Chapter 247 Power of Innovation

The Hokages gathered, their excitement palpable as they engaged in animated discussion.

"As expected, this reward is going to be incredible!" Minato exclaimed, his tone filled with anticipation.

"True," Kakashi nodded thoughtfully, "but we still need to secure a spot in the top three first. That's the real challenge."

"From the looks of it, the top three this time will all come from the second-tier world prize pools," Obito speculated, his voice laced with confidence.

"Exactly," Tsunade chimed in, crossing her arms. "And the rewards for the top three are bound to be massive."

"Hopefully, I can make it into the top three," Kakashi muttered under his breath, the hint of a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I just wonder," Minato mused, a thoughtful glint in his eyes, "how strong the other worlds' world powers really are."

The room buzzed with chatter, every Hokage eager and restless, each itching for their turn at the lottery. For them, the draw was the most crucial part of this event. Rankings and rewards might matter in the long run, but now, the lottery was all that mattered.

And for good reason. The prize for first place had long been assumed to belong to Ryan. His dominance was undeniable, and the others had no illusions about challenging his position. With that in mind, they had already given up on the thought of anything but the lottery.

Even so, the rules of the chat group were absolute, and there would be no shortcuts or sudden changes. The process had to unfold as intended: all the rankings would be revealed, and only then would the top three be allowed to choose their rewards.

When the rankings began to roll out, the room grew quieter. The first-place announcement had come and gone, confirming what they all already knew. But now, the reveal of second place loomed.

The atmosphere shifted. Tension filled the air as everyone fell silent. Not a single word was spoken. All eyes were fixed on the central screen, anticipation thick in the room.

They waited, breathless, for the name of the second-place winner to appear. The announcement of second place was a moment of immense tension.

While nothing could rival the prestige and rewards of first place, securing second was still a remarkable achievement. Many were on edge, hearts pounding with anticipation. Even if they couldn't claim the top spot, second place came with excellent rewards, a consolation prize worthy of celebration.

Among those feeling the pressure were Naruto and Tobirama.

Their nerves were justified. The development of their worlds varied—some had progressed through long-standing foundations, while others had made significant technological leaps forward. Whatever the reason, the rapid advancements in their respective worlds placed them as strong contenders for the top three.

Second place was especially coveted.

Not only did it bring great prestige, but it also allowed the recipient to choose two rewards. If those rewards were selected wisely, they could catapult their world's strength forward by leaps and bounds—perhaps even to a point of complete transformation.

The air in the room was thick with suspense as everyone waited.

Finally, the voice of the chat group broke through the silence, shattering the tension like a drumbeat of destiny.

"Second place ranking… initializing selection process…"

"Selection complete!"

"Second Place: Second Hokage Tobirama's World!"

For a moment, there was stunned silence. Then the room erupted in excitement.

"Tobirama, huh?" Obito muttered, crossing his arms. His tone was neutral but carried a hint of annoyance. "Always ahead of the curve. It's like he's trying to rub it in." A wry smile tugged at his lips.

"Hmph. Tobirama, as usual," Madara said, his arms folded and his gaze sharp. "He may be a technological genius, but it's still laughable to think that brute intellect alone could ever best true power." A smirk curled on his lips, though his eyes betrayed a grudging respect. "Still, I have to admit—he's a cunning strategist. Annoyingly so."

"Grandpa Tobirama again? Not surprising," Tsunade sighed, her hands resting on her hips. "He's always been ridiculously good at planning and innovation. If only he applied half of that brilliance to anything other than showing off." She shook her head but allowed a faint smile. "Still, he's made incredible progress. I'll give him credit for that."

"That's my little brother!" Hashirama exclaimed, beaming with pride. He clapped his hands together with a booming laugh. "He always knew how to take things to the next level! I knew his love for tinkering would pay off someday." His eyes softened as he added, "Even if he doesn't always show it, his dedication to our world is second to none. I'm so proud of him!"

"Brother, you embarrass me with your over-the-top praise," Tobirama said, his tone a mixture of exasperation and warmth. "I'm not some child showing off their first jutsu."

The chatter was lively, a mix of admiration and surprise. Many had expected Tobirama's world to take second place again.

Some also speculated that Naruto's world might claim the spot, given its high level of development and strong performance in the last ranking. But Tobirama's relentless drive and mastery of technological advancements had once again placed his world ahead.

The margin was a mere 50 points. A difference so small, that it could almost be dismissed as negligible. Yet, in the end, Tobirama emerged victorious once again.

His world's relentless progress had tipped the scales, achieving what many considered nearly impossible. It was a testament to the meticulous planning and tireless efforts driving his world's development.

And Tobirama himself?

He remained as composed as ever, his expression calm and measured, betraying none of the excitement that rippled through those around him.

