"Hmph, Konoha isn't even planning to make the first move. Do they really think we're all fools?"
"Hmph, Hokage, I'll tell you frankly, it's impossible for our Kumogakure to make the first move."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's brow furrowed as he looked at the unmoving leaders of the various Ninja Villages.
"Everyone, aren't you afraid that Rainbow Ninja Village will unify the Shinobi World?"
"Anyway, right now I don't see Rainbow Ninja Village having the ambition to unify the Shinobi World."
"Hmph, if Rainbow Ninja Village wanted to unify the Shinobi World, they would just let that madman destroy the villages. Why go to such great lengths?"
"The Tsuchikage has a point."
"I think it's you, Konoha, who has the ambition to unify the Shinobi World!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt as if he was talking to a brick wall; no matter how eloquently he spoke, they just didn't care.
Feeling unable to persuade the major Ninja Villages, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only say with a grim expression:
"Fine, I hope you Ninja Villages won't regret this later!"
"Hmph! Konoha, you should manage yourselves first! We will avenge the Third Kazekage sooner or later!"
"We've already said that the disappearance of the Third Kazekage has nothing to do with Konoha."
"Just because you say it has nothing to do with it, doesn't mean it doesn't. Where's the proof?"
Chiyo pushed unreasonableness to the extreme. After all, there's an old saying: only the person who wronged you knows how wronged you are.
"You... I won't see you out!"
"Hmph..."
As the representatives of the major Ninja Villages departed, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the Rainbow Country on the map, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
No one could shake Konoha's position as the number one Ninja Village; he had to find a way to cause trouble for them.
But who should do this... "Danzo, Danzo, it's time for you to contribute..."
...Academy City Festival, Day Two
In the holographic projections spread throughout the Monster Country Federation, Rigurd, dressed in a black host uniform, held a microphone and excitedly shouted into the camera:
"Distinguished audience, the highly anticipated latest ranking of the Monster Country Federation's Most Popular List is about to be unveiled!"
"Did you cast your crucial vote for your favorite character?"
"Unlike previous rankings which only featured the top ten, this ranking includes positions eleven to twenty."
"So this time, you, watching at home, might very well see your beloved character!"
"Now, let us witness all of this together."
"Special thanks to [Tamayo's Exquisite Handmade Merchandise] and [Shin Megumi's All-Natural BBQ] for their generous sponsorship of this program!"
"Now! Let's announce the twentieth-ranked character, he is..."
"Monster Country Federation Chief Administrator, Mr. Kagaya Ubuyashiki!!! Total votes: 375 million!"
At this moment, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who was rarely resting at home, was sitting with his wife, Amane Ubuyashiki, watching Rigurd gesticulating wildly on TV.
"Hehe, I didn't expect my husband to be so popular."
"That's something I didn't expect either."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled and shook his head, feeling a bit surprised that he made the list.
After all, he was always working and rarely went out to interact with others.
"It must be that everyone greatly appreciates your husband's work."
"Perhaps so."
At this time, in the Army Marshal's office, several former Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps also looked at Kagaya Ubuyashiki's photo displayed on the screen with joyful expressions.
"Next up is nineteenth place, he is..."
"First Army Commander, little brother Gobuta!!! Total votes: 377 million!"
"I wonder if he's the person you supported!"
"Next is eighteenth place, oh my, his appearance on the list truly surprises me."
"He is... Academy City Security Captain Whitebeard Edward Newgate! Total votes: 378 million!"
As soon as Rigurd's voice fell, a photo of Whitebeard lying in a chair reading a newspaper appeared on the screen.
"It's Pops! He made the list!!!"
In the Tokiwadai dormitory, Aihara Enju excitedly pointed at the screen and shouted loudly.
"Enju, why do you all call him Pops?"
Saten Ruiko asked with a puzzled expression. Ever since she learned that the Cursed Children were all orphans, she had been very interested in the so-called Whitebeard Pops.
"Hehe, actually, it's like this..."
"Next up is an even more heavyweight character, seventeenth place is her..."
"The woman famous throughout the Monster Country Federation for her exquisite handmade figures and dolls, Miss Tamayo!!! Total votes: 457 million!"
Misaka Mikoto and the others gasped when they saw the mature beautiful woman appear on the screen:
"It's Miss Tamayo!!!"
"It really is her!!!"
"I didn't expect her to be so popular!"
"Is everyone even more eager to know who's next? Don't worry, we'll announce it right away!"
"Sixteenth place, oh my goodness, it's him! Who on earth voted for him?!"
"Total votes: 511 million! He is Borsalino, the Vice Commander of the Imperial Mobile Force, famous throughout the Monster Country Federation for his slacking and lecherousness!!!"
Borsalino, who was resting at home at the moment, heard Rigurd's introduction and his face instantly darkened.
What kind of talk was that? How was he lecherous? This was blatant slander!!!
"Hahahaha, Borsalino. I didn't expect your lecherousness to have spread throughout the entire Monster Country Federation!"
Garp ate senbei while pointing at him and laughing heartily. Kuzan, Hina, and the others also struggled to suppress their laughter.
"..."
"Let's see who's next! I didn't expect it to be her!"
"Fifteenth place, she is... World Security Army Commander-in-Chief Admiral Esdeath!!! Total votes: 551 million!"
"It's truly astonishing that Admiral Esdeath, who believes in the survival of the fittest, is so popular in the Monster Country Federation!"
Although Rigurd said this, as a monster, he actually also believed in the survival of the fittest.
It was only because of Zhong Chen and others that he had changed.
Esdeath sat behind her desk, legs crossed, a cold smile playing on her lips.
"Hmph, only fifteenth place... I must improve next time."
"Next up, fourteenth place, she is..."
"Imperial Logistics Chief, the Supreme Commander's own sister, the always gentle Miss Shuna!!! Total votes: 557 million!"
"Miss Shuna's ranking is absolutely well-deserved!"
In the Supreme Commander's villa, Benimaru put down his teacup and glanced at Shuna sitting opposite him, a relieved smile on his face.
His own sister being so popular made him feel proud.
"Sister, I didn't expect you to be so popular."
Upon hearing Benimaru's words, Shuna smiled and picked up the teapot to refill Benimaru's cup, then softly said:
"Not at all, Brother is much more popular than me."
"Hahahaha! Sister, you overestimate your brother."
However, Benimaru had just finished speaking when he was contradicted by Rigurd. They heard Rigurd shout loudly from the screen:
"Thirteenth place, hahahaha, they truly are siblings, their rankings are so close!"
"That's right, you must have guessed it already, he is His Excellency Lord Benimaru, the Supreme Commander of the entire Army!!!"
"Total votes: 637 million!"
"I strongly suspect the military played a huge role in this vote count."
Benimaru couldn't help but have a black line on his face when he heard Rigurd's words... "Next up is twelfth place, oh my, oh my, the fact that she has received so much affection means everyone truly recognizes her work ability!"
"She is..."