Chapter 116.1 : Mercenary Organization!

In the Golden List live broadcast room, the screen suddenly filled with images of slug, one incomprehensibly massive like a mountain, embodying the Sage Katsuyu's form.

[Ranked seventh in power: Shikkotsu Forest, boasting a Six Paths-level powerhouse, Kage-level, with few Jōnin equivalents.]

[Great Toad Sage: Shikkotsu Forest ranks seventh. Could Akatsuki surpass them?]

[White Snake Sage: It's plausible. While Six Path level is formidable, Shikkotsu Forest relies mainly on healing abilities, lacking prowess in combat. Though Akatsuki may lack Six Paths-level strength currently, they possess individuals nearing that caliber. If united, they could rival such power. Should Akatsuki indeed confront Shikkotsu Forest, Sage Katsuyu alone would struggle against Akatsuki.]

[Tsunade: True, vulnerabilities to specific abilities can have significant impacts. Even a Super Kage-level ninja can fall to a Kage level under certain circumstances. Hence, we mustn't underestimate Akatsuki, despite Konoha's Six Paths-level strength.]

[Sage Katsuyu: No matter, seventh place is commendable enough!]

"Indeed, surpassing the revered Shikkotsu Forest!" Uchiha Obito smirked.

The Three Sage Regions in the ninja realm wield formidable, enigmatic might. Surpassing Shikkotsu Forest hints at Akatsuki's potential to eclipse the other two Sage Regions.

Indeed, creating 100,000 White Zetsu was a prudent move.

Shortly after, the sixth-ranked power was unveiled.

Hum!

Figures clad in familiar attire appeared, recognizable as members of Akatsuki.

Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Itachi, Hoshigaki Kisame, Hidan, Kakuzu, Black Zetsu, White Zetsu...

Behind them stretched an endless array of White Zetsu, covering the screen.

[Ranked sixth in power: Akatsuki, boasting numerous Kage-level, several super-kage ninjas, and 100,000 White Zetsu...]

[Tsunade: What? A hundred thousand White Zetsu?]

[Fourth Raikage: I presumed Akatsuki had only a handful, but a hundred thousand White Zetsu? Excessive! Even if individually weaker, totaling a hundred thousand is formidable!]

[Terumi Mei: One hundred thousand White Zetsu could easily overwhelm even a Six Paths-level entity, no?]

[Kakashi: Not quite. Against a Six Paths-level, these Zetsu might not suffice. If faced with a wide-range skill user capable of annihilating 150,000 White Zetsu, it's conceivable. Like Red Lotus Godzilla, capable of incinerating them directly.]

[Third Hokage: One hundred thousand White Zetsu pose a threat, but Akatsuki's true power lies in its super Kage-level and numerous Kage-level combatants.]

[Senju Hashirama: No need for concern. Akatsuki is incomparable to Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave.]

[Uchiha Obito: It's a shame Nagato, Konan, and others left Akatsuki. If they were here we could have rivaled Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave.]

Uchiha Obito knew well the might of Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave, boasting the Great Toad Sage and White Snake Sage, both Six Paths-level. Additionally, they possessed treasures from the Golden List, bolstering their strength. Mount Myōboku's Great Toad and Gamanemu were formidable, especially with the Lava-Lava Fruit, potentially matching Six Paths-level prowess. Ryūchi Cave remained shrouded in mystery, its serpentine power immeasurable.

Compared to these Sage Regions, Akatsuki still lacks a profound background.

Yet, once he assumes the mantle of the Ten Tails Jinchūriki, the Akatsuki organization is poised to transcend these revered locations in an instant.

Thus, he harbors no fear towards Mount Myōboku or Ryūchi Cave.

At this juncture, Hoshigaki Kisame and others express discontentment at Akatsuki's mere sixth position in the ninja world rankings.

[Hoshigaki Kisame: Ha, sixth place for Akatsuki? This ranking is far too unreliable!]

[Hidan: Exactly, just sixth? They underestimate our Akatsuki too much, don't they?

[Kakuzu: I'm inclined to revise that ranking!]