"Jealousy doesn't build nations. Effort does. If you Uchiha spent half as much time working on advancements as you do on brooding, perhaps your world would progress faster." He let a small smirk slip. "But then again, someone has to lead by example. You're welcome."

He paused, the faintest trace of satisfaction tugging at the corner of his lips. "It seems the effort was worth it after all."

Tobirama wasn't surprised by the ranking.

After all, he had secured second place the last time, and this outcome felt like a natural continuation of his efforts. Technology had always been a cornerstone of his strategy, a field he prioritized above all else.

He hadn't just delegated tasks to an army of scientists; he had personally immersed himself in the work, dedicating countless hours to innovation. With such a strong foundation and relentless development, how could his world's progress be anything less than remarkable?

Still, despite the achievement, a faint shadow of regret lingered in his mind. He hadn't claimed first place.

The gap between him and Ryan was still substantial—a fact that fueled his determination to push further.

At that moment, the familiar voice of the chat group echoed around them:

[Would you like to display your world growth over the last six months?]

The question barely hung in the air before Tobirama responded with unwavering resolve.

"Display world growth," he commanded, his tone steady and decisive.

As his words fell, the chat group began to unveil the advancements of Tobirama's world:

[Upon returning from the One Punch Man world, you took charge, personally spearheading the rapid advancement of technology in your world.]

[You prioritized innovation, guiding your researchers with unparalleled vision and determination, pushing them beyond their limits.]

[By integrating the advanced technologies of the One Punch Man world into your own, you propelled your world's evolution at an astonishing rate.]

As these descriptions filled the air, the other Hokages could only nod in acknowledgment.

"It is just as we thought," Hashirama remarked, his tone both impressed and wistful.

"Have you noticed something?" Minato interjected. "Every time someone prioritizes technological development, their world advances at an incredible speed."

"That's true," Obito agreed, a touch of regret in his voice. "If only my technology talent was stronger…"

"If it were, our world could have advanced just as quickly," Kakashi added, shaking his head slightly.

The group continued to discuss the display, a mix of admiration and envy evident in their voices as they glanced toward Tobirama, whose calm demeanor remained unshaken.

Tobirama's strength was undeniably impressive.

What stood out most—and earned the envy of everyone present—was his unparalleled talent in scientific research. He wasn't just a master of ninjutsu; his intellect extended far beyond, delving into fields others wouldn't even consider.

Even though the foundations of his world were relatively modest, its rapid development was nothing short of extraordinary. Among all the Hokages, Tobirama's genius in scientific research was unmatched, a distinction that no one else could hope to replicate.

The other Hokages couldn't help but glance at him with a mixture of admiration and envy.

At that moment, the chat group's voice resonated once again:

[Uchiha Madara has been quietly scheming in the shadows.]

[After gathering the chakra of the Tailed Beasts, he successfully summoned the Ten-Tails and became its Jinchūriki.]

[With the Ten-Tails under his control, he planned to throw the entire world into turmoil.]

[You intervened swiftly, overpowering him with a wide array of extraordinary abilities you have collected from different worlds.]

[Madara was unable to fully unleash his true power before being utterly and humiliatingly defeated.]

The group fell silent, stunned by the revelation. All eyes turned toward Tobirama, their astonishment evident.

"To think… his strength has suppressed ten tails, Madara," Hashirama muttered, his tone filled with both awe and disbelief.

On the screen, flashes of Tobirama's techniques were displayed, each one more astounding than the last.

"He's taken his talent asa ninjutsu inventor to an entirely new level," Minato said, leaning forward as he studied the abilities shown.

"Yeah," Madara agreed. "Look at how he's fully integrated Devil Fruits from the One Piece world and Zanpakutō from the Bleach universe. He's mastered them!"

"And here we were, trading these things away for points," Kakashi added, shaking his head. "Meanwhile, Tobirama's made them part of his arsenal."

"It's not just about having these abilities," Hashirama chimed in. "It's how seamlessly he uses them. Those techniques look almost effortless."

"It's true," Minato noted. "He's achieved a level of creativity and resourcefulness we can only dream of."

The room buzzed with conversation, everyone marveling at Tobirama's ingenuity. His ability to think beyond traditional boundaries had given him an edge no one else could match—a testament to both his brilliance and his boldness.

Sure enough, Tobirama had a vision that far surpassed the rest, and the results spoke for themselves.

At first glance, the abilities didn't seem particularly impressive. They were useful, sure, but hardly groundbreaking.

However, when put into practice, they revealed a depth of utility and unexpected potential that left others astonished.

It was exactly the kind of ingenuity one would expect from Tobirama.

Only he could take something seemingly ordinary and transform it into a masterpiece of creativity and effectiveness.

In his hands, even the simplest tools became instruments of brilliance.

---

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