275. Buy It For A Friend

"Ah-choo! Ah-choo~!"

In the dark and quiet space, a large and plump figure slowly opened its eyes. Shukaku wiped its nose suspiciously and muttered in a low voice,
"It must be that stinky fox badmouthing me behind my back. Despicable traitor!"

"Shukaku, what scripture would you like to hear today?"

As Shukaku was fuming, a candlelight flickered in the darkness, revealing a young monk sitting cross-legged before its massive form.

The monk's calm eyes betrayed no fear as he looked at the enormous creature. Pressing his hands together, he spoke in a serene, almost sacred tone:
"No! You noisy little bald head, get out of here!"

Recalling how this monk had chattered incessantly by its side, Shukaku felt like it would rather die than endure it again. Without hesitation, it swung its massive paw at the monk, only for the claw to pass through empty air. The monk was merely a projection.

"Sigh~ Bringing enlightenment to this being is a long and arduous task."

The monk, cast out, opened his eyes slowly and sighed as he looked at the uniquely designed earthen jar in front of him.


---

In the Meeting Room

The First Kazekage spoke with conviction. From his serious demeanor, Uchiha Gin couldn't tell whether the man was feigning ignorance or genuinely clueless for considering that dim-witted tanuki as the strongest tailed beast.

"As far as I know, the beast sealed in your village should be the One-Tail, correct?"

Beside him, Senju Hashirama looked at the First Kazekage with a complicated expression after hearing this.

"That's right! According to Shukaku, tailed beasts are ranked by the number of their tails. Since it is the One-Tail, it is naturally the leader of all tailed beasts!"

Noticing the mockery in Hashirama's gaze, the Kazekage, Reto, became irritated. What's with that look? Don't make me summon Shukaku to deal with all of you.

One village, ten rounds of practice air bombs—I'll scare you all to death!

"Brother Gin, it seems even tailed beasts like to boast~" Hashirama whispered to Uchiha Gin, trying not to interrupt Reto’s grandstanding.

"Never mind. The Land of Wind has no money anyway. If they can’t buy anything, they’ll just make a fuss," Gin replied with a casual smile.

Since the Land of Wind wasn’t in Uchiha Gin's target customer base, he didn't mind Retsuto's exaggerated claims.

"Ahem. As much as I’d love to celebrate Sunagakure’s acquisition of the strongest tailed beast, our experience capturing tailed beasts in Konoha shows that their strength is determined by the number of tails."

Gin coughed lightly, cutting off Reto’s self-promotion. It was obvious that the Kazekage was shamelessly trying to elevate his village’s international status by hyping Shukaku as an unbeatable force.

"Tails? What proof do you have?"

Reto straightened up and stared sharply at Gin, his voice cold.

"Hmph. The proof is that we’ve captured every tailed beast except the one in your village."

With a sneer, Gin unfurled a prepared scroll. One by one, lifelike depictions of tailed beasts leapt off the paper, their fearsome forms commanding the attention of everyone present.

"So these are the tailed beasts?"

The Kage of the great nations widened their eyes, holding their breath as they examined the scroll. Even though it wasn’t the real thing, the sheer presence conveyed through the drawings was awe-inspiring.

"But Shukaku said—"

Even after seeing the scroll, Reto stubbornly held his ground.

"Practical tests are the only way to verify the truth. Why not bring your village’s tailed beast out for a spar?" Gin said mockingly.

"Tailed beasts are not to be used lightly!"

Reto, growing uneasy, lowered his tone but still tried to save face.

"Then practice more if you're weak. If you can’t afford to lose, don’t play," Gin retorted without paying him further attention.

Turning to the other Kage, who appeared deep in thought, Gin asked,
"Do you all understand the power of tailed beasts?"

The First Raikage was the first to respond, "I’ve heard of it. Our records in the Land of Lightning mention the Nine-Tails, a creature said to stand over a hundred meters tall, capable of swallowing dozens of men whole. Its black energy ball can destroy an entire city in an instant."

"In the Land of Water, there are also records of a giant turtle-like beast appearing near our shores. Many skilled ninja who sought it out never returned," added the First Mizukage, Byakuren, after some thought.

"If these creatures are as terrifying as you say, how did Konoha manage to capture them?"

The First Tsuchikage, Ishikawa, was skeptical. Although the Land of Earth also had records of tailed beasts, he doubted their actual value upon hearing Konoha had captured so many.

