Chapter 117.1 : Golden Road!

Golden List Live Room.

The top spot on the power list was finally revealed on the screen of the live broadcast room, amidst a dense crowd dressed in black robes, casting an air of mystery.

Among them stood Teacher Octopus, Kumoko, the fox demon Yaya, Red Lotus Godzilla, Garaga, and the fox demon Rongrong.

[No. 1 on the Power list: the Underground Black Market, boasting several Six Paths-level powerhouses, a dozen Super Kage-level entities, and numerous Kage-level masters, along with a ninjas numbering in the hundreds of thousands...]

As the audience laid eyes on this list, a collective gasp filled the room.

To find the Underground Black Market topping the list wasn't entirely unexpected. Many present had traversed its clandestine corridors. Indeed, underground black markets were no rarity across various nations.

These hidden hubs served as havens for dealing with the illicit and the obscure, where identity and background mattered little as long as one possessed the desired goods.

Moreover, these markets often unveiled treasures through their auctions, a prospect that tantalized many ninja. Regulars at these auctions might chance upon invaluable items.

[Kakuzu: The Underground Black Market, reigning atop the power rankings. Previously, I only saw it as a convenient locale for transactions. Little did I know it harbored such influence. Alas, its prices always deterred me; I dared not linger, fearing my coffers would deplete!]

[Hidan: Indeed, the Underground Black Market holds allure. Learning it underwent renovation a decade ago adds to its intrigue! Who'd have thought it was Yasao who established it? Remarkable indeed!]

[Tsunade: These Six Paths-level figures solely affiliated with the black market... Take the fox demon Rongrong, for instance, appearing in two factions. Is such dual allegiance permissible?]

[Yamanaka Inoichi: Naturally. Consider our Yamanaka clan members; they serve within the Root organization yet remain part of our clan, straddling two factions!]

[Fourth Raikage: The Underground Black Market, the Ninja Guild, the Mercenary Organization... these three entities under Yasao's banner inspire dread. Curiously, Yasao himself remains unaffiliated with any.]

[Kakashi: Yasao strikes me as one who operates from the shadows, hence his absence from the triad's ranks.]

[Third Tsuchikage: Haha, their omission doesn't hinder their rewards. These entities undoubtedly secure victories, which ultimately fall into Yasao's hands. Do they dare withhold his due?]

[Uzumaki Naruto: The depths of the ninja world surprise even me. I had no inkling of these formidable factions!]

[Jiraiya: Naruto, your astonishment mirrors mine. Even with my extensive knowledge, I failed to foresee this!]

"To think, the master tasked me with joining the Underground Black Market, only for it to clinch the top spot!"

Garaga exclaimed with infectious excitement.

At this moment, Kumoko launched her attack: "Garaga, you're just one of the names on the many lists in the underground black market. How often have you truly been there? The people of the underground black market don't even know you exist! I, on the other hand, frequented it in the past. Many of the items I discovered were sent there for processing, and I am the one who runs the show in the underground market!"

"Sister Kumoko speaks the truth, but I find contentment in my position. I hold sway at the top of the power hierarchy and have made my contributions," Garaga retorted.

Rong Rong chimed in: "The exposure of the three factions under our master's command has instilled fear among the ninja community. They tremble before our master's might!"

"Fear is one thing, but challenging master is another matter entirely," Garaga remarked.

Rong Rong added, "They may not pose a direct threat to our master, but stirring up trouble could prove bothersome."

Garaga pledged his loyalty without hesitation, "Anyone who dares to trouble our master shall face my wrath!"

Soon after, the rewards for the power hierarchy were distributed, and countless eyes turned to the live broadcast room, eagerly anticipating the unveiling.

Those factions that made it onto the list were also curious about the rewards. What awaited them? A treasure with broad utility, for only such a prize could truly benefit all.

Amidst the anticipation, the reward for first place in the power hierarchy was finally revealed.

Boom!

A single treasure materialized on screen.

"There's only one treasure? I expected there to be two, providing us with a choice," Fourth Raikage voiced his disappointment.

Gaara remarked, "With only one treasure, luck becomes the deciding factor. If fortune eludes you, you may end up with a prize of no use to you."

Tsunade added, "The real concern is landing the question and answer card; that's a tough break! Those cards are utterly useless!"

Hyuga Hiashi expressed his hope, "Let's pray our Hyuga clan doesn't end up with those Q&A cards!"

At that moment, the live broadcast room screen fully showcased the treasure.

It was a Golden Road!

[Golden Road: Crafted by the highest authority, traversing this path entails various trials. Succeed, and reap rewards; reach its end, and undergo the divine baptism of power…]

Seeing this, Yasao couldn't contain his excitement.

"The Golden Road! Though its true worth eludes me, a treasure forged by the highest authority must hold immense value. And the promise of divine power at its culmination... this is priceless!"

Indeed, this reward was exceptionally precious, surpassing previous offerings by far.

Naturally, its value lay in its applicability to many rather than individual worth.

"Wow, anyone can tread the Golden Road, including myself? I wonder what benefits await. As for its end, I hold no expectations," Kumoko remarked.

"Master, with the Golden Road, our faction's strength can soar. Many members from the three factions under our master can partake in it to enhance their abilities," Rong Rong explained.

"Truly, this reward bodes well for our faction's growth!"

Yasao spoke decisively.

Naturally, he wasn't about to let the underground black market swallow up this reward immediately. There couldn't be a better venue to negotiate the terms of such a substantial boon.

In essence, the elite echelons of the underground black market required multiple individuals to simultaneously activate the extraction mechanism to claim the rewards in full.

One person alone couldn't do it!

This precaution also served to prevent any individual from seizing the reward and defecting from their faction – a scenario that would be utterly farcical!

[Fourth Raikage: Golden Road, this treasure you speak of sounds highly sophisticated and accommodating for numerous individuals. It seems everyone can partake and reap benefits through this trial. For any faction, its value is currently unprecedented!]

[Terumi Mei: If the reward for topping the power rankings is a treasure suited for multiple individuals, would the subsequent rewards follow suit?]

[Tsunade: Quite likely. Given the multitude of ninjas on the power rankings, it'd be challenging to distribute a singular reward equitably. If it accommodates many, then it's logical!]

[Nara Shikamaru: So, there's a chance for me to gain something too, huh?]

[Killer Bee: Hoping this reward will catapult me into the level of true super Kage!]

[Fourth Raikage: I'm not overly ambitious, just aiming for the Six Paths level!]

"The reward is promising. I hope to secure a substantial reward myself, to ascend fully to the Six Paths level!"

Ōtsutsuki Toneri renounces humanity.

The rewards coveted by nearly every faction representative would be beneficial, inclusive, and accessible to all.

Otherwise, with a solitary reward, only the leader would likely benefit.

Soon, the reward for second place in the power rankings would also be unveiled.

Hum!

The second-place reward materialized on the screen: a towering tree emitting a unique aura.

[Enlightenment Tree: Within a one-mile radius of the Enlightenment Tree, one's comprehension can greatly increase. With its aid, techniques can be mastered swiftly, or even new techniques can be devised...]

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