81 Chapter 80 : Youthful Onoki!

"What?!"

Under the gaze of a curious crowd,

A beam of light descended from the top of the Golden List, transforming into a card, which landed in Onoki's grasp.

Everyone recognized it as a Youth Card!

Once used, it could reverse the aging process by 30 years. In other words, Onoki's body could rejuvenate to approximately 40 years old, still in his prime.

Furthermore, this card allowed one to activate and enhance their dominant genes, even choosing their appearance. You could lock it at the ages of eighteen, twenty-eight, or thirty-eight and remain that way until death. It was, in essence, eternal youth.

Witnessing this spectacle, many were moved, some sighed, and a few even chuckled, fully aware of their own limits.

Hidden Cloud Village,

Fourth Raikage Ai found solace on a nearby island, venting his frustration by pulverizing rocky mountains with his fists. Uchiha Ran's threat gnawed at him.

Given his nature, he'd fight even if it meant death. But he was the Raikage, and Kages couldn't afford to think only of themselves. 

Under his subordinates' persuasion, he'd reluctantly relented but remained deeply aggrieved, thus seeking an outlet for his frustration.

And now, his vexation had only grown.

"Darn it, this guy is about to become younger than me, and his strength will undoubtedly return to its peak."

"Ahh, I want to kill him!"

He yearned daily for vengeance against the one who killed his father.

Yet, he was still the Raikage.

A Raikage couldn't afford recklessness.

"No, I must quickly appoint the Fifth Raikage and then..."

"Only then will the village be safe from this turmoil."

"I must exact my revenge as soon as possible!"

Fourth Raikage Ai's thoughts weren't entirely in peace.

At the same time,

Leaf Village,

Sarutobi Hiruzen, observing the live broadcast of the Golden List, gazed at Third Tsuchikage Onoki with envy in his eyes.

"I didn't expect an opportunity like this to appear within these two days."

"If only I could have it..."

The power to regain thirty years of youth, who wouldn't desire that?

If he could be thirty years younger, it would be the perfect time. At that point, he'd no longer be bound to the village, heading straight to the front lines to exemplify true Shinobi spirit.

He wasn't being greedy. It was about whether Konoha succeeded or failed. The fate of Konoha teetered on his shoulders, and playing the role of Third Hokage was essentially necessary. 

But everyone was hooked on Uchiha Ran.

If it weren't for the fact that his student, the Sannin, had done a great job during the Second Great Ninja War, everyone might assume he wasn't Hokage but Mizukage who started Bloody Mist.

If it weren't for Hashirama's lack of foresight, the ninja world might have been united long ago, given Konoha's superior numbers.

"I wonder if there will be a list I can get on later."

"Perhaps a ranking for peak combat power during one's prime."

Sarutobi Hiruzen harbored hope in his heart, oblivious to the impending doom.

The Land of Earth, Daimyo's Mansion,

"Hurry, send someone to Iwagakure!"

"No, make it an immediate decree from the Golden List, no, a transaction; let Lord Tsuchikage bestow the Youth Card!"

The nearly fifty-year-old daimyo couldn't help but salivate over the Youth Card in Onoki's hand, completely forgetting the delicious food in front of him. 

Becoming thirty years younger, maintaining a consistent appearance, and appearing eternally youthful until his death. He would become the longest-reigning, wisest, and most martial daimyo in the Land of Earth.

The Youth Card had to be his!

"Youth Card!"

"I want it!"

"I want to be on that list."

"Allow me to be on that list,and  just give me a Youth Card."

In the entire ninja world, it was the women who most coveted the Youth Cards, regardless of their age. 

Even Tsunade wasn't an exception. While her Hundred Healings Mark allowed her to maintain her appearance, a Youth Card would offer perpetual youth, eliminating the need for Chara.

Moreover, her body would become thirty years younger, granting her clan hope for revival.

Terumi Mei, however, held an even deeper desire for the Youth Card than Tsunade. Her mother had instilled in her the importance of marrying at the right age, avoiding any delay, or misfortune would befall her.

With a Youth Card, she wouldn't turn back the clock but would gain an energy boost, ensuring she always appeared eighteen. She'd no longer need to fear missing her wedding. She could choose her partner at her leisure.

Furthermore, while pursuing Uchiha Ran, she wouldn't be taunted by her younger peers.

Even the older women, who were no different from nagging mothers-in-law, were ecstatic.

However, on the Golden List chat channel, no one spoke.

Everyone knew Onoki wouldn't relent.

Among the three rewards offered by the Golden List, the third was the World Shuttle Scroll Lottery. It allowed the selection of one of ten alternate worlds for 24-hour exploration.

Yet, Onoki didn't even entertain the notion.

He felt the pressure from Uchiha Ran and Konoha. Despite having the enhanced Kurotsuchi, Iwagakure still needed at least two Dust Release Bloodline Limit User to stabilize the situation.

"Rip."

Indeed.

Within seconds of obtaining the card, Onoki shredded it without hesitation.

A beam of light burst from the card, engulfing him.

When the light dissipated, the figure before everyone appeared middle-aged, around 40 years old, bearing a striking resemblance to Onoki—standing at 1.75 meters.

Witnessing this, numerous women expressed disappointment.

Onoki hadn't chosen to appear as an eighteen or twenty-eight-year-old; instead, he'd opted for thirty-eight.

