You Trampled on History

"Do we have to pay compensation for trampling on the Gold Leaf Paper?"

Hatake Sakumo lowered his head and looked at the Gold Leaf Paper, only to find that he really was standing on it.

This Gold Leaf Paper was only a thin layer, but it conducted electricity extremely well. The arcs of electricity around the Thunder Kage's son had all been diverted away by the Gold Leaf Paper.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked his pipe, feeling quite pleased.

Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze might have both been acting absurdly—one teacher questioning the Kage of another village, one disciple demanding compensation from that village's Kage—but strength spoke for itself.

His granddisciple had forced the Third Lightning Kage to personally enter the fray. They had already won big.

If the Third Lightning Kage had not stepped in, then with Minato Namikaze's determination and strength behind that final strike, Ei Yano Yu would definitely have been killed.

If Ei Yano Yu died, even a domineering village like the Cloud Hidden Village would have no choice but to swallow this humiliation for now.

Perhaps the Cloud Hidden Village would retaliate in the future, but the thought of them losing a Kage-level ninja like the Third Lightning Kage made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel utterly satisfied.

He had made quite an impression before the Land of Fire's daimyo and nobles, proving Konoha Village's strength. In nurturing the younger generation, Konoha was stronger than the Cloud Hidden Village.

The Third Lightning Kage shielded the dejected Ei Yano Yu behind him. His gaze passed over Konoha Village's high-ranking officials, landing first on Hatake Sakumo and then on Minato Namikaze.

There was no need to mention Minato Namikaze. He had nearly killed his son.

Hatake Sakumo's strike just now had been exceptionally clever. That slash aimed at his shoulder had been perfectly timed and placed.

Worthy of the Konoha White Fang. Both his strength and decisiveness far surpassed those of ordinary ninja.

That chakra short sword was powerful. It had been covered in lightning just now, and its use of Lightning Release greatly resembled that of their Cloud Hidden Village.

The Third Lightning Kage spoke. "The Cloud Hidden Village has lost this battle. I had no choice but to stop the match. As for trampling on the Gold Leaf Paper, the Cloud Hidden Village will compensate you several times over."

Dodai also landed in the arena. He asked Minato Namikaze, "How much did your Gold Leaf Paper cost?"

As an orphan, Minato was short on money. He himself did not spend much, but the Autumn Fruit Organization's growth required a great deal of funding.

Minato said, "My Gold Leaf Paper was borrowed from the Senju Clan's treasury. Not only is this Gold Leaf Paper pure gold, it was also used at the wedding of the First Hokage Hashirama Senju and Lady Mito Uzumaki. Is this merely Gold Leaf Paper? These are cultural relics! Did you only damage some Gold Leaf Paper? You destroyed Konoha's once-glorious history! Think about it. What you are standing on right now is Gold Leaf Paper once stepped upon by the First Hokage and Lady Mito Uzumaki. How much do you think would be appropriate? Fortunately, you are willing to compensate several times over, which lessens my guilt considerably. I will not be unreasonable. All this Gold Leaf Paper is worth fifty million ryo. Then we'll call it even."

Dodai froze. "How much? Fifty million ryo? My head is only worth thirty million ryo at the Underground Exchange!"

Minato said seriously, "Then you should work harder. As the Thunder Kage Advisor, your head is only worth thirty million ryo. It seems your strength does not match your position."

"You!"

Dodai was about to say more, but the Third Lightning Kage raised a hand to stop him.

Looking at the noisy, jeering audience in the stands, then at the Konoha daimyo and nobles on the main platform, as well as the representatives of the Land of Lightning's Multinational Commerce Association, the Third Lightning Kage wanted to bring this humiliating spectacle to an end as soon as possible.

"Fine. Fifty million ryo, as compensation for your Gold Leaf Paper."

"Not compensation for my Gold Leaf Paper. It is compensation for the First Hokage and Uzumaki—"

Jiraiya covered Minato's mouth.

Jiraiya felt quite satisfied. He whispered, "Minato, my good disciple, given our relationship, I won't ask for much. How about one million ryo?"

Minato wanted to refuse, but Jiraiya had his mouth covered tightly.

Jiraiya said happily, "Oh? You aren't denying it, so that means you agree? Just as expected of my good disciple. I've been a little short on money lately, and I don't want to take missions either. Life is hard."

Minato wanted to deny it, but he could not even get a word out.

The Chunin Exams ended early amid the Third Lightning Kage's embarrassed fury.

Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the main platform and announced this year's list of chunin.

Minato Namikaze, who had taken first place in the Chunin Exams and forced the Third Lightning Kage to enter the fray, became a chunin without question.

Third-place Hizashi Hyuga, the young clan heads of every ninja clan, Senju Chihiro, Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Yashiro, and Kushina Uzumaki all became chunin as well.

Kushina Uzumaki had shown nothing and had not withstood a single move from Minato. But Yamanaka Inoichi had likewise failed to withstand even one of Minato's moves, so it seemed much more reasonable for both of them to become chunin.

In addition, a ninja from the Waterfall Hidden Village also became a chunin through this exam.

As for Ei Yano Yu, because his father had violated the rules by entering the match, he was stripped of his eligibility and could not become a chunin.

As soon as the Chunin Exams ended, Kushina and Minato ran to the Waterfall Hidden Village jonin and took Uzumaki Shinmen away.

The two discussed matters with Senju Takeoto, planning to apply to leave the village as soon as possible and take Uzumaki Shinmen to find Tsunade.

Tsunade had already received Senju Takeoto's letter and was on her way to Konoha Village. She did not wish to enter the village, so she told them to find her in the nearest town outside it.

On the way out of the arena, a noble's attendant suddenly approached Minato.

"Minato Namikaze, the Hawk Guard General's Mansion wishes to see you."

Minato paused, not knowing why a noble wished to see him.

Under the Land of Fire's administrative system, Kyoto, where the daimyo resided, sat at the center, while the other regions were divided into six districts ruled by six great noble houses.

Among them, Hawk Guard Road was governed by generations of Hawk Guard Generals.

Following the noble's attendant into the arena's VIP room, Minato saw the Land of Fire's daimyo and many nobles, as well as Konoha's top officials, including the Third Hokage, Shimura Danzo, and Mitokado Homura.

Mitokado Homura asked, "Minato, what are you doing here?"

Minato said, "This attendant came to find me and said the Hawk Guard General wished to see me."

Mitokado Homura glanced at the Hawk Guard General. The Hawk Guard General nodded and said, "That is correct. There are some matters I wish to discuss with this Konoha ninja later."

Minato suddenly remembered that Nuanhe Town, where the Autumn Fruit Organization was located, lay in Hawk Guard Road in the southwest of the Land of Fire.

He realized he had arrived at a bad time. There seemed to be some dispute between the daimyo and Konoha.

The daimyo continued on his own. "Hokage Sarutobi, the daimyo's family has been close to the Senju Clan for generations. Konoha Village was founded because my father strongly supported the First Hokage back then. Although the Senju Clan has suffered a severe blow, I still do not approve of replacing Konoha Village's Kyoto Advisor. I came to Konoha Village this time to urge Clan Head Senju Takeoto to head to Kyoto as soon as possible. Setting everything else aside, my health has worsened more and more recently. I cannot do without the Senju Clan's Slug Healing Technique."

Minato looked at the daimyo seated at the head of the room in surprise. The Senju Clan and the daimyo's family were actually so closely connected?

But why was Shimura Danzo's face so dark? Konoha's higher-ups seemed unwilling to let Senju Takeoto become the Kyoto Advisor?