Chapter 30 : 18th Place

[Onoki: Ai, you're just full of hot air. @Ranmaru, pay no attention to this fool. He excels in battlefield and looting only. I, Rock Shinobi, am the most reliable. Let's strike a deal with me.]

[Fourth Raikage Ai: Old man, just drop the act. Who doesn't recognize you throughout the ninja world? Rock Shinobi is hardly credible! @We can trade through the black market!]

[Terumi Mei: Get lost, these items are also essential resources for our Mist Village.]

[Fourth Kazekage Rasa: Essential resources? People are getting rebellious and impatient. It's better for you not to deal with your Mizukage at the eleventh hour. @Ranmaru, consider the Sand Shinobi, who have always brought civility to the ninja world through fair trade.]

[Fourth Raikage Ai: Do you think we don't know that you, Sand Shinobi, are the poorest in the Five Great Ninja Countries? Sunagakure has to rely on their own blood and gold to fill their coffers. Can they afford such treasures?]

[Shimura Danzo: Speaking of funds, I can't stay idle. Konoha is willing to buy them from you.]

The significance of the Potara earrings was not lost on Fourth Raikage Ai.

For the Five Great Ninja Villages, these were incredibly strategic assets.

After all, who among them didn't lack a formidable kekkei genkai and a Jinchuriki?

Particularly for a village like Konoha, which hadn't achieved a perfect Jinchuriki yet, these earrings might as well be considered treasured tools. They allowed you to tap into the power of the tailed beasts discreetly, without the fear of being attacked.

When combined, combat strength would skyrocket instantly. There was even the possibility of single-handedly altering the balance of the entire ninja world.

The Kages of the major shinobi villages were all on the move, and even Danzo, deeply rooted in Konoha, couldn't resist the temptation to join in.

At this moment, he felt that a proactive stance was in order.

His roots extended deep, into wealth and influence.

However, his initiative was met with mockery.

[Onoki: Let's converse with the Kages. What's this, Konoha's Dark Side?]

[Fourth Kazekage Rasa: Who do you think you are? Are you worthy of facing us?]

[Fourth Raikage Ai: Do you have the credentials?]

[Terumi Mei: Brother Uchiha Ran, there are people trying to intervene. Do you care?]

[Onoki: When that old monkey was Hokage, Danzo liked going his own way. Perhaps he's aspiring to be Hokage himself.]

[…]

Danzo was furious, seizing onto his Achilles' heel, spreading dissent.

"Damn it."

"Just you wait. When I become Hokage, I'll make sure to eradicate all of you!"

Danzo seethed inwardly but held his tongue.

Uchiha Ran was currently the trend, and any excessive actions on his part could lead to repercussions.

However, if he managed to purchase the Potara earrings and make a contribution to Konoha, the equation might change.

Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain.

Members of the Akatsuki organization had recuperated from the shock inflicted by Myriad Realms. Deidara laughed and remarked, "Speaking of which, we all operate in pairs. But these earrings are of no use to us. I wouldn't want to pair up with someone who doesn't appreciate the art of explosions."

"With your style, using these earrings would only diminish the potential of my puppetry," Sasori retorted coldly, hidden within his puppet.

"Your puppets wouldn't survive my explosive art anyway," Deidara jeered.

"Want to become one of my puppets?" Sasori coldly threatened.

Deidara promptly shot back.

However, before he could continue, Puppet Yahiko intervened, "None of us really need them."

Sasori and Deidara were a duet in artistry. The former sought eternal preservation, while the latter reveled in the transient beauty of explosions. Their partnership was a ticking time bomb, each second passing fraught with tension. There was no synergy between their disparate talents.

Kakuzu and Hidan, who weren't a pair, would've greatly benefited from the fusion, attaining the elusive key to immortality. Yet, Hidan remained devoted to his malevolent deity, and Kakuzu wasn't a suitable match.

As for Nagato himself, he saw no need to amalgamate.

Regarding Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame...

"I wouldn't mind merging with Mr. Itachi."

Hoshigaki Kisame offered a smile.

Uchiha Itachi didn't speak, merely casting him an indifferent glance.

It spoke volumes, conveying "Disgusting refusal!" and "You're lost in your fantasies!"

He was willing to combine, and perhaps harbored a fondness for the exceedingly simple Hoshigaki.

[Ranmaru: Apologies, but the earrings aren't up for sale! (screenshot)]

At that moment, Ranmaru's response garnered everyone's attention.

No one had anticipated such resolute rejection.

Was he not afraid of incurring Five Major Ninja Village's wrath?

Amidst the uncertainty, all eyes converged on the screenshot.

[Potara Earrings (Usage and Abilities:…)

Remarks: Worn by Ranmaru (right) and Raiga (left), binding in effect

Binding irreversible, earrings disappear upon wearer's demise]

The screenshot's revelation was stupefying.

Who would've expected the earrings to bind upon use, their ownership irreversible, vanishing with the demise of the wearer?

And now that Ranmaru and Raiga had utilized them, it signified their exclusive possession of the Potara earrings—rendering all attempts at snatching them futile.

[Senju Hashirama: What a shame!]

Senju Hashirama vocalized the collective sentiments.

Greed was overshadowed by the realization that Ranmaru possessed the High-Level Kekkei Genkai of the Red Eyes, and Raiga was part of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist who survived the Third Great Ninja War. Together, their strength could potentially reach Kage-level.

It was simply unwise to provoke such a person.

Conversely, the desire to entice the two back to their village was steadily growing within Mizukage.

"Indeed..."

Uchiha Ran smiled.

He remained silent, conveying to Ranmaru that he held no interest in the Potara earrings.

He believed only in himself, pledging never to blend his existence with another's. Well, perhaps, except for women.

Ranmaru and Raiga were inseparable, serving as each other's hands, feet, and eyes. These earrings were custom-tailored for them and, thus, were naturally employed without hesitation.

"Tailored..."

"Could it be that lottery rewards are catered to the recipients' needs or preferences?"

"Furthermore, it seems there's no such thing as leaving empty-handed."

"This warrants further attention."

Uchiha Ran's thoughts oscillated.

As the five-minute countdown concluded, the Golden Scroll continued to unveil the bloodline limit listed within.

"Boom!"

The resounding chime echoed.

A three-dimensional image materialized.

A handsome youth garbed in a kimono with white hair, green irises radiating an ethereal gleam, red eyeshadow adorning his lids, and two crimson marks between his brows.

The figure assumed a spectral form, descending onto the roster as names and details materialized.

Eighteenth place: Kaguya Kimimaro (Shikotsumyaku Bloodline limit, advanced stage, illness)

"Eighteen..."

Orochimaru, who had disguised himself as the "Fourth Kazekage," emitted a mix of surprise and anticipatory murmurs.

"It's lower than I expected. It seems the ninja world harbors quite a few formidable bloodline limits!"

Meanwhile, Kirigakure experienced another wave of shock.

Kaguya?

Shikotsumyaku?

Their bloodline limit was once again in the spotlight.

[Terumi Mei: Orphan of the Kaguya clan, return to Kirigakure!]

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