The moment Teizawa stepped into the conference hall—
The noise cut off instantly.
Every gaze snapped toward him.
He walked forward at an unhurried pace.
The dark gold robe shimmered faintly in the morning light.
Behind him followed a silent squad of Sunagakure ANBU.
That youthful face carried a faint smile.
As if he were attending an ordinary gathering—
Not an auction that would decide the fate of a Tailed Beast.
Tsunade, seated at the head, frowned slightly.
This was Konoha. She was the one in charge here.
Yet the moment this guy walked in…
It felt like he was the host instead.
What irritated her most was—
That calm, composed demeanor.
It made her want to punch him.
Her hand clenched beneath the table, then loosened, then clenched again.
Samui sat in Kumogakure's section.
Her gaze unconsciously followed his figure.
He walked past, his eyes briefly sweeping over her.
Just for an instant—
Her heartbeat skipped.
Images she tried to suppress surged back into her mind…
That overwhelming intensity… her own reckless response…
Those shameful positions.
She pressed her lips together, her cheeks faintly flushing.
Lowering her head, she didn't dare look again.
But when she thought about his promise—
That the Four-Tails would go to Kumogakure—
Her heart settled slightly.
Seventy billion, plus herself…
No matter how she looked at it, it was a profitable deal.
Terumi Mei narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze circling Teizawa.
This Kazekage… compared to last time…
She couldn't quite describe it.
When his gaze swept over her—
She felt like she was being assessed.
Like prey.
She had no proof.
But her instincts told her…
This man was dangerous.
Still… he was quite handsome.
If she could bring him back and marry him…
Wait, what am I even thinking?
She quickly suppressed the absurd thought.
Yet a faint blush still crept onto her face.
The most furious was Kitsuchi.
The moment Teizawa walked in, he stood up.
No—everyone from Iwagakure stood.
Twenty pairs of eyes locked onto that dark gold figure.
Hatred nearly spilled over.
Kitsuchi's hand pressed against his pouch, knuckles white.
One punch.
That was all it took for this man to humiliate him in front of everyone—
Him, the son of the Third Tsuchikage, an elite jonin of Iwagakure.
Teizawa stopped walking.
His gaze swept over those furious faces.
Then…
He stepped slightly to the side and casually patted his own shoulder.
"Tsunade…"
His voice wasn't loud, but in the silent hall, everyone heard it clearly.
"Look, these guys are pretty scary…"
That tone.
That expression.
He looked like a bullied child seeking backup.
Tsunade's face darkened instantly.
Everyone in the room froze.
Tsunade?
He called her directly like that?
Since when were the Hokage and Kazekage this close?
Was that even normal?
The Konoha side was stunned.
Shikaku nearly dropped his pen.
Koharu froze on the spot.
Even Kakashi glanced over again.
Tsunade's face flushed red.
"Shut up!"
Her voice exploded through the hall.
Her fist clenched under the table, joints cracking.
If not for the crowd watching—
She would have already punched him into the wall.
Teizawa looked at her, the corner of his lips lifting.
A gentle smile appeared.
"Alright."
That smile, that tone, that look…
It didn't feel like he was speaking to another village's Hokage.
It felt like he was coaxing a sulking wife.
The atmosphere in the hall grew strange.
Samui's brows furrowed slightly.
She couldn't explain why—
But something felt off.
That man had been with her last night…
And now he was smiling so gently at Tsunade.
She lowered her head, gripping her sleeve tightly.
Mei's gaze flicked between Teizawa and Tsunade.
A playful smile curved her lips.
Interesting.
Tsunade shifted uncomfortably under all those stares.
She slammed her hand on the table.
"Enough!"
Her teeth clenched.
"Bring in the Four-Tails! Let's wrap up this mess you caused!"
Teizawa smiled and took the seat beside her.
As casually as if he were at home.
Tsunade shot him a glare.
He returned it with an innocent smile.
The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense and strange.
The auction was about to begin.
Teizawa clapped his hands lightly.
The sound wasn't loud, but it echoed clearly.
"Bring in the Four-Tails."
The Sunagakure shinobi moved at once.
Moments later, four ANBU carried in a massive black chest.
Its surface was covered in sealing tags.
Layer upon layer, dense and intricate.
Each inscribed with complex, unreadable script.
The chest was set down in the center of the hall.
The heavy thud made several hearts sink.
The lid was opened.
Everyone stood.
Rōshi was curled inside.
His body was bound in chains.
From shoulders to ankles—
Layer after layer.
Tight.
The chains were also covered in sealing tags.
Faint blue light shimmered from them.
Clearly suppressing the Tailed Beast chakra within him.
His face was deathly pale.
Lips cracked. Eyes hollow.
The once fiery Four-Tails jinchūriki…
Now looked like a withered branch ready to snap.
"Rōshi…!"
Kitsuchi's voice exploded.
He shot to his feet.
His chair crashed to the ground behind him.
He took two steps forward—
Sunagakure shinobi immediately drew their weapons, blocking the chest.
"Stop!"
Tsunade's voice was louder.
Heavier.
Filled with authority that brooked no defiance.
"No fighting in Konoha! Anyone who does…"
Her gaze swept across everyone present.
"…will be treated as a direct provocation."
Kitsuchi halted abruptly.
He stared at Rōshi.
Chest heaving.
Fists clenched tight.
After several seconds—
He gritted his teeth, picked up his chair, and slammed back down.
The legs rattled.
Teizawa stood beside the chest.
He waved a hand lightly.
The Sunagakure shinobi withdrew their weapons and stepped aside.
He glanced down at Rōshi.
Then lifted his gaze.
Sweeping across the room—
And finally landing on Tsunade.
A faint smile returned to his lips.
"You really are the best."
His voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard it.
That tone. That smile. That look—
It sounded like he was saying, "You're the only one who understands me."
Tsunade felt goosebumps crawl up her back.
Her face flushed instantly.
"You—"
She was just about to curse him—
But Teizawa had already turned away.
The warmth vanished from his face.
Replaced by cold authority.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Those whispering fell silent.
Those lost in thought refocused.
All attention converged on him.
Teizawa stood beside the chest.
His gaze swept across everyone—
Iwagakure's fury.
Kumogakure's anticipation.
Kirigakure's curiosity.
Konoha's complexity.
And Tsunade's flushed, irritated face.
A slight smile curved his lips.
"Now…"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly.
"The auction for the Four-Tails officially begins."
He raised one finger.
"Starting bid… fifty billion ryō."
The hall fell silent for a moment—
Then erupted.
Fifty billion?
How much was that?
How many years of Konoha's budget?
How many buildings could that fund?
How much food could that buy?
Whispers spread rapidly.
Gasps. Murmurs. Calculations.
Tsunade sat at the head seat.
Looking at the young man standing in the center—
Commanding everything—
Her emotions were complicated.
This was Konoha.
She was supposed to be in control.
Yet now…
He stood at the center, holding the room in his grasp.
And she could only watch.
Worse—
A part of her thought…
He really did look more like the one in charge.
She shook her head.
Dismissing the thought.
"Fine."
She leaned back, crossing her arms.
A hint of resignation in her voice.
"Then let's begin."
(End of Chapter)
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