Chapter 9 : Rewards

Twenty-eighth place: Hyuga Natsu (Byakugan Intermediate · Disabled)

Twenty-seventh place: Hyuga Neji (Byakugan Intermediate, Disabled)

Choice 1: Break free from the Caged Bird Seal

Choice 2: Elevate the Byakugan's level

The names on the list ignited countless discussions.

[Onoki: Hyuga clan, tsk tsk, these members must be bearing the Caged Bird Mark. Both listed individuals are from the Hyuga branch family. They've managed to make it onto the list. The Hyuga still possesses quite a bit of power!]

[Terumi Mei: I have a deep understanding of the Byakugan's power. If the branch family can secure 27th and 28th positions, then the main family must be even stronger. Could the Hyuga clan dominate this list?]

[Rasa: The bloodlines of the ninja world, with half of them being from Konoha's Hyuga clan? Konoha seems to be a potential threat for other villages!]

"Fourth Kazekage?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked toward the "Fourth Kazekage."

You're in Konoha, yet you're still acting like this in the Shinobi chat group. Seriously?

Orochimaru: …

Rasa, you idiot. You're definitely messing with me.

Just wait, I'll use Impure World Reincarnation to pull you out and make you pay!

The Ninja World Gold List's appearance evoked a variety of emotions within Orochimaru, even diminishing his desire for Sasuke's body.

Yet he still persisted in sending Sarutobi Hiruzen to the afterlife.

This is the token of gratitude he could finally give back to this old and decrepit man as his disciple.

"I'm praising the Hyuga clan, which is truly admirable," Orochimaru said in Rasa's voice.

"Huh~" Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled nonchalantly.

[Fourth Raikage: Konoha is too dangerous. Should we consider joining forces to suppress it?]

The Fourth Raikage believed he had found an opportunity to rally everyone together.

[Senju Hashirama: Are you planning to take on the Konoha that Madara and I established? You're mistaken, young man.]

[Fourth Raikage: First Hokage, I've heard of your strength, but those from the past should avoid meddling in the current affairs of the world.]

At this moment, the Fourth Raikage was quite resolute.

Senju Hashirama is deceased, and he deserved respect, but his opinions held little weight when it came to the standing of each village.

If all Hyuga members made it onto the Gold List, their collective strength would surge, making Konoha an even more enviable target.

[Senju Hashirama: Oh? Ghosts of the past? Does that mean I can only remain in the afterlife, uncaring?]

Senju Hashirama became serious.

His character wouldn't let him be upset with the younger generation. However, he cherished Konoha more than even the Senju clan itself.

[Fourth Raikage: If the First Hokage wishes to think that way, so be it.]

"Hey, is this guy really reckless, or is he just ignorant and fearless?"

Onoki was taken aback by the Fourth Raikage's audacity.

Despite Senju Hashirama's generally calm temperament, even the weaker Uchiha Madara seemed more intimidating by comparison.

But acting like this wasn't acceptable.

[Senju Hashirama: Intriguing, intriguing. In that case, brother, resurrect me with Impure World Reincarnation. I'll go have a word with this junior.]

[Senju Tobirama: Big brother, are you out of your mind? I'm already dead and right beside you.]

[Senju Hashirama: Ah ha ha, so, monkey, you come along.]

[Sarutobi Hiruzen: Cough, Lord Hashirama, you've classified Impure World Reincarnation as a Forbidden Jutsu. We're not allowed to learn it.]

[Senju Hashirama: Oh? How have you become so obedient?]

Senju Hashirama expressed disbelief in Sarutobi Hiruzen's compliance.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was somewhat embarrassed.

In truth, he had mastered every technique in the Forbidden Scroll. He was already a master of all that could be learned, and the character of the "Professor Ninja" mustn't waver.

However, he genuinely hadn't learned Impure World Reincarnation. Not necessarily because he couldn't, but because the effort required versus the payoff seemed unjustified to him, leading him to abandon the idea.

Many who saw this chat exchange weren't calm.

[Onoki: If I'm comprehending this right, Impure World Reincarnation is a jutsu that can resurrect the dead?]

The word "resurrect" unsettled many.

[Uchiha Madara: You've got it. Though I might not fancy Tobirama, I've got to admit he's a genius when it comes to Forbidden Techniques.]

[Senju Tobirama: Madara, even though you say that, I still don't like the Uchiha… Wait, why do you seem so familiar with Reanimation Jutsu?]

