A chorus of angry shouts echoed through the grand hall.
Whether it was Ōtsutsuki Masato or the representatives of the Hyūga clan, all reacted vehemently, firmly rejecting Minister Molotov's proposal.
"How could someone as noble as an Ōtsutsuki be expected to abandon their name and adopt a lowly surname?"
"They should be the ones taking on the Ōtsutsuki name—wait, no, they're not even worthy of it!"
Ōtsutsuki Masato shot to his feet and shouted.
But his words instantly enraged Hyūga Hiashi and the others.
"You've got some nerve, calling the prestigious Hyūga name lowly! Are you looking for death?"
"So what if you're an Ōtsutsuki? The one who was truly remarkable was the Sage of Six Paths—not arrogant fools like you!"
The Hyūga representatives erupted in curses and fury.
The other shinobi clan representatives didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
They were surprised by the World Government's proposal—but even more amused to witness the usually composed Hyūga clan lose their cool so completely.
[BOOM!!]
Suddenly, a terrifyingly familiar aura exploded in the hall, instantly suppressing both sides' shouting.
Sakazuki stood silently, arms crossed over his chest.
His terrifying gaze swept across Ōtsutsuki Masato and Hyūga Hiashi.
The coldness and warning in his eyes were utterly unrestrained.
But even more chilling was the murderous intent surging from his body, making everyone's blood run cold and their hearts tremble.
At last, Sakazuki spat out two icy words: "Sit. Down."
Ōtsutsuki Masato and the others from the Hyūga clan sat back down on their stone chairs, faces ashen.
Though seated, their posture still conveyed stubborn refusal.
"Heh... Then allow this old man to speak," Minister Molotov said, picking up the thread with his trademark smile.
"Mr. Ōtsutsuki Masato, as far as I understand, while your branch still bears the Ōtsutsuki name, the purity of your bloodline—and your Byakugan—is already no different from that of the Hyūga clan in Konohagakure, is it not?"
"This…"
Masato was momentarily at a loss for words.
Meanwhile, Hiashi, Hizashi, and the others furrowed their brows.
That statement... it sounded like an insult toward the Hyūga clan.
"Degenerated?!"
Still, they understood what Minister Molotov meant.
He was pointing out that their bloodline and Byakugan had long since diverged from that of the Sage of Six Paths' brother, Ōtsutsuki Hamura, from a thousand years ago.
And that wasn't something they could deny—after all, Hamura was a legendary celestial being, the ancestral founder of their clan.
"The World Government has considered that factor carefully," Molotov continued, "and thus hopes that you'll adopt the surname Hyūga. After all, your current bloodline and Byakugan are no longer befitting of the Ōtsutsuki name. Should any future descendant undergo an atavistic resurgence, they can be granted the Ōtsutsuki name then."
As Masato's face grew darker and darker, Minister Molotov added one final line with calm detachment: "One more thing. This is not a negotiation—it's a notice. All official records going forward will list your surname as Hyūga. For example: Hyūga Masato. I hope you'll adjust your mindset promptly."
Ōtsutsuki Masato's teeth clenched. Beneath the stone table, his fists tightened, muscles trembling visibly.
In that moment, he truly wanted to draw the Tenseigan hidden in his sleeve and unleash a Shinra Tensei, obliterating everything in sight.
But then he remembered the nearly one hundred clansmen left on the moon—and the legacy they were meant to carry.
That thought anchored him like an immovable boulder, crushing the fury and killing intent swelling in his heart.
What Masato didn't realize was—
Sakazuki's gaze had long since locked onto him.
And from behind, Shiryu was also eyeing him with great interest.
He seemed to be hoping Masato would flip the table and start a fight.
But Masato disappointed him.
After several deep breaths, Masato finally responded in a low, controlled voice: "We will abide by the World Government's rules."
"Hahaha, that's more like it! You truly are a fine leader of your clan!"