[Uchiha Itachi: Let's not be embarrassed. Sixth place is where we stand. The top five likely harbor Six Paths level juggernauts. Our position is justified.]

Soon thereafter, the fifth spot on the power hierarchy is revealed.

Boom!

A plethora of toads grace the scene, ranging from small to large, with one particularly colossal toad akin to a mountain peak. And leading them all is none other than the youthful Great Toad Sage.

[Power Rank Fifth: Mount Myōboku, boasting Six Paths level prowess, a super Kage-tier, multiple Kage-level entities, and a legion of toads.]

[Fourth Raikage: Seems like Gamanemu didn't quite reach Six Paths level!]

[Great Toad Sage: That lazy creature could've attained Six Paths status with its innate advantages if it bothered to use the Lava-Lava Fruit. Nevertheless, it's comparable to the top echelons of Super Kage-level, almost touching Six Paths tier!]

[White Snake Sage: What a squandered potential!]

[Gamanemu: Someone mentioning me?]

[Great Toad Sage: No one summoned you, go back to sleep!]

[Gamanemu: Phew, then I'll just resume my nap!]

[Uzumaki Naruto: Haha, the Gamanemu is quite adorable!]

[White Snake Sage: I'm curious, if this is fifth place, then who are the top three powers, considering Ryūchi Cave as one?]

[Senju Hashirama: Yasao is immensely powerful, wouldn't he have established his own force?]

[White Snake Sage: Perhaps he founded three forces, but without acknowledgment, it doesn't count as a force! No matter how formidable Yasao is, or how mighty his summoning beasts, it doesn't equate to a recognized force!]

[Fourth Raikage: Speculation is futile; we'll soon find out!]

And with a boom, the fourth rank on the power scale is unveiled.

Boom!

A colossal serpent dominates the scene alongside three Snake Princess and the White Snake Sage in human guise.

[Power Rank Fourth: Ryūchi Cave, wielding Six Paths prowess, a super Kage-tier, multiple Kage-level entities, and a multitude of ordinary snakes.]

[White Snake Sage: Ryūchi Cave at fourth? Unbelievable.]

[Great Toad Sage: Isn't fourth place expected? Your Ryūchi Cave matches Mount Myōboku in strength, yet now you're slightly ahead of us.]

[White Snake Sage: I wonder what forces occupy the top three spots.]

[Senju Hashirama: I'm curious too. How formidable are the top three?]

[Uchiha Madara: Probably just a notch above Ryūchi Cave.]

Amidst the anticipation of countless ninjas, the third place on the power hierarchy is finally disclosed.

Boom!

The screen fills with a multitude of figures, among them, Beerus and the fox demon Rongrong make their appearance.

[Power Rank Third: A mercenary organization, boasting two Six Paths-level Summoning beasts, a dozen super Kage-level masters, hundreds of Kage-level experts, and tens of thousands of ordinary ninjas.]

[Kakuzu: What? A mercenary organization claims third place?]

[Hidan: I recall the mystery shrouding this mercenary organization. It assimilated various Bounty Stations and other mercenary groups, gaining strength through reorganization. I thought them merely wealthy, not powerful.]

[Kakuzu: Damn, this mercenary organization is swimming in wealth. The bounties for their tasks are ridiculously high, covering everything from hunts to material retrieval. And the rewards? They're beyond generous. I never imagined this faction would be this formidable. They've got powerhouses on par with the Six Paths and scores of Kage-level masters. It's almost too much to believe!]

[Fourth Raikage: Beerus and the fox demon Rongrong are among them. This must be Yasao's doing. Who would've thought that the mercenary organization dominating the ninja world is actually under Yasao's control? Even our Cloud Shinobi Village has ties with them, often entrusting them with tasks.]

[Tsunade: Indeed, many of Konoha's missions come through the mercenary organization. I never realized they were stronger than Konoha itself!]

[Jiraiya: Yasao has a knack for grooming talent. Who could've guessed the sheer strength hidden within the mercenary organization? It's truly terrifying.]

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