The village-founding ceremony that Naruto always had on his lips finally arrived.
A group of wealthy merchants, their expectations raised sky-high, lined up and climbed the city wall at the call of the Konoha ninja.
Samui's bunch from Hidden Cloud Village, along with Kitsuchi and his people from Iwagakure, were also mixed into the crowd.
It was only because of this that these folks bumped into old acquaintances among the merchants who had ties to their own villages.
Otherwise, running all the way from their villages and not even being able to touch the main gate would have been a massive loss of face.
The city wall on the side closest to the village had been raised by a large margin using Earth-Style Wall by Akatsuki Village, and window holes for viewing had been deliberately hollowed out in the middle.
Benches and chairs made with Wood Release were lined up in a row, topped with melons, fruits, wine, and water, with a tatami mat provided for each VIP box.
This setup made the crude spectator stands of the Chunin Ninja Exams incomparable.
All of Konoha shrank beneath their feet, looking just like a hollowed-out gladiatorial arena, visible at a single glance.
Only the Wood Release left behind when Naruto and Hashirama Senju fought was tattered and somewhat an eyesore.
What are they having us look at?
Omoi pressed his face against the window, curiously peering outside.
They mentioned some membership signing ceremony, paying on the spot to get a card, and having priority in taking missions from now on.
Are they kidding? They already broke away from Konoha—will those elites of Akatsuki Village acknowledge that? For a new village, strength and fame are the root of life. Without those two things, there will be plenty of trouble ahead.
*Forget it,