Some viewed it as a waste.

Yet, the principal parties were content.

After all, he was a grandfather. A twenty-eight-year-old appearance would be awkward, even claiming to look like an eighteen-year-old.

Onoki clenched his fists, experiencing a profound sense of satisfaction.

Typically, he relied on Dust Style to move lightly, concealing the fact that his body had long grown feeble, like his easily strained back.

But now, he felt the vigor of his youth and the agility of his posture.

Most importantly, he could finally experience the world from an average person's height, not through soaring flights but standing on his own two legs.

While still significantly shorter than the land's vast landscapes, he was content.

[Senju Hashirama: Unbelievable! Onoki has genuinely rejuvenated; he's no longer just a "two-inch scale."]

[Onoki: Humph, I am Onoki, not some "two-inch scale" (Angry), that doesn't exist!]

Onoki was First Tsuchikage Ishikawa's grandson and didn't bear the Onoki of Both Scales alias by birth. It was a nickname derived from his short stature.

[Uchiha Madara: I'll keep calling you "two inch scale," do you dare to object?]

[Onoki: Madara-sama, is that really appropriate?]

[Uchiha Madara: Huh?]

[Onoki: It's your call, you have the final say.]

[Uchiha Ran: Damn, it feels like I've uncovered some hidden truth.]

[Tsunade: What truth?]

[Uchiha Ran: From a genetic perspective, Onoki finally resembles his grandfather, the First Tsuchikage.]

[Orochimaru: Huh? Ran-kun, it seems you're using my lines.]

[Tsunade: Leave the details to the police. From a genetic standpoint, Onoki indeed seems to share the First Tsuchikage's blood.]

[Fourth Generation Ai: What an environmentally conscious hat; how did he vanish?]

[Terumi Mei: Fourth Raikage, with your newfound knowledge of biology, are you planning something fishy?]

"It's futile to steal accounts; there are ghostwriters," Ai's secretary, Mabui, mused to himself.

[Onoki: I appreciate it!]

[Kurotsuchi: @ Uchiha Ran, Fifth Hokage, what hidden truth have you unearthed?]

[Uchiha Ran: The truth behind why Third Tsuchikage is so short.]

[Uchiha Madara: Interesting, you've piqued my curiosity. Care to elaborate on why the "two-inch scale" is so short?]

[Onoki: Well, I'm quite curious myself.]

[Uchiha Ran: As we all know, Third Tsuchikage is First Tsuchikage Ishikawa 's grandson. 

He possessed leadership skills from childhood and received a rigorous education under the careful guidance of both the First and Second Tsuchikage. 

He was treated similarly to my sensei, Third Hokage (Sarutobi), taking on the Will of Stone, symbolizing unwavering resolve and bravery. 

He even learned the Dust Release from Second Tsuchikage.]

Everyone: ???

This information is completely unheard of. Are you sure you're not advertising for the Third Tsuchikage?

[Uchiha Ran: In the turbulent era of the Hidden Stone Ninja Village, Third Tsuchikage experienced numerous battles alongside Second Tsuchikage. 

During the early days of the village's establishment, he embarked on a diplomatic mission with Second Tsuchikage to Konoha, hoping to form an alliance. There, they encountered my ancestor, Uchiha Madara.]

[Uchiha Ran: From what I've gathered, our ancestors were vying for the title of First Hokage at that time, disagreeing with a truce and the five nations coexisting peacefully. Upon their arrival, they seriously pummeled and chased away the opposition, right?]

[Everyone : ...]

[Onoki: ....]

The entire ninja world was in shock.

The Ninja World's Shura had indeed lived up to its reputation, effortlessly defeating Second and Third Tsuchikage.

[Senju Hashirama: Madara, you did such a thing, which explains why Ishikawa  scolded me later. It turns out it was because you fought his grandson.]

[Ishikawa: ...]

[Uchiha Madara: Forming alliances should be something done between equals. The weak have no right to participate.]

[Senju Tobirama: My stand is pretty spicy this time.]

[Senju Hashirama: So why didn't Onoki grow taller? Was he frightened by Madara?]

[Uchiha Ran: Precisely. His hormone secretion was imbalanced.]

[Orochimaru: It seems my younger brother has delved deep into biology. There's an opportunity for us to discuss it.]

[Uchiha Ran: It might be a chance to take a detour.]

[Senju Hashirama: So Onoki didn't grow taller because he was intimidated by Madara?]

[Uchiha Madara: The "two inch scale" was timid; he's willingly acknowledged me as the strongest.]

[Onoki: What about it?]

Hook, Line, and Sinker.

The ninja world was in turmoil.

[Onoki: Let's not forget that I've grown taller now. Even if I was timid at the start, what of it? He's the Shura of the Ninja World; there's no shame in that.]

[Onoki: Moreover, I've mastered the Dust Style, transcending bloodline limit and achieving bloodline selection. I stand alone, overseeing everything. Times have changed!]

[Uchiha Ran: Not necessarily.]

[Onoki: Not necessarily? You say that even as I've circled around you. Could there be something in this world greater than the blood selection? It's absurd. If such exists, I'll package it and send it your way.]

[Kurotsuchi: Really, Grandpa? Please do!]

Onoki:

"Boom!"

The Golden Bell rang.

Onoki: ??? Really?

**********

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