"Ah, that would be thanks to the blessing of the Sage of Six Paths, who granted our Hokage a bloodline limit specifically designed to suppress tailed beasts."

Gin smiled, patting Hashirama’s shoulder. The First Hokage immediately adopted a mysterious expression, causing the other Kage to frown.

"Wood Release."

The Kage exchanged glances. Even if they hadn’t fought Hashirama themselves, they had gathered intelligence before attending the meeting. Wood Release was reportedly unparalleled and unique to Hashirama.

"If that’s the case, how does Konoha plan to sell these tailed beasts?"

Now convinced of the tailed beasts’ worth, the Raikage asked about pricing.

Gin’s expression turned serious as he raised a single finger. Before he could finish, Hashirama excitedly blurted out,
"Konoha guarantees quality and fairness—only one—"

"One hundred billion!" Gin interjected.

"Pfft!"

Someone in the room, sipping tea, nearly choked.

Silence fell. Even Hashirama was dumbfounded, unable to process the number.

"Bang!"

The Tsuchikage slammed his fist on the table in frustration.

"If you want war, just say it! Don’t insult us with this ridiculous price!"

Fuming, Ishikawa prepared to leave, but Gin remained unbothered, even gesturing for him to go faster.

"Fine! This absurd agreement will never be signed by the Land of Earth!" Ishikawa shouted before storming out.

"Brother Gin, this isn’t what we agreed on! You’re going to ruin everything!" Hashirama hissed, tugging at Gin’s sleeve.

"Calm down," Gin replied, brushing him off.

Turning to the Mizukage, Gin asked with a smile,
"How fares the war for the Land of Water?"

"Fifty-fifty," Byakuren replied curtly, unwilling to admit any disadvantage.

"Ah, if Kirigakure were to lose, I wonder how much the Land of Earth would demand in compensation? Or whether the Daimyo would cut your military budget—or worse, abandon the village altogether," Gin said with feigned sympathy.

Hearing this, Ishikawa, who had been halfway out the door, froze and turned back, glaring at Gin.

"Still here, Tsuchikage-sama? Perhaps you should go back and start calculating your losses," Gin quipped.


Uchiha Gin’s expression appeared genuine, causing Ishikawa to furrow his brow even further.

"Calculate what? Explain yourself!"

"Of course, calculate how much you’ll owe the Land of Water in reparations and how much maritime territory you’ll have to cede."

"Hmph! Nonsense. How could we possibly lose?" Ishikawa scoffed coldly, confident in their ongoing battle. The fight was leaning heavily in Iwagakure’s favor. If not for this meeting, they might have already taken Kirigakure.

"That might have been uncertain before, but after today’s meeting, I can guarantee that the Land of Water will crush you."

Raising an eyebrow, Uchiha Gin turned his attention away from Ishikawa, leaving him stewing in frustration. Instead, Gin enthusiastically addressed Byakuren, who seemed caught off guard.

"Lord Mizukage, how about considering a game-changing tool?"

"Can it really turn the tides?"

Previously uninterested in tailed beasts, Byakuren now broke into a cold sweat. If they lost the war, not only would they face enormous reparations but also the ire of the Daimyo, leading to drastic budget cuts—or even abandonment of Kirigakure altogether.

"It's guaranteed. We happen to have an aquatic-tailed beast perfectly suited for the Land of Water. Not only can it help you dominate sea battles, but it also serves as a great defender at home—versatile and invaluable."

Byakuren lowered his head in contemplation, calculating the potential risks and gains.

If they lost, Ishikawa’s opportunistic tendencies would likely demand reparations exceeding hundreds of billions. Additionally, the Daimyo’s annual military budget—easily over a hundred billion—would be slashed if they failed.

"It’s too expensive!"

Despite growing interest, Byakuren hesitated, his tone softening compared to before.

"Expensive? This has always been the price! Lord Mizukage, we must think long-term."

"But a hundred billion is still—"

"Indeed! It’s excessive, Brother Gin!" Hashirama quietly interjected.

"Got it, Lord Hokage. Understood!"

Uchiha Gin nodded solemnly, feigning comprehension.

"My apologies, Lord Mizukage. My Hokage just reminded me—it’s not a hundred billion per beast. It’s a hundred billion per tail."

With a slight smile, Uchiha Gin calmly "corrected" the price list.

