As Ryan's men moved swiftly, combing through the world in search of valuable resources, they left no stone unturned. While they worked tirelessly, the other Hokages were far from idle.
Each of them ventured into various locations, meticulously searching for what they needed. Some Hokages prowled the bustling streets, scanning for hidden treasures. Others, having learned from past experiences, focused on more strategic targets—libraries, research institutes, university campuses, and cutting-edge tech companies.
These efforts bore fruit, providing each Hokage with a collection of advanced technological gadgets or research. These items and documents were a significant haul for their respective worlds, promising substantial progress upon their return.
The three days allotted for exploration and collection passed swiftly. By the end of it, the Hokages had completed their missions, standing proudly with their accumulated finds.
Though this world lacked fantastical treasures like Devil Fruits or Zanpakutō, no one left disappointed. The technological advancements here were more than enough to make up for the absence of mythical artifacts. Sometimes a world doesn't need a weapon of mass destruction, but technology of convenience to build or destroy it.
Having experienced the power of technological growth in the previous world, everyone understood its immense value. The development of science and technology wasn't just beneficial—it was essential for their worlds to thrive and progress.
This time was no different. The vast array of technology collected over these three days promised to drive incredible advancements. Even if the current ranking rewards didn't directly consider these collections, their long-term impact was undeniable.
The Hokages knew well that these technological resources would become the cornerstone of their world's futures. For them, the mission wasn't just about strength—it was about preparing for tomorrow.
As the three days came to an end, everyone reconvened in the city center. Their expressions were a mix of pride and anticipation as they assessed their combined efforts. The gathering marked the culmination of their hard work, with their worlds poised to benefit from the treasures they had uncovered.
The voice of the chat group echoed in everyone's minds, sharp and clear:
[System Notification: The designated three-day period has concluded.]
[Access to the chat group space is now restored.]
[The coordinates of the Jujutsu Kaisen world have been successfully recorded. Upon your departure, this world will resume its natural progression and will be accessible again upon your next return.]
Hearing the announcement, everyone immediately understood the situation. The rules were consistent with their experiences in other worlds they had visited, such as One Piece, Bleach, and One Punch Man. Each time they departed from a world, its progression would resume naturally, as though untouched by their intervention. The chat group ensured that the timeline remained intact, only pausing or unlocking access upon their return.
This continuity was a key feature of the chat group's system, allowing them to seamlessly navigate between worlds while preserving the integrity of each universe. The recorded coordinates guaranteed that re-entry was always possible, providing both a sense of closure and the opportunity to revisit and influence events when necessary.
This meant they could continue collecting technology, unique abilities, and other valuable resources whenever they revisited. It was a feature of the chat group that everyone greatly appreciated, finding it incredibly thoughtful and convenient.
But now, there was no time to dwell on the mechanics of the system. The top priority was clear: return to the chat group space as quickly as possible!
The excitement was palpable. Each member was brimming with anticipation, eager to see the results of their efforts. This time, the rewards wouldn't be based on their collections but on their performance and achievements during their stay.
For the Hokages, this was a thrilling prospect. They reflected on their strengths and the battles they had fought, confident in their chances of securing the top spot. Hope and determination surged through them as the thought of claiming the number one rank became a driving force.
The excitement was infectious. Everyone was ready to head back, their hearts racing with the possibilities that awaited.
Ryan, ever the leader, didn't waste a moment. His voice cut through the anticipation, issuing a firm command. "Let's go! Return to the chat group now!"
Without hesitation, they obeyed, their figures vanishing into the digital ether as they transitioned back to the chat group space, leaving the frozen world of Cursed Return behind, ready to unlock its secrets another day.
As Ryan's voice echoed through the space, the chat group reacted instantly. A familiar, vibrant curtain of rainbow light enveloped everyone, sweeping them away, along with all the Hokages.
One by one, the Hokages stepped through the magical portal, entering the space gate that seamlessly transported them between dimensions. As they departed, the world of Jujutsu Kaisen was temporarily paused, its progression frozen by the overwhelming power of the chat group system. This ensured that the timeline of the world remained intact, waiting to resume its natural course upon their next return.
Every person, object, and curse spirit within that world was caught in a timeless stasis—completely suspended, unable to move, as time itself ceased to flow.
