In the Land of Fire Daimyo Mansion, the twelve dragon-carved golden pillars of the Purple Palace cast majestic shadows in the morning light.
The Daimyo leaned back on his emerald throne, his palw fingers gently caressing the newly arrived intel scroll. It detailed the crushing defeats of the Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure in the recent competitions.
The Daimyo chuckled softly, "As expected, ninja are, after all, just ninja."
The three elderly advisors sitting beside him dared not look up.
The Great Minister Tokugawa, pressed his forehead to the ground and said, "Your Highness is insightful. How could those crude people understand the way of business?"
The Daimyo suddenly sat up straight, a sharp glint in his eyes, "No, Tokugawa-san. They are very clever, it's just that they lack a bit of vision. Konoha is a slight exception."
An official stopped writing and said, "Your Highness, according to your request, I have finished compiling the 'Strongest Ninja Tournament Regulations'."
With that, he respectfully handed a piece of paper to the Daimyo.
The Land of Fire Daimyo read it once, then, holding a vermillion brush, he made a revision to the "Eligibility for Participation" clause.
He modified it, "Special note: No nationality restrictions, life or death is irrelevant."
The three old ministers read it, and all simultaneously gasped.
The Minister of Military Affairs looked up and said, "Your Highness, this might provoke Konoha."
The Daimyo suddenly burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the hall, "Provoke? No, I will give them an irresistible temptation. Five arena master slots, three hundred million ryo appearance fee per person, with ranking rewards calculated separately."
The old Finance Minister nearly bit his tongue. "Three… three hundred million ryo?"
The Daimyo caressed the family crest on the scroll and said, "The first arena master goes to Fourth Hokage Fugaku, the second to Shun, the third to Hiruzen. That old fellow sided with us, so as an example, he needs a reward too."
Tokugawa suddenly understood. "Your Highness is brilliant. This will not only show the Daimyo's magnanimity, but also…"
The Daimyo's lips curved into a cold arc. "Add two more slots, the fourth to Chiriku, the abbot of the Fire Temple, and the fifth to Konoha Advisor Tsunade."
He looked towards the outline of the giant statue being built outside the city. "The date will be March 3rd, the day my 'Heavenly Colossus' is completed."
...
In Konoha, Hokage Building conference room, three gold-foil invitations lay quietly on the table.
Shun shook an invitation and said, "The Daimyo is really willing to spend money. Just showing up gets you three hundred million ryo, with ranking rewards separate. This old fox is generous."
Shikaku tapped his temple lightly and said, "Five arena master slots, three given to Konoha. To put it plainly, he wants to silence us."
Minato gently interjected, "Advisor Shikaku is right. The Daimyo probably wants to use the tournament to recruit some experts to counterbalance our village."
Fugaku sat upright in the main seat, the teacup in front of him had grown cold, but he hadn't taken a sip.
Shun suddenly turned to him and asked, "Fugaku-sama, are you going?"
The conference room instantly fell silent.
If the Fourth Hokage participated, it would mean Konoha had publicly accepted the Daimyo's tournament. If he refused, it could trigger a political crisis.
Fugaku's voice was calm and unruffled. "Since the Daimyo has invited me, I will naturally go."
Shun frowned slightly. During the Third Great Ninja War, Fugaku had used his Mangekyo many times with high intensity, causing his eyesight to severely deteriorate. He saw double when looking at figures five meters away.
He pretended to advise, "But you are the Fourth Hokage, and there are so many documents in the village waiting for your approval."
Fugaku gently raised his hand to interrupt, "With Shikaku and Hiashi here, nothing will go wrong."
Since he couldn't dissuade him, Shun looked at Tsunade and asked, "Tsunade, are you going?"
Tsunade's eyes sparkled with money symbols as she said, "Three hundred million ryo plus a share of ticket sales. Why wouldn't I go for such an easy money-making opportunity?"
A few light laughs echoed in the conference room, easing the tense atmosphere slightly.
But Shikaku suddenly frowned. "Why did the Daimyo set the date for March 3rd?"
Inoichi pondered for a moment and said, "The Daimyo is building a 300-meter giant statue outside the city, expected to be completed next month. Perhaps he wants to watch ninjas fight beneath his feet during his most glorious moment."
Choza shoved a handful of potato chips into his mouth. "The bad taste of the rich."
...
In Kumogakure, Raikage's office, an anxious atmosphere permeated the air.
A stared at the latest financial report, veins throbbing on his forehead.
Mabui reported, "The Fourth Raikage vs. Eight-Tails Jinchuriki event incurred a total loss of 3.7 billion ryo, including 5 billion for sky-viewing platform construction, and ticket revenue…"
"Enough!"
A's fist slammed towards the desk, but stopped abruptly one centimeter away. Now, even destroying a table required considering the cost.
Bee pushed open the door, his sunglasses reflecting the lightning outside the window. "Yo, big bro, don't fret. Heard the Land of Fire is throwing money around. Let's go grab some."
A's Lightning Release Chakra suddenly calmed down. "Bee, you also saw that 'Strongest Ninja Tournament' from the Land of Fire?"
Bee freestyled a rap, "Three hundred million ryo starting~ Can't not take it yuh~ Kumogakure needs money yo~"
Mabui interjected worriedly, "Raikage-sama, this might be a trap."
A's muscles bulged as he said, "A trap? Then we'll see whose fangs are sharper. Send word, I will participate personally. Also…"
...
In Iwagakure, Tsuchikage's office, Ōnoki floated in mid-air, two documents spread before him.
On the left was the event loss report, on the right was intel on the Land of Fire's 'Strongest Ninja Tournament.'
Kitsuchi whispered in persuasion, "Father, this is clearly the Daimyo's trap."
Ōnoki looked down at the empty rock canyon, sneering, "A trap? Of course, I know that. But we lost 2.8 billion ryo, and this is a chance to get it back."
As he turned, a cunning glint flashed in his eyes. "Send Roshi with me. We must occupy at least two arenas so we can rake in more money."
Kitsuchi said worriedly, "Father, why don't I take some elite Anbu members to the Land of Fire to participate in the tournament?"
Ōnoki's beard bristled with anger. "You stay in the village. You are not allowed to leave."
...
Rasa read through the intel on the 'Strongest Ninja Tournament' and asked, "What do you all think about this?"
Chiyo's voice was unusually firm. "I object. We plundered five cities in the Land of Fire during the Third Great Ninja War. Going to participate now is like walking into a trap."
Ebizo slammed his hand on the table and said, "The village is not short of money now, but if we lose you, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Rasa frowned slightly. "Then forget it."