Chapter 250: Chapter 250 Beyond the Top Three
Once the top three were decided, the main event of the meeting was over. Now, only one thing remained: the distribution of rewards.
The Hokages knew the routine all too well. The rankings beyond third place—spanning from fourth to twelfth—held little significance to them. The truth was, no one anticipated much excitement from this part of the process. Having sat through countless meetings like this, they were all too familiar with the rules.
The top three positions came with generous, highly coveted rewards from different worlds. The first-place winner would be allowed to choose three rewards out of five exceptional options. The second-place finisher would select two out of three, and the third-place participant would have their pick of one out of two. For those who didn't cut, the consolation prizes—while decent—paled in comparison to the coveted options awarded to the top ranks.
Those outside the top three could only sigh in resignation. The specific order from fourth to twelfth hardly mattered to anyone. Whether a participant landed in fourth place or twelfth, the rewards were fixed, and there was no reason to feel much jealousy among them.
Even the Hokages themselves seemed indifferent to these lesser rankings. What truly mattered to them was that this part of the process concluded swiftly. Their only interest lies in reaching the reward phase as soon as possible. Many of them wished they could simply vote to wrap up the rankings altogether.
But such thoughts were pointless. Everyone knew the chat group's rules were absolute. No amount of wishing or complaining could hasten the process. All they could do was wait patiently for the rankings to be announced.
As the next set of rankings was about to be revealed, the room fell into a collective silence. No one wanted to waste any more time with idle chatter. Their eyes were fixed on the screen, anticipation brewing as they waited for the chat group to unveil the results.
The chat group didn't disappoint. Its mechanical, omniscient voice resonated through the space with the weight of authority, captivating everyone's attention:
[Fourth Place: Kakashi from third Hokage's World!]
[After achieving unification in your world, the remnants of the Akatsuki organization—still unchecked—resumed their disruptive activities, shattering the fragile peace.]
[You, however, acted with resolve and strength, eliminating two members in a decisive confrontation.]
The announcement echoed like a triumphant drumbeat, and the weight of its words caused a collective ripple of surprise throughout the room.
Whispers broke out among the gathered Hokages and other figures of power.
"Fourth place? Kakashi's world climbed that high?" Obito muttered, astonishment evident in his tone.
Eyes turned to Kakashi, who scratched the back of his head sheepishly, feeling the sudden spotlight.
"It wasn't easy," he admitted modestly, but the faint upward curve of his lips betrayed a sense of pride.
Minato, standing nearby, beamed with fatherly pride. "Well done, Kakashi!"
No one had anticipated this outcome. The Fourth Place ranking belonged to Kakashi's world—the world where he served as the fifth Hokage. The sheer progress of Kakashi's world left everyone stunned.
Everyone vividly recalled the last meeting. Back then, Kakashi's world hadn't even come close to such a high ranking. Yet now, here it was, among the top contenders. It was clear that Kakashi had made remarkable strides in his leadership and strength.
Minato was the first to speak, a proud smile lighting up his face. "Kakashi, you've done an amazing job!" he said warmly. "I never expected you to reach this level so quickly. You must have put in a lot of effort."
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head, his usual air of modesty showing as he replied with a sheepish smile. "Well… I just did what I could."
The others chimed in with their own words of encouragement, recognizing not just Kakashi's leadership but also his personal growth in strength.
It was hard to ignore the difference. The Kakashi they knew from before, while skilled, wasn't at this level. And now? He'd taken down two members of the Akatsuki in a single battle—on his own. A feat like that spoke volumes about his progress, solidifying his place among the upper echelons of power.
Just as the group was basking in the moment, the chat group's voice rang out again:
[Kakashi from Third Hokage's World]
[Final World Strength Score: 1550 points.]
Kakashi's eyes widened slightly, and he couldn't help but let a satisfied smile creep onto his face.
"I'll take that," he murmured, clearly pleased. His performance, both as a leader and a shinobi, had been validated by the ranking.
The others nodded in agreement, their respect for him growing even more. Kakashi had proven that his rise wasn't a fluke—it was earned.
The rapid growth of Kakashi's world was undeniable, reflected clearly in its impressive score. Compared to the last meeting, this score would have easily placed him in the top three—a testament to the significant strides his world had made over the past six months.
Kakashi's world was developing at an astonishing pace, promising a future brimming with potential. As the ranking for his world concluded, the chat group's mechanical voice resumed, signaling the continuation of the evaluation.
The attention shifted to the rankings of other notable worlds:
[Fifth Place: Uchiha Madara's World]
[Final World Strength Evaluation: 1500 points]
[Sixth Place: Road To Ninja, Tsunade's World]
[Final World Strength Score: 1410 points]
[Seventh Place: First Hokage Senju Hashirama's World]
[Final World Strength Score: 1310 points]
[Eighth Place: Fifth Hokage Tsunade's World]
[Final World Strength Score: 1200 points]
As these scores appeared on the screen, a sense of satisfaction filled the room. The Hokages, in particular, took pride in their progress. Each of them knew that their scores were nothing short of exceptional. Even the world ranked eighth had achieved a remarkable 1200 points, a feat that would secure rewards surpassing those of the second-tier prize pool.
The overall progress was undeniable, and the atmosphere was one of determination and optimism.
"Not bad," Hashirama remarked with a broad smile, his pride evident. "We've come far, but I know we can do even better next time."
The others nodded in agreement, their resolve firm.
"Next time," Tsunade added confidently, "our worlds will rise even higher in the rankings."
The room buzzed with quiet determination. Each leader understood that while their current achievements were commendable, there was always room for improvement. And with the pace of their progress, the future rankings would undoubtedly reflect their relentless drive.
At this moment, the voice of the chat group resonated once more, drawing everyone's attention to the screen as the next rankings appeared:
[Ninth Place: Tsukuyomi World Sixth Hokage Uchiha Obito's World]
[Final World Strength Score: 1150 points]
[Tenth Place: Sixth Hokage Kakashi's World]
[Final World Strength Score: 1100 points]
As the results were displayed, it became evident that the progress of these worlds had been steady and consistent. Both had achieved significant milestones, easily surpassing the 1000-point threshold. The overall development in these worlds was not only impressive but also indicative of promising futures.
"Their steady rise is commendable," Kakashi observed, nodding in approval.
The room was filled with a shared acknowledgment: technological advancements were propelling the rapid evolution of these worlds, driving their growth at an unprecedented pace.
The voice of the chat group continued, bringing the focus to the next set of rankings:
[Eleventh Place: Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato's World]
[Final World Strength Score: 980 points]
[Twelfth Place: Sixth Hokage Uchiha Sasuke's World]
[Final World Strength Score: 850 points]
As the final scores appeared, a sense of understanding settled among the group. Even the lowest-ranking worlds had performed admirably, with scores edging close to the 1000-point benchmark. This underscored the remarkable progress each world had made, leaving no room for disappointment.
"These are still excellent results," Ryan remarked, their tone filled with satisfaction. "Even those at the bottom have shown significant growth."
The completion of the rankings marked the end of this stage. The twelve worlds had been evaluated, and their progress was now clear for all to see.
With the rankings finalized, the atmosphere shifted, and anticipation filled the air. It was time for the moment everyone had been eagerly awaiting—the rewards session.
Excitement rippled through the group as the realization sunk in. This was the culmination of their efforts, the point where their hard work would finally pay off. Faces lit up with anticipation as they awaited the next announcement, eager to see what rewards lay in store.
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