"Lord Hokage!"
At the side of the grand arena in Konoha Village, two ANBU operatives knelt before Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Lord Rasa!"
Sand Shinobi Elite Jōnin Baki led a group of ninja to the side of "Fourth Kazekage," raising an inquiring brow.
"It's not an illusion. Just wait and observe," Baki reassured his comrades.
The man masquerading as the "Fourth Kazekage," Orochimaru in disguise, remained absorbed in watching the Ninja World Gold List. His vertical pupils, concealed beneath his hat's brim, brimmed with curiosity and excitement. With a playful smile, he spoke.
"Indeed." Baki comprehended and withdrew with his group.
Hiruzen Sarutobi caught snippets of conversation between the impersonated "Fourth Kazekage" and his followers. He narrowed his eyes as he contemplated, then issued an order.
"Monitor the situation closely and summon Ran."
"Understood!" An ANBU operative stepped back.
Orochimaru, having overheard Hiruzen's words, turned slightly and commented, "Third Hokage, you're calling forth the Black Flash at this moment. Seems like he intends to groom this young disciple to be the Fifth Hokage?"
"Heh, the Fifth Hokage position is still far ahead. The youth needs opportunities to grow," Hiruzen took a contemplative puff from his pipe, his eyes half-lidded in satisfaction.
The time for his patience had finally arrived, now that the attention of all was captured by the ninja world's Gold List.
"Indeed..." Orochimaru nodded noncommittally, his attention once again drawn to the Ninja World Gold List.
Amidst this, a voice emerged.
Seeing the name, no one was taken aback.
[Fourth Raikage Ai: Is this for real or just a mirage? The globally displayed Ninja World Gold List, does even old Onoki have a spot there?]
Cloud Shinobi Village in the Land of Thunder.
The Raikage's office, a circular edifice nestled amidst high and low canyons.
A gaping hole marred the ceiling, and beside it stood a brawny middle-aged man with short, unruly yellow hair, exuding a potent aura.
This figure was none other than Cloud Shinobi Village's Fourth Raikage, Ai, renowned across the ninja world for his recklessness.
At this moment, he stared at the Ninja World Gold List, his eyes riddled with suspicion and caution.
Upon appearing on the Gold List, he activated his Lightning Style's chakra armor, confirming that this wasn't an illusion.
"Boss!" Raikage's secretary, Mabui, and his aide, Darui, leaped onto the roof and approached Fourth Raikage Ai.
[Onoki: Fourth Raikage, Young Ai, your granddaddy's here!]
Ever since the Third Ninja World War, where Stone Village had betrayed both Konoha and Cloud Shinobi Village, leading to the death of Fourth Raikage's father, Third Raikage, their relationship had been bitter and full of resentment.
"Kitsuchi, looking at your expressions, it's obvious this old man's eyes ain't failing me."
"Just to be sure, Akatsuchi, take some personnel to investigate within the village, and the Kitsuchi, deploy Anbu to neighboring towns near Kirigakure to ascertain the situation of a Genin from the Gold List."
"And have Roshi come over. It's time for the spies from various countries to make their moves."
Third Tsuchikage Onoki, seasoned and composed, issued orders with calm authority.
"Yes, Father" Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi withdrew immediately.
While they awaited events to unfold, Onoki examined the Gold List attentively, engaging Fourth Raikage in casual conversation.
[Killer Bee: Oh Ononki lives on, Ai, you're talkin' nonsense; the sky got a list ; bloodline limit list ain't your concern; it's all a big joke!]
The hot headed Ai, spurred by Onoki's remarks, roped in his younger brother, Killer Bee, to add his own commentary.
While his temper flared, he still adhered to his role as Raikage. Under Darui and Mabui's guidance, he took precautions to verify the authenticity of the Gold List.
Kirigakure.
"Bloodline Limit Successor List?"
"... Summon Terumi Mei!"
Inside the Mizukage's office,Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, had just been laid to rest. The temporary Mizukage, advisor of the village, urged the guards with fervor.
Land of Wind, Sunagakure, Wind Shadow Building.
"Grandma Chiyo, Elder Ebizō, this..."
A gathering of Sand Shinobi who hadn't participated in the collapse plan against Konoha convened at the apex of Sunagakure.
"Something's amiss with this. The old man's got a bad feeling."
"The Fourth Generation's hiding things from us, cooperating with Orochimaru for an assault on Konoha. No matter how you slice it, Konoha has another ace up its sleeve."
