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"If I had to choose one, I'd say Kirigakure. I heard they used to have to kill their classmates to graduate. They'll do anything to complete a mission!"
"Placing my bet!"
"Following!"
With the analysis complete, the wagers poured in.
From a few dozen Ryō to several thousand, the gamblers eagerly placed their bets.
Most favored Kirigakure, though a smaller number backed Sunagakure. Of course, some independent thinkers believed that Konoha and Otogakure, as hosts, were the true contenders in this initial written exam.
The lottery outlet owner diligently recorded the bets, transmitting the data in real-time to the central processing hub, where the actuary, Kakuzu, resided.
Temporarily transferred from the KSE to the lottery center, Kakuzu sat secluded in a private room, surrounded by abacuses.
Ten tendrils of Earth Grudge Fear extended from the sutures covering his body, receiving data from the various lottery outlets, performing complex calculations, and maintaining the balance of the betting pool.
Meaning, regardless of the bets placed, the Konoha Lottery Center would never lose. Gamblers might win small amounts, but the lottery director, Kakuzu, would always profit.
After a period of intense activity, the frantic movement of Kakuzu's tendrils slowed. A smirk played on his lips. "Hmph... think you can win money from me? Go ahead and try!"
———
The following day...
The daimyo of the five great nations sat in the uppermost private box of the Otogakure Dome.
The luxurious suite was fully equipped, staffed with beautiful attendants and top-tier chefs, offering the highest level of service Konoha could provide.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, they had a clear view of the arena below. Looking up—they could see the action projected onto a massive screen via ninjutsu.
This box was designated the "Daimyo Box," but it wasn't exclusively for their use. It was advertised as offering "Luxury comparable to a Daimyo's Palace."
For this inaugural event, Otogakure had provided the box free of charge to the daimyo. In the future, however, they planned to leverage the daimyo's prestige to sell usage rights for the box during other events held at the Dome.
This was likely the only time the daimyo would enjoy it for free. Aside from Advisor Gojo, who had complimentary 24-hour access—even the daimyo would have to pay the exorbitant daily fee of one million Ryō to use the Daimyo Box.
The Shinobi World had no shortage of wealthy merchants.
But wealth didn't equate to status; merchants were still several rungs below the daimyo on the social ladder.
Now simply by spending money, they could experience the same level of service as the daimyo—This was the power of celebrity endorsement!
Some believed that by enjoying the same services as the daimyo, they were essentially elevating themselves to their level.
Gojo Kaigetsu welcomed such individuals with open arms—eagerly anticipating the opportunity to extract wealth from them, leveraging the daimyo's name.
The Fire Daimyo's attire radiated wealth and status.
The attire of the other four daimyo, however, looked somewhat—shabby in comparison.
Though supposedly equals, the other four daimyo now displayed a subtle deference towards the Fire Daimyo.
But none spoke first.
Their coffers had been emptied, used by their finance ministers to rescue the market. The opulent clothes they wore were their last vestiges of dignity. As daimyo, they couldn't lose face.
Asking the Fire Daimyo for a loan now, in front of the other three—how could they hold their heads high?
Like a battle of wits in romance, in this war of loans, the first to speak... loses.
The four daimyo waited patiently, planning to flatter the Fire Daimyo, to butter him up until the final day, then approach him privately for a loan.
As the five most prestigious and powerful individuals in the Shinobi World, surely the Fire Daimyo wouldn't abandon them, wouldn't stand idly by while they suffered?
Once they, the other daimyo, were pulled down from their pedestals, the commoners and ninja across the Shinobi World would realize: Oh, so the daimyo are just like us. Without money, they too can be overthrown by the enraged masses...
At that point, could the Fire Daimyo remain untouched? Could he still command the respect of the people and the ninja?
The Five Daimyo were bound together; their fates intertwined. No one could prosper alone!
Ninja squabbles were one thing, but attacking the daimyo class—regardless of whether it was an enemy daimyo, if you dared attack one today, you might dare attack your own tomorrow!
This was why, during the previous three Shinobi Wars, even amidst the brutal conflicts, even during the defense of Konoha, no ninja force had ever dared attack the daimyo's mansion behind the hidden Village.
Attacking an enemy Village to secure benefits for your nation pleased the daimyo. Attacking an enemy daimyo's mansion to secure greater benefits for your nation... displeased the daimyo greatly!
———
All subtleties ceased at the banquet table. Below, in the Otogakure Dome, representatives from each hidden Village began to enter the arena.
The Land of Sound's princess presided over the ceremony, her voice filled with emotion as she announced:
"Let us welcome, with great honor, the Hokage of Konohagakure, Minato Namikaze, and his advisor, Gojo Kaigetsu!"
"Honorable Lord Hokage, Lord Minato Namikaze—and his Esteemed Advisor, Lord Gojo Kaigetsu, distinguished guests, friends: The First Joint Chunin Exams of the Shinobi World Opening Ceremony... now begins!"
"Raise the flag of Konohagakure, Land of Fire, and the flag of the Fire Games! Let the ninja of each Village enter!"
"Now approaching is the Fire Games flag procession. The flag bears the emblem of this year's Games. At its center are the Hokage Rock, the Hokage Tower, and the Konoha Forest, symbolizing the Will of Fire. The outer ring depicts stylized figures representing the examination events, showcasing Konoha's unity, ambition, perseverance, and dedication to achieving the great rejuvenation of the Village..."
"Next, approaching us now, is the Konoha ninja procession!"
At the entrance of the Otogakure Dome, Konoha Genin appeared, clad in specially designed white and red uniforms. The vibrant colors were a stark contrast to the traditional, somber dark green uniforms.
Flames danced across the white fabric. Even the most ordinary Genin, wearing this uniform, seemed to possess a touch of the Fourth Hokage's aura.
The newly designed Konoha uniforms drew gasps and cheers from the crowd.
Even spectators from foreign nations felt a pang of envy, wanting to acquire such a uniform as a souvenir.
Positioned at the edges of the procession were numerous skilled Fire Release users, Chunin and Jonin. Upon reaching the center of the arena, they formed hand seals, unleashing the Fire Release: Great Dragon Flame Jutsu.
Streams of fire erupted from the ground, twisting and dancing like fiery dragons in the air.
The intense heat illuminated the faces of the hundred thousand spectators, their expressions filled with excitement and awe.
The fire dragons converged, forming the Konoha symbol in the sky, its light illuminating the Konoha ninja procession below and the entire arena.
Many wealthier spectators raised their cameras, capturing this breathtaking moment, preserving the memory forever.
Ninjutsu—had always been a tool of killing.
Now, for the first time, it was being used for performance, revealing the mysteries of the ninja to the public, proclaiming to the Shinobi World the true nature of ninjutsu.
A thought sparked in the minds of the spectators—Perhaps ninjutsu isn't just for killing, for waging war. Perhaps it can be used for... something beautiful.
The dance of the fire dragons was brief. As the chakra dissipated, the magnificent display vanished.
But the ignited passion and energy remained. Long after the fire dragons faded, applause echoed through the stadium, the spectators still savoring the awe-inspiring performance.
———
The Konoha ninja procession passed, followed by the Kumogakure ninja procession.
Compared to Konoha's dazzling uniforms and ninjutsu display, the Kumo ninja looked like—country bumpkins. They wore outdated headbands and rough, revealing uniforms.
The contrast was stark.
The Kumo ninja, initially confident, now felt ashamed under the barrage of boos from the crowd, lowering their heads in embarrassment.
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