At the same time, in the Naruto world, Konoha Village.
A giant spiral-shaped treehouse formed from intertwined tree branches towered upward. This was currently the largest building in Konoha Village, and also served as headquarters for Konoha's top officials.
Hashirama and Tobirama sat in the highest chairs, calmly looking at the people below them. All of Konoha's top officials gathered there, including top officials from Sunagakure Village who had now formed an alliance with Konoha.
Hashirama and Tobirama were undoubtedly currently the strongest existences among the major ninja nations. Of course, that was excluding Madara who hadn't shown himself and Kaguya whose existence was still mysterious.
"Information just came in. Traces of the Sacred Ruins Trial Tower have appeared in the One Punch Man world, and the first round of trials has begun. Participants who entered reached thousands of people, but those who successfully emerged alive were only hundreds, and those who received trial rewards were only two people."
Tobirama's expression appeared heavy as he swept his gaze toward all those present.
"What?!"
Everyone's expressions changed slightly.
"This Sacred Ruins Trial Tower can actually claim lives?"
Kakashi frowned: "This is completely different from that Gold List!"
"Correct." Hashirama nodded, his eyes appearing deep: "This tower is very mysterious. Its first floor alone is already full of unknown dangers, even though it's only intended for ordinary people. As for the floors above, they're completely unknown; those are intended for stronger people. The likelihood is the difficulty level and danger will be far greater!"
"What exactly does the Gold List's First Place want to do?" Hiruzen took a deep breath and slowly shook his head.
Hashirama said flatly: "Perhaps we shouldn't ask what the Gold List's First Place wants to do. After all, rewards obtained from the tower are results from passing blood trials, while rewards from the Gold List are obtained without effort. We should think more about what the Gold List's actual purpose is!"
Everyone was stunned hearing that sentence.
Hashirama continued: "In this world, where are there good things obtained without effort? Although there's luck like 'pie falling from the sky', it's impossible for it to happen this much. The appearance of this mysterious Gold List is very strange, especially them distributing rewards in large quantities. The purpose is most likely not that simple!"
Everyone's hair stood on end, feeling as if they had just heard something very crucial. However, although he could guess a few clues, Hashirama himself didn't know for certain what the Gold List's ultimate purpose was.
At least until now, the Gold List only served as a mysterious list that didn't ask for any compensation, only giving rankings and rewards to people in the three worlds silently.
"Then, will we still send people to participate in the Sacred Ruins Trial Tower trials?" Hiruzen had now descended to third position because power control had been handed over to the First and Second Hokage, which made him feel much lighter.
"Of course!" Hashirama smiled: "Why not? Death is something that will definitely be experienced in life, the issue is only sooner or later. Now from the Five Great Ninja Villages, Sunagakure has already allied with us. The other three villages indeed haven't allied, but they won't make major movements in the near future. Once they hear this news, they'll definitely have their own plans."
The Kazekage sitting in front of Hiruzen nodded slowly: "Right, the other three ninja villages aren't parties easy to face. Especially lately there have appeared several mysterious figures hiding and creating chaos in various countries. We must take initiative first. We will also send people to the Sacred Ruins Trial Tower."
Since the last Chuunin exam, Gaara had formed bonds with Konoha, and his affection for Naruto increased rapidly. Considering he himself was the Shukaku Jinchuriki now making it onto the Hidden Expert List, his future was unlimited. He was already confirmed as the next Kazekage, sitting beside the current Kazekage, and the decision to ally with Konoha also followed his wishes.
Of course, Sunagakure Village had its own considerations. With the return of the First and Second Hokage from death, Konoha was undoubtedly the strongest village. Allying with them brought more benefits than losses.
"That's good!" Tobirama tapped the table lightly and nodded: "We will also send people to participate in the trials. Additionally, send spies to monitor other villages. They'll definitely move too. Note who enters the tower and who successfully passes, that might be useful in the future."
Tobirama spoke in a tone that implied hidden meaning. Everyone nodded in understanding. Relations among the Five Great Nations indeed weren't as harmonious as they appeared.
"I'll go! I'll go! Let me go!" Suddenly, a blonde-haired youth stood with full enthusiasm. He was Uzumaki Naruto, who made it into the top ten of the Hidden Expert List.
He should have been training with Jiraiya, but was called back early because the current situation was still very dangerous. Although he had a one-month protection period, once that period ended, he would immediately become a target. With his current strength, there were still many people who could defeat him, despite having extraordinary Gold List rewards. His growth time was too short.
"Not allowed!" Hashirama refused firmly: "We don't yet know the detailed situation inside the tower. You are the village's treasure now, nothing can happen to you."
Konoha's attitude toward ordinary ninjas was always harsh—even children under ten were sent to battlefields—but Naruto's significance to the village now was too great. Now he, same as Gaara, was almost regarded as a future Hokage candidate being groomed.
Naruto sat back listlessly with a gloomy mood. Hashirama didn't care about him—this kid was indeed a bit too enthusiastic—then he directly gave orders: "Immediately select a number of excellent candidates to depart to the One Punch Man world and enter the trial tower!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" They answered in unison.
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In a dark corner.
A black-robed monster knelt on one knee, reporting the situation: "...The Sacred Ruins Trial Tower can only show the general situation on the first floor. As for the situation on the upper floors, one needs to enter it to obtain information. Now the three great worlds have sent people to participate to obtain firsthand information."
From the darkness above came a voice: "Temporarily halt Bijuu collection. This Sacred Ruins Trial Tower very much attracts my attention. Immediately select a group of trustworthy people to enter and see it. We must hold control in our own hands."
"Yes, Sir!" that black-robed monster nodded.
"Then what about Orochimaru's current situation?" Regarding Orochimaru, he was now very famous as one of the few people who made it onto both lists simultaneously.
The black-robed monster fell silent for a moment before answering: "From the surface no major changes are visible, but I can sense he's become far more terrifying. I'm afraid I'm no longer his match now."
"...I understand. Do your task!"
"Right!" The black-robed monster's body slowly crept into the ground and disappeared without a trace.