Chapter 16 : Hamura

Bashōsen placed 16th, but Golden Horn didn't seem pleased.

[Golden Horn: It's only 16th place. I was hoping for a top-ten ranking. It's strange; this is a ninja tool from the Sage of the Six Paths, and it couldn't even reach the top ten.]

[Uchiha Madara: It's just a ninja tool made by the Sage of Six Paths. It's insignificant in comparison to my Gunbai.]

[Golden Horn: Uchiha Madara, choose your words carefully. That Gunbai no longer belongs to you; it's in the hands of Uchiha Obito now.]

Uchiha Madara seethed with anger, but Obito was merely safeguarding his weapon, and he dared not say more, lest it be exposed.

[Fourth Raikage: The five ninja tools left by the Sage of Six Paths should be of similar caliber. It seems the rankings should be consistent. So, are there ten weapons superior to those of the Sage of Six Paths?]

[Terumi Mei: The three sacred places are quite enigmatic. Could it be that these weapons are all within those three sacred places?]

[White Snake Sage: Ahem, we Ryūchi Cave dwellers aren't adept at using weapons. We rely on our colossal forms in combat, and powerful weapons aren't our forte.]

[Katsuyu Sage: Our Katsuyu in the Shikkotsu Forest excels in healing. Combat isn't our strength, and I possess no weaponry. The Great Toad Sage has the gift of foresight; perhaps he can locate numerous potent weapons through his abilities. I suspect they may be in his possession.]

[Great Toad Sage: Sage Katsuyu, even though we haven't met in a long while, what powerful weapon do you think I possess? I wouldn't be able to keep it from you. For us Sages, weapons don't hold much significance, so I haven't collected any.]

[Tsunade: If they aren't in the hands of Sages, then whose hands are they in?]

[Third Tsuchikage: Perhaps they're in the possession of the Sage of Six Paths. After all, who knows how many weapons the Sage of Six Paths has accumulated? We haven't seen each other in ages!]

At this moment, the 15th ranked weapon was revealed.

[15th place in the weapon list: Red Gourd, User: Silver Horn]

[14th place in the weapon list: Golden Rope, User: Golden Horn]

[13th place in the weapon list: Seven Star Sword, User: Silver Horn]

In a short span, the four Sage of Six Paths' ninja tools owned by Golden Horn and Silver Horn were disclosed.

[Golden Horn: The next one should be the Amber Bottle. If there's no owner, it'll belong to the two of us.]

[Fourth Raikage: You're not eligible for that opportunity.]

[Silver Horn: Fourth Raikage, what do you mean? Does the Amber Bottle have a new owner now?]

[Fourth Raikage: You'll find out soon!]

Shortly, the next weapon would be announced.

[12th place in the weapon list: Amber Bottle, User: Fourth Raikage]

[Golden Horn: Fourth Raikage, is the Amber Bottle yours?]

[Fourth Raikage: Hahaha, the Amber Bottle has been stored in a secret location within the Cloud Shinobi Village. It's usually idle, collecting dust. While it technically had no owner, I didn't want it falling into the hands of you two brothers. So, just a while ago, I retrieved the pristine Amber Bottle and declared it my own. It's now my weapon.]

[Silver Horn: Shameless! Fourth Raikage, you have no shame!]

[Orochimaru: The Fourth Raikage has a clever strategy. By confiscating others' weapons, he may make it onto the list!]

[Tsunade: Orochimaru, your idea is highly risky!]

[Orochimaru: Hahaha, I'm just throwing out suggestions. Whether anyone acts on them or not is up to them.]

At this moment, many were intrigued. Snatching weapons from the list meant that next time the list refreshed, they might find themselves on it, reaping benefits. 

Concerns of morality and righteousness mattered less; what truly mattered was strength.

Greater strength meant a greater chance of climbing to the top of the list. In the future, they might even obtain life-prolonging treasures like the Thousand-Year Dragon Yuan. 

In short, with the emergence of the Golden List, the powerful would become mightier, and the weak would strive to catch up. Weapons could bridge this gap and served as a means to surpass others.

[Uchiha Itachi: Orochimaru, your Kusanagi Sword is impressive. With your hands injured, your strength is likely halved, hehe.]

[Fourth Raikage: I think Orochimaru's weapon is fair game. The Kusanagi Sword is nothing to scoff at.]

[Orochimaru: Then bring it on; just be cautious that I might kill you and take your weapons!]

Orochimaru now regretted his words, as he had inadvertently made himself a target. Soon, as everyone continued discussing the lower-ranked weapons, this topic passed, but everyone knew that the ninja world would soon be in turmoil.

It wouldn't be long before they eagerly anticipated the 11th weapon.

[11th place in the weapon list: Amana Spear, User: Sage of Six Paths]

[Uchiha Madara: So, it's the Amana Spear of the Sage of Six Paths. Rumor has it that the Amana Spear is the Sage's creation, yet it only ranks 11th. How formidable must the top 10 weapons be?]

[Senju Hashirama: Is this list accurate? The Sage of Six Paths is the most powerful figure in the ninja world. How could his primary weapon, the Amana Spear, rank so low?]

[Tsunade: Perhaps the top ten are all Sage of Six Paths' weapons?]

[Jiraiya: I find that unlikely. There may be secrets in the ninja world that we're unaware of.]

[Senju Tobirama: According to the timing, the 10th weapon should be revealed!]

Boom!

A picture of a weapon appeared in the live broadcast room, a sight familiar from when the first Taijutsu list was unveiled—the top ten received such treatment.

Now, the weapon list displayed only the weapons themselves.

In the live broadcast room, a black weapon emerged, a tin staff with a rake-shaped head.

[10th place in the weapon list: Shakujō, User: Ōtsutsuki Hamura]

Furthermore, there was an explanation provided for this weapon.

[Shakujō: Composed of the Truth-Seeking Ball, it possesses the power of yin, yang, and the five elements, among other abilities. It can easily unleash power beyond bloodline limits and annihilate those without Six Paths' power. It is untouchable by those who lack the Six Paths' potency; otherwise, they will be reduced to

nothingness.]

Hisses of amazement filled the room. The description showcased the weapon's incredible power. However, many were left wondering, who exactly was Ōtsutsuki Hamura?

[Fourth Raikage: Who is Ōtsutsuki Hamura, and who can provide answers?]

[Uchiha Madara: Ōtsutsuki Hamura should be the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths. His strength is second only to the Sage of Six Paths, and the Shakujō is likely his weapon.]

[Hyuga Hiashi: Ōtsutsuki Hamura is the ancestor of our Hyuga clan!]

[Terumi Mei: That's correct. Since it's Ōtsutsuki Hamura's weapon, it's only fitting that it ranks 10th.]

[Ōtsutsuki Hamura: Greetings, everyone. I am Ōtsutsuki Hamura. I never expected my weapon to be recognized on the Golden List. Indeed, this Golden List holds many mysteries.]

[Hyuga Hiashi: Greetings, Ancestor. I am Hyuga Hiashi, inheritor of the Byakugan and the current head of the Hyuga clan!]

**********

Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.

patreon.com/PirateKing24