074 Naruto Mobile Game

"This server has 16 organizations. Every 4 organizations are randomly assigned into one group for group matches. The winning organizations advance to the finals."

"The finals are the top four. The champion and runner-up organizations of this server can continue advancing to the cross-server Organization Dominion Tournament."

"The format of the cross-server competition is basically the same as this server's tournament, just with a bit of a time gap."

After Shikamaru carefully read through the tournament rules once, he already had a general picture in his mind.

If this thing factors in combat power, then people with high combat power will have a huge advantage in this regard.

But that doesn't mean skill is completely useless.

At present, the gap in combat power between players isn't very large. Mainly because before this, not many people were consciously increasing their combat power.

Of course, now everyone is busy boosting combat power. Even squad triple bonuses have been activated.

Precisely because the gap isn't big, there's room to catch up.

"Isn't that great? I was worried I wouldn't be able to catch up with others!" Naruto beamed with joy.

Shikamaru shot him a glance.

"But the 16 organizations participating on this server can change at any time. Just the pre-tournament qualification scramble alone will be a drawn-out tug-of-war."

Naruto's smile stiffened. He more or less understood.

Because the gap isn't big and everyone is seriously improving their combat power, it won't be easy to stabilize rankings.

"Just say what we should do. The combat power of players on the rankings is already rising fast." Sasuke crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"Yeah, Sasuke-kun is right!" Ino leaned close to Sasuke and echoed with a smile, then immediately turned her head and shouted fiercely, "Shikamaru! Hurry up and think of something!"

A drop of cold sweat slid down Shikamaru's forehead.

"Ino, get away from Sasuke!" Sakura grabbed Ino, trying to pull her away.

"Huh? Why should I do that? Big-forehead, mind your own business!" Ino naturally refused.

So the pair of so-called besties started tugging at each other right there, completely ignoring Sasuke's increasingly speechless gaze.

"Hey, hey! I didn't call you all here to argue!" Naruto slapped the table and complained.

"Well, well, no matter what, it's a group activity. We still need to discuss it together." Choji smiled kindly.

"Naruto, want some chips?"

"Oh? Sure, Choji, thanks."

So Naruto sat next to Choji, each of them eating chips, chatting and laughing.

Shikamaru felt his head swell just watching.

He felt indignant inside. He had originally planned to just go through the motions.

After all, anyone could tell that this Organization Dominion Tournament wouldn't be limited to individuals, but would be a clash between nations.

Even the rewards reflected that.

So Shikamaru had planned to slack off. As a genin, even if he had a bit of brains, he couldn't really weigh in on something this big.

But who would have thought his bargain-bin old man would make him leave the Nara group and turn around to join Naruto's side?

No idea what method he used to persuade Inoichi and Choza, sending Ino and Choji over as well.

"Shikamaru, you must already have a plan in mind, right? When it comes to brains, you're way stronger than all of us."

Asuma spoke with a cigarette in his mouth. Perhaps mindful of the kids present, he didn't light it.

Bargain-bin sensei! Shikamaru cursed inwardly.

With those three already here, how could Asuma, their teacher, be absent?

Without a second thought, Asuma decisively withdrew from the Third's side and took the initiative to join here.

Just like that, Team 10 had completely merged into Team 7.

This also solved Naruto's biggest headache. The organization was finally full.

Naruto suddenly looked up and saw Kakashi leisurely drinking tea with Asuma not far away, and immediately felt a surge of anger.

"Kakashi-sensei, aren't you supposed to be elite? Has your brain rusted? An organization tournament like this doesn't need planning?!"

"Asuma is right. Shikamaru is completely stronger than us. We just need to follow his lead. Didn't the ninja academy teach that a team can only have one voice?"

"Naruto, weren't you paying attention in class again? Or did Iruka not tell you?" Kakashi said while sipping his tea.

Naruto's eyes widened. This guy! How does he even drink tea with that mask on?

Wait! That's not the point!

"Kakashi-sensei, I even turned down Iruka-sensei! And you guys too! Hurry up and put in some effort!" Naruto pointed at everyone and shouted.

Sasuke being pulled around, Sakura and Ino locked in a contest, Choji eating chips, Shikamaru with a headache, Asuma and Kakashi drinking tea...

Everyone present fell silent at once. Some took out their phones to look things up, others lowered their heads in thought.

Uh...

Naruto found this a bit hard to adjust to. He wondered if he was actually good at lecturing after all.

To make himself look like he fit the scene, Naruto also sat down on the ground and struck a thinker's pose.

After a while....

"I've got it!" Naruto slapped his fists together, grinning from ear to ear. Facing everyone's gaze, he said confidently, "Simple. I'll just slaughter my way through the opponents!"

duang!x7

The other seven were struck like lightning and instantly collapsed flat.

"W-what? Isn't that wrong? But isn't this just a head-on contest of raw strength?" Naruto said softly.

Shikamaru was too exhausted to complain. Using the last of his strength, he sat back up and assumed his usual thinking posture.

Seeing this, everyone fell silent.

Only Sakura tugged on Naruto's ear and made him reread the tournament rules carefully.

A few minutes later, Shikamaru opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within.

"We... might actually have a chance to win!"

..."

In Konoha, those with organizations focused on their organizations, those with ideas worked on ideas, those who could spend money spent money, and those who could raise combat power raised combat power.

The same scenes were playing out simultaneously in other ninja villages. At this very moment, everyone had mobilized.

Of course, the Akatsuki were no exception.

..."

"What?! Split the members evenly and lead two organizations into the tournament at the same time?"

At the Akatsuki meeting place, Deidara looked shocked, and the other members wore similar expressions.

Just moments ago, the leader Pain announced that the ten Akatsuki members who had originally been in one organization would be split apart. After balancing their strength, both organizations would simultaneously possess the qualifications to win.

It sounded like expanding their chances of victory, but thinking about it carefully, wasn't this self-weakening?

"That's right."

Pain's pale purple eyes swept over every Akatsuki member. Anyone he looked at felt varying degrees of discomfort.

This was Nagato's decision. He believed there was no better opportunity than now.

To display the power of the Akatsuki!

Just imagine it: if two organizations competed at the same time and defeated opponents all the way through, perhaps they could even sweep both champion and runner-up.

How unbelievable would that be? How stirring to the heart!

The name of the Akatsuki would be resoundingly proclaimed from then on!

Yahiko, if that happens, you'd be happy about the Akatsuki's achievements too, wouldn't you? Nagato thought silently.

"Decide the member groupings yourselves. Be ready before the competition starts. Don't be late."

With that, Pain left.

He had no intention of discussing it with the others, because it was simple: this was an order.

The Akatsuki all understood. After a few casual chats or sharing opinions, they gradually disappeared.

In the end, only Konan remained.

Ripples flowed through her eyes, seeming like worry, seeming like contemplation, before finally turning into resolve.

Whoosh～

As people left and the room emptied, the place fell into silence—or perhaps the entire ninja world did.

But in the near future, it would ignite with completely different colors, because...

When gathered, it is a blazing fire!