Imagining a future where the wealthier Daimyo spend 6 trillion ryo on explosive tags, he thought selling an entire set of tailed beasts for a mere few hundred billion was perfectly fair.

"Argh, impossible!"

Byakuren hesitated. If he bought a tailed beast and still lost to the Land of Earth, he’d not only face financial ruin but also double his liabilities.

"Lord Mizukage, 'all-in' is a mindset. Buying might not guarantee victory, but not buying ensures defeat."

Gin’s persuasive words echoed like a devil’s whisper, lodging themselves in Byakuren’s mind.

"Think of your years of hard work building your village—destroyed by your own hands. What a painful realization that would be."

"Ugh…" Byakuren wavered further.

"Think of your loved ones, eagerly awaiting your victorious return. What fate awaits them if you fail?"

"Alright… I'll buy."

"Byakuren, don’t act rashly!"

Ishikawa, who had been eavesdropping the entire time, panicked upon seeing the Mizukage fall into Gin’s trap.

"That’s a hundred billion! Enough to fund your village for years!"

"Shut it, Ishikawa!"

Any lingering hesitation vanished as Byakuren, spurred on by his rival’s protests, firmly turned to Gin.

"We’ll take it!"

"!!" x8

"That’s the spirit! Lord Mizukage, which one would you like?"

Successfully hooking his first client, Gin unfurled the scroll and displayed the tailed beasts for Byakuren to choose from.

"The aquatic one you mentioned earlier."

Suppressing his pain, Byakuren bypassed the two-tailed beast with the fewest tails, settling on the three-tailed turtle.

"One reservation for the Three-Tails, confirmed!"

Gin ceremoniously tossed celebratory confetti into the air, celebrating their first deal.

Meanwhile, Ishikawa silently fumed as he returned to his seat, determined to observe what other tricks Gin might pull.

"Hehe~ Cheer up, Lord Mizukage! With the Three-Tails, victory is certain."

Gin handed Byakuren a Three-Tails information card, confidently guaranteeing its effectiveness.

"What’s this?"

Taking the card hesitantly, Byakuren’s eyes widened as he felt the terrifying aura emanating from it. For a moment, he almost dropped it to the floor.

"What kind of object is this?"



The sensory abilities of the Kage present were far from weak. The moment the card appeared, they all sensed an oppressive and terrifying aura emanating from it, their eyes immediately locking onto what appeared to be a plain, unassuming card.

"Hold that card carefully. It contains a trace of the tailed beast’s chakra, serving as a built-in authenticity verification," Uchiha Gin explained.

These tailed beast cards had been crafted by Gin overnight, using chakra extracted from the tails of the tailed beasts. Their purpose was twofold: to provide a detailed introduction to the tailed beasts’ abilities and to let even the uninformed experience the oppressive power of these beasts firsthand.

"Such detailed information..."

Byakuren held the slightly warm card in his hand and began to examine its contents. The card not only depicted the full appearance of the Three-Tails but also listed its abilities. Beyond water-style techniques and physical prowess, one ability was highlighted in bold: Tailed Beast Bomb.

"Capable of leveling a city in one blow, huh..."

Clutching the card tightly, Byakuren could barely resist the urge to take the Three-Tails to the battlefield immediately and teach Ishikawa a lesson.

"Lord Mizukage, since you’ve already bought one, why not take a look at another? Here’s the Six-Tails—it’s also perfect for the Land of Water’s terrain. Pairing it with the Three-Tails, one for offense and one for defense, would make Kirigakure unstoppable during wartime."

"The Three-Tails is enough," Byakuren replied curtly, waving off Gin's attempt to upsell. It seemed the cautious Mizukage had managed to keep his composure.

"Hey, Kazekage," Ishikawa whispered, taking advantage of the distraction. "Are tailed beasts really as terrifying as they say?"

"I can’t speak for the others, but Shukaku is a disaster beast capable of wiping out a city in the blink of an eye," Reto replied. "Our ancestors from the Land of Wind only managed to seal it during its slumber, using their lives as a catalyst and their flesh as the cage, placing it within an artifact passed down for generations."

This time, Reto chose not to exaggerate, recounting only the facts he knew.

"If that’s true..."

"Not interested in buying, Ishikawa-san? A pair of tailed beasts would bring balance and fortune, you know!" Gin chimed in, noticing Ishikawa's unease.

"I remember you mentioning that a tailed beast’s power corresponds to the number of its tails?" Ishikawa asked.

