Chapter 395: The Oilada Clan's Complete Freedom!
Chapter 395: The Oilada Clan's Complete Freedom!
"No!"
"The Oilada Clan cannot leave Konoha!"
Choshin Kokoro immediately responded on behalf of Sarutobi Kazumi.
It was simple logic.
This loophole couldn't be opened any further.
The previous Uchiha Choho lineage was a special case, and they weren't even part of the Hokage lineage.
But the Oilada Clan is not only part of the Hokage lineage, they also differ from the special case of the Uchiha Choho lineage. How could they possibly agree?
If they agreed, wouldn't other Noble Clans follow suit?
Therefore, this matter must not be agreed upon under any circumstances.
Don't be fooled by the Hokage lineage's vigorous support for commoner ninjas, as if they wanted to replace the Noble Clans.
However, everyone understands that the Noble Clans are the core pillars of the village. Once they start leaving Konoha, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Sarutobi Kazumi couldn't outright refuse, so Choshin Kokoro was the best spokesperson.
"It seems that the Tsukuyomi Elder would rather see the Oilada Clan as dogs in the village than let them leave," Dong Ping mocked.
"Hmph! Joining the Root Division is their honor to serve the village. Don't talk nonsense!" Choshin Kokoro retorted.
"Is that so?" Dong Ping seemed to agree, nodding, and then asked, "So, the Oilada Clan would also be willing to join the Root Division and serve the village, right?"
Yes, since you said joining the Root Division is an honor, the Oilada Clan would certainly want to obtain this honor.
"No... The Oilada Clan is not suitable to join the Root Division!"
Choshin Kokoro subconsciously refused.
How could she not know that joining the Root Division is equivalent to being brainwashed into emotionless killing machines? How could she agree? But realizing the inappropriateness of the situation, she quickly added, 'not suitable.'
After all, whether they are suitable or not is up to the Konoha higher-ups to decide, so she wasn't exactly making things up.
"What blatant double standards!"
Honglian muttered under her breath.
Influenced by Dong Ping, she occasionally blurted out phrases that only he used to understand, but now the Skyguard Fortress higher-ups all understood.
The various clan leaders, though they didn't know what 'blatant double standards' meant, could tell with their feet that it wasn't a compliment.
However, they didn't get angry; instead, they felt relieved.
Because Choshin Kokoro's excuse was like treating them as fools.
According to what she said, the Oilada Clan deserved their misfortune?
"In other words, Konoha won't allow the Oilada Clan to leave, even if it means watching them die?"
Dong Ping stared directly at Sarutobi Kazumi.
No matter what Choshin Kokoro said, she couldn't make the decision.
Only the other party could.
In reality, Dong Ping genuinely hoped the other party would refuse and force the Oilada Clan to stay.
For him, this was a great opportunity.
Yes, Dong Ping had already prepared for both outcomes.
If the plan succeeded, the Oilada Clan would be able to go to the Skyguard Fortress to 'treat' the Curse Mark issue, completely eliminating the threat from the Root Division.
If it didn't go smoothly, the village would still keep the Oilada Clan, creating a deep and unbridgeable rift between the higher-ups and the various Noble Clans.
Is the Hokage lineage treating us Noble Clans as slaves?
Even though the Five Great Ninja Villages did the same, they couldn't show it, let alone say it publicly.
"Jimi, trust me, the village will definitely remove the Curse Marks on your clan members!"
Sarutobi Kazumi didn't reply to Dong Ping but directly addressed Oilada Jimi.
Given his 'persona' in the village, there was a high chance the other party would agree.
In the past, Danzo always played the bad cop, while he played the good cop, helping the various Noble Clans everywhere, which is why his prestige was so high.
However, if there were no alternatives, the Noble Clans would keep quiet even if they saw through it.
But with an alternative and the torment their clan members endured, Oilada Jimi was all-in, staking everything.
"Hokage-sama, please spare the Oilada Clan!"
With these words, the Oilada Clan and the Hokage lineage would have no chance of reconciliation; it was an all-or-nothing move.
The grudges were too deep!
The Oilada Clan had long suffered at the hands of the Root Division. How could they agree to stay just because of a belated act of kindness?
Especially for the clan members taken away by the Root Division, it was a pain they would never forget.
