"Fifty billion."
Samui's voice was cool and decisive.
As if she had been prepared for this all along.
She raised her paddle without the slightest hesitation.
Didn't even blink.
That calm, effortless composure…
As if she wasn't calling fifty billion—but fifty ryō.
Behind her, Karui clenched her fists in excitement.
Omoi remained expressionless, lollipop still in his mouth…
But his eyes were fixed on Iwagakure's side.
"Fifty-five billion."
Mei's voice was lazy, alluring, almost careless.
She didn't even bother raising a paddle.
Just lifted two fingers and gave a small wave.
Like ordering tea at a teahouse.
Her emerald eyes swept over Samui, then Kitsuchi, before drifting elsewhere.
A faint smile lingered on her lips.
The atmosphere in the hall tightened instantly.
All eyes turned toward the front.
Tsunade sat there, arms crossed, expression blank.
She could feel the stares like needles pressing into her.
Her lips twitched slightly.
"Konoha will not participate in the auction."
Her tone was as flat as if she were commenting on the weather.
As if she'd willingly get dragged into this mess.
She had no intention of stepping into this disaster.
Internally, she had already cursed Teizawa countless times.
This whole mess was his doing.
And now he wanted her to clean it up?
Not a chance.
With Konoha stepping out, attention shifted again.
Kitsuchi sat rigid, face dark.
His grip tightened on the armrest, knuckles pale.
The wood creaked faintly.
"I suggest you think carefully…"
His voice was low, hoarse, every word squeezed through clenched teeth.
"The Four-Tails belongs to Iwagakure. If you interfere… don't blame us for what happens next."
The threat was unmistakable.
Samui didn't even lift her eyelids.
Karui, however, leaned forward with a smirk.
"Like our villages were ever on good terms."
Pure mockery.
Kitsuchi froze.
She wasn't wrong.
Everyone knew Kumogakure and Iwagakure were bitter enemies.
The Third Raikage had died at Iwagakure's hands.
That grudge had lasted decades.
When had they ever been "friendly"?
"Hehe…"
Mei covered her mouth with a light laugh.
It sounded like silver bells—
But carried a chilling edge.
"I just enjoy a bit of excitement. Don't mind me, Kitsuchi-dono. Please, continue."
Kitsuchi's expression darkened further.
He understood now.
Kumogakure was here to take it.
Kirigakure was here to stir chaos.
Neither had good intentions.
"Kitsuchi…"
Teizawa's voice cut in smoothly.
Warm. Casual.
As if speaking to an old acquaintance.
"Are you joining the bidding? It's your turn."
Kitsuchi snapped his head toward him.
That youthful face.
That infuriating smile.
He wanted to punch it.
But he knew he couldn't.
Last time, he had been sent flying with a single blow.
Nothing would change now.
"You…"
His voice trembled, face flushed.
The hall fell silent.
Everyone watched him.
Waiting.
All twenty Iwagakure jonin stood at once.
Their hatred burned toward Teizawa.
But Teizawa only smiled.
As if watching a group of unruly children.
Kitsuchi took a deep breath. Then another.
His chest rose and fell sharply.
His hands trembled.
But he knew—
He had no choice.
The Four-Tails had to be reclaimed.
No matter the cost.
"Sixty billion!"
His palm slammed the table.
The sound echoed through the hall.
Sixty billion.
Years of military funding.
Countless weapons. Supplies. Lives.
But he had no retreat.
"Sixty-one billion."
Samui's voice followed immediately.
Kitsuchi's face darkened completely.
"Sixty-two billion."
Mei spoke lazily again.
Still not even looking at him.
"Sixty-three billion."
Kitsuchi's teeth ground together.
"Sixty-four billion."
Samui raised her paddle cleanly.
"Sixty-five billion!"
Veins bulged on Kitsuchi's forehead.
"Sixty-six billion."
Mei remained relaxed.
But the smile in her eyes had faded.
Kitsuchi's hand shook.
Not from fear.
From rage. From humiliation.
His gaze flicked to the jonin behind him—
Fists clenched. Eyes bloodshot.
They wanted to tear Teizawa apart.
But they couldn't.
This was Konoha.
To act here would mean war with both Konoha and Sunagakure.
"Sixty-seven billion."
Samui again.
"Sixty-eight billion."
Mei followed.
"Don't push it!"
Kitsuchi roared.
His face flushed, sweat dripping down.
The tension hit its peak.
