Inside the Tsuchikage's office, the morning light streamed through the granite window lattice.
An open scroll lay on the desk, and the number in the center of the scroll was circled three times in vermilion: 60 billion ryo.
After reading the intelligence, Ōnoki's brows furrowed. Konoha seemed to be stirring up a lot of trouble recently.
"60 billion ryo!"
"Those Konoha bastards! A single match earned them the equivalent of eight years of our total financial income."
Kitsuchi carefully navigated through the mess on the floor and handed over another document. "Father, Kumogakure has sent a request for peace talks."
Ōnoki's bloodshot eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp glint.
He floated over to the Iwagakure map on the table and said, "Talk! Talk immediately! Send orders down, dispatch two teams of ceremonial ninjas, they must wear formal attire. Respectfully escort the Third Raikage's body to the Kumogakure outpost."
"Remember, tell everyone you meet that our Iwagakure respects heroes. The Third Raikage, in order to cover the retreat of his subordinates, fought against over 10,000 Iwa ninjas for three days and three nights, ultimately dying of exhaustion."
...
Just like that, the Third Raikage's body was soon delivered into Fourth Raikage's hands.
That night, Iwagakure and Kumogakure signed a ceasefire agreement.
As soon as the signing ceremony concluded, Ōnoki summoned all the Jonin in the village.
He floated in the center of the conference room, excitedly saying, "Immediately prepare for the Third Tsuchikage vs. Four-Tails Jinchuriki exhibition match. Set the ticket price at 80% of Konoha's. The venue will be the Grand Canyon of Rocks, the viewing platform must have a three-tier structure, and the VIP section will have red carpets."
Kitsuchi hesitated and said, "Father, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki Roshi, he..."
Ōnoki didn't look up, only sneered, "That stubborn old man? Tell him the appearance fee is 100 million ryo."
...
At the same time, in Kumogakure's Raikage office.
Bang!
"Killer Bee! Prepare for special training. The village needs your strength."
The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, who was freestyling, stopped his rhythm, his sunglasses reflecting the morning light. "Yo! Where's big brother going?"
A ripped off his cloak, revealing his muscular upper body. "We'll also hold a match. Fourth Raikage vs. Eight-Tails Jinchuriki: The Ultimate Showdown! Let the entire Ninja World see what true power is."
Mabui quickly pulled up the financial statements. "Raikage-sama, how about Cloud-Lightning Gorge for the venue? The audience seats could be..."
A interrupted her, "No! Choose the most treacherous Lightning-Severing Cliff. The more thrilling, the better. Tell the engineering team to build a suspended viewing platform, using Lightning Release Chakra as a protective shield. The VIP seats will hang along the edge of the cliff, using the most transparent cloud crystal stone."
An advisor, whose fingers flew across the abacus, said, "In that case, the initial construction funds might exceed 5 billion ryo, Raikage-sama, please reconsider."
A waved his hand. "It's fine, just do as I say."
Mabui pondered for a moment and said, "I heard Iwagakure's tickets are 80% of Konoha's standard..."
A's Lightning Release Chakra erupted as he said, "No discount! Our performance is more exciting than Konoha's. Increase the ticket price by 20%. Prepare special Lightning Release scrolls as souvenirs, the kind that can emit small lightning bolts."
...
Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Kazekage's office.
The place was piled high with unprocessed documents, mostly letters of protest, the topmost one sealed with the Land of Wind Daimyo's family crest.
Rasa held the intelligence scroll with trembling hands, letting out a long sigh. "60 billion ryo... In the Third Great Ninja War, we lost over 8,000 people and only managed to seize 50 billion."
Outside, a sandstorm raged, and Chiyo's shadow stretched long.
"I suggest holding a Fourth Kazekage vs. One Tail Jinchuriki exhibition match."
Rasa suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "The One Tail Jinchuriki Karura is my wife. Do you want us to fight?"
Chiyo slowly rolled up her sleeves and said, "Perhaps, that would be even more captivating. The village can get some money."
...
Kirigakure, Mizukage's office.
Yagura stood by the window, looking at the intelligence scroll in his hand. The numbers on the scroll stung his eyes.
He whispered, "60 billion ryo is enough to rebuild six Kirigakures but the village can't withstand any more turmoil right now."
...
Land of Fire Daimyo Mansion, Purple Hall.
Within the hall supported by twelve dragon-carved golden pillars, the Land of Fire Daimyo leaned against his imperial seat, his pale fingers gently tapping the gilded armrest.
Before him knelt three old men, their foreheads pressed to the ground, even their breathing cautious.
The Daimyo softly repeated the number, "60 billion ryo... I didn't expect Konoha to earn so much money from a single match, I was negligent."
The great minister slightly raised his head, fine beads of sweat seeping from his wrinkled face. "It's not Your Highness's fault, it's that we didn't conduct corresponding analysis and contingency plans."
The Daimyo suddenly sat upright, a cold glint appearing in his eyes. "60 billion ryo, do you understand what this means? It means that Konoha will no longer have to rely on our financial allocations for the next few years."
The three ministers shivered simultaneously. They knew better than anyone that the Daimyo's most important means of restricting ninja villages was economic control.
Once a ninja village became financially independent, would those ninja with world-destroying power still be willing to accept the Daimyo's rule?
Suddenly, three figures appeared like ghosts in the hall, kneeling on the gilded carpet.
"Speak." The Daimyo said, his eyelids not lifting, but his voice authoritative.
The mysterious guard whispered, "Urgent report, Iwagakure signed a ceasefire agreement with Kumogakure three days ago and is now fully preparing for the 'Third Tsuchikage vs. Four-Tails Jinchuriki' exhibition match."
The Daimyo's expression paused, and he softly said, "Oh? What about the venue and ticket prices?"
"Iwagakure has chosen the Grand Canyon of Rocks as the venue, and the ticket price standard is 80% of Konoha's."
"Kumogakure's Fourth Raikage A has already announced that he will hold the 'Fourth Raikage vs. Eight-Tails Jinchuriki: The Ultimate Showdown' at Lightning-Severing Cliff, and construction of a suspended viewing platform has begun."
"Sunagakure is holding a 'Fourth Kazekage vs. One Tail Jinchuriki' exhibition match."
"Kirigakure... there's no movement from them yet."
Crack!
The teacup in the Daimyo's hand suddenly developed a fine crack. The tea water beneath the chrysanthemum-patterned gold foil silently seeped out, winding its way across the table.
The Daimyo's fingers kept tapping the tabletop, and he chuckled softly. "Good, very good. A bunch of ninjas are starting to play economics too?"
An old minister tried to comfort him, "Your Highness, perhaps this is just a coincidence."
The Daimyo let out a deep sigh. "A coincidence? Iwagakure is already preparing a match, and Kumogakure and Sunagakure are following suit. These ninja villages are becoming restless again. Immediately prepare ink, I need to write letters to those four foolish Daimyo."
...
Soon, the Daimyo of the Land of Earth, Land of Lightning, Land of Wind, and Land of Water all received a mysterious letter.