At Byakuren's invitation, everyone went to the Mizukage's office to register, with Byakuren personally handling the paperwork.
Watching them leave, the ninja who had led the way was drenched in sweat. Once the doors closed, a crowd of ninja immediately swarmed around him.
As the ninja guarding the gates, he was somewhat of a familiar face, and practically everyone in the village knew him.
"Yuji! Who is she? Where did she come from?!"
The crowd bombarded him with questions, making Yuji's head throb.
Inside the office, Yura stood casually and pointed at Lucy behind her. "My subordinate, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki."
The moment she said that, Byakuren, who had just sat down, froze.
Hozuki Gengetsu and the narrow-eyed man stiffened as well, their gazes warily sweeping over the foolish-looking Lucy.
Lucy shrank behind Yura.
Chomei had told her that everyone present was an exceptionally powerful ninja.
"You really have given me quite a surprise." Byakuren glanced at Lucy. "Keep this matter strictly confidential."
"Don't worry. I've taken care of everyone who knows." Yura smiled faintly. "Even if word gets out, as long as we deny it outright, Senju Hashirama won't refuse to acknowledge it."
Taking care of them did not necessarily mean killing them all.
But Gengetsu and the narrow-eyed man clearly did not see it that way as they looked at Yura.
"If that's the case..." Byakuren said as he wrote, "then I'm relieved. Kirigakure will absolutely not leak this information. Since you, Ghost Princess, have joined the village, we'll all be family from now on."
Though they had known each other for only a short time, he had gained a fairly good understanding of Senju Hashirama's character.
"Of course, family." Yura smiled. "My name is Yura, Old Man Byakuren."
Byakuren's expression turned stern. "Don't call me old man. I'm