Chapter 84 : Summoning Contracts?

There is a set of procedures for announcing the winners of the Golden List.

First, the Golden List bell rings, and three-dimensional images of the winners appear in the sky.

Then, these three-dimensional images transform into beams of light, which in turn become avatars at the back of the ranking.

For instance, the Bloodline Limit List reveals the bloodline  limit information and development level of those listed. 

Meanwhile, the live broadcast room screen of the Golden List switches to display the person on the list, and the rewards selection is live-streamed.

Reward options appear one minute after the live screen switches, positioned behind the ranking information.

Next, those on the list need to choose their rewards within a specified time frame (ten minutes), and the Golden List distributes the rewards promptly.

Finally, when the winners receive their rewards, the live broadcast room camera switches or closes.

Before Kaguya Ōtsutsuki joined the list, there were already 31 individuals listed.

Everyone was familiar with this process and knew when to discuss and speak.

But after Kaguya Ōtsutsuki joined the list, starting from her appearance, name, identity, and body, she brought forth a wealth of shocking information.

People had not fully digested the previous information when another bombshell was dropped.

It was simply overwhelming.

And just then, Black Zetsu even revealed his plans for the challenging year ahead, related to the safety of the entire ninja world, and the deception of Uchiha Madara, the Shura of the ninja world.

No one paid much attention to the reward options Kaguya Ōtsutsuki was receiving.

After all, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki had not uttered a word from start to finish.

Subconsciously, people felt that she would speak when it was time to choose her reward.

But the reality was different.

[Black Zetsu: Hahaha, are you all stunned? Are you flabbergasted? Mother has been waiting for a long time, and you think she'll suddenly speak and reveal everything? I was just diverting your attention.]

[Black Zetsu: Mother's choice? You have no way of knowing what she chose, and you may fear the imminent arrival of death.]

[Black Zetsu: A little heads-up, Mother's rewards go far beyond your imagination.]

[Black Zetsu: Madara, even now, you remain my tool.]

Black Zetsu laughed wildly and was incredibly arrogant.

His performance darkened everyone's expressions.

Even Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo and Hamura were speechless at this point.

They too were captivated by Black Zetsu.

Most notably, Ōtsutsuki's Kaguya choice operation was unexpected.

[Uchiha Madara: You're celebrating too soon.]

[Black Zetsu: Too soon? Do you really know? Unless you've been staring at the Golden List with your Sharingan, it's impossible. And I don't believe anyone else knows.]

[Uchiha Madara: I truly don't know, but I believe @Uchiha Ran must know.]

[Uchiha Ran: Surprisingly, Madara trusts me so much?]

[Uchiha Madara: It's not just trust; it's because you give off a reliable vibe. You're obviously aware of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's existence and the significance of the Bloodline Limit List. I have reasons to believe that you know more, and you've been speaking frequently, unlike Kaguya, who hasn't said a word since the Golden List livestream began.]

Uchiha Madara remained calm.

He had not seen Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's list of rewards, and he wasn't the only one. There was no need to place hope in that regard.

But Uchiha Ran was clearly an exception.

[Senju Tobirama: As long as this guy isn't arrogant, his intellect surpasses my elder brother's.]

[Uzumaki Mito: Otherwise, how could I choose Hashirama and start a monogamous relationship?]

[Senju Hashirama: Madara, did you see that? Mito is praising me, and you're not far behind.]

[Uchiha Madara: Haha!]

[Senju Tobirama: Big Brother, keep your ego in check. Are you sure sister-in-law is complimenting you?]

[Senju Hashirama: Mito meant that I'm straightforward and honest, right?]

[Senju Tobirama: Yes, that's right. Big brother is wise but straightforward.]

[Black Zetsu: @Uchiha Ran, did you really see it? I find it hard to believe!]

[Uchiha Ran: I did see it and even took a screenshot.]

It was a mere coincidence.

When he appeared on the Bloodline Limit List, Uchiha Ran guessed that Kaguya Ōtsutsuki would also be on the Golden List. However, when he discovered that he ranked ninth, he was somewhat surprised.

He had suspected that there were separate rankings, and that turned out to be the case.

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's appearance surprised him, but it didn't distract him from the three-dimensional images.

In fact, he might have known more about Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and the Bloodline Limit List than she did.

He knew more about the moon's creation when Hagoromo sealed Kaguya and even knew what Hagoromo didn't. He understood why Kaguya was so determined to launch the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

But these details didn't interest him.

What intrigued him most were Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's rewards. He was curious about the top reward and wanted to use this opportunity to analyze Kaguya's current mindset, specifically what reward she looked forward to the most.

The final outcome didn't disappoint him.

In the world of the Hokage, there existed the Dark Ancestor Talisman, a creation born from the very essence of heaven and earth's laws. Its possessor wielded dominion over darkness, essentially mimicking the Martial Ancestor World.

Thankfully, this was but a mimicry, for had it not been, Kaguya could have swiftly shattered her prison, making for dire circumstances.

The rationale behind this choice likely stemmed from Kaguya's lengthy incarceration within the moon. Over time, she had developed an eerie affinity for darkness, akin to a peculiar attachment.

