Chapter 42 : Three Sages

[The Thirteenth Pet: Great Toad Sage, Previous Master: Sage of Six Paths]

Great Toad Sage made it onto the list, but it didn't quite meet everyone's expectations.

After all, the Sages from the Three Sacred Places were under the tutelage of Great Toad Sage, so they were certain he would make the list of Pets.

However, Great Toad Sage only secured the thirteenth spot on the list, which left everyone puzzled. Even Great Toad Sage himself, White Snake Sage, and Katsuyu Sage found it quite perplexing.

[Great Toad Sage: I'm only thirteenth? This...]

[White Snake Sage: Is that even possible? While old toad might not excel in combat, he've been around for ages. He possesses countless magical abilities and techniques; how can he be thirteenth?]

[Katsuyu Sage: That's a bit unexpected. I thought the top three spots on the Pet list would be taken by me, Great Toad Sage, and White Snake Sage. Why was Great Toad Sage excluded from the top ten?]

[Jiraiya: Great Toad Sage, the most revered and enigmatic entity of Mount Myōboku, ranking only thirteenth?]

[Nine Tails: I'm fourteenth, and Great Toad Sage is thirteenth. That seems about right, doesn't it?]

[One Tail: Don't be ridiculous. Can you even compare to the Great Toad Sage? When Sage of Six Paths was alive, Great Toad Sage was treated with utmost respect.]

[Great Toad Sage: Let's forget about it. Thirteenth is thirteenth; I don't really care about rewards.]

[White Snake Sage: Old Toad, you're being hypocritical. You don't care about rewards? 

Who doesn't want to become stronger and live longer? Our lifespans aren't exactly lengthy. Once we're gone, the Three Sacred Places will be in jeopardy. 

I can't believe you're willing to accept that fate!]

[Great Toad Sage: It's not hypocrisy; it's the truth. Do you think complaining will improve our rankings? Besides, I'm not convinced that you and Katsuyu will necessarily make it into the top ten!]

[White Snake Sage: Nonsense! I'm definitely going to make it into the top ten, and Katsuyu Sage will too!]

[Great Toad Sage: If you don't believe me, just wait and see. The top ten probably include Summoning beasts deeply concealed in the ninja world. Even we might not be aware of them.]

[White Snake Sage: I still don't buy it.]

Hidden Sound Village.

Orochimaru was somewhat taken aback.

Although he didn't know much about the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, he recognized that White Snake Sage was an exceedingly formidable entity. 

He wouldn't even dare entertain ill intentions towards White Snake Sage.

While Manda was intimidating and didn't always obey him, in Orochimaru's heart, Manda was undeniably a powerful Summoning beast, a significant asset, and a source of pride.

However, compared to White Snake Sage, Manda was like a younger sibling.

And Great Toad Sage, who held a similar stature and strength to White Snake Sage, should also be incredibly potent, likely deserving of a higher ranking.

Yet, this time, Great Toad Sage was only thirteenth, and Nine Tails was fourteenth.

"This is strange, very strange. Whether it's Nine Tails or Great Toad Sage, they shouldn't have such low rankings. This is the Pet list, not the human ranking. How many Summoning beasts in the ninja world surpass Nine Tails?"

Orochimaru furrowed his brows.

Similarly, many ninja were baffled by this list.

[Senju Hashirama: Even Great Toad Sage ranks thirteenth? I'm quite intrigued by the top ten Pets; are they truly worthy of their positions?]

[Uchiha Madara: There shouldn't be any issue. I still have faith in the gold list's rankings.]

[Third Hokage: Great Toad Sage only at thirteenth place? I'm genuinely curious about the top ten now.]

[Third Tsuchikage: I won't speculate; let's just wait!]

Everyone waited in silence, knowing that the top ten on the Pet list would soon be revealed.

Therefore, despite their curiosity, the ninja remained patient.

Finally, the twelfth spot on the Pet list was unveiled.

[Twelfth Place on the Pet List: White Snake Sage, Previous Master: Sage of Six Paths]

[White Snake Sage: What? I'm only twelfth? ? ? ?]

[Great Toad Sage: I don't know why, but I suddenly feel better. Old White Snake, I told you that you wouldn't make it to the top ten, and it seems I was right!]

[White Snake Sage: Impossible! Absolutely impossible! With my strength, I should be in the top ten! I could even claim the top spot without exaggeration!]

[Great Toad Sage: It's true, Old White Snake, don't be too disheartened!]

White Snake Sage was deeply disappointed. The rewards for twelfth place differed significantly from those for the top ten. 

Although the content of each list varied, the rewards were often tailored to the recipient's needs and desires.

If she had made it to the top ten, she might have acquired a treasure to enhance her bloodline or even transform into a dragon or a true dragon.

But now, with only the twelfth place, her chances of obtaining such treasures were considerably lower.

Naturally, she felt disheartened.

[Orochimaru: White Snake Sage at twelfth place? I, Orochimaru, question the fairness of this list!]

[Manda: Though I don't particularly like the old hag White Snake Sage, her strength is undoubtedly immense, and I didn't expect her to be twelfth!]

[Aoda: Manda, don't disrespect White Snake Sage!]

[Manda: I just enjoy teasing her, hmph!]

The three princesses of Ryūchi Cave were also taken aback. In their eyes, among all the beasts, White Snake Sage was the most potent. They hadn't anticipated her ranking only twelfth on the Pet list.

Suddenly, the once invincible image of Sage White Snake had crumbled.

[White Snake Sage: Judging from this, Katsuyu is probably only eleventh and won't make it into the top ten.]

[Katsuyu Sage: I'm not concerned about rankings; eleventh place is perfectly fine!]

[White Snake Sage: If we, the leaders of the Three Sacred Places in the Summoning realm, can't even make it to the top ten on the Pet list, it's truly embarrassing!]

[Great Toad Sage: Old White Snake, focus on training hard; perhaps you can improve your ranking on the Pet list.]

[White Snake Sage: That's the only way!]

After a while, the eleventh place on the Pet list was announced, aligning with the predictions of White Snake Sage, Great Toad Sage, and others. Katsuyu Sage secured the eleventh spot.

[No. 11 on the Pet List: Katsuyu Sage, Previous Master: Sage of Six Paths]

With this announcement, the rankings were finalized, and none of the three great Sages made it to the top ten.

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