A grand selection process commenced.
However, it didn't take long at all, concluding in just three days.
On this day, the weather was clear, the sky a pristine blue.
The venue was the same massive stage, but instead of hosting matches, it was now prepared for an awards ceremony. Awards would be presented to the outstanding youths, and the ultimate prize, the award for the Best of the Best among them, would be bestowed.
Thirty outstanding youths were already seated, each looking visibly excited. They had emerged victorious from countless young competitors worldwide, surpassing numerous opponents to secure a place on the Outstanding Youth Ranking. This was a tremendous honor, one that would accompany them for life.
The venue was once again packed. Even without a competition, this moment of awarding honors was equally captivating. After all, each of these thirty individuals had become household names across the world, garnering legions of fans and admirers, and becoming idols in countless hearts.
"It's about to begin. I wonder if the Best of the Best will be awarded to Konan."
"It should be Lord Minato, right? His strength is so formidable. Every battle ended with him crushing his opponent. His performance was practically flawless."
"Indeed, indeed. I feel like Lord Minato should be the Best of the Best."
People speculated, guessing who would ultimately receive the title of the Best of the Best, with the majority believing it would be Minato.
However, some held a different opinion.
"I don't think so. If it's based solely on strength and performance in the tournament, then Angel Konan and Ranzuki performed no less impressively than Lord Minato. So, there must be other criteria we're unaware of in this selection."
These words resonated with many, who nodded in agreement, finding the reasoning sound.
Yet, others countered this argument.
"That's a reasonable point, but didn't they say the criteria for evaluation were global recognition and Lord Mochizuki Hui's approval? If that's the case, wouldn't the majority favor Lord Minato?"
This argument, too, was well-founded, leaving people momentarily conflicted.
So, who would ultimately be crowned the Best of the Best?
"It's impossible to guess. We can only wait for the results to be announced."
Amidst the lively chatter, the time reached 10 o'clock.
Hui suddenly appeared.
Instantly, the entire venue erupted in thunderous applause.
This tournament had propelled the 30 outstanding youths to worldwide fame, transforming them into idols in countless hearts. However, their popularity paled in comparison to Hui.
In the Sage Shinobi Nation, Hui was the eternal god. After all, the idol of these individuals' idols was Hui.
With a gentle wave of his hand, the crowd quickly quieted down. Hui's influence was undeniably terrifying.
"After many days of competition, the First Sage Shinobi World Elite Youth Tournament will conclude today. Next, I will complete the final procedures of this tournament, awarding the 30 outstanding youths."
Hui's words heightened the excitement of the 30 contestants.
And then, it was time for the announcement of the Best of the Best.
"Next, I will announce the outstanding youth who has been crowned the Best of the Best."
As Hui spoke, the entire world seemed to fall silent.
Many hearts raced with anticipation and excitement.
Hui, with a slight upturn of his lips, announced, "Namikaze Minato."
Instantly, the world erupted in a cacophony of sound.
"As expected, it's Lord Minato! I knew it would be him!"
"No surprises there. Lord Minato is the Best of the Best!"
"After all, it's about recognition. Lord Minato's popularity compared to others is simply in a league of its own."
"He truly deserves it. This honorary title should indeed be awarded to Lord Minato."
People spoke loudly, and no one found it inappropriate to bestow this title upon Minato. However, many felt a tinge of regret.
Especially among the thirty outstanding participants.
A looked dejected. He had hoped to use this tournament to resurrect his father. Unfortunately, he had fallen into the loser's bracket in the first round.
Ranzuki also felt quite regretful, a bitter taste lingering in his mouth.
He had known Minato for quite some time, since the Chuunin Exams organized by Iwagakure.
Back then, Minato, Nawaki, Kushina and Konan had participated in the exams. When the participants were divided into teams, he and Minato were on the same side.
That Chuunin Exams had a profound impact on Ranzuki. He had been utterly crushed by Nawaki during the exams.
This event had plunged the Four Great Hidden Villages into despair. After all, he was considered the most prodigious talent among them at the time, specifically trained to counter Hui. Yet, he was defeated by Konoha's rising star, Nawaki.
That incident led Ranzuki to view Nawaki as his lifelong rival. However, he was dealt another blow. Just a few years after that Chuunin Exams, during the Great Unification War, he had hoped for a rematch with Nawaki. However, Nawaki had already ascended to become the God of Shinobi, single-handedly forcing the surrender of over one hundred thousand enemy soldiers.
It was utterly despairing.
There was nothing he could do.
He and Nawaki were simply no longer on the same level. So, he shifted his focus to Minato. Minato was also a genius, perhaps even a super genius. Moreover, he was highly regarded by Hui.
Therefore, he considered Minato his rival.
However, his rival's growth was astonishing. Although not as despair-inducing as Nawaki's, Minato's rapid progress still exerted immense pressure on him, making him constantly feel that Minato would soon surpass him.
This "Best of the Best" title was a form of intangible competition, and he had lost. Yet, he wasn't truly discouraged by this defeat. When it came to recognition, compared to Minato, his popularity worldwide was undoubtedly far inferior. And this selection for the Best of the Best heavily emphasized recognition.
After the "Best of the Best" award was presented, this tournament essentially came to a close. It was an unforgettable and globally recognised event, destined to be a frequent topic of conversation for a long time to come.
However, Hui felt nothing of the sort.
After all, his initial reason for holding this tournament was simply to select suitable individuals for training in the world of One Piece. Now, he had his candidates in mind.
However, Hui didn't rush to summon his chosen individuals and send them to the One Piece world for training.
This tournament was a significant event for them. Earning the title of Outstanding Youth was a great honor, a cause for celebration. Therefore, Hui granted them ten days to enjoy the changes brought about by this tournament.
Ten days later, ten outstanding youths suddenly received a notice, summoned by the Sage to assemble in the conference room.
join my patreon for 150+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL