Born in Sunagakure, dedicated to antagonizing Konoha for decades

"Hey! My dear elders, uncles, and brothers, it's not that I want to accept cash, but as you can see, there are so many of you here. Even if each person brought a sack, my house wouldn't be able to hold it all. Besides, this stuff isn't cheap. If you just pack up and leave, what if two or three walls of my century-old house are damaged? How am I supposed to face my ancestors then? You all agree, right? And with so many of you gathered here, even if I divided the metal in my house, it wouldn't be enough for everyone! Lord Chiyo is getting old and can't handle such a shock, so please be understanding. Those who brought sacks, go back and find a way to exchange them for cash. Those who have enough cash and are confident in their worth can stay. To avoid unnecessary trouble and to adhere to the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency, I will sell the metal in batches. Today, I'll sell sixty pounds of... cough, metal, the highest bidder wins. Remember, each person can only have one portion at a time, which is twenty pounds. Anyone who bids randomly or bids more than two portions will be carried away on a stretcher."

"Bang.....!"

"Alright, here are three pieces of metal. You can begin. The highest bidder wins..."

After dissuading one group, the remaining group consisted entirely of puppeteers dressed in tan-colored Jonin vests. It was immediately apparent that a significant wealth gap existed among these ninjas; Jonin were far wealthier than Chunin, but most were from clans, with very few commoner Jonin...

"Hiss...! No wonder it's material that can destroy Captain Ying's puppet, it's amazing!"

The remaining Jonin puppeteers gasped as they looked at the pile of metal lumps that Shinto had tossed to the ground, creating a large crater. As Jonin puppeteers, they possessed extensive knowledge, and based on the sound of the metal lumps hitting the ground and the destructive force they had generated, they could tell that these metal lumps were extraordinary...

"...Let's begin. -_-||"

Even if Zhen Dou were shameless, these enthusiastic young men were making him sound so shameless that he was starting to lose his composure. If he couldn't create such a big dent by throwing that 60-pound iron, he'd delete his account. What the hell was the point of playing? The ground wasn't paved with granite...

"What a ridiculous horse-themed car!!!"

"Hoo hoo...! Teacher, can I join?"

Just as the Jonin underlings below were about to make their offer, three short figures arrived. One of them, an older boy in a wheelchair, asked breathlessly.

These are none other than the three elementary school students from the Golden Lion Class. However, the three of them don't seem to be in good condition. Yekura, who has changed back into her low-key clothes, is alright, except that her hair is a bit messy. But Kudo Yusaku and Umekawa Nai are not in good shape, especially Umekawa Nai, whose clothes and pants are tattered and torn, and her lower body is so tattered that even her underwear is vaguely visible.

I don't know who's so inconsiderate, messing with young heartthrobs is one thing, but they even prey on disabled people...

429. Even teachers have to sell scrap metal to make a living.

"Of course, money talks. We value money, not status, here. But what about your outfits...?"

Masato was startled by the three's appearance. They had become so disheveled in just one month, especially Umekawa Nei. Could it be that that old geezer Umekawa Shirochi had kicked them out of the house...?

"......-_-"

The three looked up at the sky, indicating they didn't want to say anything. "It's all your fault!"

Thinking about what had happened today, the three were on the verge of tears, especially Yekura and Kudo Yusaku. If their senior, Umekawa, was the main character in this morning's ordeal, they weren't even supporting characters. Yet, they were caught in the crossfire, all thanks to their "good teacher" who had been so laissez-faire towards them...

It's a long story, and this morning, after working on the new puppet for over a month, Mei Chuan Neiyi planned to celebrate with two teammates. But as soon as they gathered, they were ambushed by a group of people. Seeing their menacing appearance, they were initially confused, thinking that their enemies had sent people to seek revenge. But thinking back, they didn't seem to have any enemies in the village. Even Mei Chuan Neiyi was puzzled. He was usually quite low-key and had never bullied anyone. Besides, he wasn't a big brother anymore... ugh! He hadn't been around for many years, and his legend had long since faded from the village.

