24 Chapter 23 : Provocation
"Yamato!?"
Upon seeing this name, everyone's expressions turned puzzled.
This was a name they hadn't heard before.
And it's related to Wood Style jutsu.
Counting Uchiha Ran's comrades, including Moegi Kazamatsuri, there are now three ninja from Konoha who possess the rare Wood Style. This brings to mind the legacy of Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, who had wielded the Wood Style technique.
"Wait a minute!"
Someone noticed the avatar of Yamato next to the label "Wood Release."
His appearance was quite ordinary, blending into the crowd without drawing much attention. However, what stood out was the Konoha forehead protector adorning his head!
Konoha again!?
The leaders and representatives of the major Shinobi villages couldn't help but exclaim in their minds.
Unbelievable!
Ninjas with Wood Style were already rare, and now, yet another one from Konoha surfaces. This dominance is beyond belief.
[Onoki: There are only 30 spots in total. With 11 already filled, 10 of them belonging to Konoha. Is this fair? It's not fair!]
[Terumi Mei: Konoha is clearly trying to establish its supremacy in the lists, isn't it?]
[Fourth Kazekage Rasa: Once these Konoha Shinobi obtain all the rewards from the gold list, their power will undoubtedly skyrocket. Truly deserving of the first ninja village title. Incredible!]
[Fourth Generation Ai: @Uchiha Ran, Fifth Hokage of Konoha. I've fought alongside Killer Bee against Namikaze Minato. I acknowledge his strength. You're also famed as a remarkable ninja. Would you be interested in some border sparring?]
At this juncture, the Kages representing the four major Ninja villages were struck with a growing sense of urgency.
Upon seeing the words "Bloodline Limit List," they had begun to speculate about the individuals representing their village on the list and their respective ranks.
While the list comprised now is only a fraction of the entire list, it was significant enough to give them concern.
After all, the Shinobi world was vast, encompassing the five great Shinobi nations.
However, with nearly half of the list already unveiled, 10 out of 11 positions belonging to Konoha, it was a startling statistic.
One village, taking up a third of the list, leaving no room for doubt that Uchiha Ran and Senju Tsunade would also make on the list.
Astounding!
Could anyone remain unfazed by this?
Especially when Senju Hashirama was no longer around to present a threat—deceased as he was!
"Jealous, are you?"
"Konoha's might is awe-inspiring, what's there to complain about?"
Addressing the chatter, Uchiha Ran adjusted his glasses, shedding his milder demeanor for one of proud confidence.
"Whether it was the First Great Ninja War, the Second, or the Third, Konoha stood firm, no matter the cause or outcome. Who else but Konoha?"
"In each of these wars, Konoha emerged victorious."
"Konoha's might has been acknowledged across the ninja world."
"Jealous? Envious? Suspicious?"
"The Land of Fire, occupying the most prosperous land within the Shinobi world, is an aspiration for all of you, isn't it? Even without this gold list?"
"If you've got designs, come forward! Konoha isn't one to back down from a challenge!"
Uchiha Ran wasn't about to let the waters remain calm.
He was no Sarutobi Hiruzen.
While Sarutobi Hiruzen had accumulated strength over the years, uniting the powers of Konoha Sannin, White Fang, Namikaze Minato, Uchiha clan, and the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki who never saw battle, he didn't possess the same strength.
Those three wars had been wars of unification.
Although the territories of the other four Shinobi nations held less allure compared to the Land of Fire, they could still be developed in a targeted fashion.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was known for his political acumen, yet ultimately, he was a graduate of elementary school in politics. Otherwise, he wouldn't have remained under the economic control of the daimyo.
Uchiha Ran, however, was cut from a different cloth.
He believed that the people of Konoha weren't afraid of war. It was a matter of changing their mentality!
"Ha~"
"This…..?"
In the blink of an eye, the four Kages were left astonished.
Among them, Rasa was the most rattled.
His family understood the predicament well—Land of Wind's daimyo had restricted funding for Sunagakure, driving even Kazekage himself to toil as a gold digger in the deserts to barely sustain the village.
Yet, with Sunagakure's resources dwindling and Gaara becoming increasingly uncontrollable, it was sheer folly to provoke Konoha.
In Kirigakure, Terumi Mei found herself in an awkward position.
Kirigakure was grappling with the loss of one of its two Tailed Beasts, while the other had defected. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were similarly divided.
As for Iwagakure, Onoki fared a bit better.
He had antagonized Konoha in the past, leveraging the village's internal strife and Third Hokage to his advantage. However, it was no longer worth provoking Uchiha Ran for such endeavors.
The Cloud Shinobi, known for their martial ardor, were displeased with Uchiha Ran's bravado. Fourth Raikage, Ai, asked, "What's your plan after this gold list competition? To engage in battle or not?"
"Bring it on!"
Uchiha Ran activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan, his tone casual. "Just ensure you don't disappoint me when the time comes."
The unspoken agreement was sealed between the two Kages.
The entire Ninja world watched their respective representatives clash via the gold list, their thoughts in turmoil.
Nara Shikaku gazed at Uchiha Ran's back with admiration gleaming in his eyes.
He felt fortunate that Shikamaru had found a mentor like him.
Ninjas may be instruments of war, but Konoha always upheld the Will of Fire.
Over the years, Konoha's ninjas refrained from openly criticizing Third Hokage's shortcomings due to his power. It maintained equilibrium among various factions, leaving none truly opposed.
Still, they held their breath, yearning for a youthful and spirited Hokage to guide them.
Uchiha Ran was fulfilling that role now, methodically and precisely.
Unlike the recklessness of Fourth Raikage, Uchiha Ran considered every angle.
Mist and Sand Shinobi wouldn't readily plunge into conflict. Onoki, Third Tsuchikage, presided over Iwakagure with a focus on self-interest, maintaining stability by observing from a distance.
Cloud Shinobi, however, were determined.
And the first shot would be fired.
"The Bloodline Limit List must have a slot reserved for Fifth Hokage."
"Based on the rewards received by the 11 individuals listed so far, it's highly likely they'll gain extraordinary powers."
"The odds of victory are in our favor."
"Even matching Fourth Raikage's performance will send shockwaves through the world. After all, Fifth Hokage is only sixteen but still possessing the invincible Flying Thunder God."
"After this battle, he'll astonish the Ninja world, secure the Hokage seat, and earn the village's unwavering loyalty."
"Three birds with one stone!"
"The calculations are unparalleled, and…"
"There must be angles I haven't considered!"
Nara Shikaku's thoughts swirled.
Was this Fifth Hokage perhaps Uchiha Madara and Senju Tobirama?
Absolutely formidable!
*****
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