At the mention of the reward ranking system, excitement lit up the faces of many in the group.
"Yes!" Kakashi exclaimed, fists clenched with enthusiasm. "This ranking system is perfect!"
Hashirama grinned, his voice booming with confidence. "Hahaha! Looks like my ranking isn't going to drop this time. Sorry, everyone—strength speaks for itself, after all!"
The others laughed along, their camaraderie clear. While Naruto remained silent, the stubborn glint in his eyes spoke volumes. He wasn't one to back down, convinced his strength rivaled that of anyone else in the group.
A palpable sense of competition filled the air. Who would claim the top three spots in the rankings? That question lingered, and the uncertainty only fueled their determination.
"Old men shouldn't be so sure of themselves," Sasuke said coolly, his tone edged with mockery.
Madara's lips curved into a sinister smile. His crimson eyes met Sasuke's without flinching, brimming with amusement and challenge.
"Ah, the arrogance of youth," he replied, his voice smooth but cutting. "Careful, boy. Experience is worth more than bravado."
Hashirama blinked in surprise before bursting into hearty laughter. "Old men?" he repeated, clutching his stomach. "You make me sound ancient!"
Tobirama's expression darkened, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Watch your tongue, boy," he said sharply, his tone icy.
With that, the group shifted its focus to the task at hand. They still had three days left in this world, and none of them wanted to waste a second.
Breaking the silence, Tobirama stepped forward, his voice carrying authority. "I'll head out first. The technology in this world should be worth exploring—it's a modern world, after all. Time is precious, and I won't waste it."
His words spurred the others into action. They nodded in agreement, inspired by his resolve. It was a reminder that every moment counted.
"Alright, let's get moving!" Tsunade declared.
And just like that, the group dispersed, each heading off with purpose. They knew these three days wouldn't last forever, and none of them intended to let the opportunity slip by.
The countdown had begun, and everyone was determined to make the most of it.
After returning from the world of One Punch Man, the tech they had gained was nothing short of quick boost accelerating their world in the next era. In that world, they had acquired an array of advanced technologies and scientific breakthroughs that propelled their worlds to unprecedented heights of development.
The progress was astonishing. Even the least advanced worlds experienced leaps of several hundred points in development, while others surged forward by thousands. It was a testament to the transformative power of technology. Everyone in the group now understood its immense value and how crucial it was to seize every opportunity to improve their worlds.
And in this new world, the greatest treasure was, without a doubt, its obscure things or some kind of technology. The decision was clear—they had to take full advantage of this chance. Collecting technological innovations here could revolutionize their worlds, even if it meant bringing back just a single product. A single high-tech item could spark rapid advancements, opening new doors to possibilities that once seemed unimaginable.
With this realization driving them, everyone sprang into action. Figures vanished one after another, moving at lightning speed in search of the most valuable discoveries this world had to offer.
But while the others hurried off, Ryan remained where he was, his expression thoughtful. Unlike the rest, he wasn't in a rush. Instead, he carefully planned his approach, knowing that the system had granted them only three days to complete their objectives.
Time was limited, but Ryan understood the importance of using it wisely. Charging in without a strategy would only lead to wasted opportunities. Instead, he resolved to approach this methodically, ensuring that he obtained the most valuable technology and resources in the most efficient way possible.
Whether it was groundbreaking tech or personal objectives, everything required precision and planning. Ryan also recalled the ranking system used during their time in the One Punch Man world, where rewards were distributed based on their achievements. Victory was determined by who defeated the strongest enemies and achieved the highest scores.
A faint smirk crossed his face. If the system followed a similar pattern this time, he was confident that he would rank first. It wasn't arrogance but a calm understanding of his abilities and accomplishments. He had defeated the most formidable Cursed Spirits and Jujutsu Sorcerers in this world, making his claim more than reasonable.
Ryan knew that his contributions this time would outshine everyone else's. If rankings were based on sheer results, he was certain his total score would eclipse the rest. With this confidence in his heart, Ryan began to move, ready to prove himself once again.
With such an impressive track record, how could Ryan possibly lose to anyone else? Ranking rewards didn't concern him in the slightest. What truly occupied his mind was deciding what to focus on this time.
Technology, of course, was a priority. Its value was undeniable, and he intended to collect as much of it as possible. But there was something else Ryan had his eye on—Cursed Spirits.
Yes, that was it. For most, such an idea might seem absurd or outright impossible. But for Ryan, it was perfectly reasonable. After all, he had recently gained a new and extraordinary ability: the Kokugan.
This unique dojutsu bestowed him with a remarkable skill—an applied storage ability that allowed him to shrink and store anything non-living within a personal spatial dimension. And here's the twist: Cursed Spirits weren't considered "living beings." This meant they, too, could be reduced in size and safely stored in his space.
