Chapter 253 Across Worlds

At this point, everyone was well aware of the rewards. The anticipation in the air was palpable. They just had to wait a little longer.

When the rewards finally arrived, excitement swept through the group. After all, this kind of direct physical enhancement was invaluable. Regardless of combat level, the potential for improvement was immense—a boon for everyone involved.

The room buzzed with enthusiastic chatter. Smiles, cheers, and animated gestures filled the space as everyone reveled in the possibilities.

Amid the rising energy, Ryan observed the lively crowd with a faint smile. Clapping his hands to draw their attention, he spoke in a steady, commanding tone.

"Alright, everyone, settle down for a moment," he began, waiting for the room to quiet. "Let's not forget... that was just the appetizer!"

The words hung in the air, sparking curiosity.

Ryan's eyes gleamed as he addressed the group, his tone filled with anticipation. "The main event," he announced, "is about to begin. The most important function of all—missions in other worlds!"

The room buzzed with excitement, the Hokages nodding in agreement.

"Of course!" Tsunade said, leaning forward. "The missions in other worlds have been life-changing. Let's see what the next world has in store for us!"

Hashirama chuckled. "Every time, these missions bring incredible slot machines. I can't wait to see what this new world offers another way to gamble! Hahaha!"

Ryan smiled, taking a moment to reflect on the worlds they had already visited. "Let's not forget," he began, "how far we've come because of these missions. Each world has left its mark on us, shaping our strength, our knowledge, and making our home even stronger."

"In the One Piece world," Ryan continued, "we hunted treasures, unlike anything we'd seen or done in the shinobi world before. Devil Fruits, for instance, gave us extraordinary abilities, changing the way we approach battles."

Ryan shifted gears. "Then came the Shinigami world. That mission was a turning point."

Hashirama nodded solemnly. "The Zanpakutō we obtained aren't just weapons—they're companions. They've taught us how to channel soul energy, an entirely new dimension of power."

"Not to mention," Ryan said, "the knowledge we gained about souls and afterlife mechanics. It's helped us understand and master forces we never thought possible."

"And the Kido techniques," Tobirama added. "They're not only versatile but can seamlessly blend with our own jutsu."

"And then there was the One Punch Man world," Ryan continued, his voice tinged with awe. "The technology we brought back from there has revolutionized our world. Tobirama's second rank is proof that technology has never let us down."

"By integrating these treasures, technologies, and knowledge into our own world," Ryan concluded, "we've achieved unprecedented growth. Our scientific, medical, and military capabilities are leagues ahead of where they were."

Hashirama grinned. "Each mission doesn't just make us stronger individually—it makes our world stronger collectively."

"Exactly," Ryan said. "And now, with another mission on the horizon, who knows what new wonders await us?"

Their excitement was contagious, but Ryan's calm demeanor encouraged the group to focus. Gradually, the chatter died down, and a hushed anticipation filled the room.

The chat group interface lit up once more, signaling the end of the previous inventory. Then, a familiar notification sound echoed in their ears, drawing everyone's eyes toward the glowing screen.

The glowing text on the screen flickered slightly, capturing everyone's attention as the system made its grand announcement:

[Ding! The "Multiverse World Travel" function is about to launch! Prepare yourselves for the next missions!]

Naruto, as expected, was the first to explode with enthusiasm. He leaped to his feet, fists clenched tightly. "Another new world? This is gonna be awesome! I can't wait to see what crazy stuff we'll find this time!"

Minato, ever the composed leader, placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder to calm him. "Son, let's not get too carried away," he said, though even his serene expression couldn't hide the subtle smile tugging at his lips. "If this is anything like the last worlds, we'll need to be prepared."

Sasuke crossed his arms, his expression calm but his Sharingan glowing faintly, betraying his intrigue. "Hmph. I'm not interested in sightseeing, but if there's power to gain, I'll take it." 

Kakashi, leaning casually against the wall, tilted his head and sighed, a copy of Icha Icha Paradise still in hand. "Another world, huh?" He closed his book with a soft snap, his lone visible eye narrowing. "If it's anything like last time, this one's going to throw some serious curveballs our way. Better brace yourselves, kids."

Kakashi's visible eye gleamed with a hint of amusement as he leaned further into the wall, the MVP of the last mission effortlessly maintaining his calm demeanor. "Naruto, you're talking big for someone who didn't even make the top three last time in the last other world mission," he teased his tone light but pointed.

Naruto froze for a moment before groaning in frustration. "Argh, don't remind me! How was I supposed to know those weird monsters could regenerate? They didn't even look that tough!"

Sasuke smirked, his arms crossing as he cut in. "Excuses. Meanwhile, Kakashi-sensei practically soloed half the mission's enemies to secure second place. Maybe you should take notes this time, usuratonkachi."

Naruto jabbed a finger at Sasuke, his eyes blazing with determination. "Oh, come on! Like you weren't just sniping from the back! This time, I'm going all out—and Kakashi-sensei, watch your back, 'cause I'm taking first place!"

Kakashi chuckled, his tone carrying a playful edge. "I look forward to it, Naruto. But if you want to catch up, you'll need more than enthusiasm. Those monsters and heroes last time were no joke and the rewards for taking them down? Let's just say they made all the effort worth it."