"Now that the Gold List has surfaced, the ninja world might witness changes. Immediately recall the ninja we sent to Konoha."
Chiyo, grandmother to Sasori and sister to Ebizō, issued a somber directive.
Ever since the Third Ninja World War, during which she realized her favorite grandson Sasori might have been involved in the death of Third Kazekage, she stepped down as an elder to lead a secluded life.
Yet a few days ago, her brother, Ebizō, had sought her out, revealing Konoha's plans. He reported that Fourth Kazekage and the Jinchūriki were absent, leaving the village bereft of top-tier combatants.
Thus, she was compelled to emerge from her seclusion temporarily.
Still, her unease lingered.
And this unease, now intertwined with the revelation of the Gold List, reached a zenith.
...
On the Gold List, numerous Stone and Cloud Shinobi made their appearance.
The verbal sparring between Fourth Raikage Ai and Third Tsuchikage Onoki escalated, cascading from village to village, country to country.
The other three great nations and all the smaller ones remained silent, biding their time to see how events unfolded.
Secretly, each nation deployed its own means to investigate.
Konoha Village.
Largest arena.
"Teacher!"
Ran, the raven-haired youth, approached Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen with a gentle smile. Nara Shikamaru, freshly concluded with the Chūnin exams, stood beside him.
"Hiruzen!"
Elders Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura arrived unannounced, their expressions grave.
Hurrying over from the Land of Fire's border, Nara Shikaku, accompanied by two companions, hurried to the scene.
Hyuga Hiashi was also accompanied by Hyuga Neji.
Throughout Konoha, excluding Danzo, all the upper echelons had gathered.
"Shikaku, Ran, what do you think?" Hiruzen Sarutobi motioned to the Ninja World Gold List.
"Before arriving, I took the opportunity to assess the situation in the village and gather intelligence from other village as well. I can confirm it's not an illusion," Nara Shikaku responded definitively.
Having rushed from border, he had anticipated Hiruzen's inquiry and kept abreast of events, analyzing along the way.
The Ninja World Gold List couldn't possibly be a mere illusion.
An illusion covering the entire ninja world surpassed mortal capability.
"We can be certain that the whole world can see the Gold List!"
Ran, the black-haired boy, stated with clarity, his expression composed.
Everyone was taken aback.
The Ninja World Gold List had appeared only a short while ago, yet its reach encompassed the entire ninja world?
As expected of the Black Flash, who bore the mantle of the Yellow Flash.
"How many countries have you covered?" Hiruzen Sarutobi inquired.
"Not all of them." The black-haired boy smiled, shaking his head. "I visited the borders of various countries and the Fire Country. This endeavor consumed about 90% of my chakra."
That's it?
And you are still dissatisfied?
For a brief moment, the assembly was at a loss.
"The Fourth Kazekage" observed and smiled cryptically. "The Flying Thunder God Technique, truly remarkable."
"Fourth Kazekage has quite the discerning eye!" The black-haired boy returned the smile.
At that moment, a change occurred in the Gold List.
[Onoki: Why haven't Kazekage and the Hokage chimed in? Aren't the two of you jointly overseeing the Chūnin exams? Or is this your doing?]
The sly Onoki cast doubt on the two allied villages, Konoha and Sunagakure.
[Fourth Raikage Ai: You won't have a sound mind unless you're dead. It must be a conspiracy between Konoha and Sand Shinobi.]
[Terumi Mei: As the new Fifth Mizukage, I announce Kirigakure open its border. I concur with the Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Raikage—the Uchiha's Sharingan illusion from Konoha is formidable.]
Having been treated by Uchiha Obito for over a decade, Kirigakure bore a deep resentment toward the Sharingan and the Uchiha clan. The three nations united in this stance.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's brow furrowed as he scanned Nara Shikamaru and the black-haired boy.
"Teacher, let me handle this."
Comprehending Hiruzen's intent, the black-haired boy's smile remained unwavering as he focused his thoughts.
[Uchiha Ran: The three are Kages of their respective village. Every word and action not only represents oneself but also the village. I implore careful choice of words. As Konoha, we won't tolerate any unfounded claims. When reward those on the list are provided and we invite you to see for yourselves. Or do you harbor feelings of inferiority, believing all bloodline limit successors belong only to Konoha?]
The black-haired boy stated his views candidly.
But as he gazed upon the display of the Ninja World Gold List, a chill gripped his heart.
"The last name... revealed!"
"This Gold List... it's truly beyond imagination."
"Yet... it doesn't matter now!"
*****
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