Chapter 24 : 19th Place

"Tenzo, since Gold List gave you a name, from today onwards, you will be called Yamato!" Uchiha Ran announced.

"From now on, you'll leave Anbu and become the Elite Jōnin," Nara Shikaku added with admiration for Uchiha Ran.

"Yes, Fifth Hokage!" Yamato responded with respect.

Behind Uchiha Ran, Tenzo removed his mask, revealing Yamato's face on the gold list.

Starting today, he is no longer Anbu Tenzo, but Konoha Jōnin, Yamato!

With the resounding sound of the Fifth Hokage's voice, Yamato shouted as if it had been rehearsed countless times.

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, feeling the urge to smoke.

"It's Hokage, not temporary Hokage?" Danzo's voice echoed angrily.

"Fifth Hokage can only be me!" he asserted from the root base.

In the shadows, Danzo roared angrily.

If Uchiha Ran becomes the Fifth Hokage, what does it matter to him?

Even the First Hokage, who was once dazed, had agreed with Uchiha Ran to become Hokage.

And his teacher, the Second Hokage, hadn't stopped him.

"You're all a bunch of rotten folks. It's time for me to step in!" Danzo muttered, touching his bandaged right eye.

At this moment, all over the Shinobi world, many people were relieved when they saw Yamato's face.

"It's him!"

They had also suspected that Yamato might be another Wood Style ninja hiding in the shadows, but it turned out to be Anbu operative named Tenzo.

Quite acceptable.

"Tenzo, remember that you don't have a last name."

"According to the rules established by the Second Hokage, from today onwards, your surname will be Senju."

Uchiha Ran suddenly declared.

Yamato's pupils shrank, then he knelt down on one knee, his voice filled with excitement, "Thank you, Fifth Hokage!"

Nara Shikaku chuckled and shook his head as the surrounding ninjas glanced over.

Elevated, it's quite remarkable.

What wisdom Uchiha Ran possesses.

Wasn't it said that the Uchiha clan consisted of arrogant individuals who relied purely on power?

While the granting of the Senju surname to Yamato might have seemed abrupt, even overdone, nobody found fault with it.

Uchiha Ran's actions served multiple purposes.

Firstly, he could gain the favor of Senju Tobirama.

When news of the near-obliteration of the Senju clan spread, this goodwill could grow significantly.

Senju Tobirama held his clan in high regard in his heart. Even though he respected his older brother, Senju Hashirama, he revised his decree after the latter's death. He intended to preserve a branch of the Senju clan, allowing Wood Style users to adopt the surname Senju.

Uchiha Ran's assistance in reviving the Senju name could not displease Senju Tobirama.

Secondly, he aimed to earn the favor of Senju Tsunade.

Yamato could be considered a clone of Senju Hashirama, and his genetic proximity to Tsunade was undeniably strong. Upon adopting the Senju surname, Yamato would once again have a clan to call his own.

Thirdly, Uchiha Ran intended to capture Yamato's loyalty.

In the world of Hokage, many systems mirrored those of the ancient Japanese times, and regular surnames were not available to just anyone.

And the status of the Senju surname within Konoha required no explanation.

Yamato would undoubtedly become an unwavering loyalist of Uchiha Ran.

Furthermore, Yamato, now a recipient of the gold-list reward, with his Wood Style abilities, could become at least a Kage-level powerhouse in the future, if not stronger.

Uchiha Ran was hitting three targets with one stone.

At this moment, many individuals caught sight of Uchiha Ran's political intelligence.

It wasn't known how his skills compared to those of Senju Tobirama and Sarutobi Hiruzen, but they were certainly higher than those of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and Fourth Kazekage Rasa.

Unlike Sarutobi Hiruzen, Uchiha Ran was youthful and powerful. His political intelligence was merely one of his talents.

"Young man, impressive indeed!" Onoki muttered, his tone tinged with jealousy and envy.

If only this young man were from Iwagakure.

"Perhaps we should seriously consider marriage?" Terumi Mei mused, her fingers touching her red lips.

Many had ideas.

Yet, some regarded it with disdain.

However, these opinions were unrelated to Uchiha Ran. He did what he did with minimal effort.

"Select two," Uchiha Ran suggested to Yamato.

Ever since his apprenticeship under Sarutobi Hiruzen, he had focused on Yin Release and Yang Release techniques. The former was intended to ensure Sharingan's gradual development without side effects, while the latter was aimed at enhancing physical prowess and capabilities.

If luck was on his side, Rinnegan could be unlocked, almost pushing him into the realm of Six Paths.

Learning medical ninjutsu and practicing at a ninja hospital was one avenue.

At present, he had made a significant breakthrough in Yang Release research and was confident in boosting Yamato's physique. This would make the improvement in the gold-list reward relatively minor.

On the other hand, Senjutsu was an intricate matter. Merely recalling the frog statues at Mount Myōboku, Jiraiya's incomplete mastery, and Namikaze Minato's short usage time indicated its difficulty to grasp.

Granting Yamato access to Senjutsu would provide him with a pathway for future growth.

Following the initial training, his strength would see a substantial elevation.

"Yes, Fifth Hokage!" Yamato readily complied with Uchiha Ran's wishes.

A golden light descended, enveloping Yamato.

"Boom!"

A bell chimed, revealing a three-dimensional image.

The image depicted a young boy, approximately ten years old, with fair skin, a handsome countenance, and lustrous silver-gray hair. But what truly captured attention were his ruby-like eyes.

After spinning a circle, the image dissipated, transforming into an avatar on the list.

At this point, everyone beheld the name and the accompanying reward options.

19th Place: Ranmaru (Advanced Red Eye - disabled)

Option 1: Advanced Uzumaki Physique

Option 2: Myriad Realms Primordial Draw

"At last, it's not from Konoha!"

Observing the change in Gold List's live broadcast screen, many individuals inexplicably felt relief.

Uchiha Ran seemed to comprehend their thoughts and, with a subtle smile, added, "Don't be so certain."

"Oh?"

"Myriad Realms Draw!?"

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