"But your actions have created a precedent," Mizukage Chojuro joined the discussion via video communication, "Now Kirigakure has similar cases, and the villagers are asking for the same 'transformation'. But we don't have a bridge, and without your ability, how can we meet this expectation?"
"I can train other people," Boruto said. "Sarada has started to master the basics, and there are other people who can learn. This is not something only I can do."
"The question is," Tsuchikage Kurotsuchi interjected, "Do we want this to become commonplace? The prophecy of 'Great Selection' says that all Special Bloodline will face a choice. If we offer a 'third option', are we interfering with the natural process?"
"Natural?" Boruto couldn't help but raise his voice, "Is it natural to turn people into monsters? Is it natural to force them to choose between pain and death? If so, I refuse to accept this kind of nature."
The conference room fell into silence. Raikage Darui suddenly laughed, and that rough laughter seemed particularly abrupt in the tense atmosphere.
"I like this kid," he said, "He has the temper of his grandfather when he was young. Fourth Hokage is also so stubborn, always thinking that one person's power can change the world."
"And the world did change," Naruto said softly, "Thanks to his stubbornness."
Tsunade sighed and rubbed her temples. As a medical ninja, she understood Boruto's motives; as a politician, she was worried about the uncontrollable consequences.
"Vote," she said, "On whether to support Boruto's 'Purification and Transformation' project, and whether to extend it to the entire Shinobi World."
The voting result was three votes in favor and two abstentions. Tsunade and Chojuro chose to abstain - not to oppose, but to require more observation. This result was regarded as a victory for Boruto, but he knew that the real challenge had just begun.
After the meeting, Naruto left Boruto alone. The father and son stood on Hokage Rock, overlooking the village. The setting sun dyed the faces of Hokage of all generations into gold, as if they were witnessing some kind of Inheritance.
"You're angry," Naruto said, "Because I didn't fully support you."
"No," Boruto said, but his tone betrayed him, "I just... don't understand. You've been in similar situations, and you know sometimes you have to break the rules."
"I know," Naruto admitted, "But I also know the cost of breaking the rules. Every exception weakens the authority of the rules themselves. When exceptions become the norm, chaos will follow."
"So what's your choice?"
"Establish new rules," Naruto turned to his son with a firm gaze, "Not based on the traditional Shinobi World order, but based on the new reality. 'Great Selection' will change everything. We can't just react passively, we must actively shape the direction of change."
"How?"
"First, formally recognize your project. Not as a private decision of Hokage, but as an official policy of Konoha. Second, establish a training system to train more purifiers like Ninja Academy. Finally, and the most difficult - share this technology with other countries and establish an international response mechanism."
Boruto looked at his father in shock. This was further and more dangerous than he expected.
"Will other countries agree?"
"I won't agree immediately," Naruto smiled, with the cunningness of his youth in that smile, "So we want them to see the benefits. The case of Land of Iron proves that the transformed warriors are stronger than the original ones and are completely controllable. For countries facing the threat of 'Great Selection', this is an irresistible temptation."
"You are using me," Boruto said, but not in an accusatory tone, "Using my ability as a bargaining chip."
"I'm taking advantage of the opportunity we created together," Naruto corrected, "And I believe you can handle it. Not because you are my son, but because you are the only one who has established a true Symbiotic Relationship with the 'Bridge'. You understand the nature of this power, and you also know its limitations."
Boruto was silent for a moment, and then nodded. He remembered the look in Shiki's eyes at the last moment, the kind of trust that entrusted the future to the younger generation. Now, it is his turn to pass on this trust.
"There is one more question," he said, "About the true meaning of 'Great Selection'. The bridge has been studying it, but its Otsutsuki memory is very vague about this part, as if it was deliberately hidden."
"What did you find?"
"Selection is not the end point," Boruto said, "But the process. Its purpose is not to eliminate the weak, but... to collect data. Every choice, every evolution or death, will be recorded and analyzed. It is like some kind of... experiment."
This description made Naruto's expression become solemn. He remembered the essence of the Ōtsutsuki Clan - interstellar farmers who use the planet as a nursery and life as the fruit to harvest Chakra. If "Great Selection" is a prelude to a larger-scale harvest, then what are they facing?
"What is the purpose of the experiment?"
"Bridge believes that the purpose is to create the 'perfect container'," Boruto said, "An individual that can carry the full power of the Ōtsutsuki Clan while maintaining self-awareness. Shiki once came close to this goal, but failed. Now, the experiment has entered a new stage, involving the entire planet's ecosystem."
"So we are all guinea pigs?"
"No," Qiao's voice suddenly sounded in Boruto's consciousness, clearer than usual, as if it had broken through some kind of limit, "You are variables. Variables that the designers of the experiment did not anticipate. The Chakra system of this planet is different from other nurseries of the Ōtsutsuki Clan. It produced 'will', 'emotion', and... the possibility of resistance."
"Bridge?" Boruto was surprised, "You can communicate directly with the outside world?"
"As 'Great Selection' approaches, restrictions are being lifted." Qiao said, and now its voice sounded in the consciousness of Boruto and Naruto at the same time, "I must warn you: the next stage of the experiment is about to begin. It is not a choice to evolve or die, but... forced to show potential. All Special Bloodline holders will be activated at the same time, and their power will explode uncontrollably."
"When?"
"Next total lunar eclipse. In three days."
The news spread like wildfire. Three days, and only three days to prepare. Five Great Nations urgently mobilized, gathered all known Special Bloodline holders into a safe area, established a suppression barrier, and prepared medical support. But everyone knew that these measures may only be a drop in the bucket.
"The total lunar eclipse is related to the Chakra tide," Shikamaru explained at the emergency meeting. "The planet's Natural Energy peaked at that time. If 'Great Selection' takes advantage of this, it may indeed trigger a global activation."
"How many people are potentially affected?" Raikage asked.
"Conservative estimate, more than 100,000 people." Shikamaru's voice was heavy, "Including all Kekkei Genkai holders, all ninjas who have practiced Senjutsu, and... all Symbiosis bodies similar to Boruto."
"One hundred thousand people lost control at the same time," Mizukage murmured to himself, "This is more terrifying than any war."