Shaoyu paused and added.
"Besides, I really appreciate what you said just now. The spirit of contract - not many people can have this persistence these days. Just for this, it's worth 100 million taels."
Kakuzu swallowed.
One hundred million taels.
So cool, so cool.
His breathing became increasingly rapid, and a trace of excitement rarely appeared on his expressionless face.
"Many... thank you Lord Raikage."
His voice was trembling a little.
Shaoyu waved his hand.
"Okay, don't be polite. Go back and have a good rest for a few days. I will hold the succession ceremony in two days. You should behave well."
Kakuzu salute.
"I will never live up to the expectations of Lord Raikage."
Two days later.
Kumogakure has never been so lively.
Before dawn, the lanterns on both sides of the street lit up one after another, and the orange-red halo formed a long dragon, extending from the entrance of the village to Raikage Building.
Those lanterns were newly tied and made of fine silk, and each one was painted with the coat of arms of Kumogakure - an auspicious cloud holding up a thunderbolt, swaying gently in the morning breeze.
Kakuzu stood on the top floor of Raikage Building, overlooking the entire village, with a rare trace of satisfaction in his muddy old eyes.
Two days.
It only took two days.
He spent all his budget without saving a penny.
The best craftsmen were hired to decorate the venue, the best cooks were hired for the banquet, and the drinks were Kumogakure, the top-notch Lightning Glow Liquor. Even the lanterns were specially customized, costing 5,000 taels each.
Is he distressed? He is distressed. He is so distressed that he can't sleep at night. He keeps calculating the accounts over and over again. The more he calculates, the more he can't sleep. The more he can't sleep, the more he calculates.
But this morning, when he stood here and looked at the whole village decorated like a painting, he suddenly felt that the money was well spent.
Kakuzu touched the 100 million tael bill in his arms and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
Anyway, it's not his own money spent...
The process of Raikage's succession ceremony was decided by Third Raikage himself.
The morning is a parade. The new Raikage will start from the clan area, pass through the entire Kumogakure, and finally arrive at Raikage Building.
Villagers along the way can watch freely. This is Kumogakure's old rule.
Let the villagers see who will protect them next.
There is a banquet at noon. There are three hundred tables in the village, with flowing seats, from Raikage Building to the entrance of the village.
Anyone can sit down to eat and anyone can sit down to drink. This is another old rule of Kumogakure.
The whole village celebrates the new Raikage taking office.
In the afternoon was the ceremony. On the top floor of Raikage Building, Third Raikage personally handed Raikage's robe to the new Raikage, and then announced his abdication in public.
This is the most important link and the core of the entire ceremony.
Kakuzu checked every link three times. After confirming that there were no problems, he walked down the building and walked in the direction of Uchiha Compound.
He has to pick up Shaoyu.
Uchiha Compound is to the east of Kumogakure, the address chosen by Shaoyu himself.
The land was originally a wasteland, backed by Cloud Hidden Mountain, facing the sunrise, with a wide view and excellent feng shui.
Shaoyu said this was a suitable place to build a family, so Kakuzu approved the land and allocated funds, and dozens of houses were built in a short period of time.
Three times larger than Uchiha Compound of Konoha.
When Kakuzu walked to the gate of the clan, Shisui was waiting there.
The boy was wearing a brand new black kimono today, with the Uchiha Clan and Gunbai coat of arms embroidered on the cuffs and hem. The dagger at his waist was newly equipped, and the scabbard was inlaid with a blue gemstone, which shone brightly in the morning light.
His hair was neatly combed, revealing his handsome face and eyes that were already able to use Mangekyō Sharingan proficiently.
"Elder Kakuzu." Shisui leaned forward slightly, "Brother is still preparing, please wait a moment."
Kakuzu nodded and stood at the door, looking at this brand new clan land.
The gate of the clan is newly built, with two stone pillars standing tall, with the Uchiha Clan and Gunbai coat of arms engraved on them.
There were two Uchiha tribesmen standing on both sides of the gate, wearing brand new police uniforms with their waists straight.
The Uchiha people who moved from Konoha are all standing at the door of their homes now, with an expression on their faces that Kakuzu has never seen on their faces.
There was expectation, pride, and an indescribable satisfaction in that expression.
Kakuzu looked at the faces of those people and suddenly remembered the days when he was at Takigakure.
At that time, he had expected something like this, but then...
"Kakuzu Elder."
Shaoyu's voice came from inside, interrupting his thoughts.
Kakuzu raised his head.
Then he was stunned for a moment.
Shaoyu did not wear armor or his usual black combat uniform today, but changed into a white robe.
The robe was made by Kumogakure's best tailor in a month. The fabric was made of fine silk, and the collar and cuffs were embroidered with golden cloud patterns. There was a dark blue belt tied around his waist, with his short knife that never left his body hung on it.
His hair was also rearranged and tied back with a white hairband, revealing his angular face and deep black eyes.
Shaoyu's powerful combat power makes people forget that Shaoyu's own appearance is also the top among the entire Shinobi World. Uchiha Clan's genes are still too strong.
"Let's go." Shaoyu said.
He walked past Kakuzu with an unhurried pace and every step was steady and powerful.
Shisui followed, then Lianhuo, then Uchiha Setsuna, and then those Uchiha people who migrated from Konoha.
Wearing brand new clothes and with proud expressions on their faces, they followed Shaoyu out of the clan gate and onto the streets of Kumogakure.
Kakuzu shook his head and followed.
The moment Shaoyu walked onto the street, cheers came from all directions, drowning him like a tide.
"Lord Raikage!"
"The Yondaime!"
"Shaoyu Master!"
Both sides of the street were crowded with people. There were old people, children, women, men, young ninjas who had just finished their training, veterans on crutches, mothers carrying children on their backs, and teenagers holding hands with their fathers.
They wore their best clothes and stood in front of their homes, on both sides of the street, on rooftops, and anywhere they could see Shaoyu.
They had smiles on their faces, sparkling eyes, waving the Kumogakure flag in their hands, and shouting the name Shaoyu.
"Master Shaoyu! Master Shaoyu! Master Shaoyu!"
The sound was deafening, colliding back and forth on the rock wall of Cloud Hidden Mountain, making a rumbling echo.
Shaoyu walked in the middle of the street, walking at a leisurely pace.
His eyes swept across the faces of those people, seeing familiar faces and unfamiliar faces. He saw the relief in the eyes of the old people, the admiration in the eyes of the young people, and the yearning in the eyes of the children.