The Daimyo of the Land of Fire's visit to Konoha was scheduled for the tenth.
Before dawn had fully broken, South Street was already bustling.
The bluestone road had just been washed, and red lanterns hung along the street. Two wooden signs stood beneath the archway. One read "Land of Fire Royal Trade Zone." The other bore the vermilion seal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, declaring that today's transactions were protected by the Daimyo's Residence.
Dressed in his new uniform, Chikage leaned by the office entrance, drinking tea.
Uchiha Yashiro hurried over, his sword secured at his waist and his stride more confident than usual.
"Deputy captain, Sunagakure's procurement delegation has entered the village, and the Kumogakure Trading Company's convoy is waiting outside the east gate. The merchants from the Land of Earth and the Land of Water are here too. They've all brought banknotes that can be redeemed on the spot."
Chikage blew the tea leaves aside.
"What are they here to buy?"
"Sunagakure has its eye on the chakra metal. Kumogakure wants Warring States-era ninja tools. Those merchants are after Uzushio Village's sealing scrolls."
Yashiro rubbed his hands together.
"We've spread the word through the black market, and today's auction catalog has been delivered to them."
"Have you collected the seating fees?"
"One hundred thousand ryo per delegation, listed as security and seating services for the zone. The receipts bear the seals of the Konoha Military Police Force and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They didn't haggle. They paid right away."
Chikage nodded.
"What about the venue?"
"The viewing stand and auction platform have passed inspection. Patrol routes are divided into inner and outer circuits. Inabi and Tekka are responsible for the auction venue, regular officers are guarding the street entrances, and I'll lead the Mangekyo Squad