Everyone held their breath.
Watching the price climb—
Sixty… sixty-five… sixty-eight…
Far beyond expectations.
Kitsuchi stood up abruptly.
His chair crashed behind him.
"Seventy billion!"
The shout shook the room.
The windows rattled faintly.
Seventy billion.
Everything.
His last card.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Eyes moved between Kitsuchi, Samui, and Mei.
Samui frowned.
Her hand rested on the table.
She didn't raise her paddle.
Seventy billion…
That was the Raikage's limit.
Not a single ryō more.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
Her gaze drifted toward Teizawa.
He stood there, smiling faintly.
As if none of this concerned him.
A flicker of unease rose in her chest.
He had promised her.
But that promise depended on the auction.
Now—
If she couldn't bid higher…
The Four-Tails would go to Iwagakure.
Mei glanced between them.
Samui stopped.
Kitsuchi stood there, breathing hard.
She lowered her eyes.
A small smile curved her lips.
Seventy billion…
Too high.
Too costly.
Not worth provoking Iwagakure further.
She set her paddle down.
Leaning back lazily.
Watching.
Kitsuchi scanned the room.
Samui. Mei.
Then Teizawa.
His chest heaved.
But he smiled.
A smile of triumph.
"Kazekage…"
His voice was hoarse.
"But the result is clear, isn't it?"
…
Silence lingered.
Then—
Teizawa spoke again, calm and steady.
"For now… yes. You're winning."
He nodded, as if praising a student.
Then—
His tone shifted.
"But I doubt you're carrying seventy billion with you."
A pause.
"I'd like to verify your bid."
Kitsuchi froze.
Verify?
What did that even mean?
This was an auction.
Who verifies bids?
He opened his mouth—
Teizawa continued casually.
"You're not going to tell me you brought seventy billion in cash, are you?"
Kitsuchi's words died in his throat.
He hadn't.
Not a single coin.
They had come to take it—
Not buy it.
Teizawa smiled faintly.
No mockery.
Just quiet certainty.
Kitsuchi's face drained of color.
Red. Pale. Then green.
He couldn't answer.
Because it was true.
He had nothing.
"So what exactly is Iwagakure trying to do?"
Teizawa's voice turned cold.
His gaze swept the room.
"Tsunade. Samui. Mei. Everyone here…"
A pause.
"Do you think we're fools?"
Kitsuchi's pupils shrank.
He realized it.
This wasn't just him anymore.
Teizawa had dragged everyone into it.
"We."
The word sealed it.
Mei laughed first.
Soft. Dangerous.
"Who knew Kitsuchi-dono had such a talent for deception?"
Samui followed.
"No money? Then why bid?"
Her tone was icy.
Tsunade finally spoke.
"What is the meaning of this, Kitsuchi?"
Pressure filled her voice.
Kitsuchi gritted his teeth.
"I'll send someone back to Iwagakure. Five days. The money will arrive in five days!"
Teizawa raised a brow.
"You're certain?"
"I am!"
Kitsuchi roared.
Teizawa turned.
Looking at Samui. Mei. Tsunade.
"Your thoughts?"
Silence.
All eyes fell on Tsunade.
She cursed him internally.
Cornered again.
"Five days."
Her voice was cold.
"If the money doesn't arrive…"
Her gaze cut toward Kitsuchi.
"You'll be escorted out."
Kitsuchi nodded stiffly.
Samui leaned back slightly.
Five days.
Enough.
Her gaze drifted to Teizawa.
He winked at her.
Her face flushed instantly.
Mei smiled faintly.
This was getting interesting.
…
The hall emptied.
Iwagakure left first.
Heavy steps.
Kumogakure followed.
Kirigakure last.
When only the two remained—
Teizawa approached Tsunade.
"Thank you for your help. May I treat you to dinner?"
"No."
Flat. Immediate.
He leaned closer.
Voice low.
"If you refuse… I'll tell everyone about us."
Tsunade froze.
Her face cycled through colors.
"You…"
"Hmm?"
She stared at him.
Furious.
But she knew.
He meant it.
"…Fine."
The word forced out.
He smiled.
"Tonight. I'll come get you."
She walked past him.
At the door, she stopped.
"Say a word… and I'll kill you."
"Understood."
She left.
Teizawa stood alone.
Sunlight spilled across the floor.
He looked toward the doorway.
A faint smile remained.
Tonight.
(End of Chapter)
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