Chapter 38: The Struggle of Three VillagesAs the voice fell, the council chamber fell silent in an instant.Utatane Koharu's gaze sharpened, and she was about to retort almost immediately.But just as she was about to speak, Homura Mitokado beside her suddenly raised his hand and interrupted her in a deep voice:"One hundred million ryo is fine! This footwork is worth it."Homura Mitokado was usually calm and restrained, but at this moment, his gaze was exceptionally sharp:"Koharu, you and I have managed Konoha's affairs for many years and have seen countless secret techniques, Bloodline Limits, and Forbidden Jutsu!""But which one of them can allow ordinary people to master the ability to walk on air within half a day?""Which one can raise the level of all the Ninjas in the village as a whole?""Ten million ryo is just a price to brush off ordinary villages, but Moonwalk is no ordinary technique!"...Three days later, in the Windmill Village council hall...Sunlight slanted through the wooden lattice windows, cutting the atmosphere in the hall as tight as a bowstring.The Konoha delegation arrived on time, and Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in a side seat of the main position.Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado stood on either side, their expressions solemn, clearly prepared to finalize the deal.The head of Windmill Village sat in the main seat, tapping his fingers on the table, waiting for Konoha's final offer.Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm but carrying an unquestionable weight, as he spoke in a deep voice:"As agreed the day before yesterday, Konoha will exchange one hundred million ryo in cash, plus three carts of strategic food supplies, one hundred high-level Sealing Charms, and a commercial charter for the Land of Fire, for the complete cultivation method of Moonwalk. Today, the funds and goods are ready for immediate delivery."The sky-high price of one hundred million ryo, coupled with Konoha's solid strategic materials, caused even Cang Chao and Su Youwei to be slightly moved despite their expectations.Utatane Koharu pushed the contract document forward at the right time, waiting only for the other party to sign, and this niche Taijutsu transaction that would shake the Ninja World would be settled.But at the very moment the Windmill Village head reached out to touch the contract, the heavy wooden doors of the council hall were kicked open with a bang!Violent Lightning Release Chakra swept in like a raging tide, and the crackling electric arcs in the air made everyone's hair stand on end.Several Ninjas clad in Kumogakure Dark Armorstrode in, the leader having broad shoulders and a wide back, with Lightning Release Chakra coiled around his right arm.It was none other than the Fourth Raikage's confidant and a core member of the Kumogakurepro-war faction—Mabui."Heavenly Transfer Technique?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows furrowed.Mabui's gaze swept over the Konoha group, her eyes showing an undisguised determination to win as she walked straight to the center of the hall and loudly interrupted the nearly completed transaction:"Wait! How can a supreme technique like Moonwalk, which is so well-suited for high-speed Taijutsu, be taken away by Konoha with just some silver and documents?"Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned slightly cold as he slowly stood up, leaning on his Adamantine Staff:"Is the Hidden Cloud Village's action intended to break the rules of Ninja World negotiations?""Rules?"Mabui sneered, turned to the head of Windmill Village, and directly offered a price."The Hidden Cloud Village doesn't play games—two hundred million ryo! Plus three years of mining rights for all mines in Kumogakure territory and twenty Lightning-Tempered Ninja Blades!""As long as you hand over Moonwalk to Kumogakure, these things can be delivered to the gates of Windmill Village today!"Once this price was announced, the entire hall fell into a dead silence.Double the amount of silver at two hundred million ryo, plus Kumogakure's most precious Lightning Release secret techniques and mineral resources, the value had already far exceeded Konoha's bargaining chips."Presumptuous! How dare you people from Kumogakure use the Heavenly Transfer Techniqueto raid Konoha's territory? Are you intentionally trying to provoke a war between our two nations?"Homura Mitokado's face suddenly darkened as he shouted sternly.Beside him, Utatane Koharu was even more tense, shouting in a low, urgent voice:"Kumogakure! This place is within Konoha's borders, and Windmill Village is a direct subordinate of Konoha. You have no right to trespass, let alone interfere in the affairs here!""Considering the haste of the situation, leave quickly, or don't blame Konoha for being impolite!"Hiruzen Sarutobi's fingertips tightened slightly. He knew very well that Kumogakure already dominated with Taijutsu and Lightning Release; Moonwalk's aerial mobility would be like giving wings to a tiger for them.If they backed down, Konoha would be at a great disadvantage in future border games."Since you're here, why not show yourself?" Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly.A figure as sturdy as an iron tower stepped in from outside. Fourth Raikage A strode into the room, his smile undiminished, and spoke directly:"I've long heard that Windmill Village produced ten geniuses with all five types of Chakra. I didn't expect such a top-tier footwork secret technique to be hidden here as well.""Brother Hiruzen, you also know that we in Kumogakure have always tempered our bodies with Lightning Release. If we get this footwork, our village's overall combat power will increase by at least fifty percent!"Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled upon hearing this, his tone calm but sharp:"That's true...""But do you want me to just hand over this footwork? Are you planning to make your Hidden Cloud Village more confident when dealing with Konoha in the future?"The Third Hokage did not hesitate at all, his voice steady yet powerful:"Konoha adds to the offer—one hundred and fifty million ryo, plus the complete basic scrolls of Konoha's Medical Ninjutsu, a ten-year border protection commitment, and exclusive supply rights for medicinal herbs throughout the Land of Fire!"Medical Ninjutsu, medicinal herbs, and security commitments were all the most coveted foundations for survival for a small to medium-sized village like Windmill Village.Mabui's pupils constricted at the words, clearly not expecting Konoha to bring out their trump cards directly.The Kumogakure side quickly consulted in low voices. After a few breaths, Mabui looked up again, her tone fierce:"Three hundred million ryo! Kumogakure adds fifty Lightning Release Chakra Orbs, the mining rights increased to five years, and an opportunity for a Lightning Refinement trial!""Lightning Refinement?" Naruto was stunned.The price had already broken the limits of conventional Ninja World transactions, and the air in the council hall was almost ignited.Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a moment. Just as he was about to make a final stand, a faint but heavy sound of metal friction suddenly came from outside the council hall.It wasn't the sound of wind or thunder; it was the hum of flowing Gold Dust.Golden sand grains poured in like a tide through the door cracks and window frames, slowly covering the floor of the hall.The dazzling golden light instantly overwhelmed everyone's gaze, and a cold, heavy Chakra with absolute pressure quietly enveloped the entire scene.Everyone suddenly turned to look.A figure dressed in Kazekage robes, surrounded by flowing Gold Dust, stepped slowly into the council hall.His face was cold and his aura majestic. With a light tap of his finger, the Gold Dust filling the air condensed behind him into a small mountain-like golden pile, shining brightly and of immeasurable value.It was exactly the Fourth Kazekage Rasa.He didn't look at Konoha, nor Kumogakure, nor even the head of Windmill Village.He just looked down at the Gold Dust beneath his feet and, in a tone so calm it lacked a single ripple, softly dropped a sentence:"Moonwalk... belongs to my Land of Wind.""Whatever the bid, I will pay double with Gold Dust."As the words fell, the entire hall was silent.