Moreover, the Dark Ancestor Talisman possessed the ability to forge a sinister dimension, capable of suppressing and annihilating both living beings and spirits. One couldn't help but ponder if this might kindle resentment in Hagoromo and Hamura's hearts.

Who could withstand the solitude of arduous years?

Uchiha Ran found the proposition challenging.

The second reward was either half of the Nine-Tails or a four of the Tailed beasts. Such an offer made perfect sense.

Kaguya's current lifeblood was in disrepair due to the absence of the God Tree's fruit. With four tailed beast or half of nine tails as rewards, three consecutive acquisitions would restore her to the peak of her power, pre-sealing.

The third reward presented a guardian card from a transcendent stellar powerhouse. This card possessed the ability to extract characters from various worlds and offer protection for a day after the contract, barring the other party from actively endangering the ninja world or eradicating its inhabitants. 

Uchiha Ran, however, seemed somewhat avaricious.

Though this card couldn't be employed to summon individuals frequently, having a guardian of such stature by his side would allow him to stand firm, even if Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki and others came knocking.

The inclusion of this option in Kaguya's rewards hinted at her deep-seated insecurity, a fear that someday, Ōtsutsuki Isshin and other clan members might descend upon the ninja world, seeking retribution.

Similarly, the fourth reward, the Soul Cutting Sword, was clearly designed to facilitate Kaguya's eradication of the Ōtsutsuki clan. This clan's peculiarities were evident. When the wielder bore the "wedge," the victim's soul remained tethered to their homeworld upon death. Obliterating the soul was the root solution to the issue.

As for the final, fifth reward, the World Transfer Card, it required specific conditions and permitted permanent relocation to any world. The verdict on whether this was a good or bad option largely depended on the benevolent benefactor. This reflected the deep-seated fears of the Ōtsutsuki clan.

It wasn't about perpetual escape; rather, it was a testament to seeking protection or possessing the means to eliminate adversaries entirely.

Among these five rewards, Uchiha Ran had no doubt about his choice. Yet, Kaguya ultimately abstained from choosing option five.

It seemed she was unwilling to venture into unfamiliar territory.

[Black Zetsu: ... You not only saw this but took a screenshot.]

[Uchiha Ran: If it bothers you, I'm more than willing to settle it with a fight. Do you have an appointment?]

[Black Zetsu: I won't stoop to your level and engage my junior in combat.]

[Uchiha Ran: Then kindly stay silent, understood?]

[Black Zetsu: You!]

[Uchiha Madara: The defeated dog barks! Out of these five rewards, which four did Ōtsutsuki Kaguya choose?]

[Uchiha Ran: One, two, three, four.]

[Uchiha Madara: Just as I suspected.]

Option five carried too much uncertainty.

[Hashirama Senju: Are you genuinely considering acquiring the Dark Ancestral Talisman and the Soul Cutting Sword? I'm beginning to feel the Pure Land world isn't safe anymore.]

[Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo: No worries, mother is still sealed within the moon, and these means can't be utilized until her power is restored.]

The moon's seal was based on the Six Paths Planetary Devastation, an exceptionally potent sealing technique. 

Kaguya couldn't access the slightest bit of her power while within it, hence, the Dark Ancestor Talisman and Soul Cutting Sword were beyond her reach.

Even obtaining the Four Tailed Beast or half of the Nine-Tails now would prove futile, as she couldn't utilize them.

But as long as she continued to ascend the list, absorbing tailed beast Chakra, she'd eventually become the Ten Tails Jinchūriki, enabling her to break free.

[Hamura Ōtsutsuki: Based on our analysis, mother will ascend the list three more times, granting her sufficient Chakra to become the Ten Tails Jinchūriki. Three times might be adequate, given the abundance of Chakra in Kurama.]

At this moment, the Sage of Six Paths would no longer withhold information or mince words. A sense of urgency permeated everyone's thoughts.

The Ōtsutsuki clan could be thwarted by the ancestor Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo.

But Kaguya, the one who remained impervious to Hagoromo and Hamura's counsel, had no choice but to be sealed. Clearly, they had to rely on sheer power to resist her.

[Onoki: The next time we unite is when Konoha should announce the Scroll of Three Holy Land Summoning Contracts.]

Summoning was a complex practice, encompassing Summoning contract, ninja beast Summoning, item Summoning, and "human" Summoning.

Among these, blood contracts with the major holy sites allowed the summoning of most beings within them, contingent upon the individual's power and the ninja beast's availability.

Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest reigned supreme as the three holy sites, surpassing others.

Knowing the rewards that awaited list climbers and the higher their ranking, the better, who wouldn't want a share of the pie?

Unexpectedly, when Onoki raised the proposal, it wasn't met with resistance.

In its current state, Konoha couldn't afford to refuse.

To everyone's astonishment, Uchiha Ran concurred.

[Uchiha Ran: I, temporarily filling in as Hokage, can guarantee this!

[Onoki: Really?]

[Uchiha Ran: More genuine than pure gold, but the particulars require discussion!]

Uchiha Ran shoved his glasses up, a sly smile on his lips.

This opportunity was a chance to profit handsomely! A commission, indeed.

**********

Support me on my patreon and read upto 30 early chapters.

https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer