Auction

The Elder Council Hall, with its originally simple stone tables and chairs replaced by marble. Each Elder had a different colored gem inlaid on the back of their chair, used to distinguish seats and display their nobility.

This was the first resolution passed by a high vote from the Elder Council after the agreement was sent back to Sunagakure.

The second was to erect golden life-sized statues of them, but this resolution was forcefully vetoed by Chiyo.

When Moyuzi and the others arrived at the council hall, everyone else was already seated. Hoshino Maki stood before the round table, looking at the documents in his hand. Seeing Moyuzi enter, he smiled and nodded at her.

"You should also take care of your body. You ran to the hospital right after returning. The patients' illnesses aren't that urgent."

Moyuzi stepped forward and patted his shoulder, saying with concern.

As Hoshino Maki's recommender, she cared a lot about his condition. She even drove away all the young nurses on the floor where he was staying and replaced them with burly male nurses to ensure he had a good resting environment.

This was entirely out of elderly care, and had nothing to do with the fact that she was thirty and single.

"Thank you for your concern, Lord. My body is fine. I haven't had many opportunities to use Medical Ninjutsu while I was away. Helping out at the hospital when I'm free can also serve as a refresher."

Hoshino Maki hadn't had many opportunities to use Medical Ninjutsu recently, except for Konan. His "Affection Points" had stagnated, preventing him from learning the Eight Inner Gates, which he had already obtained.

The Eight Inner Gates, as an A-rank ninjutsu, required a hefty 50 upgrade points. Now that the war was over and there were few remaining casualties, it would take an unknown amount of time to accumulate enough points just by saving people.

However, Chiyo's act of distributing supplies had significantly boosted his Affection Points, and it also showed him that there were other ways to increase them.

He was still a little short, but he estimated that accumulating fifty points would happen soon.

While Hoshino Maki and Moyuzi were exchanging pleasantries, Chiyo, seated at the head of the table, spoke, "Let's begin now that everyone is here."

Hoshino Maki nodded to the Elders and explained the gains from the negotiation, the price the village paid, and other details to everyone one by one.

But the Elders were not very interested. Some were thinking about other matters, some nearby communicated silently, and others simply closed their eyes to rest.

They were already well aware of the information above. This meeting was not for that matter.

"The above is the complete content of the Sand-Cloud War."

Hoshino Maki closed the document in his hand and said calmly.

This sentence made the Elders' spirits lift. The main event was finally here.

Although the Elder Council Meeting appeared to be a gathering, the content of the meeting had already been decided privately. The real meeting was the subsequent chat session.

Usually, at this time, various Elders would state their demands to the Kazekage. For example, a child in their family needed a kunai made of special material, and they would ask the Kazekage to send someone to retrieve it from a place thousands of miles away. Or, a ninja from their clan had a special talent, and since the XX Unit had special Jonin slots, they would loosen the requirements and let him take one.

Many matters that seemed earth-shattering to ordinary people were decided by these people with casual conversation.

The Kazekage?

Just an execution machine.

This was the true meaning of the Elders' meetings, a naked session of seeking benefits.

And they would not bear any infamy for this, because all the orders were issued by the Kazekage, so what did it have to do with them?

However, since the Kazekage was absent and there was no one to take the blame, this part of the meeting moved to the main session.

"Haha, thanks to Lord Chiyo and Hoshino Maki for this war with the Cloud Ninja. Not only did we win, but we also brought so many things to the village. Everyone's lives will be much better."

An Elder spoke first, but his words did not receive a reply from Chiyo. Chiyo didn't even look up at him.

Although the other party tried his best to hide his ulterior motives, his greed was obvious.

Everyone?

Who did "everyone" refer to?

It certainly wasn't the ordinary villagers and the lowest-ranking ninjas.

In fact, if the supplies hadn't been sent directly to the Chiyo Clan, and if Chiyo hadn't bypassed the Elder Council and opened the granaries to release some food first, it was unknown whether ordinary people would have received any food, or when they would have received it.

But even though Chiyo looked down on him, the Elder's words still resonated with many people, who chimed in.

"That's right, Lord Chiyo and Hoshino Maki have worked hard and made great contributions. We, as Elders, must also shoulder the responsibility of revitalizing Sunagakure and not let down their efforts!"

"Our clan has considerable experience in sales and can definitely bring considerable profits to the village."

"Our clan is no less capable. You can rest assured, Lord Chiyo."

"Modu, are you provoking me?"

"Fair competition, our clan already has an advantage."

"..."

When it came to the distribution of benefits, the previously harmonious atmosphere immediately became confrontational.

Chōjūrō watched silently, saying nothing. He knew that with such significant interests involved, no one would listen to him, so he simply kept quiet.

Chiyo watched them. When the situation escalated to the point where they stood up and were about to fight, she coughed lightly. The Elders instantly sobered up as if doused with cold water, and then sat back in their seats with serious expressions.

