The domineering Uchiha drove the Third Hokage mad!

Chapter 357 Population for Youth

In a side hall of the Daimyo's mansion in the Land of Earth, everyone held their breath as they watched a video.

The video looped through footage of experiments released by the Land of Water.

A 65-year-old man with a wrinkled face and a hunched back drank the inferior water of life. His wrinkles visibly faded, his back straightened, and he transformed into a 30-year-old man with a rosy complexion and upright posture.

Even when he cut his arm with a knife, the wound healed completely within seconds.

"Your Highness, since this video was released by the Land of Water, the Water of Life must be genuine!"

Onoki's aged face was full of struggle: "But the national treasury only has 3000 tons of gold. Even if we mortgage three gold mines, we may not be able to afford the price of the high-grade life water."

The daimyo of the Land of Earth stood in front of the mirror, reaching out to touch the crow's feet at the corner of his eye, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

"If we don't have enough gold, we'll make up for it with people! Didn't the Land of Water offer a reward of 2000 taels of silver for each immigrant? Converted to gold, 20 million people would be 8000 tons of gold! Let's immigrate the entire population of the southern cities to the Land of Water, use that immigration reward to buy gold, and then use that to buy the Water of Life!"

Onoki's expression changed drastically: "2000 million immigrants? That's like losing the population of several cities! Besides, the Land of Water said that while the Water of Life is very useful, if the body is severely injured, the healing process will consume a lot of life energy, shortening its effectiveness. After 8 years, it will also cause natural aging... This..."

The daimyo of the Land of Earth had a fixated look in his eyes as he pointed at the image in the crystal: "I'm already over 60 years old. If I can recover my strength to that of a 30-year-old, even if it's only for 8 years, it will be enough to reorganize the territory of the Land of Earth! Have the Minister of Finance contact the Land of Water and say that we are willing to 'organize' the immigration of 2000 million people, and ask them to first transfer 8000 tons of gold to the auction account as bidding funds."

Onoki opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed the rest of his words.

He knew that at this moment, Da Ming was already blinded by "youth" and "power," and any attempt to dissuade him would only invite rebuke.

He slowly bowed and retreated, but his heart was heavy. Exchanging 2000 million civilians for 8000 tons of gold was destined to severely damage the Land of Earth.

The news spread like wildfire to the Land of Water.

Nara Shikaku, holding the intelligence sent by the Anbu, strode up to the Uchiha Sanfeng.

He excitedly reported, "My lord, the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning have also taken the bait! They're willing to send 2000 million immigrants in exchange for 8000 tons of gold, and they're both demanding that the gold be directly allocated as auction proceeds!"

Uchiha Mitsunori was standing by the window, watching the various delegations from different countries arriving in Daimyo's city one after another.

"Very well, since they want to exchange 20 million people for 'returning to their youth,' then I will certainly grant their wish."

He turned to look at Lu Jiu and instructed, "Make the arrangements so that after the auction ends and it is confirmed that they have won the Water of Life, the immigration process can be initiated. Also, have the Dark Guard monitor the movements of the civilians in these two countries to ensure that they do not change their minds midway. By the way, send them another copy of the detailed rules for using the Water of Life, so that they will not find an excuse to renege on their promises later."

Nara Shikaku bowed and replied, "Understood!"

A month later, the area outside the Daming Prefecture auction center was bustling with noise.

The dignitaries from various countries, each carrying different "bargains," marched into the venue in a grand procession.

The auction bells rang slowly, and the host walked onto the stage.

The large screen behind them first played a video of a 65-year-old man regaining his youth, which drew gasps of amazement from the audience.

"Distinguished guests, as you have all witnessed, the effects of the Water of Life are real and effective. After the successful auction, you can use it on the spot to confirm its effectiveness!"

The host's loud voice quickly echoed throughout the venue: "Today's first item for auction is a low-grade life-giving water, capable of maintaining peak condition for two years, continuously healing hidden injuries, extending human lifespan, and without side effects. The starting bid is 100 tons of gold, with each bid increment no less than 10 tons of gold!"

"110 tons!" Someone immediately raised their paddle to bid.

"120 tons!"

The price soared, quickly surpassing 180 tons of gold, and was eventually bought by the Daimyo of the Land of Wind.

"Next up for auction is Intermediate Life Water!"

The host looked excited, his voice became more impassioned, and the tray in his hand held a deep blue crystal bottle.

"Intermediate-grade Water of Life, capable of maintaining peak condition for 5 years, consumes less energy to heal hidden injuries. Starting bid: 300 tons of gold, minimum increment: 20 tons of gold!"

"400 tons!" The daimyo of the Land of Earth was the first to raise his paddle, his voice tinged with urgency!

"420 tons!" The daimyo of the Land of Lightning immediately followed suit.

"600 tons!" The daimyo of the Land of Wind curled his lip in disdain and immediately raised the price by 180 tons.

Seeing the two men's determined expressions, the daimyo of the Land of Lightning hesitated for a moment.

Although he had a lot of gold, his ultimate goal was high-grade life-giving water; there was no need to waste too much on intermediate-grade. In the end, he lowered his hand from the sign.

"600 tons once! 600 tons twice! 600 tons three times! Sold!"

The host struck the gavel, and the intermediate-grade water of life was won by the daimyo of the Land of Wind.

"Next up is the grand finale of this auction... Premium Life Water!"

The host's voice grew excited, and the curtain behind him slowly opened, revealing a purple crystal bottle that shone with a captivating luster under the lights.

"High-grade life-giving water, capable of maintaining peak condition for 8 years, starting bid 800 tons of gold, minimum increment 100 tons of gold!"

"800 tons!" The daimyo of the Land of Earth immediately raised his sign.

The Daimyo of the Land of Wind frowned, about to raise his sign, when he saw the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning also raise his sign: "900 tons!"

"The Land of Lightning also has this much gold?"

The daimyo of the Land of Wind looked at the daimyo of the Land of Lightning with a puzzled expression, only to see a smile on the other's lips.

The daimyo of the Land of Lightning exchanged 2000 million civilians for 8000 tons of gold, enough to support their fight against the Land of Wind.

"1200 tons!" The daimyo of the Land of Earth blushed and gritted his teeth as he raised the price.

"1600 tons!" The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning followed suit without hesitation, directly increasing the price by 400 tons, hoping to completely extinguish the Land of Earth's idea.

The daimyo of the Land of Earth looked at the resolute expression of the daimyo of the Land of Lightning, then glanced at the immigration agreement in his hand, and finally dejectedly lowered his hand from holding up the sign.

"1600 tons once! 1600 tons twice! 1600 tons three times! Sold!"

The host struck the gavel, and the Advanced Life Water was won by the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning.

......