Ryan had already tested this ability on several of his subordinates, and the results were flawless. He could effortlessly shrink them down and place them into a suspended state within his spatial storage. It was perfect—an ability that expanded his options in ways no one else could replicate.
With this power, Ryan could achieve so much more. He could collect Cursed Spirits, something no one else could manage, and store them all within his personal space. And when the time came to face future battles, he wouldn't even need to lift a finger. He could simply release these imprisoned spirits to fight on his behalf.
The very thought of unleashing such chaos made a grin spread across Ryan's face. The possibilities were endless, and he couldn't help but revel in the idea. His newfound ability was a game-changer, and he was eager to see just how far he could push its limits.
At this moment, Mahito's mischievous grin spread as he leaned forward slightly, his voice brimming with impatience. "Ryan! Aren't we going to act?"
Hanami's calm, earthy tone followed, steady yet carrying an undertone of eagerness. "If there's something specific you're looking for, we can help."
Jogo crossed his arms, his tone gruff and tinged with frustration. "We're wasting time. If you have a plan, just tell us. We'll handle it."
Gojo, standing silently at the edge of the group, said nothing. His gaze, usually sharp and filled with confidence, was subdued, observing Ryan without interrupting.
Their enthusiasm was palpable, and Ryan, standing with an air of calm authority, raised a hand to silence them. His sharp gaze flicked over each of them before he spoke, his tone steady but commanding.
"Alright," he began, his voice carrying a natural confidence that demanded attention. "Mahito, Jogo, Hanami—you three will find and bring the Cursed Spirits to me. But remember, I need them intact. Do not harm them more than necessary."
Mahito's grin widened, his mischievous eyes lighting up. "Intact, huh? That's a tall order, but I suppose I can manage," he said, his tone playful but laced with a subtle edge of menace.
Jogo huffed, his fiery eyes narrowing. "Tch, don't treat me like an amateur. I can handle this without breaking your precious cargo," he grumbled, though the flicker of pride in his tone betrayed his competitive nature.
Hanami simply nodded, their calm demeanor unchanged. "Understood. The spirits will be brought to you as they are."
Ryan gave them a small nod of approval. "Good. I trust you'll get it done swiftly."
Turning to Gojo, Ryan's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "Gojo, you have a different task. You're to return to your world and fix the damage done there. Consider it a payment of gratitude for taking care of the strongest curses on our behalf. You did well."
Gojo tilted his head, his blindfold hiding his expression, but his trademark smugness was evident in his voice. "Gratitude, huh? I don't hear that every day." He chuckled, leaning back casually. "Alright, I'll go play repairman for you, but don't think this means I owe you one. If anything, you're lucky to have me around."
Ryan smirked faintly, unfazed by Gojo's arrogance. "You're free to see it however you want. Just get it done."
As Gojo turned to leave, his signature confidence remained palpable. "Don't worry, boss. I'll make it look easy."
With that, Mahito, Jogo, and Hanami disappeared in a flash to fulfill their orders, while Gojo gave a casual wave as he headed toward his own task. Ryan's subordinates exchanged eager glances before one of them finally spoke.
"If there's anything else, Ryan, just let us know!"
Ryan's eyes glinted with determination as he addressed them. "Yes. Use your connections. Find people you trust and have them assist with the collection. Split into two groups. One group will focus on tracking the Cursed Spirits. The other will prioritize gathering technology. Leave no stone unturned."
His subordinates nodded fervently, their excitement evident. "Understood!" they chorused before scattering to fulfill his commands.
Ryan remained standing, his gaze fixed on the horizon. For him, every piece of this plan was falling into place. All he needed now was for everyone to play their roles perfectly.
With his subordinates hard at work, Ryan found a quiet spot to rest. These three days were, to him, more of a vacation than anything else. After all, with so many capable people working on his behalf, the process of gathering resources would be exponentially faster and more efficient than if he handled it alone.
He didn't need to expend unnecessary effort. While others might struggle to find what they needed, Ryan was confident that his subordinates would deliver far beyond what anyone else could imagine.
And what of the other Hokages? Ryan smirked to himself. He already had a good sense of their actions.
They would undoubtedly work tirelessly, collecting as much as they could with their own hands. But their quantity and quality would never match his. These three days would wear them out, leaving them fatigued and scrambling to keep up.
Take Tobirama, for example. He was fast, sharp, and had a keen eye for research—undeniably talented. But his flaw was equally apparent: his relentless effort would leave him utterly drained after hours of searching, and he didn't trust anyone, so he took care of core development alone.
Ryan, however, faced no such issue. For him, collecting resources was both easy and enjoyable. Everything about it was satisfying and stress-free.
As Ryan reclined in his chosen spot, his mind wandered briefly to his subordinates. Meanwhile, Gojo Satoru and the others were moving swiftly across the world, searching and securing valuable items for him.
Ryan's grin widened. Victory, efficiency, and power were all within his grasp, while others toiled endlessly.
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