to make money. More importantly, we had to rely on the daimyo to put food on our table.

“We had fewer than ten major roads, not a single high-speed rail line, and the internet was just a local dial-up network. Transferring a file took until dawn. There weren’t even enough telephones for one per twenty shinobi.

“I went to ask the Sixth Hokage for funding. Guess what he said?

“He said, ‘There’s no money, but I’ll give you my life! Konohamaru, figure out what my head is worth, chop it off, and use the money to build infrastructure! If you’re capable of holding this office, you’re capable of making money. Otherwise, go home and have kids with Hanabi!’

“That was exactly what I’d been waiting to hear!

“In less than a year, Konoha had everything: underground utility tunnels, a high-speed rail station, instant messaging, and entire industrial chains. When we’ve got good equipment in our hands, we can stand tall. Without that foundation, would I dare take on the Otsutsuki?”