"Has it already started?" Uzumaki Jun looked at the intelligence in his hand and murmured, "I wonder if Kakuzu can handle it."
After all, there were so many Kage.
If there were only one or two Kage, that old Kakuzu could still rely on his Earth Grudge Fear and shout that he was evenly matched with the God of Shinobi.
But if he encountered five...
Sigh, better not think about it. If he kept thinking, he would have to start thinking about who the next finance minister would be. That Kakuzu was out there for the Land of Whirlpools through wind and rain, full of fear and anxiety. Thinking like this would really be too unfair to him.
So...
When Kakuzu left, he had already reminded him not to be blinded by money. No matter how much money, in the end, he had to sell the swords. Otherwise...
Many people would definitely ambush him on the road.
"I hope he remembers." Uzumaki Jun sighed and murmured.
If he forgot...
The Land of Whirlpools would really need a new finance minister.
As for now...
"Since the Kazekage has already left." A slight smile appeared on Uzumaki Jun's lips. "It's time to finish the rest of the play."
He...
As the most talented screenwriter in the shinobi world, the most excellent director, and the most dedicated actor...
Would not let the script be abandoned.
...
Land of Whirlpools.
The entire shinobi world was beginning to enter the cold winter.
Although the lakes and rivers in the Land of Whirlpools had not frozen yet, people had already started preparing winter supplies.
After all, sea fishing had now stopped, and some fish and meat needed to be prepared.
"There will be winter fishing in a few days." A commoner looked at his colleague who was carrying large and small packages home and said surprised, "Why are you buying so much?"
Moreover, the Land of Whirlpools was not short of meat now. Even without fish, they could still get other meat.
"You should know that the winter fishing is very lively."
"Every year, foreign merchants come to the Land of Whirlpools at that time to buy the first fish. I heard the first fish can bring them good luck."
"First fish?" The colleague looked at the commoner with doubt and asked, "What is the first fish?"
"Sorry, I just arrived this year, so I'm not very familiar with these things."
Every year at the end of the year, if their finances allowed, they would buy more things to prepare for winter and to welcome the new year, because prices were very high during that time.
But with wars year after year and heavy grain taxes, it was already considered a blessing just to avoid starving to death, let alone anything extra. If they could have even a single fish then, the whole family would be overjoyed.
As for coming to the Land of Whirlpools, it was only because people who had returned from there spoke of how wonderful life was, saying they always had full meals, meat on the table, and new clothes to wear. So they decided to follow along.
In their original village, they would either starve or freeze to death. Since that was the case, why not take the whole family to the Land of Whirlpools and give it a try?
The result… it truly was a good place.
"Oh, I see." The commoner scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed, and said, "I came here two years earlier than you."
"Back then, we were just like you. At first, we also bought all kinds of things to take home, especially food. We mainly bought rice, not meat, afraid that we might go hungry again."
"Later, we realized that as long as we worked seriously and didn't slack off, we could earn money, have full meals with meat, and slowly our lives changed."
After all, they had grown up in poverty. If there was no food at home, they couldn't feel at ease.
"As for the first fish, forget it. We can't afford that kind of thing."
It was just an ordinary fish, but for some reason the merchants priced it at hundreds of thousands, even millions.
"And you bought so many things." The commoner looked at what his colleague had purchased and said with emotion, "I guess you won't need to buy anything else for the New Year then."
"You should know there are discounts on the commercial street at the end of the year."
That was when everyone would prepare for the New Year.
"End of the year?" The colleague asked in puzzlement, "There's such a thing?"
"Yes." The commoner nodded and said with emotion, "During those few days, we all go shopping to prepare for the New Year. It's a festival of the Land of Whirlpools. At that time, we put up new couplets and wear new clothes."
"It will be very lively then."
"And after the New Year, there is the festival of the Land of Whirlpools, which is also very lively."
"It's really happy to live here." The colleague heard the commoner's words, his eyes full of longing, and said, "I wish I could live here forever."
Then his wife and son would never have to go hungry again. Moreover, the nationals of the Land of Whirlpools also have compulsory education. Even if they couldn't become shinobi in the future, working a job here would be better than digging in the dirt like they did back then.
"Yes." The commoner nodded and said, "Let's work hard."
Even those who have lived here for seven or eight years haven't obtained the nationality of the Land of Whirlpools yet, let alone us newcomers.
Who knows how long we have to work to earn enough points.
So...
They must work even harder...
This is also for the family, for the children.
...
Sunagakure.
"Everyone, be careful. We must not let anyone in." A Suna-nin commander looked at the shinobi surrounding the sword and said very seriously, "If an accident happens, we will all die."
Because the Kazekage-sama was away on business, this sword was temporarily under their protection, and it was 24-hour protection. After all, this was a legendary sword.
Although I don't know why the Kazekage-sama didn't ask Chiyo-sama and Ebizō-sama to come out of retirement. After all, with those two, the sword would definitely be safer.
But...
No matter what, this sword concerns the rise and fall of Sunagakure.
They will definitely carry out the protection mission seriously.
But thinking about how the Iwagakure and Kumogakure suffered heavy losses because of the tool and that Mangekyō user, they felt panicked.
After all, Sunagakure is now different from Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
Their Kage...
Is not in the village.
"Understood." All the shinobi focused their eyes, nodded, and said, "We will definitely not let anyone steal the sword."
If it is stolen...
I'm afraid not only will they be in trouble, but their families will also be finished.
However...
"Is that so?"
As soon as the words fell, a cold voice came out.
"Who is there?" The Suna-nin were shocked inside. They quickly used hand seals for ninjutsu and shouted loudly, "Who is it?"
...
Land of Iron.
The Five Great Shinobi Villages watched a middle-aged man with green eyes, covering his chin, walk in devoutly and carefully holding an exquisite tray.
They were already familiar with this person.
The Finance Minister of the Land of Whirlpools.
Because of the Akatsuki organization's commission, this sword was now entirely handled by the Land of Whirlpools.
They didn't know why the leader of the Akatsuki had such a big heart. You should know that was a legendary tool.
As long as you awaken the sword spirit and gain its recognition, you can obtain power far surpassing that of the God of Shinobi.
But...
Thinking about that person's strength,估计 such a strong person probably doesn't care about external power, and估计 they have probably tried it too, but couldn't awaken it, so they took it out to sell.
After all, a sword that cannot be awakened is just a special sword with relatively good quality.
This auction is hosted by a third-party neutral, the newly promoted general of the Land of Iron, Mifune.
"I presume everyone has heard of this sword." Mifune carefully took the tray, looked at the Five Great Shinobi Villages sitting in front, and said very seriously, "I won't say much more about it here."
Better to finish the auction quickly.
Otherwise, leaving such a valuable and dangerous thing in the Land of Iron, he really feels uneasy.
"Please make your bids."
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