After the two organizations departed, everyone remained immersed in the day's shocking events, unable to recover their composure.
First, the Number One Under Heaven was decided—only for that top expert to be immediately trampled underfoot. Then came the appearance of two mysterious organizations, followed by the declaration of the Fifth Great Ninja World War...
This avalanche of sudden events was simply overwhelming!
Those with even slightly weaker comprehension abilities might begin questioning reality itself!
At this moment, A suddenly spoke, "Leader-sama, forget about resigning!"
Rasa instantly grew alert. Something was off—wasn't that supposed to be *his* line?
Before he could speak, however, Minato nodded and said, "I agree with Raikage's opinion!"
Seiki hesitated for a moment. "Why do you all have this idea?"
A spoke heavily, "Whether it's me, Minato, or anyone else, none of us possess the ability to unite hearts. Only you staying in that position can make everyone believe wholeheartedly, keeping their minds at peace!"
Mei Terumi nodded, "If we were to negotiate with strong enemies like Aizen or Isshiki otsutsuki, we would only invite ridicule—we'd become laughingstocks begging for humiliation!"
Everyone nodded in agreement. Although Aizen and Isshiki otsutsuki appeared courteous, this respect was only afforded to equals of the same strength.
If they went to negotiate instead, they might not even get through the door—anyone of those opponents could embarrass them with a mere application of Spiritual Pressure!
Seiki opened his mouth, yet before he could speak, the Raikage continued, "I know what you're going to say. You're planning to resign after the war ends, right?
But have you considered this: once the war ends, we're stepping into the Star Era. According to them, the laws of space are even more ruthless than those on this planet. Without a strong leadership and the power to command respect from alien races, even if we enter space, we'll merely be treated as primitive natives—prey to be slaughtered at will!"
Onoki added, "I understand your intentions. You wish to let go, to allow everyone to grow, but this world needs a god—it's too fragile, too vulnerable to withstand even the slightest turbulence!"
Rasa shouted loudly, "Just like you once did, continue protecting this world!"
Hearing their words, the surrounding crowd became agitated.
"Leader-sama, please don't refuse anymore!"
"Only with you continuing as Leader can this great ship avoid losing its way!"
It wasn't just because of everything Seiki had done for this world before, but because of what they'd experienced today!
In the face of such cosmic-level forces, only the Leader could stand equally to negotiate with them!
Without a Leader, this world would remain nothing but a backwater planet!
Under the fervent, expectant gazes of the crowd, Seiki took a deep breath, "Since everyone has spoken like this, I won't be modest anymore. I will remain in this position until I lead everyone to the peak of the cosmos!"
At this moment, his soul boiled with fiery energy!
He was receiving blessings from the people—intensified by external pressure, those thoughts grew purer, more fanatical!
If it weren't for half of the Hollow Orb purifying faith, he'd even suspect himself becoming blessed like Kaguya—blessed into divinity!
The crowd had no idea what he was going through—they just cheered wildly.
Seeing such an intense and fervent scene, A sighed inwardly.
Good thing he gave up on that unrealistic fantasy. Otherwise, it would have been nothing but humiliation!
"Actually, this is better. It's about time we switched to a more realistic goal!"
With his heart unburdened, A suddenly felt completely weightless, as if his very bones were light. A playful mood took over, and caught up in the youthful spirit, he shouted loudly in a rugged voice, "Leader-sama, I want to give you a monkey!"
The Four Kage beside him shuddered involuntarily, glancing at him in disbelief. Never thought you'd be this kind of Raikage!
B was particularly startled. He knew all too well how much his Aniki had always wanted to become the Leader. So why the sudden change of heart? Could it be...? Thinking further, and recalling how his Aniki had remained a bachelor despite his age, B couldn't help but feel anxious, "Need to help Aniki find a girlfriend... Wait, wasn't I still flying solo too?"
...
As if witnessing a milestone event, everyone proudly marched out of the arena, discussing the day's events with lingering excitement.
In the crowd, Naruto asked eagerly, "So, does this mean we're entering the Star Age now?"
"Not yet!" Sasuke shook his head slightly. "Let's deal with those two organizations first!"
Neji's expression turned serious as he spoke, "They won't be easy to handle! The Xu Organization has Toneri Otsutsuki, and the Gaka Organization has Momoshiki Otsutsuki. As for us, we don't even have anyone on the Second Step capable of opposing them!"
They couldn't even defeat Momoshiki and Toneri before they reached their full potential, let alone after they split and consumed the Chakra Fruit!
Hearing this, Naruto and Sasuke couldn't help but miss their older counterparts, the "Big Naruto" and "Sasuke Prime"!
If they had the Sage of Six Paths' blessing, they could've helped their teacher!
"Ah, I wonder if the Grand Sage from this world overslept?" Naruto sighed.
Sasuke quietly exhaled too, "Maybe he thinks we're too strong already and doesn't feel the need to lend us his power anymore."
Neji looked completely baffled—Grand Sage? What have you two been up to behind my back?
Just then, all three received a notification.
"The teacher wants us to go to his office!" Neji looked up and asked, "Did you two get the message too?"
Naruto and Sasuke nodded in unison, "He said he has something good for us!"
Neji's smile froze on his face. He re-read the notification twice, eventually confirming that his message from the teacher didn't mention anything about a reward!
Frustrated inside, Neji thought, "It must be because I lost in the first match and made the teacher lose face!"
...
At this moment, in Seiki's office.
He handed over the Truth-Seeking Ball carried by his true body back to the newly-awakened Hagoromo, expressing his regret, "I'm sorry. The Truth-Seeking Ball I brought to the parallel world was eaten by the enemy."
"Ate it?" Hagoromo's eyes widened slightly, quickly calming down again, "If someone could consume my Truth-Seeking Ball, they must be no ordinary foe. Was it Mother or Isshiki Otsutsuki?"
"It was Isshiki Otsutsuki!" Following that, Seiki recounted the experiences he had in the parallel world to Hagoromo.
Hagoromo began calmly, but as he listened, his shock kept growing. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Isshiki Otsutsuki actually died? And in a death where even his soul essence was sacrificed?!"
He was a Higher-ranking Warrior of the Otsutsuki star, a being at the pinnacle of the infinite cosmos, someone even he had to be cautious of. And yet he was dead, completely devoured and annihilated!
Seiki removed half of the Hollow Orb, "Isshiki's soul is inside this!"
Hagoromo clicked his tongue in amazement as he examined the half Hollow Orb, then sighed deeply, "The younger generation really is something else! Aizen's ambition was too much—even I felt afraid. Fortunately, you managed to turn the tide!"
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