No. 1 Hokage World Unification Progress: 30% → 32%
No. 2 Hokage World Unification Progress: 18% → 25%
No. 4 Hokage World Unification Progress: 22% → 33%
The unification percentages increased by 2%, 7%, and 11% respectively.
Wakato hadn't anticipated that World No. 4's unification progress would increase the most, but upon reflection, he quickly understood the reasons behind it.
In World No. 1:
Although he had taken Hashirama to the future twice, greatly inspiring him, and also struck a Village Destruction Deal with Madara, the essential power balance in Konoha remained unchanged. Hashirama and Madara still overwhelmingly dominate in this world, limiting further unification progress until Madara actually destroys Iwagakure Village.
In World No. 2:
Since he rescued Tobirama and changed the dire circumstances of Konoha nearly losing its Second Hokage, Konoha's overall strength increased significantly, adding a 7% advantage in unification. As long as Tobirama is alive, this unified momentum in Konoha will likely persist.
In World No. 4:
By reversing the Nine Tails Night and saving Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, Konoha effectively gained two formidable warriors. Especially Minato—a legendary figure who singlehandedly ended three great battles—whose survival alone boosts Konoha's power during this era. It's no surprise that the unification progress here rose significantly.
Beyond these achievements, the system offered some pleasant rewards.
With every 10% increase in a world's unification progress, a lottery opportunity is earned. Thanks to World No. 2 and World No. 4 exceeding 20% and 30%, respectively, Wakato received two lottery chances. He eagerly opened both system treasure chests.
[Congratulations, you have obtained the "Chakra Refining Method"!]
[Congratulations, you got a ninja tool (Thousand Miles Crystal Ball)!]
The rewards, though modest compared to the Newbie Gift Pack, were still valuable.
The Thousand Miles Crystal Ball had intriguing uses, but it was the Chakra Refining Method that Wakato needed most. Without it, chakra refinement would be impossible, and he'd struggle to harness his eye powers fully. With it, however, he could finally unlock the might of his Rinnegan.
Driven by a new sense of purpose, Wakato sat cross-legged, immediately refining a small amount of chakra by blending physical and spiritual energy. At last, he also merged some eye power from his unique spiritual energy. Though still unable to use complex Ninjutsu, he gained full control over his Rinnegan, one of the most formidable ocular powers in the ninja world.
The Rinnegan's basic abilities alone, such as Shinra Tensei, Chibaku Tensei, and various Genjutsu and Ninjutsu techniques, were already powerful enough to elevate an average ninja to Kage level. With an abundant chakra supply, he could eventually achieve a power level comparable to the Super Kage class.
To top it off, his Rinnegan came with two unique abilities:
Left Eye: Jia Yujianyu
Right Eye: Glass Crystal Sky
Wakato was thrilled after testing these two techniques; their potency surpassed many Mangekyo Sharingan abilities, more than compensating for any limitations. Still, he saw all these skills as temporary tools. With World Teleport ensuring his safety, his ultimate goal remained the complete unification of all worlds and achieving true immortality. For now, however, refining chakra in abundance would enhance his power, making his Unification Plan smoother.
Excited, Wakato practiced relentlessly all night, refining chakra at an incredible pace.
...
...
Meanwhile, in Hokage World No. 2:
On the Land of Thunder border at the battlefield where the Golden Horn forces were decimated, a belated pursuit squad arrived, led by the newly appointed Third Raikage, Ai.
Just days earlier, the Second Raikage was ambushed and killed by the Golden and Silver Brothers at the alliance summit, throwing Kumogakure into turmoil. Thankfully, Third Raikage Ai swiftly quelled the chaos, assumed his new role, and assembled a team to hunt down the rogue duo.
"Lord Raikage, there's a battlefield ahead, filled with corpses of traitorous ninjas..."
"Quick, assess the battlefield!"
The sight shocked Third Raikage and his squad: the Golden and Silver Brothers, along with their 18 elite followers, all lay dead.
"How could this happen?"
"All dead?"
Surveying the battlefield quickly, a Cloud ninja reported, "There are significant Water Style and explosive tag remnants here. It seems the Golden Brothers fought fiercely with Konoha ninjas, likely Tobirama's retreating forces."
"Any signs of Konoha casualties?"
"None, Lord Raikage."
"Not a single body?"
"None!"
The unexpected outcome baffled Third Raikage. Despite Tobirama's earlier injuries, he still managed to annihilate the Golden Brothers' squad without any losses—a feat that defied all his expectations.
"Perhaps Konoha took their dead?"
"No, they wouldn't have the energy to carry bodies while retreating."
Then, another Cloud ninja shouted, "Lord Raikage, come look at this!"
Third Raikage's eyes narrowed as he saw a large, half-buried Wood Style hand near the Golden Brother's body. Wood Style in Konoha? Could Hashirama have survived? No... impossible. If Hashirama were alive, this war would be over before it even started.
"Did you find any trace of the Golden Brothers' ninja tools?"
"No, sir."
"Hmph! Konoha likely took the Amber Purifying Pot."
The loss of the Amber Purifying Pot—a vital weapon for suppressing the Eight-Tails—was troubling. Without it, Kumogakure could be at a severe disadvantage.
"Lord Raikage, what should we do?"
"Send a smaller team to pursue Konoha and recover the pot if possible. The rest, return to the village with me."
"Senju Tobirama will not leave this unpunished; he's bound to strike Kumogakure back."
And with Tobirama's return, the First Ninja War would escalate to new heights.
The tide in World No. 2 had taken an unexpected turn...