The Oilada Clan was known for their stoicism, but their love for their people was more fervent than any other Noble Clan.
So, Oilada Jimi was willing to risk everything for this gamble.
"Jimi, you...!"
Sarutobi Kazumi was stunned, perhaps not expecting that even with his guarantee, the other party still refused to stay.
It was like slapping himself in the face!
But there was no choice, Sarutobi Kazumi's promise was worthless at times.
Especially when it came to Danzo! After so many lessons, even the dumbest person would know whether to believe him or not.
Before, there was no choice. Even if they didn't believe, they had to pretend to believe.
Did they really think they were stupid and would believe as soon as they heard the other party's guarantee?
It was a no-brainer!
Otherwise, they would have to completely sever ties with the Hokage, and that would surely lead to a rhythmic death.
Now that Oilada Jimi had a choice, he directly broke ties.
Yes, he had begged Sarutobi Kazumi to spare the Oilada Clan, clearly indicating that he didn't trust him or Konoha, and it was indeed a break.
On the other hand, this also drew a clear line between Konoha and the Oilada Clan, showing their determination to side with the Heavenly Fortress.
"Oilada Jimi, is your Oilada Clan planning to defect from the village?"
Danzo, who was being escorted by several Shadow Division members, asked in a cold tone.
And as soon as he spoke, he placed the blame of 'defection' on the Oilada Clan.
If it succeeded, Root Division absorbing the Oilada Clan would be a natural course of action, and he wouldn't be detained.
Unfortunately, everyone wasn't blind, and they naturally understood that the Oilada Clan's decision to leave Konoha wasn't because of betrayal, but to avoid being 'exterminated'.
The pressure now fell on Sarutobi Kazumi.
Huff!
After taking a deep breath, Sarutobi Kazumi prepared to speak.
"Of course, Konoha has never restricted the Noble Clans, and whether you leave or not is up to you!"
He had to say this.
It wouldn't do to say that one could only enter the Hidden Village but never leave.
Although it was the truth, it was something that couldn't be said.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Oilada Jimi finally relaxed, his nerves at ease.
With this, the long nightmare of the Oilada Clan was about to end, and they no longer had to worry about clan members being taken away by Root Division and never returning.
"Kazumi, you..."
Danzo couldn't sit still anymore.
If he let the Oilada Clan leave Konoha, what meaning would his actions have?
He had planned to continue harvesting the Oilada Clan's resources as they cultivated new members, but now that the roots had fled, how could he continue to harvest?
It must be said that Danzo had never spared anyone.
Swallowing all Oilada ninjas except for the clan head wasn't enough; he also had his eyes on the future Oilada ninjas.
It could be said that as long as he was around, the Oilada Clan would never rise again.
And the reason Danzo targeted the Oilada Clan was connected to Dong Ping.
After all, the losses of Root Division were far more severe than in the original timeline, and with the additional threat of the Heavenly Fortress, Danzo had set his sights on the Oilada Clan.
Otherwise, Danzo would have slowly harvested the resources, and wouldn't have been so ruthless.
"Enough, Danzo! I'm the Hokage!"
Sarutobi Kazumi didn't want to continue arguing with Danzo and directly used his foolproof method of silencing him.
"Kazumi, you'll regret this!"
Danzo subconsciously replied, and just as he was about to storm out, he realized that this was the Oilada Clan's territory, not the Hokage's office.
"Hmph!"
He coldly huffed and then left under the escort of the Shadow Division.
Today's biggest loser was him.
Not only did he fail to achieve his goal of 'recruiting' the Oilada Clan to Root Division, but he also had to face punishment.
The punishment wouldn't be canceled just because the Oilada Clan decided to leave Konoha.
After all, the curse marks on the Oilada clan members were real, and they couldn't just go unpunished because they were rescued.
With this, Dong Ping's plan was a complete success.
Of course, he wouldn't let the Oilada Clan leave immediately, but would wait for Uchiha Yae's forces to come and escort them.
He wouldn't overestimate Konoha's integrity.
To set an example, they might even arrange for the Oilada Clan's migrating team to encounter 'bandits' on their journey.
However, before the Oilada Clan could start their migration, the Cloud Village Embassy had already arrived.
And almost simultaneously, the Daimyo's embassy arrived as well.
One was open, and the other was covert.
(End of Chapter)
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