Konoha: Who's the good guy?

Honoka Uzumaki stared blankly at the young man who was hugging her, his smile as warm as the sun.

The slender arm hooked around Minato Namikaze unconsciously tightened slightly.

Her heart fluttered, and without thinking, she went for it.

???

Nima!

Luring the dog over to kill it?

Yamanaka Kei watched as Minato Namikaze, with a blank expression, awkwardly began to respond.

He clenched and unclenched his fists several times, his teeth almost grinding to powder.

o(▼皮▼メ;)o

Go back to Konoha, go back to Konoha tomorrow!

He couldn't stand this awful place for even a day longer!

Shan Zhongjing cursed viciously in his heart.

Grabbing the peregrine falcon by the scruff of its neck, and leading this silly bird, which had been severely sealed in its limbs and knocked over by the Nirvana Abode technique, I headed towards the entrance of the research institute.

The temperature in the crater is not low.

He's protected by chakra, so he's not in much trouble, but if this peregrine falcon isn't dragged away soon, it'll be plucked, cleaned, and roasted.

In the ninja world, the ability to fly has always been extremely rare.

Correspondingly, flying summoned beasts are also extremely popular.

This peregrine falcon-like creature, though not as exaggeratedly large as its smaller counterparts, can only carry a maximum of two adults on its back.

But as the leader of the flying raptors on the island, its speed and strength are exceptional.

In addition, they can be entrusted to the bird summoning animal breeding center in Konoha to take care of them, so they don't need to put in too much effort.

Shan Zhongjing already has the idea of ​​signing a contract for it.

Instead of watching Minato Namikaze and Honoka Uzumaki flaunt their love here, wouldn't it be better to do something serious?

----------

Konoha Zero Training Ground.

Originally a sparsely populated area that was almost a training ground for various wild animals, it was now filled with a large number of Konoha ninja.

And as time goes on, the number of people is clearly increasing.

Summoning beasts have always been a scarce resource in the ninja world.

Not to mention the ninja clans and commoner ninjas who don't have summoning beasts.

Even clans like the Uchiha, Sarutobi, and Shimura, which have a tradition of summoning beasts, don't want to miss this auction.

The edge of a makeshift auction stage.

Nara Shikaku appeared to be calmly moving among the various ninja clans and powerful commoners, easing the atmosphere among them, but in reality, he was panicking inside!

I prayed fervently that the scenery in the mountains would be reliable.

The first batch of three summoned beasts have been out for so long, why hasn't another one come over in half a day?

If this continues, he won't be able to keep this business going!

Behind the auction stage, Jiraiya sat cross-legged on a large blue stone, one hand supporting his chin.

He looked up at the high-hanging sun and felt the warm light on the tip of his nose, which made it itchy. He raised his hand and rubbed his nose.

I felt a little strange myself.

With the kind of personality that makes Yamanaka Keina want to know the exact color of the enemy's underwear when carrying out a mission.

In addition, Minato's strength surpassed that of most ninjas after he mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.

How could something unexpected happen?

"Sniff sniff~"

I could smell the intoxicating aroma coming from the tip of my nose.

Jiraiya glanced discreetly at his right hand, which he had just used to pick at the dirt between his toes, and carefully looked around to make sure no one was watching before letting out a slight sigh of relief.

He was one of the Legendary Sannin, the Toad Sage, the White-Haired Child Jiraiya, and he also had his pride.

The idea of ​​picking one's hands or feet and feeling a bit aroused is somewhat shameful.

hum~

The fleeting power of reverse necromancy is transmitted through the necromancy contract.

He was instantly energized.

He quickly leaped up from the ground, bit the thumb he had already bitten once, and used a summoning technique to summon the stomach of the giant rock toad.

bang~

A huge cloud of chakra smoke rose up.

Two giant birds, their feathers covered in stomach acid and their claws clearly broken, slept more peacefully than the dead, appearing behind the auction stage.

Nara Shikaku, who had been impatient for a long time, suddenly appeared on the auction stage.

After seeing the numerous wounds on the bodies of the two giant birds, he uncertainly checked their breathing.

Thank goodness, he just fell asleep.

Damn it!

Jing, that kid, can't you be a little more careful when you cast an illusion?

Even with a broken bone, he was still fast asleep, and he thought both of those giant birds of prey had died!

With its large wings and massive body, it could easily carry more than a dozen people; it's definitely a strategic-level flying spirit beast.

If it dies, wouldn't that be a terrible waste?

The ninja clan leaders all had their eyes gleaming as they looked at the two giant flying birds that had suddenly appeared.

They clearly recognized their value.

Such a huge bird!

This is a rare find!

It was worth the long wait!

"Both female eagles have only minor fractures. With a little treatment, they will recover within one to two months. The starting bid is two million taels each. Let's begin."

Nara Shikaku inspected the two giant flying birds, then stood on the auction platform and spoke loudly.

"Two million taels, our Shimura clan will take it."

"Using your family name to intimidate others? Hah, my Anma family offers three million taels."

"Three and a half million taels."

"Uchiha, four million ryo."

"You Uchiha don't even leave the village, what do you need such a big eagle for? Our Shimura clan has 4.5 million members."

One by one, the clan leaders and elders began to place their bids.

Female eagles that can lay eggs are much more valuable to them than male eagles.

If cultivated properly, it can be passed down for generations!

The auction was in full swing.

The commoner ninjas with some assets watched the representatives of various clans arguing heatedly, but they weren't worried at all.

Flying summoned beasts are indeed rare, but they are not a necessity for them.

For them, who lack family background and resources.

Strategic value is irrelevant; their real goal is summoned beast partners that can genuinely enhance their combat power.

The six giant female eagles and female hawks, which were summoned in three batches, were quickly divided up by the various families.

After a brief two-minute pause.

Giant rhinoceroses, giant lizards, giant hippos, giant bears, giant wolves, and other terrestrial beasts began to appear one after another.

Commoner ninjas who had been waiting for a long time and ninjas who were interested in raising their own summoning beasts began to join the bidding.

Nara Shikaku was grinning from ear to ear as he watched the ferocious beasts appear one after another.

Regardless of how much money they made.

Those who buy summoned beasts are obligated to do a favor for the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

After all, such ferocious beasts, whose strength is at least comparable to that of a Chunin, are becoming increasingly rare in the ninja world these days!

And take advantage of this opportunity.

In high-level meetings, the three clans of pig, deer, and butterfly are almost guaranteed to have an extra seat!

This is far more important to them than some money!

"...Why aren't you done yet?"

Jiraiya felt a series of stinging pains on his thumb.

He secretly made a vow.

After this is over, he also wants Kushina to make him a small sealed tube for storing blood.

He used to laugh at Kei Yamanaka and Minato Namikaze for being too delicate.

But after using the spirit communication technique more than forty times, he realized that those two guys really did have foresight!

Damn it!

To earn a little money through hard work.

His thumb, belonging to the mighty Toad Immortal, was almost bitten into a pulp!

Jiraiya sensed that Fukasaku, the hermit of Mount Myōboku, was once again instructing him to use the Summoning Jutsu.

He viciously rubbed his battered thumb across his left palm, gritting his teeth as he unleashed the spirit summoning spell once more.

He'll definitely find eight young ladies to soothe his soul when he gets back!

Not a single one can be missing!