Minister Molotov praised him warmly, then assured: "Rest assured, going forward, the Hyūga clan under the World Government's banner will most certainly be centered around your branch."
"Then I thank you," Ōtsutsuki Masato finally relaxed a bit upon hearing this assurance.
But his relief only made things more uncomfortable for Hiashi and the other Hyūga leaders nearby.
"So what you're saying… is that we'll become their branch family?" Hyūga Hiashi, as clan head, asked urgently.
"No."
Minister Molotov shook his head and smiled. "As I mentioned earlier, under the World Government's jurisdiction, the Hyūga clan will no longer be divided into Main and Branch Families."
"At most, Mr. Hyūga Masato's lineage will be regarded as the primary line, and future clan heads will be chosen from his descendants. Your branch will become the secondary line, but you will not be bound by the Caged Bird anymore. In fact, all Caged Bird seals currently placed on branch family members must be removed."
Immediately, Hiashi and the two Hyūga elders behind him trembled, struggling to contain their rage.
However...
Hyūga Hizashi's face lit up with surprise—though he quickly forced it down.
But his reaction didn't go unnoticed by Minister Molotov across the table.
The slight smile on the minister's face grew subtly more meaningful.
This outcome was the result of their careful study of the relationship between the Main and Branch Families of the Hyūga clan, and the role the Caged Bird technique played.
The goal was simple: divide and win loyalty.
And it was a transparent tactic—completely aboveboard, yet impossible to counter.
From now on, the branch members of the Hyūga clan would wholeheartedly support the World Government's policies.
And the branch family greatly outnumbered the main.
With that, no matter what happened, the Hyūga clan would never pose a serious threat again.
"That concludes the formal announcement regarding the 'Unification of the Hyūga,'" Minister Molotov said as he turned his gaze to the dark-faced Hiashi.
"There's one more thing I must inform you of, Hiashi-san."
Hiashi remained silent, but the minister didn't mind. He smiled and continued: "As unbelievable as it may sound, in the future you will father two 'Byakugan Princesses'."
He then briefly explained the meaning of the title Byakugan Princess.
Immediately—
Two Hyūga elders seated behind Hiashi lit up with barely contained joy.
If their branch could produce even one Byakugan Princess...
Then even if Masato remained clan head in the future, he'd be forced to treat their lineage with respect!
"May I ask... how does the World Government know that I'll have two daughters, and that both will be 'Byakugan Princesses'?"
Hiashi looked at Minister Molotov with a strange expression.
"It's quite simple. We foresaw it. Individuals or objects capable of foretelling the future aren't rare in our domain," Molotov replied breezily.
In truth, he had no idea how those above him knew such things.
"I see…"
Hiashi nodded helplessly, accepting the answer.
At that moment, Minister Molotov gestured for a few black-clad agents to distribute the prepared documents, placing a copy in front of everyone present.
"Now then, let's move on. We must discuss the World Government's plans for restructuring the entire Shinobi World, and the relocation of the major shinobi clans to the main continent of the Starfish World. Please stay alert and treat this with the utmost seriousness."
...
Just as Senju Hashirama, Orochimaru, Nara Shikaku, and the others were reviewing the documents—
"Excuse me."
Uzumaki Kushina suddenly raised her hand.
"Please speak."
Minister Molotov didn't mind and gestured politely.
"I'd like to ask—about the Nine-Tails inside me. When do you plan to extract it? Also, Lieutenant General Aramaki told me earlier that my life would be guaranteed. Is that true?"
Her face was filled with seriousness and resolve.
Minister Molotov smiled. "Regarding your situation, I had originally planned to bring it up at the end, but since you've asked, let's address it now."
"First, your initial question."
"It is indeed a confirmed decision to extract the tailed beasts from the jinchūriki."
"Because for the World Government, a fully intact tailed beast is more valuable than a jinchūriki."
"Hmm."
Uzumaki Kushina nodded at Minister Molotov's explanation.
In truth, she didn't care how the World Government intended to use the tailed beasts.