After hearing what the group had to say, they learned that news had spread early that morning that the young master of the Meichuan family had created an iron golem that had defeated the veteran puppet master Captain Aying of the puppeteer's army with its superior strength and numbers. They had come to see just how powerful the puppet that could defeat Captain Aying really was... In short, they had come to challenge Meichuan Neiyi to a duel.

Everyone in this world wants to rise to the top. Although it's rumored that Captain Aying was utterly defeated, they still wouldn't dare challenge a veteran puppet master. But now, facing a young master from the Meichuan clan, their minds are racing again. Although the young master of the Meichuan clan defeated Captain Aying, and Captain Aying herself admitted it, they still believe that Captain Aying was careless and didn't dodge. Plus, the opponent is just a kid, the future successor of the Meichuan clan, and Master Zhendou is supervising the battle. Master Zhendou is also the young master's teacher. It's possible that Captain Aying held back.

If they defeat this young master Meichuan, wouldn't they be able to take over? As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. Even if this young master Meichuan has a powerful background, under the temptation of taking over, who cares about the Meichuan clan or even Master Dou!

The three were completely dumbfounded. Especially Yekura and Kudo Yusaku, after their initial shock, both looked at the wheelchair-bound senior, Meikawa. They didn't know who Captain Ayame was, but as members of Sunagakure, they knew what the Puppet Master Squad was. While not as mysterious as the legendary Anbu, it was still the elite of the elite, not just anyone could enter. It was a sacred place for all the puppeteers in the village. A puppeteer who hadn't served in the Puppet Master Squad couldn't even call himself a qualified puppeteer. Anyone who could be a captain in the Puppet Master Squad was incredibly strong, at least an elite Jonin. Was their senior, Meikawa, really that powerful? A month ago, when the three of them fought their teacher's nephew, the village's super genius Sasori, they were so powerless; Meikawa's puppets were destroyed in less than five rounds. And now, in such a short time, Meikawa had already defeated a puppet master captain who was at least an elite Jonin! That was incredibly fast!

Mei Chuan Neiyi was completely dumbfounded. His new puppet had only officially gone live this morning. Last night, he'd had a long talk with his father, the clan leader, and hadn't even left the house. How could he possibly have defeated a puppeteer captain? Besides, he'd only heard of this Captain Aying, never even seen her. How could he possibly fight her one-on-one? And he was just a newbie who'd only switched to puppetry a few years ago. He'd have to be crazy to fight a puppeteer captain who was at least an elite Jonin...

But this rumor included the time, place, and witnesses, making him start to wonder if he had sleepwalked and done it last night.

However, he was also quite educated, and then he remembered a key figure in the story, Mr. Shindou. He felt that this matter was related to their extremely irresponsible teacher, so he led his two teammates to break through the encirclement with a large number of bodyguards arranged by his clan chief father. When they saw so many people in front of the Gong Lie clan's gate and that their teacher was auctioning off the metal used to make iron golems, the three of them, being intelligent, realized that the matter was clear.

They were blocked off the road before they even had breakfast, all because of this unscrupulous teacher! His goal was to sell these metal lumps and inflate the price!

Yekura and Kudo Yusaku looked up at the sky, speechless. They thought about going to the Kazekage later to ask if they could change teachers. They had only ever heard of teachers who were a pain in the neck, but never one who was a pain in the neck... (〒︿〒)

Seeing his teacher toiling under the scorching sun, buying and selling metal, the kind-hearted Mei Chuan Neiyi felt his resentment dissipate considerably. He wondered if something had happened to his teacher's family. Knowing the Miyagi clan as he did, though they had declined, they were once the most prestigious family in Sunagakure. Logically, they should be quite wealthy. His teacher, as one of the second generation of the Miyagi clan, shouldn't be short of money. Yet, they had fallen to such a state of destitution, selling scrap metal. Something must have happened to the Miyagi clan, forcing his teacher to rely on scrap metal for a living… His teacher's strength was undeniable, yet he didn't use it for illegal activities, instead honestly earning money little by little. This noble character deeply impressed him. He wanted to help his teacher but worried about hurting his pride. So, he thought, since he had all the money he could, and had saved up a considerable amount of pocket money over the years, he might as well join in and offer his teacher a higher price…

"Lord Shindou, may we begin? I'll take these twenty pounds, I'll offer eight hundred thousand...!"