On the other side, in the meeting space of the chat group, a glowing, colorful door appeared. Ryan and the others stepped through, emerging into the familiar environment. Twelve Hokages, now back in one piece, greeted the return with excitement and relief.
Seeing the unchanged space before them, the 12 Hokages exhaled collectively, relief evident on their faces.
Hashirama stretched exaggeratedly, his grin wide. "Ah, finally back! Our space always feels... alive. It's good to be home!"
Madara crossed his arms, his sharp gaze sweeping over their surroundings. "Don't get sentimental, Hashirama. Comfort breeds complacency. But... I suppose this place has its merits."
Tobirama smirked slightly. "I never thought I'd agree with you, Madara, but you're right. Still, there's a certain peace here that no other world can replicate."
Obito, standing near Kakashi, adjusted his Hokage hat, his voice calm but reflective. "That cursed spirit world was fascinating, though. The way they concealed an entire supernatural race and themselves with such precision... It's no small feat."
Kakashi, the Sixth Hokage, nodded thoughtfully, his tone relaxed. "They were efficient. But seeing the way they lived, constantly battling curses—it's exhausting. I wouldn't trade it for the Shinobi system."
The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade from the Road to Ninja World, crossed her arms with a confident smirk. "Even so, you've got to admit they had an edge. Living in the world of curses with quite nice technology." She glanced around with a playful glint in her eyes.
"And those clothes? Way more fashionable than some of the stuff we wear here. We could definitely take a few notes."
Minato, the Yellow Flash, added with his usual gentle tone, "It was impressive, but let's not underestimate our own ways. Their adaptability might've hidden them, but it wouldn't be enough to stop us."
The Seventh Hokage, Naruto, jumped in with his usual energy. "Yeah! If I ever faced them, I'd kick their butts. Believe it!"
Ryan, in this alternate group, cut through with his calm authority, directing the conversation. "Don't get too cocky. The only reason you didn't expend much effort was because I handled their strongest. That world might seem weaker than ours, but it has its dangers."
The Uchiha Sasuke, who became Hokage after defeating Danzo, resting his hand on his sword hilt, added with a sharp edge to his voice. "Still, none of them came close to matching what we've seen here. Let's focus on what's ahead, not what's behind."
Obito from the Tsukuyomi world, ever stoic, broke his silence briefly. "I agree. Every world has its challenges, but this is where we're strongest. Let's not waste time reminiscing."
Madara, smirking, glanced around the group. "Well, at least some of you seem to have learned something from that journey. Now, let's move on before you all get soft."
The Hokages chuckled, their camaraderie palpable despite their differences. They relished the calm of their space, knowing full well it wouldn't last long.
No matter how they looked at it, nothing compared to returning to their own world—or the familiar Shinobi world. It was where everyone felt the most at ease, the most at home. And the moment they stepped back into the chat group's meeting space, that sense of comfort was immediately restored. The familiar surroundings gave each Hokage a sense of belonging, making them all feel at ease and relaxed.
Without wasting a moment, everyone quickly returned to their seats. The chatter died down, and each Hokage settled in, their faces reflecting the same feeling of familiarity they had been longing for. But as they glanced around, it was clear that not everyone felt the same way.
While most of them appeared more relaxed, one Hokage looked noticeably weary. Tobirama, who had pushed himself harder than anyone else, looked particularly drained. His expression was tense, and he seemed exhausted, though not from any physical weakness. It was clear to everyone that his exhaustion came from a different source.
Unlike the others, Tobirama hadn't taken time to rest. While his fellow Hokages relaxed, he had spent the majority of his time tirelessly moving through the various worlds. He had been searching for technologies, delving into the advanced sciences of each world. The one he had found most exciting was the Cursed Return world, which rivaled even the One Punch Man world in its technological prowess.
Tobirama's fascination with advanced technology had always been a driving force for him, and this world had only fueled his passion. But there was another factor that weighed heavily on him—the time was short. Only three days. With such limited time, Tobirama had pushed himself to the limit to gather as much as possible.
As the others settled in, they couldn't help but notice his condition, and a few of them exchanged glances, curious about what had kept him so occupied.
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