"Of course! That’s been certified by two of Konoha’s most reputable authorities."

"Tell me about the Four-Tails."

"Huh?" Gin blinked in surprise.

"What, you don’t want to make money?" Ishikawa growled impatiently, his face darkening.

"Of course, of course! Right away, Lord Tsuchikage!" Gin plastered on his most salesman-like grin and darted over, quickly presenting the Four-Tails card.

"This fiery red-haired monkey here is the Four-Tails. Trust me, it’s a bargain for its power!"

"And why’s that?" Ishikawa asked, still skeptical.

Gin handed over the Four-Tails card. "Here’s its information card. Take a look."

"Hot!"

Unprepared for the heat emanating from the card, Ishikawa felt as though he was holding a chunk of molten rock, his palm reddening.

"It even has a Kekkei Genkai!"

As he examined the information, Ishikawa’s eyes widened. The card revealed that the Four-Tails possessed a rare Kekkei Genkai, which, according to the description, could be learned and passed down.

"Capable of destroying a city in one strike... No wonder Byakuren was willing to pay a fortune. This thing could truly change the tide of war."

"Well, Lord Tsuchikage? Satisfied?" Gin asked with a sly smile.

"Not bad, but it’s too expensive."

Although Ishikawa was tempted, his frugal nature refused to let him agree without negotiating.

"Lord Tsuchikage, this is the Four-Tails with a learnable Kekkei Genkai! How could you call it expensive?" Gin exclaimed, feigning indignation.

"What? A learnable Kekkei Genkai?"

Hearing this, Byakuren, who was admiring his Three-Tails card, frowned deeply. He had acted too soon. Still, the Three-Tails was aquatic and suited the Land of Water, so he consoled himself with that thought.

"Lower your voice! Fine, I’ll buy it!"

For a village, a learnable Kekkei Genkai was an incredible asset. Properly nurtured, it could give rise to a Kekkei Genkai battalion, invincible on the battlefield.

"One reservation for the Four-Tails, confirmed!" Gin declared, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. This sale was proving to be quite the effort.

"Since both the Mizukage and Tsuchikage have purchased tailed beasts, the Land of Lightning cannot fall behind," declared the First Raikage, sensing the rising threat.

"And which tailed beast might Lord Raikage be interested in?" Gin asked, his smile widening.

"The strongest one available, of course," the Raikage replied confidently, pointing directly at the Eight-Tails.

"The Eight-Tails! Truly fitting for Lord Raikage's grandeur!"

"Wait!" two elderly voices cried out simultaneously.

"And how may I assist you two?" Gin turned toward the suddenly concerned Byakuren and Ishikawa.

"Does the Eight-Tails possess a Kekkei Genkai?" Byakuren inquired, with Ishikawa nodding in agreement.

"If it did, I’d consider making a bid," Byakuren added.

"The Eight-Tails does not have a Kekkei Genkai."

"Then never mind," both men sighed in relief, retreating to their seats.

"Here’s the Eight-Tails card, Lord Raikage. Please take it."

The oppressive aura radiating from the Eight-Tails card was even more intense than the previous ones, drawing frowns from both Byakuren and Ishikawa. Despite lacking a Kekkei Genkai, its sheer power seemed unmatched.

Not wanting to fall behind, both Kage turned their attention back to the remaining cards.

"And the Five-Tails—does it have a Kekkei Genkai?" Ishikawa asked.

"It does! Seems Lord Tsuchikage is quite fond of Kekkei Genkai," Gin teased.

"Enough talk! Hand it over," Ishikawa demanded, snatching the Five-Tails card and quickly tucking it away.

"Hey! Don’t just take it!" Gin protested, flustered.

"Who said I wasn’t buying? The Five-Tails belongs to Iwagakure!" Ishikawa declared.

"Bring me the Six-Tails!" Byakuren shouted, eager to secure another aquatic beast before anyone else.

As Gin handed out cards one after another, even Hashirama couldn’t believe his eyes. "This is... real, right?" he muttered, pinching his leg to confirm.

"Two beasts left! First come, first served!" Gin announced, waving the final cards.

"Hmph! Whoever buys them is an idiot!" Reto muttered, his envy practically oozing from him.

"I’ll take the Seven-Tails!" Ishikawa suddenly shouted, raising his hand.

"Do you even have the money for that, Lord Tsuchikage?" Gin asked suspiciously.

"I’m buying it for a friend. Problem?"