My Tongue Was No Less Sharp!

As Tokuma Hyuga finished speaking, the Assembly Hall did not react as it usually did, where he would be bombarded with criticism as soon as he opened his mouth. Even Uchiha Setsuna, who usually scolded him the most, sat quietly in his seat with a furrowed brow.

Tokuma Hyuga glanced at everyone present, quite satisfied with their reactions.

Hmph! At least I haven't seen you bunch of bastards spouting nonsense at me.

He breathed a sigh of relief. With the second most vocal critic, Shimura Danzō, gone, who would dare to hurl insults at him now?

If anyone still doesn't know how to respect the elderly and care for the young, my mouth will not be too harsh!

The atmosphere in the Meeting Room grew increasingly heavy. Just then, a hoarse, indifferent voice suddenly rang out.

"Elder Tokuma, there is something I don't understand. Please enlighten me."

Everyone turned to look at Orochimaru, who had spoken.

Is this a group buy starting soon?

However, Orochimaru, though a junior, is quite strong, but judging from his otherworldly appearance, he doesn't seem like someone who is good with words.

Orochimaru ignored the suspicious looks from the crowd, his expression calm, and said indifferently, "Elder Tokuma, Elder Mitokado, and Director Nara's words can be considered as a matter of concern for the future of Konoha. I want to know what your reasons are for opposing it?"

"Could it be that Minister Hiruko's research findings have infringed upon your interests? Or perhaps the interests of your Hyuga Clan?"

At this point, Orochimaru slowly stood up, bowed respectfully to Kagami Uchiha, then scanned the crowd before locking his Tokuma Hyuga.

"You just said that it's not just your Hyuga Clan that disagrees, but all the ninja clans of Konoha disagree as well. I'll assume you have the authority to represent all the ninja clans."

"I want to know, what are you afraid of? Are you afraid that if the plan to Artificial Kekkei Genkai Ninja is implemented, it will affect the special status of your ninja clan?"

"Or are you afraid that artificial bloodlines will affect the Hyuga Main Family's control over the Branch Family?"

"I think if a member of the Hyuga Branch Family were to cooperate with Hiruko, even though the Byakugan is Kekkei Genkai for thousands of years, it wouldn't be that difficult to break."

"By then, will the Hyuga Clan's thousand-year-old system of the Main Family and Branch Family families still be necessary?"

Upon hearing this, Tokuma Hyuga's expression grew even more unpleasant. Finally, he couldn't help but shout coldly, "You... shut up, Orochimaru! You're merely Danzo Orochimaru. How dare a mere junior like you spout such nonsense here? What right do you have to question this old man?"

Senju Bu interrupted Tokuma Hyuga, speaking calmly, "Alright, Tokuma, since the Lord Hokage sent Orochimaru to Danzo, he is speaking on Danzo's behalf right now. What? You think Danzo isn't qualified to speak to you?"

"Besides, since the Lord Hokage has chosen these juniors to participate, it means they are qualified. Are you perhaps questioning the Lord Hokage's decision?"

Senju Bu pondered to himself.

Hmph, the Wood Release of the Senju Clan has long been extinct. Even Tsunade, the Tsunade of Lord Hashirama, and Nawaki, the grandson of Nawaki, failed to awaken Wood Release, and the hopes of the rest of the clan are even slimmer.

Meanwhile, the other ninja clans in the village, relying on their worthless Kekkei Genkai, were boasting about how great their Kekkei Genkai Clan were. Especially this Tokuma bastard, his mere Byakugan was only good for scouting; in a real fight, how could he compare to Lord Hashirama's Wood Release?

Looking across the entire Shinobi World, besides the Uchiha's Mangekyou Mangekyō Sharingan, what other bloodline ability can rival Wood Release?

Bah! I'm definitely supporting this Artificial Kekkei Genkai Ninja Project!

Besides, if the technology really matures, with so many of Lord Hashirama's remaining cells, recreating Wood Release isn't impossible.

Hmph! What a short-sighted fool!