The chatter was fast and feverish, with everyone eager to share their thoughts. Moments like these were among the most thrilling for the group.

For them, every chat group meeting revolved around two highly anticipated events. First, there were the ranking rewards, which were always a significant highlight. The rewards following a ranking event never disappoint.

Take this time, for example: the physical booster. Even for those who didn't make it into the top three, the improvements to their strength and abilities were remarkable.

The second—and arguably the most exciting—was the introduction of the Other Worlds Missions.

Unlike ranking rewards, these missions were less predictable but equally rewarding. The concept was simple yet captivating. Missions would be issued at the start, and participants would be tasked with completing them.

But the true beauty of these missions lay in their dual benefit:

Completing the missions guaranteed substantial rewards.

Everything discovered in the other worlds could be converted into points.

This system made every venture into the other worlds an opportunity for growth, not just in strength but also in resources and knowledge.

As the group quieted down, their attention firmly fixed on the glowing screen, the anticipation for what lay ahead was almost tangible. This wasn't just another event—it was a chance to test their limits, uncover treasures, and bring back something extraordinary.

These points could be exchanged for incredible items in the mall, making them highly valuable.

Take the example of their last visit to the One Punch Man world. In that instance, there was no need to convert the items they found into points—they were as useful as they were.

For instance, over the past six months, each world has seen remarkable advancements.

The discoveries made in the Other Worlds and multiverse missions had been game-changing. The items and knowledge acquired from those missions were integrated into their respective worlds, driving technological progress at an unprecedented pace.

In just half a year, many worlds had advanced by centuries in terms of development. The impact was undeniable.

It wasn't just the world as a whole that benefitted—the individuals who placed in the top three rankings reaped extraordinary rewards as well. They received significant points and exclusive items, further boosting their power and influence.

This synergy between personal growth and world advancement was one of the reasons everyone eagerly anticipated each mission.

And now, as excitement reached its peak, the familiar sound of the chat group notification echoed in their ears.

As the crowd's attention fixated on the glowing screen, an authoritative and otherworldly voice echoed in their minds, synchronized with the shimmering text appearing before them:

[System Announcement: Prepare for the Journey Across Worlds!]

[Each meeting will open a portal to a new world.]

[Missions will be assigned within this world. Completing these tasks will grant participants substantial points and rare rewards.]

[Treasures, knowledge, and technologies acquired in Otherworlds can be exchanged for points or integrated into your home world's development.]

[Your home worlds will remain frozen in time until the mission concludes and all participants return.]

[Warning: If a participant dies during a mission, their home world will collapse, ceasing to exist. Death in the other world is irreversible.]

The voice paused, allowing the gravity of the rules to settle in.

[Let this serve as a reminder: Great rewards come with great risks. Forge your paths wisely, Shinobi.]

This refresher ensured that everyone was clear on the stakes and expectations.

For most participants, the rules were firmly etched in their minds after countless missions, but the reminder was a safeguard for those who might have overlooked or forgotten the finer details.

The key takeaway, as always, was the final rule:

If someone dies in the Otherworld mission, the consequences are irreversible. Their death would trigger the destruction of the world they represent.

Such a penalty was not merely harsh—it was catastrophic.

Although no Hokage had suffered such a fate thus far, the mere possibility was enough to weigh heavily on everyone's minds. They knew better than to underestimate the danger.

It was a sobering reality. Missions in the Otherworlds were not games, and the stakes were as real as life and death.

Despite their excitement, the participants couldn't afford to take this warning lightly.

If you feel your current strength isn't up to par, or if your condition isn't optimal for a fight, the wisest course of action would be to step back from this mission immediately.

For those who doubt their readiness or lack the confidence to face the challenges ahead, now is the time to withdraw. It's better to avoid unnecessary risks than to suffer serious injury—or worse, death—and drag your entire world into oblivion. Such recklessness simply isn't worth the cost.

Of course, among the gathered Hokages, no one even entertained the thought of quitting.

Each of the twelve presents was in peak condition, their confidence unwavering.

On the contrary, they were eager to engage.

Every Hokage here knew the stakes and the rewards. Bowing out now would be unthinkable, especially given the tantalizing benefits that awaited them. Only a fool would opt out of such an opportunity.

Why?

The answer was simple.

They had undergone countless enhancements and claimed numerous rewards, their strength now leagues beyond what it had been in the past. Each of them had been forged through battle, shaped by reinforcements, and tempered by experience.

Their current power levels were nothing short of extraordinary.

And then, there was the allure of the rewards. Even for those who didn't secure a spot in the top three, the prizes were still impressive. Points accumulated through the missions could be spent in the chat group's mall, a treasure trove of powerful artifacts, potent abilities, and rare items.

Many Hokages had already reaped the benefits of these exchanges, their power soaring with each item purchased.

Ryan, however, had yet to dip into his points.

Unlike the others, he had chosen to save his earnings, intending to accumulate a vast reserve. His plan was clear: wait until his points reached ten or twenty million, then make a series of significant purchases in one go.

With such a strategy, he could ensure that every point spent would maximize his strength and prepare him for the challenges ahead.

The stage was set, and the Hokages stood ready. Confidence radiated from each of them as they prepared to face the mission, united in their determination to claim both victory and the spoils of war.

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