All Hokage in The Chat Group

This time, there was a sense of confidence radiating from everyone. Even those who usually kept quiet appeared sure of themselves. The reason for this newfound assurance was clear: each Hokage had managed to unify their respective worlds. Their collective progress had ensured that no one's world was too far behind, and they had all made tremendous strides in advancing science and technology. They had faced countless challenges and emerged victorious.

Ryan felt a swell of pride watching them. After so many Hokage meetings, the overall standard had improved markedly. Each world was on the right track, and it seemed the future could only grow brighter.

But as the Hokages exchanged glances, some couldn't help but focus on the Second Hokage, Tobirama. No one had forgotten his condition during the previous meeting—exhausted, pale, and weighed down by his constant research. The dark circles under his eyes had been a visible sign of his overwhelming workload. He had explained back then that sleepless nights had become routine, absorbed in his endless experiments and the responsibilities that came with his position. The sight of him in such a state had been worrying for everyone, even if they understood his obsession with his research.

Now, half a year later, there was no sign of his previous fatigue. When they turned their attention to him, they found themselves pleasantly surprised. Tobirama was as serious as ever, his expression composed, yet there was a new vitality in his appearance. The dark circles that once marred his face had vanished, and he seemed more energetic than he had been in months.

Still, no one dared to ask directly. They all knew that Tobirama's work never truly ended, and the peace of this moment might be fleeting. But for now, they could see he was standing tall once more.

Unable to hold back his curiosity, Hashirama asked, "Brother, are you doing alright now?" He looked at Tobirama with concern, recalling the last meeting when his brother had barely been able to keep his eyes open due to exhaustion from his relentless research.

"You seemed like you were about to fall asleep at any moment," Hashirama continued. "It looks like you're back to normal this time!"

Tobirama chuckled softly, not bothered by the attention. "Brother, don't worry," he said with a rare moment of ease in his voice. "Last time, I mismanaged the progress of my research. But this time, I've figured it out."

He leaned forward slightly, his usual serious demeanor returning. "I use Sage Mode during my research now. It keeps me energized and eliminates any concerns about running out of time." He paused, giving the room a calculated look. "Combine that with the Shadow Clone Technique, and I can have multiple clones working on different aspects of my studies at once. The results have been excellent."

The other Hokage fell silent, processing this new information. Hashirama's jaw nearly hit the floor, his face a mix of shock and disbelief. The rest of the Hokage exchanged stunned glances.

Naruto was the first to speak up, his voice filled with incredulity. "Second Hokage... do you really have to go this far?" He shook his head in disbelief. "You're using Sage Mode and Shadow Clones... for research? Those are supposed to be tools for fighting!"

The others nodded in agreement, murmuring their own astonishment.

"Yeah, exactly!" Minato added, his voice filled with awe. "As expected of the Second Hokage. Your dedication to research is... beyond words."

But Tobirama didn't bat an eye. His gaze was as serious as ever, his voice firm and unwavering. "Isn't that perfectly normal?" he replied. "There's not much difference between research and the battlefield, you know."

The room went quiet as Tobirama continued, his tone growing more resolute. "In fact, if you ask me, research is even more cut-throat than the battlefield."

Seeing his determination, the Hokage fell silent. They knew there was no point in arguing with him—this was Tobirama, after all. His commitment to his work was absolute, and nothing would sway him.

Meanwhile, Tobirama remained fully absorbed in his thoughts, his expression as focused as ever. After all, his recent victory in battle had proven the worth of his research. The techniques he had developed had decisively turned the tide of the fight, solidifying his belief that scientific advancements were just as vital as any jutsu or strategy.

With that, the room slowly returned to its lively discussions, but Tobirama's unwavering conviction lingered in the air, a silent reminder of his dedication to the cause of progress.

"By the way, how is your world developing? How advanced is your technology now?" Naruto asked, his voice filled with curiosity and a subtle hint of anticipation.

Deep down, Naruto couldn't help but hope that the other Hokages' worlds hadn't advanced as quickly as his own. After all, technological and societal development directly influenced their rankings and rewards.

His desire to claim the top spot burned strongly. Despite not having attended many Hokage meetings, Naruto had already managed to secure a place in the top three rankings several times, earning some excellent rewards along the way. But first place... that remained tantalizingly out of reach.

Since joining the group, Ryan has always claimed the top rank. No one had even come close to matching his world's progress. Every time, Naruto found himself sighing in frustration, watching Ryan's dominance from the sidelines.

But this time, after half a year of intense effort, Naruto felt confident. He had poured all his energy into ensuring his world's technological advancements would stand out. Now, he wanted to compare—to measure just how far ahead his world was from the others.

Even without a direct comparison, Naruto was sure his world's development ranked at least in the top five. His confidence came from one key fact: his world had enjoyed the advantage of extended development time—more than a decade of progress. Such a head start had to count for something.

Of course, there was one exception: Ryan's world. Its speed of progress was nearly otherworldly, advancing in ways Naruto could hardly fathom.

When Naruto posed his question, the other Hokages quickly began to chime in, one by one.

Minato smiled, a look of pride on his face. "In my world, the Chakra Cannon has finally been completed!" he exclaimed.

"It wasn't easy," he continued, his tone filled with pride. "Before, we only had blueprints and a few prototypes. But now, it's fully operational and ready for actual combat."

"That's incredible!" Naruto couldn't help but remark, his eyes widening. The Chakra Cannon was a groundbreaking technological feat in the Hokage worlds, and hearing that it was now ready for use filled him with awe.

"It really wasn't easy," Minato added, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But it'll change the way we approach battles. It's a game-changer."

The other Hokages nodded in agreement, murmuring their admiration. The Chakra Cannon wasn't just a technological marvel; it was a symbol of the world's growth, a sign that they were evolving at a rapid pace.

First, the Chakra Cannon was a completely original invention, developed entirely within the unique systems of the Hokage world. Unlike other technologies that blended ideas from different worlds, this creation was entirely homegrown, a product of their ingenuity.

Second—and perhaps more importantly—the Chakra Cannon symbolized a monumental shift in combat dynamics.

Its invention revolutionized how battles were fought. Genin and Chūnin, typically seen as too weak to make a real impact in high-level confrontations, could now play a crucial role. By channeling their Chakra into the cannon, even lower-ranking ninjas could unleash extraordinary power—sometimes surpassing the capabilities of an average Jōnin. This new development greatly leveled the playing field and reshaped the tactical landscape of warfare.

Among the twelve Hokage, many had worked tirelessly to develop this technology, with most experimenting with it for quite some time. Everyone in the room understood how challenging it was to perfect such a complex invention. It wasn't just a tool of war; it was a testament to their commitment to pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

So while Minato's world had been relatively late to complete the Chakra Cannon, the others fully appreciated the significance of his accomplishment. The effort and progress made were impressive, especially considering the obstacles they had faced.

Listening to this, Naruto couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

It seems like it's still pretty early in my dad's world, he thought, a tinge of pride swelling in his chest. In my world, the Chakra Cannon has existed since my very first Hokage meeting.

The thought made him feel a little smug. This means my world is at least a year ahead of Dad's in development.

That might not sound like much at first glance, but in the world of technological progress, the difference of just over a year was monumental. A year's head start could mean the difference between being in the lead and falling behind.

Naruto's heart swelled with satisfaction. This was his moment, a small but crucial victory in the ongoing race for development, and for the first time, he could see the tangible evidence of his hard work paying off.

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