Meanwhile, the puppeteer below, waving the banknotes, couldn't wait any longer. A balding, prematurely aged henchman with a black cloth covering his head stared intently at the metal lumps in the pit, pulling a bulging money pouch from his ninja tool bag...

430. Three million for a single boast

"Eight hundred thousand? You think you can just take it away for eight hundred thousand? Yuan Shang, you're thinking too simply! Lord Zhen Dou, I'll offer... eight hundred and fifty thousand!"

It was clear that the puppeteer ninja who spoke didn't get along with the first bidder, Hara, after offering a dismissive remark, he added 50,000 with considerable force...

"Alright! This Jonin has asked for 850,000. Is there anyone who can offer a higher price? If not, this first batch of metal belongs to this Jonin! I'd like to remind everyone that there are so many people who want to buy metal, but the metal is limited...ヾ(^Д^*)/"

This Jonin was incredibly arrogant. Although he only added 50,000, Mato didn't care. The initial bid didn't matter; what he wanted was the competitive atmosphere. Once the competition started, would the price drop later? ヾ(^Д^*)/

"I'll offer one million!"

Sure enough, as soon as Zhen Dou finished speaking, the people below couldn't hold back any longer. Someone immediately raised their hand and forcefully increased the bid by 150,000. Only three portions of metal were sold each time, and the metal was limited. They had seen so many people earlier, and those people didn't have cash now. If they waited for those people to exchange for cash, then the competition would be much fiercer next time!

Adhering to the principle of striking first, the next Jonin immediately opened a million.

This million is just the bonus from two A-level missions; they can easily afford it. At worst, they can just carry gold dust around in the future. Once their strength increases, they won't be afraid of not having money.

"That's got guts! This boss... oops! This guy is definitely a dragon among men, he'll be awesome in a couple of years, I'm telling you! ヾ(^?^)?"

Shinto beamed as he watched the Jonin who had shouted out a million dollars give him a thumbs up. This was exactly the kind of person needed in this situation.

"Ha ha..."

This Jonin, whom Shinto had called an absolute powerhouse in two years, never expected that Shinto-sama would think so highly of him. Seeing the envious looks from his companions, he scratched the back of his head and grinned foolishly. Even if he bought a bunch of useless scrap metal with this million, it would be worth it just for Shinto-sama's words that he was a dragon among men!

That's enough for him to brag about for a lifetime... Listen to that, Shinto-sama calls him brother! ヾ(^?^)?

"I'll offer 1.5 million!"

The next moment, a Jonin raised his hand to offer a price. Perhaps feeling he didn't have the credentials to boast, he quickly asked Lord Shinto to give him a piece of the action. A million-plus yen price tag wouldn't be a bad deal just to hear Lord Shinto brag about it...

"Wow! This brother is quite the character! If the village had more people like you, what great things couldn't we accomplish?!"

Masato raised an eyebrow. Although he felt the auction had taken a bit off, it was good for him that someone was bidding high. A few more words of praise wouldn't cost him anything; he could easily make up for it with a glass of water when he got home. After all, this guy had the guts to spend over a million on a pile of scrap metal, so a few more words of praise wouldn't hurt...ヾ(^?^)?

".....I'm going back. -_-||"

Looking at the bastard's shameless face, the handsome Scorpion behind him was speechless. After saying this to Chiyo, he turned around and left quickly.

Lose your face!

That's so damn embarrassing!

He couldn't stand staying here even a minute longer; how could there be such a shameless person in the world? ヽ(ー_ー)ノ

"...That brat."

Chiyo watched her beloved grandson hurry away, then glanced at her shameless nephew at the door, before turning and heading towards the back door to burn some incense for Lie Dou and Lie Zhen. She simply couldn't stand it anymore; this brat had completely disgraced the Gong Lie clan. If Lie Dou and Lie Zhen knew, they'd be furious...

"The teacher is so embarrassed...-_-||"

Yekura and Kudo Yusaku were now covering their faces with their hands, too ashamed to show their faces. What kind of legendary ninja was this? He looked like a shrewd businessman! At this moment, the towering and majestic image of the legendary ninja, Golden Lion, collapsed once again...

"Teacher, I'll offer three million!"