What she cared about was whether she herself would survive.
"That said, we plan to wait until all the jinchūriki are gathered before beginning the extraction process."
"Before that, we will summon sealing experts, alchemists, and, if necessary, even magicians to collaborate and devise a safe method for releasing the tailed beasts from your bodies."
Kushina's eyes lit up at that.
Even though she had no idea what an alchemist or magician was—
She could still sense from Minister Molotov's tone how seriously the World Government was taking this.
It eased a great deal of the worry that had been weighing on her.
"I've done some study into sealing techniques myself—may I participate in the process?"
In Uzumaki Kushina's opinion, across the entire Shinobi World, there were likely very few people with greater expertise in sealing techniques than her.
Besides, taking part in the research herself would also put her more at ease.
"Oh?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Minister Molotov's face before he quickly returned to a composed demeanor.
"In that case, Lord Fukurokuju, please look into this after the meeting."
"Understood, Minister Molotov," Fukurokuju replied. "Afterward, I'll have the sealing team from Sunagakure brought in to speak with Miss Uzumaki Kushina."
Hearing this, a weight lifted from Kushina's heart.
She said nothing more and casually picked up one of the documents on the table to begin reading.
By that time, however, Orochimaru and the others had already finished reading.
Their expressions varied greatly.
Orochimaru and Senju Hashirama looked pleased.
Hyūga Masato merely sighed, as if he no longer wished to speak.
Nara Shikaku and Hyūga Hiashi, on the other hand, had furrowed brows.
Representatives from the various clans seated in the back row appeared mostly conflicted, many on the verge of speaking but holding back.
So—what did the document say?
While it was lengthy, it essentially boiled down to two main points:
First, the World Government was requesting that certain designated clans relocate in their entirety to the Island of Wano on Starfish.
A preliminary list of clans was even included.
From Konohagakure, the list unsurprisingly included those with kekkei genkai or Sage Body traits: the Senju clan, the Uchiha clan, the Hyūga clan, the Uzumaki clan, the Kurama clan, and the Iburi clan.
The document stated that the scattered members of the Senju clan—those who had integrated into Konoha's general population—would need to reinstate the Senju surname and reconstitute the clan.
As for the other Senju descendants, Konohagakure surely held the relevant records.
From the World Government's perspective, those with Sage Body potential among the Senju should not be left to fade into obscurity.
They needed a complete Senju clan to tie to Senju Hashirama.
Even though he was dead, no one could say for certain whether he might return someday.
As for the Uzumaki clan—
There was Kushina, Nagato, Karin and her mother, and once Naruto was born, he would most likely bear the Uzumaki surname as well.
At this point, Nara Shikaku asked in surprise, "How did your side learn about the Iburi clan?"
This was a clan possessing a kekkei genkai known as Smoke Transformation—
But due to the extreme fragility of this state—just a moderately strong gust of wind could injure or even kill them—they suffered severe losses, including infants, and had long since withdrawn to secluded mountain caves.
As a result, although they lived within the Land of Fire, their contact with Konohagakure was minimal. At most, a few adults would come out to purchase basic necessities.
Even within Konoha, few had heard of them.
"The Iburi, yes—we are quite interested in them," Minister Molotov replied. "An ability so similar to a Logia-type Devil Fruit is, naturally, of great value to us. We're also curious about Kirigakure's Hōzuki clan and their Hydrification Technique. Could that secret art perhaps be taught to others?"
His response, however, was slightly evasive.
It was also a subtle way of telling Shikaku: You don't need to know how we found out.
Shikaku, of course, picked up on the implication.
"Very well. I hope the World Government can help them address the issues with their kekkei genkai."
"I have full confidence in our Academy of Sciences."
Minister Molotov maintained a calm smile.
Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his deep gaze swept across the people seated opposite him.
"Now then—would you all be willing to relocate?"
"The environment on Wano is quite pleasant. The seasons are distinct, and there's surely a place that will suit each of you."
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