"Since everyone has the capability to handle these supplies, how about this."

Chiyo waved her hand, and Moyuzi stood up, placing a stack of envelopes and a list in front of each person.

"All supplies will be auctioned in categories. 10% will be reserved as emergency reserves for the village. During each auction, everyone will write the amount in an envelope. The highest bidder wins. Each clan can bid on a maximum of three categories. The remaining items will go to the Chiyo Clan. The auction proceeds will be managed by the Elder Council and used for village construction."

"The starting bid will not be lower than 40% of the item's value. Each round, an amount must be written and submitted in an envelope. After purchasing the goods, subsequent sales cannot exceed 30% of the previous price."

The Elders' expressions grew darker and darker. They were all resistant to this novel distribution method because it required them to pay money.

They had always taken money from others' pockets; how dare someone try to take money from theirs?!

But because the proposer was Chiyo, no one openly objected.

"Everyone, please rest assured. The details of this auction will be posted on the announcement board, ensuring transparency and no foul play," Hoshino Maki said with a smile.

Yet, everyone's faces remained extremely awkward.

If there was no foul play, wasn't this meeting held in vain?

Their whole game was about foul play!

How could a setting like the Elder Council possibly be open and transparent?

"Chiyo-sama, there's no precedent for this," one Elder said, forcing a smile.

"But now there is. Sunagakure never had non-Sunagakure members in the Elder Council before. Aren't you the precedent?"

The Elder was rendered speechless by the retort.

He was from the Land of Grass, married into a Sunagakure clan. Later, through a series of coincidences and with some skill of his own, he eventually became the clan leader.

The atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Just then, Chōjūrō, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, "I think the auction format is excellent, fair, and open. That way, no one can complain. However," he shifted his tone, "as a new form of village management, it should be allowed to settle over time. Rushing to use it for major decisions concerning the village's future development is debatable."

Although it was unexpected that his clan would also be involved, he still wanted to subtly criticize Chiyo.

Chiyo suddenly chuckled upon hearing this and nodded, "Alright, I also find it troublesome. I'll inform the villagers later that, after Elder Chōjūrō's careful consideration, the funds for village construction will be waived."

Chōjūrō's face turned green. If that were truly said, his reputation would be ruined!

He was already branded as someone who couldn't judge people correctly for his representative's poor performance. Now, if he opposed collecting funds for the village's development, he would truly become a sinner in the eyes of the entire village!

If the Elders unified their opinions, the villagers' will wouldn't matter. The key was that Chiyo and the Kazekage faction were already at odds with him. If his reputation soured further, let alone the position of Kazekage, even the position of clan leader would be unstable.

Without the position of clan leader, would anyone listen to him anymore?

Chōjūrō quickly forced a smile, "I was just raising a small concern. I believe Chiyo, you already have a perfect plan."

Chiyo's words seemed to be directed at Chōjūrō, but the other Elders were not children. They knew that Chiyo's mention of Chōjūrō could be replaced with their own names at any moment, so they immediately supported the proposal.

Chiyo looked around and nodded with satisfaction, "Since everyone agrees, let Hoshino Maki preside over the auction."

Hoshino Maki cleared his throat, "Before we begin, I have a small suggestion. Of the two hundred million ryo compensation from the Cloud Ninja, after deducting rewards for meritorious ninja, compensation for the families of fallen soldiers, and funds for village construction, there is still one hundred million ryo left. Considering the hard work and great contributions of the Elders and their clans, shedding blood and sacrificing themselves for the village, I propose that the Elders divide it equally."

After Hoshino Maki finished speaking, everyone suddenly remembered that there was still cash to be distributed.

If this had been said from the beginning, they would have definitely disagreed.

Rewards and compensation wouldn't cost one hundred million; a few million would suffice.

But now, all the resources had to be paid for through auction to obtain them. Getting nearly ten million for free per clan seemed pretty good!

The Elders' gazes turned to Chiyo simultaneously. Although Chiyo frowned, she didn't say anything.

Chōjūrō saw that they were playing good cop and bad cop to win people over, and he didn't dare to say much. If his clan lost such a large sum of readily available funds because of him, the public pressure would be immense.

This proposal was tacitly approved with Chiyo's acquiescence, and the subsequent auction session was met with less resistance.

After two hours of auctioning, everyone had basically obtained what they wanted. After all, for many years, each family had its own reserved territory, clearly demarcated.

Only Chōjūrō looked awkward; he only managed to bid for one item.

With an open auction, perhaps the Elders feared Chōjūrō and didn't dare to compete. But sealed bids made them bolder, like being given courage by Liang Jingru.

"I just filled in a random number, I didn't expect you to fill in so little!"

Chōjūrō could already imagine how the other party would argue.

Damn it!

Seeing the atmosphere become harmonious again, he felt out of place.

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