It really wasn't easy, these past three days had been harder for them than the past three years.
With Tsunade and the others arriving, Orochimaru and Shin walked into a laboratory. Then they began calling people in one by one.
The first to walk in was Hizashi.
"How are your injuries?" Shin asked with concern as soon as he saw him.
"With you personally treating me, what could possibly be wrong?" Hizashi scratched his head awkwardly and smiled.
"Haha, the way you talk and your little mannerisms, why are you more and more like Minato?"
"Heh, Minato and I are good friends, so it's normal to influence each other," Hizashi chuckled.
Shin was speechless in his heart.
Minato isn't so easily influenced, clearly you're the only one getting influenced.
"By the way, he says you have a real talent for medical ninjutsu. Interested in becoming my student?"
Hizashi was completely stunned, his face full of disbelief.
This was Shin, the number one medical ninja in the shinobi world. And according to Minato, he was also without a doubt the strongest in Konoha.
Becoming his student, wouldn't that be like shooting straight to the top?
"Yes…" Hizashi blurted out without even thinking.
"Haha, alright, we'll talk about that later."
"For now, lie down on the operating table, relax, and close your eyes."
Hizashi did exactly as told, but his heart was pounding with excitement.
Soon, he heard a strange sizzling sound.
Then, as Orochimaru placed his hand on Hizashi's forehead, a jolt like an electric shock surged through his whole body, making him shudder violently, nearly jumping out of his skin.
Once it was done, he let out a long breath, stepped back, and said, "You can open your eyes now."
Hizashi slowly opened them, immediately sensing something different about himself.
Overcome with excitement, he quickly turned to the full-length mirror that Shin had thoughtfully placed nearby.
When he saw his reflection, tears flowed uncontrollably.
He… was finally free.
To hell with the Caged Bird!
To hell with the main house!
To hell with his father!
To hell with Hiashi!
"Hahaha!"
Shin and Orochimaru exchanged a glance, both thinking, This kid's gone mad.
But deep down, they were truly happy for him.
"I know you're excited, but hold it in for now. We're on a tight schedule today with a lot to do, go call the next person in," Orochimaru reminded from the side.
Snapping out of it, Hizashi forgot all about proper etiquette and just ran straight out.
Inside the lab, Orochimaru spoke in a low voice: "You could clearly fix it with a wave of your hand, so why insist on giving them a shock first? Isn't that a bit much?"
Shin shot him an annoyed look.
If you really thought it was "too much," could you at least wipe that creepy grin off your face? Clearly, you're enjoying this.
"People are like that, if they get something too easily, they won't value it. After three days of mental and emotional strain, plus the pain of a high-voltage shock, they'll truly understand how hard-won this is, and they'll take your words more seriously."
"If I just fixed it instantly without leaving a strong impression, the effect would be greatly diminished."
Seeing this familiar method, Orochimaru's grin grew even more sinister.
Over the next two hours, people kept entering the lab, and each one came running out afterward, overjoyed and in tears.
Some were less fortunate, needing three shocks before the procedure succeeded.
Others needed two shocks.
Orochimaru's explanation was that everyone's chakra attributes were different, some were highly compatible and could succeed in one go, while others weren't as well-suited and needed adjustments.
Since none of them understood the details anyway, whatever he said was taken as truth.
Those who only needed one shock were in high spirits, teasing the ones who'd been zapped until they twitched.
The teased ones weren't angry in the slightest, only grinning foolishly at their reflections in the mirror.
Throughout the process, Shin and Orochimaru took turns working.
When all the Caged Bird seals had finally been removed, Orochimaru and Shin staggered out, completely drained, both of their faces pale.
"Shin-sama!"
"Orochimaru-sama!"
Everyone rushed forward in concern, but Shin and Orochimaru quickly waved them off, saying it was simply exhaustion, that a day's rest would have them fully recovered, so there was no need to worry.
Seeing the crowd's excitement, Tsunade smiled and congratulated them. "Let me offer my congratulations to you all!"
The Hyūga branch house members exchanged glances. Then Hizashi stepped forward, dropping to one knee.
"Hokage-sama, it was you who gave us hope and a new life. From now on, we of the New Hyūga Clan will follow your lead without question. Whatever orders you give, we will obey without hesitation."
The others followed Hizashi's example, kneeling and swearing in unison, "From now on, we of the New Hyūga Clan will follow your lead without question. Whatever orders you give, we will obey without hesitation."
"What is all this?" Tsunade frowned, displeased. "Anything that benefits Konoha is something a Hokage should do. Now get up."
Everyone bowed once more before rising, but in their hearts, their decision was already made. From this day forward, they would be the Hokage's blade, striking wherever she pointed, without fear or retreat.
"Since you're all here, I want to ask, do you intend to return to the original Hyūga clan, or will you separate from them?"
"Separate! We must separate!" someone impulsively shouted from the crowd, causing a burst of laughter.
But his words resonated with everyone.
Why hadn't they resisted before? Was it because they didn't want to?
No, every member of the branch house had long harbored resentment. The only reason they didn't fight back was that the Caged Bird was too terrifying, it left them with no ability to resist.
"We never want to return to that place. We discussed this over the past three days and are united in this decision," Hizashi said on behalf of the group.
"I understand," Tsunade nodded, thinking privately, "Even if you wanted to go back, I wouldn't allow it. I'll allocate land for you in the north of the village as your new clan grounds. As for how it should be built, I have only one requirement: it must be grand, generous, and beautiful, something that reflects the new image of the New Hyūga Clan."
"Yes!"
Hearing this "order," everyone's faces lit up with joy.
This wasn't an order, this was a blessing!
"We… have one more matter to discuss," Hizashi said hesitantly.
"Speak freely."
"It's like this, over the years, most of the money we've earned was handed over to the original Hyūga clan. Now that we'll be moving to a new place, there will be plenty of expenses. We don't want the village to pay for it, so we'd like to claim back the portion that rightfully belongs to us from the clan. We hope you'll permit this."
Tsunade thought for only a moment before nodding. "Fine. Just don't kill anyone."
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Completed at Chapter 278!
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