"Senju Bu! You!" Tokuma Hyuga pointed at Senju Bu, his anger rising.

"Lord Hokage, our various ninja clans have been members of Konoha since the founding of Konoha by the First Hokage Lord Hashirama, Konoha."

"Our contributions to the village over the past few decades are evident to all."

"Now, because of this inexperienced junior, who knows what kind of sorcery he used to create some kind of artificial bloodline limit. Hmph, who knows what hidden dangers it might bring? Those ninjas who participated in the experiment were all our comrades."

"If this brat's experiments result in the needless deaths of Konoha Ninja, Lord Hokage, while the brat may be spared, he will be held responsible to the death!"

"And you? As the Hokage trusted and loved by everyone in the village, how will you explain this to their families?"

Upon hearing this, Hatake Sakumo, who had been lost in thought, abruptly stood up and said coldly, "Old man, do you dare say that again?"

After counting, Sakumo stared intently at Tokuma Hyuga, a chilling killing intent suddenly emanating from his body.

"Hmph! Elder Tokuma, you may question my research findings, but if you dare to insult the Lord Hokage, I will never let you off!" Hiruko, who had been gentle in his demeanor, suddenly changed his expression and spoke coldly.

Kagami Uchiha remained unresponsive, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes to rest.

At this moment, Orochimaru's usually calm expression revealed a hint of ruthlessness. He spoke in a sinister tone, "Elder Tokuma, you dare to insult the Lord Hokage. If this gets out, you'll probably be dead in the streets before you even return to the Hyuga clan's territory."

"Old man, I'm asking you! Since the Lord Hokage took office, how much has he done for the common ninja in the village? Can't you see it?"

"Let me tell you, you keep talking about ninja clans, you've already placed yourself on the opposite side of millions of ordinary people in Konoha!"

"You want the Lord Hokage to take the blame for you?"

At this point, Orochimaru raised his voice, making it resound throughout the entire Meeting Room:

"Do you know? Our comrades who died on the battlefield in the Land of Rain were killed by Shuriken, Kunai, Ninjutsu, and poison gas..."

"But every single Konoha Ninja who died in battle perished on the front lines."

"For the sake of the Lord Hokage, they knew they would die, yet they all willingly faced death! Not a single step was spared!"

"This is the weight that the Third Hokage of Konoha, Kagami Uchiha, holds in the hearts of all the people and ninjas of Konoha."

"Including me, Orochimaru, if you dare utter another word of disrespect towards the Lord Hokage, I'll kill you right now, you old codger who holds a position without doing any work!"

Having said that, Orochimaru immediately raised his fingers, already in the posture of forming Hand Seals.

Just then, a Konoha with a short sword strapped to his back suddenly appeared in the Meeting Room. He knelt Jonin one knee, tears streaming down his face, his eyes red-rimmed, and choked out, "Lord Hokage, I beg you, please allow me to kill that old bastard Tokuma Hyuga!"

"I, Hayama Shirakumo, will risk my life to kill this old beast who insulted you!"

Having said that, he suddenly drew his short sword and shouted sharply, "Konoha-Style Swordsmanship: Vacuum..."

"Alright!"

"Step back, Hayama!" Just as Hayama Shirakumo was about to reach Tokuma Hyuga, a steady and powerful voice rang out.

Uchiha Shizuka slowly opened her eyes and calmly spoke to stop the impending conflict.

He glanced around at everyone in the Meeting Room and continued, "Sit down, everyone. This is Konoha's highest-level Assembly Hall, not a battlefield, much less a gladiatorial arena!"

"I've heard everything you've said. Tokuma, I understand your concerns, and I assure you, this plan will not involve the village's own Kekkei Genkai Clan at this time."

"Orochimaru, you are very good. You speak clearly and act reliably. Hiruzen has trained a good disciple."

"Hiruko, continue your research. Whether as your teacher or Hokage, I will support all your research! I will bear the consequences if there are any."

"It is now announced that the Artificial Kekkei Genkai Ninja Project will be officially launched."

Meeting adjourned!