Under the amplification of the special barrier set up by Shin, Tsunade's voice rang out loud and full of authority, like a heavy hammer striking directly into the depths of everyone's hearts.
Her cold gaze and the aura of an imminent volcanic eruption made every member of the Hyūga main house lower their heads involuntarily, trembling in fear.
Seeing no one respond, she continued to curse furiously, "You people of the main house, what do you think you are? A bunch of heartless fools."
"Forget about doing this to your blood relatives, even if you did this to strangers from the same village, you'd be despised by thousands, nailed to the pillar of shame."
"Your behavior is simply intolerable."
"As for today, I will take charge of this matter no matter what. I've said my piece, who's in favor, and who's against?"
Some of the main house members felt dissatisfied in their hearts, but when they saw the murderous intent radiating from a large group of Konoha higher-ups, especially the knife-ready Sakumo and Shin with his Mangekyō Sharingan open, they could only bow their heads even lower.
They feared that if they showed the slightest sign of discontent, Tsunade would seize on it.
Those with weaker mental fortitude trembled like leaves in the wind, terrified that the slightest wrong move would bring about the destruction of their entire clan.
"Members of the Hyūga branch house," Tsunade suddenly shifted from her earlier killing intent to a gentle tone, "I owe you all an apology for arriving a bit late today."
"No helping it, Orochimaru's research into the Caged Bird has been ongoing, after all."
Seeing the branch house members looking at her in disbelief, Tsunade smiled. "That's right, you heard me correctly. Ever since the day I became Hokage, he has been under my secret orders, to begin researching a way to break the Caged Bird."
"Of course, I could have forcibly separated the main and branch houses, but as long as the Caged Bird remained, you could never truly be free."
"But today, I'm honored to tell you that just a few days ago, Orochimaru's research was finally completed, with tremendous success."
"From this day on, there will be no more main or branch house within the Hyūga clan. From now on, if anyone dares to utter words insulting the former branch house, and I find out, I will never forgive them."
"So today, I'm here to inform you all, you may now go to Orochimaru's laboratory."
"And let me congratulate you: from this moment, you will gain true freedom and become an inseparable part of Konoha."
"Everyone, at my command, remove your forehead protectors!"
The branch house members were stunned for a moment. Then, realizing what was happening, they all removed their forehead protectors, revealing the markings of the Caged Bird, and stood tall with pride.
At that moment, they felt utterly vindicated.
The Caged Bird would from now on be nothing but a thing of the past, and they no longer had to feel ashamed.
"All former branch house members, follow Orochimaru toward your bright future. Move out!"
Not a single branch member hesitated. They all left, overjoyed.
Some even thought Orochimaru was walking far too slowly, making them anxious, but this was their benefactor, their hope, so no one dared complain.
After Orochimaru and the others left, Tsunade's gaze once again turned cold as she addressed the former main house members. "I know you're dissatisfied, but what right do you have to be?"
"From today on, if I ever find out you're up to any more tricks, I'll make sure you learn exactly what it means for the Hokage not only to rule, but to kill."
"Get out!"
With her angry shout, all the former main house members left, full of resentment yet helpless.
Shin and Sakumo were somewhat dissatisfied with this outcome.
The two of them had really wanted to kill a few people to establish their authority, and they had even agreed on it before the speech began:
Whoever made a move, they would cut them down on the spot. But unexpectedly, the Hyūga main house members were even more cowardly than they had imagined.
"How boring, not even giving us a chance to kill anyone," Shin sighed in disappointment.
Sakumo added, "Couldn't even muster up some resistance?"
The two spoke without bothering to lower their voices.
Every former main house member who overheard them stiffened instantly, then lowered their heads and left quickly.
Many even had tears in their eyes.
So… they were really ready to slaughter us the moment we resisted?
That was terrifying beyond words.
Some of them had originally thought that once they left, they would gather somewhere to discuss countermeasures.
But now, that idea was gone.
If they gathered and it was seen as plotting rebellion, they wouldn't even have a place to argue their case.
Especially since without Tsunade's explicit orders, they wouldn't have believed Shin and Sakumo's words at all.
---
In the Research Lab, at Basement Level 2, Orochimaru did not immediately begin removing the Caged Bird from the Hyūga branch house members' foreheads. Instead, he told them they had to take a few days to rest, relax, and prepare their bodies so the removal could be successful.
What no one expected was that "a few days" turned into three full days.
During those three days, the branch members grew increasingly anxious, but Orochimaru kept delaying.
In the meantime, he gave daily lectures, explaining the main house's methods of brainwashing, the injustices they had committed, and warning them never to imitate those heartless beasts.
He also let slip that Shin, under Tsunade's orders, had been involved in the research to break the Caged Bird. Thanks to the two working together, the breakthrough was achieved in just half a year.
Shin, however, refused to claim any credit, seeing it as simply something he ought to do, nothing to boast about.
Orochimaru further revealed that Minato had also been involved.
Back when he had teamed up with Hizashi and learned of his plight, Minato had appealed to Tsunade to resolve the issue.
Tsunade had already intended to address it, so from the first day she became Hokage, she set the plan in motion, working in close cooperation with none other than Hizashi himself.
Orochimaru also shared his own discovery: the Hyūga clan possessed exceptionally high talent not only in ninjutsu, but also in medical ninjutsu.
If they could train in both the Gentle Fist and other ninjutsu, including medical arts, they would be capable of close combat, ranged attacks, reconnaissance, and healing, their future potential would soar to unprecedented heights.
Since everyone still needed Orochimaru's help, they listened intently, and not a single person dared make a sound out of place.
On the third day, Orochimaru finally conducted a round of mock "medical checkups" for everyone, announcing that they were all physically fit to proceed.
He then notified Tsunade, Shin, and Minato that, under their direct witness, the Hyūga branch house would at last gain complete freedom.
When they realized it was finally about to begin, the branch house members were moved to tears.