Golden List Live: I Really Can’t Hide Anymore!

Meanwhile, in the Golden List livestream chat:

Three-Tails: "Deidara, are you attacking me?"

Itachi Uchiha: "Deidara isn't on the list, so he can't speak in the chat."

Three-Tails: "Uchiha Itachi, are you Akatsuki members here to capture me?"

Itachi Uchiha: "Clearly, yes."

Three-Tails: "I'll kill you all!"

Hidan: "Hahaha! A Three-Tails without a Jinchūriki is nothing but weak trash. Who do you think you can kill? Every Akatsuki member has Kage-level strength or the means to kill Kage-level opponents. Dealing with you will be easy."

Kisame Hoshigaki: "Hidan, don't reveal our strength."

Hidan: "Got it!"

Three-Tails: "If you're trying to capture me, I'll start a livestream and expose your power and tactics."

Since the Three-Tails was on the Golden List, it had the right to start a livestream. It immediately did so, broadcasting the battle with Deidara to countless ninja around the world.

Fourth Raikage: "The Akatsuki is truly a menace, still capturing tailed beasts without giving up."

Eight-Tails: "Isobu, hold on! You mustn't let the Akatsuki capture you."

Nine-Tails: "Isobu is in trouble. Its fighting ability is clearly lacking!"

Two-Tails: "Isobu, you're welcome to join us!"

One-Tail: "I hope we tailed beasts don't all get captured by the Akatsuki. What are they planning?"

Eight-Tails: "Maybe they want to experiment on us?"

Third Hokage: "Isobu is doomed. Deidara's explosions have disoriented it. Deidara keeps launching explosive clay from a distance, making it impossible for Isobu to land a hit. He's completely outmatched!"

In the Mizukage's office:

Ao reported to Mei Terumī, "Mizukage-sama, the Akatsuki is capturing the Three-Tails in our Land of Water. Should we assist the Three-Tails?"

"I'm aware, but there's no time to get there. The location is too far from Kirigakure, and we wouldn't make it in time," Mei Terumī responded. "Besides, saving the Three-Tails would likely cost many lives. Deidara is very powerful, and I can't be sure he doesn't have other hidden allies. Even if I personally intervened, success isn't guaranteed."

"I understand, Mizukage-sama," Ao replied.

Kirigakure was in a difficult position. After the oppressive reign of the controlled Fourth Mizukage, many powerful ninjas had turned rogue. The Seven Swordsmen had either left or fallen, and there were few capable of taking on significant responsibilities. In terms of strength, Kirigakure was now only slightly better than Sunagakure, far weaker than Konoha or Kumogakure.

Not long after, Isobu was knocked unconscious, and the livestream ended.

Nine-Tails: "Isobu's been captured!"

Two-Tails: "Isobu was useless, caught so quickly!"

Eight-Tails: "You shouldn't talk, Matatabi. You got captured too, even with a Jinchūriki."

Two-Tails: "That was different! Those two bastards weren't supposed to beat my Jinchūriki, but Hidan was immortal and used a blood curse technique. My Jinchūriki wasn't, so he died. We could have won with more caution!"

One-Tail: "A loss is a loss. No excuses. My Jinchūriki wasn't even fully grown when I got caught. If he had matured, Deidara would have been sealed easily!"

Nine-Tails: "I need to help Naruto grow stronger quickly. At least he should master Nine-Tails Mode. It would be embarrassing if I got captured before Naruto matures!"

Meanwhile, at Otogakure:

The village was mostly deserted, but Orochimaru continued his research. He had made significant progress with the Strange Monster Cells.

"These Strange Monster Cells are terrifying, with their aggressive invasive and assimilative properties. Any living being of low vitality that consumes them will be immediately transformed, gaining the power of a monster."

"Unfortunately, I don't know what world that 'Sai Orochi' comes from, and I don't have more of its Strange Monster Cells. While I can replicate them, the effect isn't as good as the genuine article. The Strange Monster Cells I can create are weaker versions."

