At this time, the three worlds weren't yet truly functionally connected.
The seas in the One Piece world prevented most people from traveling smoothly to other corners of the world. Therefore, news about the great war in the One Piece world was mostly known by its own world's inhabitants.
Everyone couldn't imagine so many strong people falling simultaneously.
Had something major occurred?
Moreover, among them was someone who occupied sixth place in the Strongest List. Could it be that the mysterious First Place of the Gold List took action?
It was natural for them to think this way. Because not long ago, the Gold List's First Place had established the Sacred Ruins Trial Tower whose magnificence rivaled the Gold List itself. In everyone's hearts, this mysterious First Place figure was already considered equivalent to the Gold List hanging in the sky.
At this time, in Sunagakure Village.
Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara were walking through the village.
Suddenly, the Gold List in the sky announced an update, making everyone look up. Instantly, a beam of golden light fell and appeared before Gaara.
Gaara stretched out his right hand and shattered that light. Then, a lump of sky-blue sand kept writhing, changing shapes as if a living creature floating in the air.
"Star Sand..."
Gaara's eyes gleamed; he was very interested in this treasure. Most of his abilities came from manipulating sand, both for attacking and defending. However, not long ago at the Chunin Exam, his absolute defense was almost breached by Rock Lee who opened the Hachimon Tonko.
He realized the weakness of his defense. First, his chakra usage and sand control level were still lacking. Second, the power of ordinary sand was indeed limited; even his strongest defense that he was proud of had its limits.
But now with the existence of this Star Sand, his power would rise to a more terrifying level. Most importantly, this Star Sand existed between living beings and inanimate objects, meaning it could be developed and bred.
Don't underestimate its small amount now. In the Gold List's evaluation, this Star Sand if not controlled could become a disaster-level threat. This showed how terrifying the object was.
"Gaara, congratulations! You finally made it onto the Strongest List!" Kankuro showed a bit of worry but forced a smile.
Temari nodded with a complicated expression: "Your talent is indeed extraordinary, Gaara. Previously you made the Hidden Expert List, now you've made the Strongest List. The Kazekage position seems like it will soon fall into your hands."
If before, the two of them very much didn't want Gaara to become Kazekage because he was too cruel and bloodthirsty—a killing machine without emotions.
However, after the journey to Konoha and befriending that young man full of light (Naruto), Gaara had changed a lot. Even now, sometimes he showed smiles unintentionally. Something that had never happened before.
"Perhaps, Gaara becoming Kazekage isn't a bad thing..." They both thought in their hearts.
Gaara waved his right hand, the gourd opening on his back opened, and the lump of blue sand entered it. He said flatly: "Let's go back."
He turned and walked toward his dwelling. Around him, the village residents moved away as if avoiding a plague, their faces showing fear and none dared approach.
Temari and Kankuro looked at each other, both seeing resignation and pain in each other's eyes.
Perhaps, Gaara still had a very long road to travel. But, at least there was still hope, right?
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Hero Association Headquarters.
In the meeting room, several S-Class heroes gathered, including Silver Fang, Bang.
Atomic Samurai stared at the green fluid in Bang's hand with eyes full of envy and jealousy.
"Bang, look at how old you already are. Using this thing will only be wasteful. How about selling it to me? Name your price!"
Hearing Atomic Samurai's words, the other heroes immediately turned. Clearly, they all had the same thought.
Bang glanced at them cynically and snorted: "Do I look like someone who needs money? Atomic Samurai, what do you mean by I'm already old? Want to try whether these old bones can still crush your head?"
Bang felt very annoyed. He most hated when people mentioned he was old. The older someone gets, the more they don't want to acknowledge their age.
As a martial arts expert who had deepened his knowledge for years, Bang felt his thirst for power had never faded. Now he had the chance to return to his glory days, how could he give it to someone else?
"If you're not selling then don't, why be so serious?" Atomic Samurai felt awkward and immediately changed the topic.
He knew he was no match for this old man. Though Bang was already old, his strength remained extraordinary. In the current Hero Association, those who could suppress Bang were perhaps only Blast and Tatsumaki. As for that bald Saitama, he absolutely couldn't be placed in the category of ordinary humans.
Atomic Samurai glanced toward King who was absorbed playing games with his PSP.
"King, aren't you interested in this medicine? This is a miraculous item that can make you step further! An item from the Gold List!" He felt strange, with King's power, he should have made the list.
King was called the strongest human, and in their minds, King was equivalent to Blast or even stronger than Tatsumaki.
King didn't even look up and said flatly: "Not interested."
Atomic Samurai fell silent. It turned out only he himself looked like the bad guy here. Seeing Bang had no intention of selling his medicine, the others withdrew their disappointed gazes.
"Enough, shut up all you losers!" Tatsumaki crossed her legs and placed them on the meeting table in a boss-like manner. She said annoyedly: "What kind of situation is this now, you're all fighting over something like that. Be serious for once, bastards!"
Everyone grumbled in their hearts. 'You yourself have already made the Strongest List and received rewards, of course you won't feel envious like us.'
Tatsumaki knocked on the table: "I, Bang, and Watchdog Man just returned from the Naruto world. We brought one person who has now been handed over to headquarters for monitoring. Let's see what useful information can be obtained from him. Our task now is to make everyone strong enough to protect themselves, not to continuously rely on us heroes. Our numbers are limited, it's impossible to appear everywhere to protect everyone. In the end, they must rely on themselves."