Chapter 85

Hiruzen Sarutobi finalized the plan, cutting Danzo out of the detailed execution. Jiraiya observed Sarutobi and Danzo with a mix of confusion and disapproval. These two old foxes, insidious to the core, could turn even an innocent conversation into a web of schemes.

Jiraiya sighed. He had thought Danzo might have changed, but the man's cunning was deeply ingrained. Every word out of his mouth seemed like a prelude to a deadly conspiracy.

"Don't look at me," Danzo said, raising his hands defensively under Jiraiya's scrutinizing gaze. "I don't know anything."

Jiraiya shook his head, unconvinced, as he and Danzo quietly exited the Hokage's office, leaving Sarutobi to his thoughts.

At the Hyuga Clan Compound

Hinata Hiashi held two identical invitations in his hand. Both came from Shin-Konoha—one addressed to the Hyuga clan and the other forwarded by the Inuzuka family. He regarded them with a pensive expression.

"It seems Shin-Konoha still has its eyes on Konoha," Hiashi remarked.

Across from him, Inuzuka Jaw nodded solemnly. Ever since the Inuzuka family had allied itself with the Hyuga clan, their fates had been intertwined.

Hiashi smirked, his tone sharp. "Your clan's Inuzuka Kiba defeated at Naruto's hands. Do you not seek revenge?"

Jaw shook his head. "We won't jeopardize the entire family for the humiliation of one person."

Hiashi chuckled, tossing the invitations onto the table. "Wise. Then let's go. I'm curious to see what Shin-Konoha looks like now."

Jaw raised an eyebrow. "I thought you saw it last time?"

Hiashi coughed awkwardly, avoiding his gaze. "There were... complications."

He couldn't admit he'd been stopped at the gates last time, unable to even glimpse the village. It was a bitter memory.

Elsewhere in Konoha

The trio of Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi also received invitations. After much deliberation, they brought them to Jiraiya.

"Konoha's decisions have become increasingly erratic under Sarutobi," Shikaku noted. The group had begun distancing themselves from Sarutobi's leadership, finding his actions less reliable by the day.

Jiraiya, meanwhile, sat with Danzo at a barbecue restaurant. Seeing the two together startled many passersby, as their partnership was a rarity.

"The three clans want your opinion on the invitation," Danzo remarked, sensing their hesitation. "But let me guess—they want someone else to take the lead."

Shikaku, ever diplomatic, responded, "Hokage-sama, do you believe we should go?"

Jiraiya sighed. "Go if you want. Shin-Konoha isn't the enemy—not yet."

Shin-Konoha

The auction venue had been completed on an expedited schedule, and it was nothing short of impressive. The grand casino on the first floor, in particular, stood out, funded almost entirely by Tsunade's determination to merge personal interests with village development.

Preparations for the auction were thorough. Tsunade had Uzumaki Chito inscribe the Flying Thunder God technique onto each invitation, enabling guests to teleport directly to Shin-Konoha's guest houses. Each invitation allowed entry for up to five individuals.

Chito chuckled as he saw through Tsunade's plan. "You're setting the Land of Lightning up to take a public fall."

"Exactly," Tsunade replied with a smirk. "If we're going to sell the Raikage, we'll make sure it's at the highest price possible."

Meanwhile, the Raikage and Killer B received excellent treatment as prisoners. Every day, they were served lavish meals to maintain their health. Tsunade justified the expense, claiming, "If we want to sell them for a fortune, they have to look the part."

Chito even removed the ominous dark cloud above the Raikage's head, noting that it had served its purpose and would be recorded in the Shin-Konoha Ninjutsu Encyclopedia as a new technique.

The Day of the Auction

Guests began arriving via the Flying Thunder God technique. Among them were minor village leaders, small-country daimyo, and family heads, invited more to fill seats than for their influence.

As evening approached, the real players made their entrances.

The first notable arrival was the new daimyo of the Land of Lightning , the son of the late daimyo. His gaze burned with resentment as he addressed the crowd.

"I will avenge my father—"

"Do you have a son?" Naruto interrupted with a smirk.

The daimyo blinked, startled. "No."

Naruto pressed on, "Any close cousins or uncles who could take over if something happened to you?"

"Yes... Why are you asking?"

Naruto's grin widened, laced with a faint threat. "Good. Then killing you won't be a problem. Someone else can just take your place."

The daimyo paled, his confidence evaporating. He remembered how his father had died—and how he had inherited his position only because of Shin-Konoha. For now, he chose silence.

After the daimyo departed, the delegation from Kumogakure arrived, led by Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki. She was accompanied by Darui and two other Jonin, clearly showcasing their remaining strength.

Representatives from the other Great Nations soon followed, including Konoha. Jiraiya brought only Danzo, along with a few minor family heads. Their small numbers reflected Konoha's waning influence.

When Jiraiya and Danzo entered the venue, they were met with cold stares. Tsunade greeted them with a single icy sentence: "Take a seat."

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