The more Masato acted this way, the more Mei Chuan Neiyi felt that something must have happened in her teacher's family to make a legendary ninja standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world sell his dignity and disregard his reputation. Mei Chuan Neiyi was almost in tears. He clearly had great strength but was unwilling to do illegal things. Instead, he was saying nice things here just to earn such a small amount of money!

The teacher is such a good person! I have to help him....╥﹏╥

"Holy crap! Three...three million?! Σ(⊙▽⊙a)"

"Hiss...! Young Master Meichuan, this is... a bit too much, isn't it? (⊙_⊙)"

"..."

Mei Chuan Neiyi immediately doubled the price, causing the opposing Jonin to feel a pang of pain. Although the twenty kilograms of metal were precious, they were not unique. In their minds, two million was the maximum price. If they couldn't buy it this time, they could wait for the next time.

They only offered to let Lord Shinto praise them and experience what it's like to be praised by a legendary ninja, but this young master went all out, making the Jonin who wanted to offer to let Lord Shinto praise them feel terrible.

They are indeed wealthy, but most of their wealth is in gold dust. This kind of cash is something they earned with their lives. Moreover, ninjas have high daily expenses. All kinds of care and maintenance, as well as various ninja tools, all cost money. Three million in gold dust is not expensive, but in cash, it is really beyond their means.

But doesn't this young master already have an iron golem? What is he here for?

Everyone looked puzzled, wondering what the young master was up to. The rich and powerful were different; the money they earned through hard work and risking their lives was like pocket money to them.

Three million, without even blinking an eye, that's absolutely outrageous!

"Senior Meichuan, you... (⊙_⊙)?"

On one side, Yekura and Kudo Yusaku were also confused, looking at Umekawa Nai-i, wondering what this senior was up to.

Senior Meichuan already has one, so are you trying to get three million for a single compliment? That's way too outrageous!

They work like dogs every day and only earn a few thousand, while this senior earns three million without batting an eye.

It's good to be rich...

"Wow! That's incredible! Young Master Meichuan may be young, but his courage is unlike that of a newcomer. Many veterans can't compare to you!"

Shindou looked at his own Meikawa Neiyi, whose price he had driven up to the maximum, with surprise. He wondered what this kid was up to. Didn't you already have one? Why did you need this piece of junk? But despite his curiosity, since the other party had made an offer, he treated everyone the same and still had to boast.

But for some reason, I always felt that this kid was looking at him strangely...

431. Even the most shameless strong person has dignity.

"Three million, is there anyone willing to bid higher?"

"..."

"Three million for the first time!"

"..."

"Three million for the second time!"

"..."

"Three million for the third time! Congratulations to our young master Mei Chuan for successfully obtaining the first piece of puppet metal with three million!"

"..."

After Mei Chuan Neiyi set the price at the maximum, the Jonin in front stopped bidding. Comparing their hard-earned money to someone else's pocket money was pointless; there were two more to go anyway. If this spendthrift wanted to, he could just give it to him!

"Alright, the first auction is over. Now for the second..."

"Teacher, I'll offer three million!"

Shinto looked at the Jonin who were waving their hands and waiting for the second batch of scrap metal to be auctioned off, and without saying a word, he directly auctioned off the second batch. But before he could finish speaking, Umekawa's voice rang out again.

"...-_-||, Young Master Meichuan, didn't you already buy one? Master Zhendou said that each person can only buy one."

At this point, the Jonin couldn't take it anymore. They felt like this kid was targeting them. The first time was one thing—the highest bidder won—they had no objections, since the Meikawa clan was wealthy. But this second time, the "auctioneer" hadn't even finished speaking before he went all the way up the price. What else could this be but targeting? If it weren't for the rule that only one item could be bid on at a time, if the other party was the successor of the Meikawa clan, if he wasn't Master Shindou's student, they would have already taken him down!

So, if you have money, you just flaunt it? They hate these second, third, fourth, and fifth-generation rich kids the most! (▼へ▼メ)

"Is there such a rule? Can I buy it for my companion then?"

Umekawa Nei, who was eager to help her teacher through the crisis, pointed to her friend Kudo Yusaku, who was dumbfounded and seeing a rich person for the first time.