Even so, Orochimaru thought, the diluted Strange Monster Cells still allow a genin to instantly match a chunin's strength. For an elite chunin, they could rival a jonin. The Strange Monster Cells also have decent potential.

"More importantly, even ordinary people who consume the Strange Monster Cells I've developed can quickly grow to match a genin in power."

Orochimaru, excited by the potential of the Strange Monster Cells, contemplated the idea of creating an army of these creatures. He envisioned that even a Kage-level ninja would be overwhelmed by the sheer number of monsters.

However, he was aware of the limitations. The materials required to cultivate these cells were not endless, and he could not produce an infinite supply. 

At this point, Orochimaru decided to consume the remaining Strange Monster Cells from the giant snake. The moment he swallowed the cells, his body began to change drastically. His previously elegant and almost feminine appearance started to morph into something more monstrous, and his body size increased. Despite the grotesque transformation, his power surged, with his strength, speed, reflexes, and defense all receiving a tenfold boost. 

Though his physical prowess had increased, Orochimaru was primarily a master of ninjutsu, so the enhancement didn't dramatically amplify his overall power. Still, he wasn't concerned. He was confident in his ability to reconstruct his body to its original form despite the transformation. Physical alteration had always been one of his specialties.

Meanwhile, Ye Tian continued to work on refining weapons for his companions. He forged theNine Turn Mysterious Water weapon for Rongrong and created specialized weapons for Yaya and Honghong to enhance their powers. Although these weapons could be listed on the Weapon Ranking, they likely wouldn't rank as highly as the Blade of the Evil God, probably around the lower ten places. 

Kumoko, on the other hand, had no interest in acquiring a weapon. She felt that weapons were unnecessary for her, as she already had her ideal weapon—her magic eyes, which provided a significant boost.

Six months passed since the announcement of the Pet Ranking, and it was now time for the Taijutsu Ranking to be updated. This event was highly anticipated by many ninjas, especially those whose taijutsus techniques were ranked. 

As the ranking update drew near, ninjas began to gather in the Golden List livestream room to discuss their expectations.

Kakashi commented on the possibility of any changes to the Taijutsu Ranking, to which Might Guy responded that creating new taijutsus techniques was extremely difficult, so significant changes were unlikely. However, he did mention that the names of the ranked practitioners might change, given that only one practitioner per taijutsu was allowed to be listed.

When the ranking was finally refreshed, the top positions remained largely unchanged, but there was a significant shift starting from the tenth place. The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze's "Thousand Years of Death," was replaced by a new technique called "Destruction Finger," created by Beerus.

The livestream room erupted with comments from other ninjas, speculating on Beerus' intention to secure a spot on the ranking by creating a new taijutsu.

Beerus, who was in a different dimension, was pleased that his efforts had paid off. "Destruction Finger" was a technique that concentrated all of one's power into a single point, capable of destroying anything. Without mastering the Ultra Instinct taijutsu, it would have been challenging to develop such a technique.

For Beerus, getting his taijutsu ranked was crucial, as it would grant him additional rewards, which in turn would allow him to continue improving and avoid becoming a burden to his master.

Sun Wukong, on the other hand, was taken aback by Beerus' accomplishment and realized he, too, could have ranked on the list had he focused on taijutsus.

Kumoko, Honghong, and the others, not being taijutsus practitioners, opted to sit out this time.

Kumoko suggested that her master should dominate the entire Taijutsu Ranking by creating numerous techniques. However, Ye Tian laughed off the suggestion, explaining that there was no need to be greedy. He was content with the few taijutsus techniques he had mastered, as they were sufficient for his needs.

Meanwhile, other strong ninjas, like the Fourth Raikage, had also managed to create new techniques, knocking out weaker practitioners from the ranking. Consequently, the list was now populated exclusively by the elite of the elite.

Soon after, the Taijutsu Ranking rewards were distributed to the ranked practitioners.