[An additional 2,000 words have been added to the previous chapter; everyone can go take another look.]
His words were like a basin of cold water poured over the heads of every Ōtsutsuki, forcing them all to calm down.
"That's right!"
Otsutsuki Iwashiki said in an aged voice, "By comparison, handing this Ten-Tails Clan member over to Otsutsuki Hikari is clearly more reasonable. Lord Akira, you don't have any other plans, do you?"
A trace of suspicion flashed through his eyes.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Otsutsuki Akira.
It was just that Otsutsuki Akira was far too cunning. The previous priest of the Otsutsuki Clan had been Otsutsuki Akira's teacher.
And precisely because of that,
as long as the Otsutsuki Clan's priest remained alive, there could be no new generation of priests. Thus, Otsutsuki Akira had directly plotted the previous priest's death.
Since Otsutsuki Akira had not acted personally,
no one could pin the blame on him. Yet this also made everyone fully aware of Otsutsuki Akira's methods!
"Anshiki, you're more clearheaded than the other Ōtsutsuki. I like that."
Otsutsuki Akira did not care in the slightest.
"Just as you said earlier, Otsutsuki Hikari is now only one step away from becoming the God of Ōtsutsuki. Even without the help of the Ten-Tails Clan, he can still become the God of Ōtsutsuki."
His gaze casually swept across the Ōtsutsuki before him.
There was a hint of disdain in his eyes.
"But you're different."
"Without this Ten-Tails Clan member, which of you can guarantee that you can advance to become the God of Ōtsutsuki?"
He sneered. "To put it bluntly, if Ryushiki hadn't died, why would I have notified any of you?"
"As far as I'm concerned, maximizing benefits is the responsibility I bear as the Otsutsuki Clan's priest!"
In