The first item came up for auction, and it was clear to everyone present that Danzo and the hosts of the auction had no intention of easing into things slowly.
They wanted attention right from the start. He wanted people to know that this auction and the future auction would have items that everyone desires.
It seemed that he had decided to begin the auction with something loud enough to shake the entire shinobi world.
As the cloth covering the first item was removed, it revealed a sealed scroll placed carefully on a velvet cushion. The lighting shifted slightly, focusing entirely on the object, making it look far more important than an ordinary scroll.
The hostess stepped forward with a practiced smile, holding the scroll gently but firmly in her hands, as if it carried both value and danger.
"This here," she began, her voice smooth and loud enough to reach every corner of the hall, "is one of the signature jutsus of the Uchiha Clan of the Leaf."
There was an immediate reaction from the audience. Some leaned forward in interest, while others stiffened in their seats.
"Yes, you heard it right," she continued, clearly enjoying the effect she was having. "The legendary Uchiha clan. One of the founding clans of the Hidden Leaf Village, and widely considered the strongest clan in its history. And today, you have the opportunity to own one of their signature jutsus."
The whispers began to grow louder. People looked around nervously, as if expecting a pair of red Sharingan eyes to appear in the darkness and judge them for even being present. A few nobles shifted uncomfortably, while some shinobi instinctively checked their surroundings.
"And the name of this jutsu," the hostess said, raising the scroll slightly for emphasis, "is Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu."
That name carried weight. It was not just a technique. It was a symbol of the Uchiha's mastery over fire. The crowd reacted with a mixture of excitement and fear.
Shota, who had been watching quietly from his seat, could not help but smirk slightly. Inside his mind, his thoughts were far less serious than the tension around him.
'Damn, even after betraying Konoha and being forced to leave and become a rogue shinobi, Danzo still finds ways to mess with the Uchiha. His hate really runs deep. At this point, it feels less like politics and more like a personal hobby. Honestly, this has to be that famous inherited Tobirama Uchiha hate. It is as if Tobirama had given him a letter before dying that said, 'Dear Danzo, I leave you my legacy and also my lifelong grudge. Do not lose it.'
He almost chuckled at his own thoughts but kept his face calm.
Beside him, one of the younger Anbu, who clearly lacked experience in such situations, leaned slightly closer and asked in a low voice, "Would we be bidding for that jutsu?"
Shota slowly turned his head and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. His expression clearly showed that he found the question unnecessary.
"And why should we?" Shota replied in a calm but slightly sarcastic tone.
The Anbu hesitated for a moment but then answered, "Because Konoha is our ally."
Shota let out a small breath, as if he had expected that answer but still found it lacking.
"Konoha has only just become our ally. Alliances are not lifelong friendships, and they definitely do not mean we start spending money for their sake," he said. He paused for a moment before continuing. "Besides, the Uchiha have been using their overpowered Sharingan to copy jutsus from everyone since who knows when. From what I have heard, if you so much as sneeze in front of them, they might copy that too and turn it into a technique."
The Anbu looked slightly confused, unsure if Shota was joking or being serious.
Shota continued, now with a faint smirk. "It is about time they learn what it feels like to have their own techniques being passed around. Consider it a lesson in humility. And do not worry. It is not like Danzo cannot auction this same jutsu again tomorrow if he feels like it."
The Anbu nodded slowly, though he still seemed unsure.
Meanwhile, the hostess brought the focus back to the auction itself. "The bidding will start at one million ryo," she announced confidently.
The reaction was immediate.
Voices began coming from the VIP rooms almost instantly, as if the wealthy and powerful had been waiting for this exact moment.
"One point one million."
"One point two million."
"Two million."
The numbers began rising quickly, faster than most in the general audience could even process.
"Five million."
"Ten million."
"Twenty million."
The pace did not slow down. It only intensified.
"Thirty seven million ryo."
That number caused a brief pause. It was a significant jump, and it clearly came from one of the major players.
Otto, who had been quietly observing, leaned slightly toward Shota and muttered, "It seems that Iwa really wants that jutsu."
Shota nodded, his eyes still on the stage. "Well, it makes sense," he replied calmly. "After Konoha, they have one of the largest numbers of fire style users."
The bidding continued for a short while longer, but it became clear that Iwa was not going to back down. Eventually, the hostess struck the final call, and the jutsu was sold to Iwa after they outbid nobles, merchants, and smaller villages.
No other great village seemed willing to push the price any higher. Either they did not see enough value in it, or they simply chose to save their resources for something else.
Shota leaned back slightly, thinking about the jutsu itself.
In his opinion, it was actually one of the better fire style techniques. Unlike many straightforward fire attacks, which could be dodged with enough speed or awareness, the Phoenix Flower Jutsu offered flexibility.
It allowed the user to control multiple smaller fireballs, making it harder for an opponent to predict and avoid. In the middle of a fight, that kind of unpredictability could make a huge difference.
--------Author Notes---------
I have decided to increase the number of extra chapters on patreon from 15 to 20. Thankyou.
Y'all can now read the next 20 chapters of the fanfic on my pat*reon.
https://pat*reon.com/Charizard6
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