[Uchiha Madara: Oh, when Hashirama asked me not to leave the village, he handed me the Scroll of Seals and told me to read it at my leisure. So, I managed to get through it somehow.]

The First Generation Four Villages : ...….

Thinking back to when Senju Hashirama kowtowed and begged them to take the tailed beast away.

They even had illustrations!

[Senju Tobirama: Big brother, you're a real "big brother," aren't you? Flying Thunder God Technique, Impure world Reincarnation, Multiple Shadow Clone, all those top-tier Water Style jutsu, I invent one, and you prohibit it, only to end up using it to flatter Madara!?]

Senju Tobirama felt the urge to slap his sister-in-law, Uzumaki Mito, and give his brother, Senju Hashirama, a beating.

And Uchiha Ran almost burst into laughter upon seeing this message.

Truly, he was the number one copyright holder in the ninja world. Could this be a trend as well?

It seemed that the shinobi world was driven by avarice.

[Senju Hashirama: Brother, don't dwell on these details. Currently, nobody should be using Impure World Reincarnation.]

[Orochimaru: Hehe!]

[Jiraiya: Orochimaru, you've got a screw loose.]

[Sarutobi Hiruzen: Orochimaru, did you study Impure World Reincarnation? Could it be my own student?]

[Orochimaru: Hehe.]

[Tsunade: Orochimaru! what a mess!]

[Orochimaru: ..., I've indeed mastered Impure World Reincarnation, but I've only scratched the surface. I can probably harness around 10% to 20% of Hashirama-sama's power. With a suitable sacrifice, I might be able to push it to 30%.]

Orochimaru wasn't fazed by the revelation. He was about to use the jutsu anyway.

[Senju Hashirama: If I can retain control over my consciousness, there shouldn't be any issues. Orochimaru, keep working hard. Once you're able to consistently achieve this level of success, I'll take a stroll in the ninja world. It turns out that exploring while resting in the afterlife isn't a bad idea.]

Indeed, Senju Hashirama's primary intent was to have fun.

[Fourth Raikage: You're welcome anytime!]

The Fourth Raikage's response conveyed that losses are part of the game, and one shouldn't be discouraged by them.

Additionally, he believed that the ninja world was continually evolving, and the old gods of the shinobi world, while powerful, were lacking compared to the current generation.

Onoki couldn't help but shake his head.

This Fourth Raikage was truly fearless.

He didn't anticipate that Konoha possessed a jutsu like Impure World Reincarnation. He had to figure out a way to obtain it.

Furthermore, the fact that Orochimaru had mastered Impure World Reincarnation was all the more reason to eliminate him.

Many shared these sentiments.

But at this juncture, the First Raikage and Second Raikage, who had witnessed Senju Hashirama's strength firsthand, weren't swayed.

[First Raikage: Second Raikage, what on earth possessed you to pick such an idiotic Raikage?]

[Second Raikage: Apologies, Shodai. This isn't my doing. @Third Raikage, what were you thinking, nominating this brainless Raikage?]

[Third Raikage: Sorry, First Raikage. Nidaime, shut up, son. Don't turn Cloud Shinobi Village into a joke. Who knew you were such a hot-head back then?]

[Killer Bee: Oh, the eldest brother got scolded by the old man. Hilarious, hilarious. Bee, ya love it!]

[Fourth Raikage: ….]

"Is Senju Hashirama truly that powerful?"

The Fourth Raikage furrowed his brows.

He had doubts about the First and Second Generation's strength who he hadn't personally encountered.

However, he was well aware of the strength of his father, the Third Raikage. Despite not being confident of winning, he couldn't deny that Hashirama was indeed formidable.

Meanwhile, in the ninja world, many began to grasp the weight carried by the god of the ninja world.

The words and stances of the First and Second Raikages and the Third Tsuchikage held profound significance.

...….

"Two, I suggest you pick two!"

In the midst of this mundane chat, a group of Hyuga clan members ushered Hyuga Natsu onto the stage. Hyuga Neji was also led onto the raised platform by Hyuga Hiashi.

Uchiha Ran kindly offered advice.

"Why!?"

Hyuga Neji impulsively retorted, "I want to break free from the Caged Bird Seal!"

Seeming to recognize his overexcitement, Uchiha Ran interjected and gave his advice.

"Ran-sensei, I want to control my own destiny!

*****

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